Does washing a hot motorcycle have any impact?
2 Answers
Washing a hot motorcycle does have an impact and can cause damage to the engine. Here are specific details about washing a hot motorcycle: Shaking: Try to avoid washing the motorcycle when it's at high temperatures, especially after high-speed riding. Due to the physical principle of thermal expansion and contraction, it may cause the brake disc to deform in a very short time, leading to shaking during braking. Cylinder Block Cracking: Do not directly spray water on the engine when the motorcycle is hot, as it can cause the cylinder block to crack, resulting in unnecessary damage. When using a high-pressure water gun to clean the engine, it's best to adjust the spray to a scattered pattern to avoid water entering the connectors.
As a motorcycle enthusiast, my advice is never rush to wash your bike right after shutting off the engine. The engine and exhaust system after a long ride are hot enough to fry eggs – spraying cold water on them creates extreme temperature differences between inner and outer metal parts, which can lead to exhaust pipe cracks over time. Water vapor can also cause oxidation and poor contact in electrical connectors, while the delicate components of fuel injection systems can't handle such thermal shocks. Once I made the mistake of washing a hot bike and got nearly scalded by steam when water hit the brake discs. Later, waiting half an hour for natural cooling before washing actually improved my bike's condition. So take a smoke break after parking – wait until the temperature drops to touch-safe levels before cleaning.
