The Sahara does work, but nothing beats a good wash with soap and water. I have two mitts, one for the lower parts of the bike, and one I use only for the painted parts. The Glare wash works very well and will not strip finishes like some detergents. It is true that the Sahara will lift the dirt off without scratching the paint, and I do use it when the bike doesn't need a bath, but it's more trouble than it's worth for a total cleaning of the bike, IMO.
Just use a garden hose with a setting like "shower" or something other than "jet", and you'll be fine. I've been doing it this way for years and have never had an issue with getting electrical things too wet, or no wetter than they'd get in a good rain going down the road. Just don't spray water directly into the ECM or other critical electrical components and you'll be fine. If you pull the side covers off when washing (I do not, but clean them with a micro cloth when I've got the side covers off for something else),don't skeet water directly into those areas, but if the covers are on, you're good to go.
My routine: bike is cold; pull off the saddlebags and put them somewhere safe, like an old piece of carpet, or a stand for them; spray wheel cleaner (a safe for clear coat kind) on both wheels; let sit while filling up wash bucket with lukewarm water; rinse wheels and entire bike; starting from the front, wash entire bike, painted surfaces first, then switch mitts and do other parts of bike, rinsing as needed. Do this in the shade, if possible, then the soap wont start drying on you before you get done. I will also use the Glare wheel cleaner on the engine...it will NOT hurt it, and cleans it pretty well. Rinse entire bike very well, particularly the cracks and crevices on the lower engine/frame. Get out the blower and start drying the bike. Go over the bike with a microfiber towel, visually inspecting fasteners to ensure they are tight and nothing is about to fall off the bike (they do shake, after all); Take a look and see if there are any places that need a touch up with Glare product, or detailer of choice (or at this point I would Glare the entire bike, if needed...all shiney surfaces get Glared on my scooter); put bags back on bike, start it up for a minute or two...done.
That's just the way I do it...pretty f'ing Anal, huh?