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[cvo1717]

Whats the best way to dry off the bike after washing?

[Twolanerider]

Whats the best way to dry off the bike after washing?

A bevy of buxom coeds all leaning in toward the bike with their cute little butts sticking out and all blowing for all they're worth to get the bike dry.

[Midnight Rider]

Whats the best way to dry off the bike after washing?

If you can't get the bevy of buxom girls (I'll take non buxom too), the Air Shammy works really well and the vendor gives us a discount.  Blowing it dry...or for that matter wiping it down...only works well if your water is not so hard that it leaves spots.  If so, either get a water softener cartridge type deal for the hose, or buy distilled water and do the final rinse from a garden sprayer...then blow dry.

[xsdbs]

I use an electric leaf blower that's used ONLY for drying bikes/cars/etc...
It gets the water out of all the spots I can't get a towel into.
I figure I can't scratch if I don't touch. 

Maybe some co-eds with leaf blowers...

[Buy early]

Whats the best way to dry off the bike after washing?

A 5 mile high speed ride followed by another wash followed by another 5 mile high speed ride followed by...... well, you get the drift.

[deldago]

I usually dry it off well enough to take it for a ride then do about a mile ride.After returning I get all the streaks and stuff with a soft microfiber towel.

[GregKhougaz]

Maybe some co-eds with leaf blowers...

You mean there are other ways!?    

Sturgis, 2005:

[grc]

Blow it off with the shop vac, assuming you have one where you can attach a hose to the exhaust port.  I use a 16 gallon Craftsman and have a dedicated 1.25" hose I use only for drying the bike or cars.  This gives you filtered air, as opposed to using leaf blowers, and it's easier to maneuver a hose to get to all the nooks and crannies.  You will still need to do a final wipe down to get the little drips and drops, but the blower is what you need to get the water out of all those hiding spots first.

Jerry

[cambo]

I ordered and Air Shammy and drying the bike is a no-brainer now. It takes about 5 minutes and the bike is clean and ready to roll.

And BTW this is how you can have it washed:

[2k]

Have always used my leaf blower and swore you couldn't get better. A friend of mine felt sorry for me and gave me an extra Metro Air he had. Dang I was hard headed.

[dahsen]

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDE IT   !!!!!!!!!!!!     

[cvo1717]

A bevy of buxom coeds all leaning in toward the bike with their cute little butts sticking out and all blowing for all they're worth to get the bike dry.

I really like this idea

[mark]

I use a cycle dryer, followed by a soft drying towel.

[Twolanerider]

I really like this idea

I agree it has real promise.  I'm worried it might end up being really expensive though !

[cvo1717]

I agree it has real promise.  I'm worried it might end up being really expensive though !

+
your right especially if wife finds out

[BUCKNUT GREG]

If you keep watching Jimmy's avatar ...... you might be able to squeegee it 

[ultrarider123]

I realize that this post is a few months old but had to chime in as today, I finally got to use my Air Force blaster sidekick for the first time since I purchased it from one of our members back in November. I gave ginger a thorough washing this afternoon to get all the road crap and salt off her from the winter rides. I had always used a leaf blower up to this point and then wipe with an old cotton sheet I've had for years. Not anymore. I'm sold on this new dryer 100% as I had no further drying after using it and no water spots or wipe streaks. I'm like Jimmy in being stubborn for all those years with the leaf blower. Guess you can teach an old dog new tricks

[Aussie]

Haird, those dryers do a great job.
I have always used the Blaster (next size up from yours) to dry my bikes, no water spots and best of all no rubbing a chamois on paint and chrome, water beads of and gets blown out of those had to get spots.
Wash and dry in 30 minutes. One of the best tools I have.

[CVCVORG]

 :worthless:is the Blaster available with vendor discount?

[evodistraction]

I usually dry it off well enough to take it for a ride then do about a mile ride.After returning I get all the streaks and stuff with a soft microfiber towel.

Question: Are all microfiber towels created equal? I see different prices on them and so many fibers per sq. in. etc.

Thanks,

Evo

[Midnight Rider]

Question: Are all microfiber towels created equal? I see different prices on them and so many fibers per sq. in. etc.

Thanks,

Evo

IMO, no.  The best ones I've ever found are from Griot's Garage on the web.  In fact, they make a lot of good products for cleaning/washing the bike.  Their microfiber towels, either the blue ones or the green ones are THE softest and most plush I've ever touched.

[FLHTCUSE7]

I don't wash my HD a lot but when I do I use filtered water to rinse it with so there is no need to dry it. (No minerals in the water = no stains)

[dicko]

+1 for the Air Force Metro Sidekick.  It is powerful and easy to use and seldom requires any wiping with a towel.  They are available from your H-D dealer for $105 and available elsewhere for $65 - $75, search with Google.  Here is a Youtube showing it in operation:

.

     -Dick-

[cyco1450]

I used to use leaf blower too.  Bad idea. Use Hog Blaster or similar.  Blows way stronger than leaf blower, small, light weight, easy control and gets into all the small spots you really need.

[TinSpinner]

You mean there are other ways!?    

Sturgis, 2005:

Careful with the microfiber towel on the hot parts. I made the mistake of wiping some drips off an exhaust shield before it had cooled off enough. What a mess that made! I tried everything to get all the melted towel off and was never happy with the results so I bought a new shield off ebay to replace it. If you can't wait for things to cool off use cotton instead.

[GregKhougaz]

To clean gunk off a heat sheild, Crumble / ball up a sheet of aluminum foil and spray with Purple Slice or any detail spray for lubrication.  Wipe with light pressure.  Chrome is denser than aluminum foil and thus it will not be scratched.

Careful with the microfiber towel on the hot parts. I made the mistake of wiping some drips off an exhaust shield before it had cooled off enough. What a mess that made! I tried everything to get all the melted towel off and was never happy with the results so I bought a new shield off ebay to replace it. If you can't wait for things to cool off use cotton instead.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Classic Beast]

Put some jet dry rinse stuff from the dishwasher in your rinse bucket ( it doesn't take much)  you won't get spots I use the metrovac blaster from Adamspolishes and their microfiber drying towels with a shot of detail spray it doesn't take long and the results are amazing. The metrovac filters and heats the air it's much better than a leaf blower.

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-471-adams-blaster-sidekick-dryer-by-metrovac.aspx

http://www.finishdishwashing.com/products/enhancers/jet-dry/jet-dry-rinse-aid-original/

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-106-adams-great-white-microfiber-drying-towel.aspx
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-870-adams-detail-spray.aspx

[Jswerve]

+1 for the Air Force Metro Sidekick.  It is powerful and easy to use and seldom requires any wiping with a towel.  They are available from your H-D dealer for $105 and available elsewhere for $65 - $75, search with Google.  Here is a Youtube showing it in operation:

.

     -Dick-

Man that guy was a wind bag! He wouldn't shut up in the video! I don't know why he needed the blower he could have dried the Damn bike with all the hot air from his gums flapping!

[PinkE]

Man that guy was a wind bag! He wouldn't shut up in the video! I don't know why he needed the blower he could have dried the Damn bike with all the hot air from his gums flapping!

You got that right...I want one of those blasters for the bikes and all our cars....I'm gonna start looking for one on line....without bigmouth...lol

[bbrown]

Put some jet dry rinse stuff from the dishwasher in your rinse bucket ( it doesn't take much)  you won't get spots I use the metrovac blaster from Adamspolishes and their microfiber drying towels with a shot of detail spray it doesn't take long and the results are amazing. The metrovac filters and heats the air it's much better than a leaf blower.

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-471-adams-blaster-sidekick-dryer-by-metrovac.aspx





http://www.finishdishwashing.com/products/enhancers/jet-dry/jet-dry-rinse-aid-original/

http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-106-adams-great-white-microfiber-drying-towel.aspx
http://www.adamspolishes.com/p-870-adams-detail-spray.aspx

I do the same thing and it works great.  I saved money on a blower/dryer by just using my lawn leaf blower...Does not take long and works great...just sayin

[PinkE]

Well, I just ordered that Blaster Side Kick, I want it for Maggie Valley this fall, I hear there is a lot of rain, and I like the small size cause I can put it in the trunk of my trike and take it with me...I'll let you know how I like it.  Got it off Ebay, brand new for $74.99. 

[Cat Eye]

I have been using the Air Shammy for a couple of years now with no complaints.  Nice long hose and long cord.

My only bitch is about the operator......if you use a blower to dry your bike, make sure you blow all the water out of the floorboards first!

Many times I have been almost done....then the air hits the floorboard and splash all over the engine and the routine starts all over again.

Then a quick wipe down with Poly Glide and good to go.
http://www.sportys.com/PilotSHop/product/12026