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[bbrown]

 I really need advice.  I am planning to pull my cvo to Florida from Wisconsin on an open trailer. I will have access to power washers etc when I arrive.  Is this something I can do without damaging the bike?   It could be exposed to about three days of lots of road salt  and road salt dust etc.

Your thoughts appreciated    It’s a bucket list thing ...Daytona Bike Week

Two notes...1. I will not be pulling it if the roads are bad and 2. I am sorry if I have this in the wrong thread but I really need some input.

Thanks and happy new year

[Indenial]

I PM'd you.

[porthole]

I use this on the boat and trailer. And as soon as the temp gets above freezing Im going to use it on the wheels of the truck.

https://www.westmarine.com/salt-away

[grc]

 
Be very careful using a pressure washer on a Harley.  There are many areas where high pressure water can get into things it shouldn't.  I'd be more inclined to use regular water pressure and a large volume of water to float the crud away.  The product linked by Porthole would be a good choice as well.

Btw, have you looked at methods to cover the bike to keep the crud out in the first place?  Just thinking out loud here, but considering how they shrink wrap all kinds of vehicles these days for storage, it might be worthwhile to look into something like that. 

JMHO - Jerry

[bigchuck]

I'd get an enclosed trailer if any way possible

[iski]

I use this on the boat and trailer. And as soon as the temp gets above freezing Im going to use it on the wheels of the truck.

https://www.westmarine.com/salt-away

Have used this product with good results.  Use something besides plain water, salt tends to stick especially in the harder to clean places.

[bbrown]

Thanks for the input.  I was afraid the salt would cause some corrosion/ rust issues or worse.

[kojak]

I ride all winter when there is no ice on the roads, sometimes in slush. I hose it of next 40+ degree day we get. Never ever use a pressure washer, it can do bad things to your bearings and electrical system. I've never had rust issues on a bike. Leaving them sit for months at a time probably does more damage, lol!

[johnmowcop]

If it was me I would not do it.
Just two weeks before Christmas we had a bit of snow, In the UK a bit is only a few inches but it brings the country to a halt. Anyway they gritted (salted) the roads including the motorways. The snow mostly melted but still residual grit on the roads.
I purchased an old Lodola (MotoGuzzi) and went to it fetch from 150 miles away. The trailer was open with a closed floor and the road was wet, mainly from rain. Both the trailer and the bike were severely effected by salt, when I parked them in the garage upon my return and they had had time to dry out there was a good covering of salt.
For something like an Harley (my Harley anyway) it would have had a detrimental impact upon chrome/aluminium.
Use a covered in trailer is my recommendation.
JohnT

[muddypaws]

I rode for years in Minnesota. A lot of times with salt on the roads. Just washed the bike with a hose and never had a problem.

[bigchuck]

X2 John T. I keep my 2006 Ultra for bad weather and wouldn't even consider towing it on salted roads. That being said a solution of half water and half vinegar sprayed on as a pre wash works good then rinse with plenty of water

[dayne66]

For a winter move years ago....I built a plywood box around the motorcycle. A couple hours to build.....and 20 minutes with a cordless drill to take apart.

[Jock]

It’s a bucket list thing ...Daytona Bike Week

Not an expect on road salt however I am an enthusiast on having fun! 

 

[CVODON]

Go by your local boat dealer and have it shrink wrapped. Pretty cheap when you consider it will take you 2 - 3 hours minimum to wash after you get there.
But stop running with you hair on fire. A good wash with normal car-wash soap & a lot of rinse water will get off any residue just as it would if you rode the bike down a salt covered road. I have done it and cleaned it, not a big deal at all. Clean-up takes no longer for salt residue than it does for a rainy/muddy road in summer for me. I clean both equally.

[bigchuck]

For a winter move years ago....I built a plywood box around the motorcycle. A couple hours to build.....and 20 minutes with a cordless drill to take apart.

Good idea