New owner, couple questions

[Conrad]

Thanks, Max.  I guess I'm just not used to seeing that amount of vapor coming off the hot parts, I do live in the desert.  I think the dewpoint was very high today which probably formed more steam.

Yeah, what Max said. Plus when you ride the bike after riding in the rain you'll get a burnt oil smell coming up from the headers.

[VirginiaJim]

I've always thought it smelled like burnt fall leaves....

[Conrad]

I've always thought it smelled like burnt fall leaves....

That was the leaves stuck to your exhaust.

[VirginiaJim]

oh..

[maxtog]

Why would you leave the engine running while you wash the bike?   

This is what I was taught.  Supposedly it prevents water from keeping the bike from starting (that is probably way old school), it allows the windshield to be operated for washing, and it helps to dry faster.

[gPink]

Why would you wash the bike?

[Rhino]

Why would you wash the bike?

+1 Good point, it takes away from riding time. 

[stevewfl]

Why would you leave the engine running while you wash the bike?   

^^^^^fixed 

[Conrad]

This is what I was taught.  Supposedly it prevents water from keeping the bike from starting (that is probably way old school), it allows the windshield to be operated for washing, and it helps to dry faster.

I don't see the logic but anyways...

I raise the shield before I start washing and she dries off plenty fast at 80mph.   

[Conrad]

Why would you wash the bike?

Gives me something to do while I'm drinking my beer.

[ZG]

Gives me something to do while I'm drinking my beer.

 

[VirginiaJim]

Gives me something to do while I'm drinking my beer.

I can find better things to do while drinking beer than to wash a bike.  But, what the heck, I'll come over to your house and drink beer while you wash your bike.  Should be good entertainment.  I'll provide commentary.

[Conrad]

I can find better things to do while drinking beer than to wash a bike.  But, what the heck, I'll come over to your house and drink beer while you wash your bike.  Should be good entertainment.  I'll provide commentary.

You're on! After enough beers you'll be up washing your bike as well Jim.   

 

[gPink]

After enough beers, you should be having the women folk out washing the bikes.

[maxtog]

Why would you wash the bike?

Well, I rode 20 minutes through a storm last night (and got surprisingly not terribly wet, myself).  It helps, but clean is better.

I like my things sparkly and clean.

[maxtog]

I don't see the logic but anyways...

Like I said, it is mostly a holdover from older bikes.  Hot engine means ignition area and such are all hot and less likely to "foul" with water.

I raise the shield before I start washing

On the 2nd Gen bikes, the windshield will immediately go down as soon as you turn off the ignition (unless you want to drain the battery).  Not sure if your gen 1 is the same...

[gPink]

The superior Gen 1 stays where we put it. Doesn't the gen2 have a two finger salute for the windshield problem?

[Flathead]

Like I said, it is mostly a holdover from older bikes.  Hot engine means ignition area and such are all hot and less likely to "foul" with water.

On the 2nd Gen bikes, the windshield will immediately go down as soon as you turn off the ignition (unless you want to drain the battery).  Not sure if your gen 1 is the same...

Max, before you turn off the ignition hold the up button for the windshield while turning off the ignition. It will stay right where ya put it

[maxtog]

The superior Gen 1 stays where we put it.

I don't consider staying put a superior feature.  I very much like it going down when I turn it off so it will fit in the CycleShell

Doesn't the gen2 have a two finger salute for the windshield problem?

Not sure what you mean, but I will quote the manual:

Electric Windshield - “WINDSHIELD SET”
This setting menu can be used to set the initial position of the windshield. The initial position of the windshield can be selected from 4 standard positions.  When the engine starts, the windshield moves to the set position automatically.

1 Bottom Position (Basic Position)
2 Middle Position
3 3/4 from Bottom Position
4 Top Position

When the ignition switch is turned to the "OFF" position, the windshield automatically moves to the "basic" (bottom) position. Be sure nobody is adjacent to the windshield when switching the ignition to "OFF."

[maxtog]

Max, before you turn off the ignition hold the up button for the windshield while turning off the ignition. It will stay right where ya put it

Sounds like the perfect solution.  Is that documented?  I can't find that in the manual...