Ryan,
Maybe I need to change my handle to 'HOSER'. I love using a hose, because my bike is waterproof (except for the fiamm horn). I even go to the local car wash and use the pressure washer to clean under bike, engine and that God forsaken chain. I take my cheap 4x8 bike lift with me and spin the rear wheel while blasting all the chain goop off the chain and sprocket (directly from the sides only). Some say I am crazy, but I replaced my last chain at 28,000 miles and it still had oily goo inside the links that I separated, so the O-rings in the X-ring chain are great.
You're not gonna hurt your bike with water, lots and lots of water. I use lots of water to get road grit and grime out of the way so it won't scratch my paint or chrome while rubbing it with soapy water.
Ride Safe, Keep It Shiny, and Keep The Shiny Side Up!
Dennis
p.s. I do this horrible stuff, and still have the best looking '02 on BA.com (laugh, laugh, chuckle, chuckle).
