2020 RT Limited washing - is it OK to blow dry?

[Mikey4201]

I love using our local car wash. It even has a blower to dry. Is it ok to use it?
There is an opening under the windshield and i didn't want to get it big time wet in there. Any suggestions?

[SportsterDoc]

The Ryker manual indicates no, Spyder likely the same, but if the wand is not too close, it may be OK.
Thus far a warm wet soft shop towel has taken care of road grime for the past 2 months, 2100 miles.
But not many bugs this year, little travel on dirt and not yet caught in rain.

[Peter Aawen]

Doc, I think that warning is for the High Pressure WATER Sprayer (in fact, I'm 99.98% sure that's what they are warning you NOT to use!! Those sprayer jets can do a LOT of damage quicker'n you can say 'Ooops'!! ) but there's no real hassle in using a 'not so high pressure' air blower to dry your Spyder/Ryker off!!

Sure, I certainly wouldn't be recomending anyone uses HP shop air, especially not thru a pistol grip/needle jet nozzle; but those 'soft blow' air dryers at the car wash, that're sorta like a big hair dryer, or even your own (not 'enhanced' or supercharged) home leaf blower is ideal for drying off your Spyder/Ryker & leaving you with a 'spot free' finish!

Been doing that on my motorbikes, 4WD's, Trucks, Semi's, aircraft, & auto's since before 'leaf blowers' became a 'thing', so when my Spyder came along back in 2013, with all its gleaming tupperware & chrome, it was a no-brainer & I've been using the leaf blower to dry it off ever since!! In fact, as some of the Aussie's Spyder Ryders will freely attest if yyou ask, I use the leaf blower to dry my Spyder off a helluva lot more than I actually wash my Spyder!! It gets wet often, either when it rains or when I hose off the latest collection of mud & bugs etc, so it needs drying then/fairly frequently, which I do with the leaf blower; but it really only gets 'washed' with suds & a cloth maybe once or twice a year! Doing it that way saves the paintwork from excess abrasion wear & those unsightly 'swirl marks' many get in the polish - I have absolutely none of them, and my Spyder cleans up really well, whenever it gets its annual wash!

So for my 2 bob's worth, go ahead Mikey! Altho you might wanta stuff any openings/places you don't want to blow water &/or anything else into with a piece of easily removable rag - and don't forget to remove those rags once you're finished! You'd be surprised how many times I 'fixed' other's 'poorly running' machines by pulling out the last rag they used to block that particular hole with when they were washing/drying their vehicle! But generally, blow drying your Spyder/Ryker with those 'soft blow' air dryers is fine!!

[SportsterDoc]

Peter, I plan to use same on my Ryker when it needs it, but keep some distance with the wand.
I think we are on the same page.

I had my 2012 Triumph for about 2 years before I washed it.
Took it to AZ ranch (16 miles of rough, dusty road) and it was FILTHY.
Street tires a challenge on the last 3/4 mile Jeep trail.
Used the coin-op in Kingman, then oiled the x-ring chain for the first time, after I got home.

[stmike 1800]

After a wash i use a leaf blower to dry the bike ,helps to keep water spots off.

[Grandpot]

I use a leaf blower on my RT and Valkyrie. Never had a problem. Eliminates water spots.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

After a wash i use a leaf blower to dry the bike ,helps to keep water spots off.

.... been using mine ( 150 mph model ) for years and years ..... I don't use it on the F & R speakers tho ...... Mike

[ARtraveler]

Learned something new today. Never thought to use a leaf blower for the drying part. I even have one of those. Thanks.

[Papa103]

I've been using a leaf blower on everything automotive plus for years. if I want it dried I put the leaf blower to it.

[Al_lockup]

I even use it when we have a dusting of snow in the winter. Easy way of cleaning the car and sidewalk..