Need a new pressure washer, any ideas?

Deployer78
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Deployer78
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 12:23am
So my old Karcher pressure washer is dead, time for a new one. What is everybody using? Looking for one under $400. After reading reviews it seems like they all have reliability issues with the pumps. I was just wondering what everybody is using for their bikes. Thanks.
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Chris_ONeal
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Chris_ONeal 6/6/2010 3:39pm
6/6/2010 3:39pm
I bought a little one from home depot for less than $100 and it works great. The brand is husky and its electric.
observer
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observer 6/6/2010 3:43pm
6/6/2010 3:43pm
Deployer78 wrote:
So my old Karcher pressure washer is dead, time for a new one. What is everybody using? Looking for one under $400. After reading reviews it...
So my old Karcher pressure washer is dead, time for a new one. What is everybody using? Looking for one under $400. After reading reviews it seems like they all have reliability issues with the pumps. I was just wondering what everybody is using for their bikes. Thanks.
Been there done that with 2 electric press washers. Forget about 'em. Junk.
Do yourself a favor and go get a gasoline pr washer. I picked up a "Honda powered" press washer at Sears for under 400 bucks(granted it's a "generic" Honda eng, ie I don't believe it's a genuine Japanese Honda engine, rather some lowend stamped/cooky cutter "cheap" Honda eng, probably made in Indonesia or somewhere).
Don't let the eng run at high rpm right at start up. Control rpm linkage with your fiinger to let it warm up, and cool down a bit from high rpm usage, before shut off.
IOWs give the thing a fighting chance to survive for a while. So far, so good on mine.
jndmx
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jndmx 6/6/2010 3:51pm
6/6/2010 3:51pm Edited Date/Time 6/6/2010 4:09pm
I have the Karcher K2 pressure washer $100 bucks and it works like a charm.

1500 psi which has been sufficient to blast off the heavy mud we get racing in New England.

I use a simple water barrel laying in the back of my F150 with a gravity feed and never have a problem with flow.

I think the trick to not burning the motor/pump on those is not running it dry.
I usually leave the washer off and run the hose fitting loose on the washer side until I get that little spray of water to make sure I have solid flow and then tighten it up.

We race almost every weekend and have used that little Karcher since the beginning of 09 with no problems.
observer
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observer 6/6/2010 4:02pm
6/6/2010 4:02pm
I never got anymore than maybe a riding season out of either of my electr washers.
1 was a Karcher, other a model from Sears. That 2nd time around did it for me with elec washers.

The Shop

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jndmx
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jndmx 6/6/2010 4:09pm
6/6/2010 4:09pm
Don't know observer, I have had no problems and we use that thing a lot.

I don't need another gas engine around for my 15 yr old to possibly blow up.....lol.
3D
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3D 6/6/2010 4:17pm
6/6/2010 4:17pm
My electric one has lasted me over 6 years and I use it a lot. I guess I got lucky. I use it for everything.
observer
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observer 6/6/2010 4:21pm
6/6/2010 4:21pm
jndmx wrote:
Don't know observer, I have had no problems and we use that thing a lot. I don't need another gas engine around for my 15 yr...
Don't know observer, I have had no problems and we use that thing a lot.

I don't need another gas engine around for my 15 yr old to possibly blow up.....lol.
Laughing I hear ya! maybe I got bum pr washers, i dunno...I didn't run 'em dry. One, the elec motor just quit running-right at plug in, just out of the blue. Now watch, my Honda press washer won't start or something. lol Woohoo
lappedrider
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lappedrider 6/6/2010 4:23pm
6/6/2010 4:23pm
Been using the same electric for the past 9 years. That said, some of my friends have had longevity issues with them as well.
mxer146
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mxer146 6/6/2010 4:25pm
6/6/2010 4:25pm
Ask R-acer. He could build you a sweet one for a couple grand!!!!
jndmx
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jndmx 6/6/2010 4:28pm
6/6/2010 4:28pm
mxer146 wrote:
Ask R-acer. He could build you a sweet one for a couple grand!!!!
LMAO!!!
Kinetic1
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Kinetic1 6/6/2010 4:44pm
6/6/2010 4:44pm


This one works great for me for the bike and all other home use
DrSweden
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DrSweden 6/6/2010 5:29pm
6/6/2010 5:29pm Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 11:21pm
Black & Decker for $ 100, have been using it for four years. The handle is stuck in on position but other than that it's working excellent!

Why pay $ 400? It will kill the bearings and graphics...
Void Main
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Void Main 6/6/2010 5:48pm
6/6/2010 5:48pm
mxer146 wrote:
Ask R-acer. He could build you a sweet one for a couple grand!!!!
x2!
Motodrew295
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Motodrew295 6/6/2010 5:53pm
6/6/2010 5:53pm
Karcher, things is amazing, like 6-7 years old, sat outside all its life, changed the oil once or twice, and never winterized. Starts first pull and still hammers away. I think it was right at $400 new.
jtiger12
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jtiger12 6/7/2010 7:51am
6/7/2010 7:51am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 11:21pm
3 years, starts first pull, everytime. 0 maintenance..



http://www.homedepot.com/...&catalogId=10053



found a returned unit on the floor for 350. Somebody broke the stock nozzle and returned it. HD replaced it with an off the shelf (ie better) nozzle and marked it down. An "industrious" individual could most likely duplicate my find by paying cash, and watching the floor after returning it.
How's that for an idea?
roomtofly
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roomtofly 6/7/2010 7:55am
6/7/2010 7:55am
i've had the same Karcher 1,350 psi electric washer for 6 years now and have never had a problem. Well used and beat up looking, but takes care of many bikes.
moto314
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moto314 6/7/2010 8:03am
6/7/2010 8:03am
My Karcher broke after about 10 uses, but the part was like $8 and easy to fix in under 30 minutes.

Pit Row

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huck
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huck 6/7/2010 8:04am
6/7/2010 8:04am
mxer146 wrote:
Ask R-acer. He could build you a sweet one for a couple grand!!!!
R-acer has some other priorities that he is obligated to first....
Bulldog Racing 6/7/2010 8:04am
6/7/2010 8:04am
I have a gas and electric. The gas is a pain to set up and maintain. The electric one is easy and works perfect. We wash 4 bikes and a mule every time and the electric one has been very reliable. It is just a cheap one from walmart.
TerryB
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TerryB 6/7/2010 8:46am
6/7/2010 8:46am
Electric pressure washers seem to be short-lived by nature. That being said, I still do prefer them. PSI on the gas models is overkill and I hate listening to them.

I had a Karcher for about four years before it died, now I keep an eye out for sales on the cheapies, and am able to find them for 50 to 70 bucks. I treat them like they're disposable, and am happy if I get a couple of seasons out of them at that price.
Fleece192
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Fleece192 6/7/2010 8:56am
6/7/2010 8:56am
I have a cheap one from wal mart for about 4 years now. A gas one. I took it apart last winter and cleaned it up. I also changed the pump oil. The oil that came out was very black and thick. Runs great.
NetMXer
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NetMXer 6/7/2010 9:11am
6/7/2010 9:11am
I used to use a gas Karcher but switched to the little electric ones a few years ago. At under $100, I figure they're disposable if they break but they come with a 1 year warranty.
Torco1
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Torco1 6/7/2010 9:14am
6/7/2010 9:14am
mxer146 wrote:
Ask R-acer. He could build you a sweet one for a couple grand!!!!
huck wrote:
R-acer has some other priorities that he is obligated to first....
That still hasnt been taken care of yet?
Racer92
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Racer92 6/7/2010 9:15am
6/7/2010 9:15am
Electrics junk? My Karcher works well and has for going on 4 years. Its not as powerful as some of the gas-engine sprayers, but I didnt expect it to perform like those types either.

Racer92
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Racer92 6/7/2010 9:15am
6/7/2010 9:15am
huck wrote:
R-acer has some other priorities that he is obligated to first....
Still nothing?
Deployer78
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Deployer78 6/7/2010 10:17am
6/7/2010 10:17am
I'm definitely going with a gas model. jtiger12 that is one if the one I was looking at. It works good? Is 3000psi too much?
Steve47
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Steve47 6/7/2010 10:26am
6/7/2010 10:26am
Been using the blue campbell electric. My first one lasted over 7 years and I use it a lot. Bought another one (refurb on ebay for like 65$) and it's been going for 2 years.

Can't beat the price I guess.

I also like the fact that electric seem to have the perfect pressure for washing bikes. (that's all I use it for) I always find the gas one to be to much for bikes and the gun\nozzle is always too big\long.
cjmx
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cjmx 6/7/2010 10:39am
6/7/2010 10:39am
My Karcher has lasted 11 years. The on off switch sticks a little but besides that it works well. Definitely do not run it dry. As others have said the gas models are too much pressure
observer
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observer 6/7/2010 11:02am
6/7/2010 11:02am
Dammit!!...I guess I'm snake bit on the electr ones. I figured I'd get the usage you guys got from the electr ones, but I guess I just had bad luck. They worked just fine for washing the bike. Perfect pressure. My Sears/Honda pwr washer, is rated at like 21-2400 psi(forget), and it works great. Just don't go sticking the wand right in pivot areas(ie sw/arm, shock, st head,etc) Again, common sense goes a long way.

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