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FLEXTAIL MAX BLAST 300 ReVIEW

When it comes to motorcycle cleaning, getting the bike properly dry can sometimes be just as important — and just as annoying — as getting it clean in the first place.

Water has a habit of finding its way into every nook and cranny on a motorcycle. Around the electronics, under the engine, behind the radiator, around the controls and even around the exhaust system, there are plenty of places where water can sit long after you've finished washing.

That's where the Flextail Max Blast 300 comes in.

I was sent one by Flextail to try out, and after using it to dry my motorcycle following a jet wash, I've found it to be a surprisingly useful bit of kit.

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The FLEXTAIL MAX BLAST 300 comes in an exellent carry bag

Compact light and super easy to use

What Is the Flextail Max Blast 300?

At first glance, the Max Blast 300 looks more like a futuristic power tool than something you'd use for cleaning a motorcycle.

It's essentially a compact, rechargeable high-speed air blower. The idea is simple: instead of trying to wipe water out of difficult-to-reach areas, you use a powerful jet of air to push it out.

The unit comes with several different attachments, allowing it to be used for more than simply drying a motorcycle.

You can use it as an air blower for cleaning, drying and removing dust and debris, while other attachments allow it to be used for things such as inflating items.

For a biker, though, the most interesting application is undoubtedly drying a motorcycle after a good clean or getting stuck in a downpour!

Using It on the V-Strom

I tested the Max Blast 300 after giving the V-Strom a quick rinse at a jet-washing station.

The bike wasn't given a full detailing treatment. The idea was simply to get the majority of the dirt and soap off before using the Max Blast 300 to see how effective it would be at removing the water.

And this is where the little blower really impressed me.

Once switched on, it produces a surprisingly strong stream of air for something so small.

Rather than trying to dry the entire motorcycle by blowing air over every panel, I found it particularly useful for targeting those awkward areas where water likes to collect, so that way you know that the water will not be sitting and causing corrosion

After a jetwash it is very important to dry off your bike!

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Getting Water Out of the Nooks and Crannies

This is really where the Max Blast 300 makes sense for motorcycle owners.

You can direct the airflow into areas around the engine, electronics, controls, radiator and other difficult-to-reach places.

As you move the nozzle around the bike, you can actually see the water being pushed out.

That's something you don't necessarily achieve by simply riding the bike after washing it.

Yes, riding the motorcycle will dry a lot of the water, but there can still be plenty left sitting in places you can't easily see.

Using the Max Blast 300 gives you the opportunity to actively push that water out before putting the bike away.

I also found it useful for drying areas such as the chain and around the controls.

And, perhaps most importantly, you can use it to dry the seat — meaning no more getting on the bike and immediately discovering that you've just given yourself a very wet backside!

It's Small Enough to Carry on the Bike

One of my favourite things about the Max Blast 300 is its size.

It's genuinely small enough that I could see myself throwing it into a motorcycle luggage bag without giving it a second thought.

That makes it particularly interesting for adventure riders.

Imagine you're out riding, get caught in awful weather or take the bike through some muddy trails, and then stop at a jet wash.

Once you've cleaned the bike, you could use the Max Blast 300 to get rid of the worst of the water before riding home.

You aren't carrying around a massive electric blower or a dedicated motorcycle dryer. This little thing can simply go into your luggage.

For riders who like keeping their bikes clean and looking after them, that's a pretty useful tool to have

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It's Not Just for Motorcycles

Another reason I like this little device is that it isn't a one-trick pony.

The Max Blast 300 can also be used around the home and garage.

You can use it to:

Blow dust and dirt away
Clean floors and awkward areas
Remove grass from equipment such as lawnmowers
Dry vehicles
Clean out your garage
Inflate suitable items
Blow water out of difficult-to-reach areas

That makes it considerably easier to justify buying than something designed purely as a motorcycle dryer.

It's the sort of tool that you can keep in the garage and find yourself using for all sorts of jobs.

USB-C Charging

Another handy feature is that the Max Blast 300 charges via USB-C.

That means you don't need a dedicated proprietary charger taking up space in your toolbox.

You can charge it using the sort of USB-C charger you're likely to already have around the house or garage, and potentially from a suitable power source while travelling.

For something intended to be portable, that's exactly the sort of charging system I'd want to see.

The Downsides

It's not perfect, though, and there are a couple of things worth mentioning.

Battery Life

The biggest issue I found was the battery life.

After using it to blow the water off the V-Strom for around 10–15 minutes, the battery had already run down.

That's not particularly impressive if you're expecting to use it continuously as a full-size vehicle dryer.

However, I don't think that's necessarily what this tool is best suited for.

The Max Blast 300 makes more sense as a targeted blower rather than something you're going to run continuously for half an hour while trying to dry every panel of your motorcycle.

The compact size is part of the attraction, but the compromise is that you don't get the battery capacity or sustained running time of a much larger blower.

It Gets Hot

The unit also became noticeably warm in my hand during extended use.

Flextail advises against running it continuously for too long, so that's something to bear in mind.

Again, this reinforces the idea that the Max Blast 300 is better suited to short bursts of targeted airflow rather than being treated like a full-sized workshop blower.

Does It Replace a Proper Motorcycle Dryer?

For me, no.

If I'm at home and I've got access to a proper pet dryer or larger blower, I'd still use that for drying the entire motorcycle.

A larger machine is going to be better suited to blowing large amounts of water off the bike quickly.

But that's not really the point of the Max Blast 300.

Where this little blower excels is convenience.

If I've just washed the bike and want to make sure water isn't sitting around the electronics, controls, radiator or other awkward areas, I can grab this from the cupboard and spend a few minutes blasting those areas dry.

It's quick, portable and doesn't require dragging a large machine out of the garage.

Is the Flextail Max Blast 300 Worth Buying?

After using it on the V-Strom, I can see this becoming a permanent part of my motorcycle toolkit.

The battery life isn't brilliant and it does get warm when used continuously, but for a small, portable air blower, it does a surprisingly good job.

I particularly like the fact that it has uses beyond motorcycle cleaning.

It's small enough to carry in a backpack or luggage, charges via USB-C and produces enough airflow to make a noticeable difference when you're trying to remove water from awkward areas.

For anyone who regularly washes their motorcycle, particularly adventure and touring riders who might use jet washes while away from home, I think there's a lot to like here.

It's also one of those tools that you'll probably find other uses for once you've got it.

Final Verdict

The Flextail Max Blast 300 isn't going to replace a large workshop blower or dedicated motorcycle dryer, but that's not what I'd buy it for.

I'd buy it because it's small, powerful, rechargeable and incredibly convenient.

For getting water out of the places you can't reach with a towel, it's excellent. And if you're out on the road, the ability to carry something this compact that can help dry your motorcycle after a wash is a genuine bonus.

The battery life could certainly be better, and the heat generated during extended use is something to be aware of, but for short jobs and targeted drying, it works very well.

For me, this is definitely staying in the toolbox — and I'll probably be throwing it into my motorcycle luggage whenever I'm heading away for a trip.

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