I have a 06 Honda rancher 4x4 that tries to shut off every time that I wash it. When I spray the motor of it starts idling real low and I have to hit the gas to keep it running. It sputters until the motor dries off and then it starts running normal again.

 

Are you using a pressure washer, or just the garden hose?
Next time use a spray container, so you can control where the water goes, and methodically spray different areas, of the motor, until it acts up. This will narrow down the location of the shorting out.
Most likely it is the spark plug and cap. If you lube the outside porceline of the spark plug, and inside of the cap, with dielectric grease, that should water proof it.

 

I use a garden hose when washing it off. I will lube the inside and outside of the spark plug wire the next time that I wash the motor off thanks a lot for your quick recomendations.

 

Also check the vent line coming off the bottom of the carb. Its best to relocate this line to your handle bar area. Steam from the hot engine could be causing this.

 

I will try that too thanks a lot.

 

I insulated the sparkplug boot with non conductive grease and I slowly sprayed around the engine. The engine did not start to sputter until I reached where the manifold connect to the exhaust pipe. That was when the engine started to sputter. Do you think that I might have an exhause leak or something?

 

It could be a number of things making it shut off. You might want to try lubing all the wire connections on the bike.
if it still acts up check to see watter is getting into the airbox. The problem i always have with my 250 ex is getting water in the bowl of carb and theres a hose at the bottomof the carb and theres a screw just aboved the hose. dont take the screw out just unscrew it a little to let the water drain. then screw it back in once all the water is out.