6 basic tips for cleaning your motorcycle

6 basic tips for cleaning your motorcycle

A motorcycle wash is a far more detailed job than a car wash. In a car wash you just clean the paint and glass area, while a motorcycle wash includes paint, the engine and the gearbox, chain and cables and so many more creases and corners. To go about getting a good clean just follow these (sometimes forgotten) basic steps.

1 – Location, Location, Location

Yes, the location. A very common mistake for washing your motorcycle is washing it in an unclean place. The dirt and grime can go straight off the surface and directly onto the motorcycle with a wrong spray of the water jet. Always find a clean surface, preferably in a garage. A clean driveway would work fine too.

2 – The time

Another common mistake is washing the motorcycle in the middle of the day, one does this expecting the motorcycle to dry quicker. It does in fact dry quicker but, the direct sun can dry detergents on the bike’s surface before you can rinse them off, leaving streaks. Or even worse, harm the paint.

3 – Watch and spray

With a variety of affordable pressure washers, almost every motorcycle enthusiast has one of their own. These pressure washers work great and easily remove mud and grime of the surface. However, if someone goes overboard and starts spraying it all over there are chances of water entering the instrument cluster and electrical parts.

4 – The chain

No matter the type of chain you have, it will still need to be maintained. Grime and grease can have a tendency to build up around the chain along with dirt, and will increase the wear. Before lubing up your chain, check it for any build up that may need to be cleaned off. Put your bike up on the stand so that the rear wheel is off the ground. Go ahead and use a brush and a blast of your pressured washer here.

5 – The key is in the details

A simple spray and clean is not enough to make your motorcycle actually clean. Although it is a tedious task it is surely rewarding to see your pride and joy shine like it were new. Getting in those nooks and corners and cleaning the large black surfaces of the motorcycle could help extensively. Black plastics and chrome are the key areas that need cleaning and are commonly left out.

6 – Dry it

Dry off smooth, painted surfaces with clean towels or a microfiber cloth. With all their nooks and corners, most bikes will look better if you first blast them dry with compressed air. If compressed air is hard to come by for you, try getting a hair-dryer to the location and make sure to use it on the cold mode.

Stay tuned for top tips for polishing your motorcycle next time.

Photography by Kapil Angane