How To Wash A Motorcycle

It’s a shame that motorcycles don’t always look perfectly clean and shiny. In fact, the more we ride our bikes, the more often we need to clean them!

Fortunately, learning how to wash your motorcycle isn’t too arduous. Follow the step-by-step process below to keep your bike looking sleek and stylish for years to come.

Gather Your Cleaning Supplies

Before cleaning your bike, you will need to get all the necessary supplies. Cleaning a motorcycle thoroughly and safely means you will need to purchase several different cleaning tools or solutions, not just the basic soap and a sponge. In total, you will need:

• Several sponges that you use to get rid of stuck-on grime and dirt.
• Brushes that you can use to clean spoked wheels and similar areas.
• Clothes or towels you can use to dry the motorcycle.
• Chamois is preferable since this can help you dry the bike’s more compact areas. This material is also safe to use on shiny motorcycle surfaces.
• Microfiber cloths can also help you finish the job and trap any leftover dust or lint without scratching your motorcycle.
• Motorcycle cleaners, including a detailing spray, a “rinseless” wash, and more, depending on how you like to clean your bike.

Just be sure that any cleaning solutions you purchase are intended for use with motorcycles, not cars. There is a difference in the formulas included in both types of products.

One more thing: it is a good idea to let your motorcycle cool down if you have just ridden it home and want to give it a quick wash. If you spray water over your hot engine, you might accidentally crack the engine block and cost yourself hundreds of dollars in repair fees.

Set Up The Cleaning Area

Next, it’s time to set up the bike and prepare your cleaning area. First, move your motorcycle into a cool and dry location, preferably without direct sunlight exposure. If you work in direct sunlight, the soap will dry faster, and it will be difficult to do a good cleaning job without adding streaks or water spots.

Ensure you have a consistent water source on hand and there is enough ventilation for adequate (but not fast) drying.

Plug Exhaust Holes

Purchase a specialized motorcycle rubber exhaust plug, or use a dirty rag and plug the exhaust hole. This is important, so water doesn’t collect in the exhaust pipe as you wash your bike. On the other hand, if your motorcycle is a more recent model, it may have an exhaust pipe that is strategically angled, preventing water from pooling inside. If this is the case, you don’t need an exhaust plug.

Spray Cleaning

When you are cleaning your motorcycle, you will want to do so without applying too much friction. Friction can scrape away dirt and debris, but it can also grind that debris over your bike’s delicate surfaces and paint job.

To this end, your next step is to spray down your motorcycle with chemical motorcycle cleaner and water. Motorcycle cleaning solutions usually come in spray bottles specifically for this purpose.

By spraying, you can loosen up gunk and dirt before using a lot of elbow grease. After your first spray cleaning cycle, rinse your motorcycle thoroughly. This should get rid of any dirt and debris that doesn’t require actual muscle power to remove.

Note: don’t use a power washer when rinsing your motorcycle, which can damage the paint or fragile pieces on the inside. A standard garden hose with a pressure nozzle at the end is more than enough for the job.

Wash

Now, it’s time to wash your bike thoroughly. Use the motorcycle cleaning solution again and take a scrubbing brush or sponge to begin cleaning. For the best results:

• Wash your bike from top to bottom, which should ensure that you don’t miss any visible spots.
• Clean your sponge or brush regularly to get rid of dirt and grime. This will prevent you from spreading the debris over your bike.
• Don't scrub your bike's chain and brakes, even if water and soap spill on their surfaces. If you scrub those areas, the coating will be worn off, and your bike will not run properly.

Rinse And Dry

Rinse your bike again after scrubbing away all other visible dirt and debris. Don’t let the soap sit on the surface of your bike for too long since it will cause streaks that are difficult to remove.

After thoroughly rinsing your motorcycle, dry it just as thoroughly. You want to get all the water you can possibly reach because any water left behind may cause corrosive damage.

Consider investing in an air blower or even use a basic shop vacuum with a reverse function for best results. These are excellent assets for getting rid of water in the nooks and crannies of your motorcycle.

Natural chamois towels are also advantageous here, as they can get rid of water droplets without harming your bike’s paint. Of course, you can also turn on your motorcycle’s engine or ride it around the block to evaporate any excess water. Just be careful, as your bike’s brakes might behave a little differently than you are accustomed to.

Lubricant Application

You aren’t done quite yet. Now you need to re-lubricate your motorcycle’s chain. The odds are that the chain was soaked by soap and water as you washed your bike. Re-lube the chain to replace any lubricant that the soap might have worn down.

Wax And Finish

Your motorcycle is totally clean, but you will need to apply wax if you want it to look fantastic over the long term. Wax protects your motorcycle's paint from water and dirt and will add a finishing sheen that brings out your bike’s best look.

Choose whatever wax you prefer, but be sure to apply it shortly after washing your motorcycle, so the wax doesn’t trap any new dirt and debris underneath its protective layer. Carnauba wax is a popular choice for both its durability and its aesthetically pleasing finish.

What Not To Do When Washing A Motorcycle

We have covered how you can wash your bike thoroughly and safely, but here are some things you should keep in mind to avoid:

• Again, do not use detergent or soap that you would use on a car. Motorcycle-specific cleaners are the only way to go.
• Don’t wash your bike when it is extremely hot outside, even if it’s not in direct sunlight. For instance, on a hot summer day, the temperature may be high enough that your motorcycle soap dries too quickly, even if you wash your bike in the shade.
• Don’t scrub dirt into your bike’s paint if it won’t come off at first. If there’s a spot that is giving you trouble, let your motorcycle cleaner soak into the dirt for five minutes or so and try again.