Summer is here! That means long, exciting bike rides on those sun-kissed roads. The only downside, of course, is that your bike is going to get dirty. If you love your motorcycle as much as we love ours, then we’re sure you’d agree that cleanliness is key.
So, what’s the best way to clean your pride and joy? Everyone thinks that they’ve got some secret method, but in actuality, it’s a pretty simple process. Let’s break it down, shall we?
Step 1: Gather Your Cleaning Supplies
If you want to clean your motorcycle efficiently, then it’s best to have everything you need in front of you. There’s nothing more annoying than having to run back and forth between the house and driveway everytime you need something.
Here’s what you’ll need
- A Rag: To plug exhaust holes
- Spray Motorcycle Cleaner: For cleaning your bike before rinsing it.
- Sponges: You’ll use these to remove grime.
- Brushes: These will be good for areas like spoked wheels that require a bit of elbow grease.
- Drying Clothes: You’ll need to dry your bike when you’re done. This will help you do that.
- Microfiber: Great for finishing touches.
Step 2: Bring Your Bike To a Shady Area
Before you do anything, make sure that the engine is cold! Don’t start cleaning your bike the second you park it. This could give you a thermal shock. Furthermore, If at all possible, don’t clean your motorcycle under direct sunlight. This will make the soap dry faster, which will cause streaks and water spots.
Step 3: Cover Your Exhaust Holes
Since you’ll be applying soap and water to your motorcycle, it just makes sense to keep it out of areas that won’t benefit from it. To keep water out of your exhaust holes, use a rag or rubber glove.
Step 4: Apply Motorcycle Spray & Water
Motorcycle spray will help loosen the dirt and grime so that you won’t have to rub and scrub as much. When you scrub vigorously, you end up making things worse; so, go ahead and apply the spray cleaner to your dry bike, and let it sit for the duration stated on the bottle. Once finished, rinse it gently with the hose.
Step 5: Lather & Rinse Your Motorcycle
This part is pretty self-explanatory. To make the process go smoothly, start at the top of your bike, and work your way down. Moreover, it’s a good idea to use 2 separate buckets: One for soap, and one for rinsing. Doing this will help keep most of the dirt in the rinse bucket. Once you’ve thoroughly lathered your bike, apply the hose again. It’s important to rinse quickly after sudsing; the longer you wait, the more likely you are to see hard-to-remove streaks.
Step 6: Dry Your Motorcycle
Use an air blower together with a soft cloth. The air blower will help you cast a wide net, which will reach tiny crevices that your hands can’t easily reach. While the air blower will handle most of the drying process, it’s good to use the cloth on specific areas that didn’t get enough air attention.
Bonus: Keep Your Motorcycle Clean With a Pop Up Shed
Not everyone owns a garage. If this sounds like you, then consider a pop up shed for your motorcycle, like these from Portable Garage Depot