Cruising on a bike that has gleaming chrome, shiny paintwork and sparkling wheel spokes makes for a satisfying ride, especially when your pride and joy attracts admiring glances.
It takes both time and know-how to keep your bike looking as good as new but the following tips from MotorCycle Direct are designed to help. As well as suggesting the best way to clean your motorcycle, you’ll find some useful tips on what not to do if you want to avoid damaging your bike in the process of cleaning it.
Useful advice
• Let the engine cool before you attempt to wash your bike to avoid cracking the engine, damaging the chrome or leaving streaks and spotting on the bodywork.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations when it comes to cleaning products.
• Never use washing-up liquid – it contains salt and can corrode.
• Wash your bike in a shady spot to prevent spotting and streaking caused by quick drying in the sun.
• Avoid using pressure washers since these can cause damage to the paintwork, electrical connections etc.
• Remove watches, rings, belts with metal buckles etc. before you start cleaning – they could scratch your paintwork.
Cleaning instructions
• Start by hosing your bike down from top to bottom to loosen any dirt or bugs that have accumulated. If these prove particularly stubborn, rinse several times to help soften them up ready for cleaning.
• Wash your bike from top to bottom with a recommended cleaning agent, clean water and a soft cloth. Cleaning mitts or microfibre cloths are better than sponges since dirt or stones can get lodged in these. Ensure your cloth is rinsed clean regularly so it remains free of dirt.
• Remove stubborn dirt and dust that gathers in between wheel spokes etc. with a toothbrush or bottle brush.
• Hose down your bike with water, after a thorough clean, to ensure there is no further trace of cleaning products.
• Leave your bike to stand for a few minutes so most of the water has run off.
• Dry your bike thoroughly with a good quality chamois leather. Make sure water isn’t allowed to pool in cracks and crannies to avoid them corroding.
• Your bike may require polishing if the water runs off in sheets, rather than beading. Make sure you use a polish recommended by the manufacturer.
• Treat your saddle and leather accessories with products recommended by your bike’s manufacturer.
Finally, remember a clean bike is also a safer bike because you’re more likely to spot problems while you’re cleaning such as worn tyres, loose hoses and leaks. Therefore you can avoid potential accidents or costly repairs by taking action quickly.
