Remember how it felt when you first drove your bike off the forecourt? Gleaming chrome… shiny paintwork…sparkling wheels. Well, you can keep your bike in tip-top condition and increase the pleasure of your ride by following these cleaning tips from MotorCycle Direct.

As well as giving you cleaning tips, they also give you important warnings to help you avoid damaging your bike and spoiling its appearance through careless cleaning methods.

DOs and DON’TS

• Allow your engine to cool before hosing her down to avoid cracking the engine and causing spotting or streaking on the paintwork.

• Do not use pressure washers because they can damage the paintwork, electrical connections etc.

• Wash your bike in the shade to avoid spotting and streaking from quick drying in the sun.

• Use cleaning agents recommended by your bike’s manufacturer. Never use washing-up liquid because it contains salt and can cause corrosion.

• Remove watches, rings, belts with metal buckles etc. before cleaning to avoid scratching the paintwork.

Step 1

• Hose your bike down from top to bottom to loosen any dirt or bugs that have accumulated. Rinse several times if necessary to soften up any debris before cleaning.

Step 2

• Use your manufacturer’s recommended cleaning agent in line with their instructions.

• Wash your bike from top to bottom using a soft cloth. A cleaning mitt or microfibre cloth may be a better option than a sponge which can pick up stones and dirt, but ensure all cloths are rinsed clean regularly.

• Use a toothbrush or bottle brush to remove stubborn dirt and dust that gathers in wheel spokes etc.

• Once your bike is thoroughly clean, hose down with water until there are no further traces of cleaning products.

Step 3

• Let most of the water run off your bike then dry it thoroughly with a good quality chamois leather, making sure water isn’t pooling in places that are hard to get to.

• If the water runs off in sheets rather than beading, your bike could probably do with a polish. Use one recommended by your manufacturer.

• Treat your saddle and leather accessories with products recommended by your bike’s manufacturer.

As well as giving you lots of pleasure, a clean bike is a safer bike. While you’re cleaning you can spot potential problems such as worn tyres, leaks or loose hoses that could lead to accidents or costly repairs. If you can ever bear parting with your pride and joy you may also find you get a much better price for a bike that’s been well maintained and looks as good as new.