How To Correctly Wash A Motorcycle
What is the best way to wash your motorcycle? Looking for the best products to clean your motorcycle?
Looking after your motorcycle with a regular cleaning routine will keep it clean but also make sure the parts are always in great condition.
As you know, motorcycles are more exposed to the elements than cars and there are a couple of things you need to do that require extra attention.
In this blog, we'll show you the dos & don'ts, best products to wash with and simple steps to wash your motorcycle.
Click here to view our range of premium wash and detailing products to keep your motorcycle clean.
Do's:
- Cover any wires, exposed fuses, or other electrical parts with plastic bags.
- Plug the exhaust (can use a rag or towel) to prevent water getting in.
- Wash in shaded area if possible, the prevent soap drying, causing water spots.
- Use the 2-Bucket Wash Method (click here to learn more about this).
Don'ts:
- Clean your motorbike right after a ride, let it cool down.
- Use dishwashing liquids for soap, they have harsh chemicals that will damage your bike.
- Use dishwashing scrub pads, foam blocks etc. They trap dirt and will scratch your paint or metals.
When washing and rinsing your bike, you can use a hose, or a pressure washer. We don't recommend using a pressure washer especially if you have an older bike, the pressure can possibly damage parts of your bike. We use one to wash our bikes, but we don't have the nozzle too close to the bike when rinsing and cover up any exposed electrical areas.
What you'll need:
- 2 Buckets
- Wash Soap
- Soft Brush
- Microfibre Wash Mitt
- Drying Towel
- Leaf Blower
Check out our range of the best products to clean and wash your motorcycle here.
Steps to Wash Your Bike:
1. If you have just been for a ride, let the bike cool down.
2. Park it in a shaded area, if possible.
3. Put some wash soap in the bucket and fill with water to suitable level. If possible, have another bucket filled just with clean water. This is used for rinsing your wash mitt and prevents dirt being trapped in the mitt that will scratch your paint. (learn more about the '2-Bucket Method' technique, click here)
(If you have a pressure washer and a foam cannon, you can soap up the bike using this as long as your cover up an exposed electrical parts)
Watch this short video of a Foam Wash we did on our Benelli TRK 502
4. Rinse the bike down with hose or pressure washer
5. Scrub the wheels with a soft bristle brush and rinse off. We recommend cleaning the wheels first to prevent dirt going on your clean paint and metals.
6. Dunk the wash mitt in your soapy bucket and wash your bike, then rinse the mitt in the clean water and repeat.
(If using a foam cannon, soap up the bike, then use a wash mitt to wash the bike, then wash the mitt in the clean water each time, then repeat if needed.)
7. Once you have washed the bike, its time to rinse all the soap off the bike.
8. Now its drying time! You can use a drying towel for the petrol tank, seats etc. But it's hard to dry the engine and other areas to get rid of that pesky water.
Most of the time, we use a leaf blower to dry our bikes.
It's a great way to dry your bike and remove any water around the engine that normally reappears a few minutes after you think it's all gone....
Now that the bike is clean and dry, we do recommend applying a good wax or sealant to help protect the paint for the next rides ahead.
If your exhaust and other metal areas have seen better days, you could also give them a clean with a good metal polish.
We hope this has helped you with some new tips to clean your bike, as always if you have any questions, send us an email at: info@jaylenosgarage.com.au
Regards
JLG Australia Team