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Motorcycle Cleaning Tips

Nov. 5 2020 ownership Tips By Langston Motorsports

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Your bike gets you where you need to be and makes commuting and errands much more fun and efficient. But after so much riding, like any vehicle, your motorcycle is going to get dirty. You might not think that that’s worth being concerned about if you’re not troubled by dirt, but the truth is that dirt and mud can mask maintenance issues with your motorcycle and it’s helpful to clean it in order to see what’s going on. Also, a clean bike is a more attractive bike and it won’t get your clothing dirty!

So how do you wash a motorcycle? Langston Motorsports in Perris is your California motorcycle dealer. Here are the steps you’ll want to take to get your motorcycle shiny and clean so it’s ready for your next adventure.

1. Gather Up Your Supplies

Park your bike in a shaded area over ground with good drainage and plenty of space to walk all around the bike. You don’t want to park it on your lawn, as the soap and dirt can do damage to your grass. A driveway is best, provided it’s flat enough. Plug up the exhaust with a rag so you don’t get water in it. You may want to park in the shade so that the water doesn’t dry and create water spots.

Let your engine cool down before you begin the process of cleaning so that you aren’t dealing with the hazard of cold water hitting a hot bike. In the meantime, you can gather your supplies together. Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A source of fresh water like your garden hose

  • Motorcycle-friendly soap such as a car-wash soap

  • Motorcycle spray cleaner/degreaser

  • Buckets

  • Soft sponges

  • Hard-bristle scrub brush

  • Chamois cloths for drying

  • Lubricant for your chain

  • Wax or polish

2. Spray & Rinse Bike Thoroughly

If your bike has a lot of grime on it, you may want to use a motorcycle spray cleaner or degreaser. Spray it on a dry bike and allow it to sit before you rinse it. Now it’s time to get your hose and douse your bike! A combination of motorcycle cleaner and water is best; you’ll want to allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes to loosen up some of the dirt. Avoid using water pressure that’s too strong; a pressure washer is more likely to blow your bike over than get it clean!

3. Scrub Down

Now you’re ready to start scrubbing. Fill a bucket with suds and water and use your sponges to scrub your bike from top to bottom, changing out the water as it gets dirty. Try to avoid getting water or soap on your chain or brakes. Use your hard-bristle brush to get into nooks and crannies.

4. Rinse Again & Dry

Time to rinse your bike off again! Do this immediately after you’re done scrubbing so that the soap doesn’t dry in streaks on the bike. Remove as much residue as you can. You’ll then need to take your chamois cloths and dry your bike, especially around more delicate components. A can of compressed air can be used for those tight spots or you could use a leaf blower if you’re careful.

5. Apply Lubricant & Wax

You’ll need to apply some lubricant to your motorcycle’s chain now that it’s clean. A good motorcycle wax can give your bike that brand-new sparkly shine. The added bonus of waxing your bike is that it forms a protective coating that will resist dirt for a bit.

We hope this guide helps you to get your bike all clean. Searching for a new motorcycle? Visit our website to look at all the new and used bikes in our inventory at our Perris, CA, location. Langston Motorsports proudly serves all of Orange County, CA, as well as the city of Temecula.