Cleaning Your Motorcycle

If you want your motorcycle to look as good as possible, you need to put in the time and effort. Keeping your bike clean will help it to shine no matter where you ride. If you’re not sure where to start, follow this guide from East Bay Motorsports on how to clean your motorcycle. 

Find The Right Place

Step one is to find a place to work. Make sure you have enough room, and that you’re out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can cause soapy water to dry on the surface of your motorcycle before you have a chance to wash it off, creating soap spots and streaks. Gather supplies like brushes, clothes, and sponges. Make sure that any cleaners you plan to use are manufacturer approved. Don’t forget to plug your motorcycle’s exhaust before you start rinsing. Finally, never clean your motorcycle directly after a ride. Cold water on still-warm motorcycle components can lead to cracks forming. 

Rinse Your Motorcycle

The next step is to spray your motorcycle down with a mixture of water and motorcycle cleaner to loosen any dirt or grime that has accumulated on your bike. While high-pressure hoses might get the job done faster, you run the risk of accidentally damaging your bike if you use one. Instead, only utilize a standard pressure hose while cleaning your motorcycle. 

Scrub Away

Next, start scrubbing away, starting at the top and working your way down so that you don’t end up having to clean the same area twice. If your motorcycle is especially dirty, you might need to clean your sponge a few times, or even rinse out your bucket and replace the mixture if things get too dirty. Don’t scrub too hard, though, or you might accidentally damage your bike. 

Let Your Motorcycle Dry

Finally, dry off your motorcycle. Cloth will work for most of your bike, though you might need to use a leaf blower or can of compressed air to get into the hard-to-reach cracks and crevices. Once the motorcycle has fully dried, re-lube the chain and apply a layer of wax and polish to help protect the finish.

Shop motorcycles at East Bay Motorsports. Our dealership in Hayward, California offers convenient access to the San Francisco Bay Area. We also offer parts ordering, servicing, and financing.