Washing your motorcycle, part one

Dodsfall · 10-12-2011, 09:00 AM

Many riders like to ride a clean, shiny motorcycle. Some are meticulous, taking their time to polish every visible part, while others have a more laissez faire attitude toward motorcycle cleaning. However you wish to wash your motorcycle, there are some basic procedures to follow that will keep your motorcycle in top condition.

Why we wash

Motorcycles collect road grime and bugs like a magnet. Many times, substances picked up from the road will be corrosive. Over time, these will not only damage the finish of a motorcycle, but can cause electrical and mechanical issues that could easily be avoided with an occasional scrubbing.

Start with the soap

There are a multitude of washing products both motorcycle-specific and for general automotive use. Personally, I use a standard automotive one-step wash and wax to clean the entire motorcycle. I just like to keep it simple and not spend a lot of time polishing. There are great polishes for both aluminum and chrome that will bring out the best shine for the rider who doesn't mind spending the time applying them. Waxing painted surfaces will help protect them from the elements and grime. Never use soaps or detergents not designed for automotive or motorcycle use on the painted surfaces. These may dull the finish and make it difficult to bring the shine back.

Getting it wet

Motorcycles are built to be able to get relatively soaked without ill effects. Care must be taken not to get too much water directly into the air intake area, inside of electrical connections, and any engine venting ports. A gentle spray of water from a garden hose over the motorcycle while washing will be fine, while using a power washer is a bad idea. When washing, pay special attention to the underside of the motorcycle, including under the fenders. A lot of road grime ends up in those places.

Check back tomorrow for more tips on tools, drying your bike, and a secret pledge.

vito · 10-13-2011, 08:17 AM

This makes me almost feel guilty. My bike was bought new in May, and I have only washed it once after getting caught in the rain. I clean the bugs off the windscreen and the backs of the mirrors, etc. after every ride with just plain water and a soft towel, but that is all I have done for the last several months and the bike still looks clean and great. I guess I should at least check the inside of the fenders. With my bad knees I find it hard to get down low to even lube my chain, and I must admit that I have yet to try to clean the chain at all; I just spray on lube every 400 or 500 miles. Any easy way to clean the chain that you can recommend?

Dodsfall · 10-13-2011, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vito

Any easy way to clean the chain that you can recommend?

I just happen to have written a new article on that very subject a couple of days ago. Check back tomorrow for the article!

10-12-2011, 09:00 AM	#1
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,951	Washing your motorcycle, part one Many riders like to ride a clean, shiny motorcycle. Some are meticulous, taking their time to polish every visible part, while others have a more laissez faire attitude toward motorcycle cleaning. However you wish to wash your motorcycle, there are some basic procedures to follow that will keep your motorcycle in top condition. Why we wash Motorcycles collect road grime and bugs like a magnet. Many times, substances picked up from the road will be corrosive. Over time, these will not only damage the finish of a motorcycle, but can cause electrical and mechanical issues that could easily be avoided with an occasional scrubbing. Start with the soap There are a multitude of washing products both motorcycle-specific and for general automotive use. Personally, I use a standard automotive one-step wash and wax to clean the entire motorcycle. I just like to keep it simple and not spend a lot of time polishing. There are great polishes for both aluminum and chrome that will bring out the best shine for the rider who doesn't mind spending the time applying them. Waxing painted surfaces will help protect them from the elements and grime. Never use soaps or detergents not designed for automotive or motorcycle use on the painted surfaces. These may dull the finish and make it difficult to bring the shine back. Getting it wet Motorcycles are built to be able to get relatively soaked without ill effects. Care must be taken not to get too much water directly into the air intake area, inside of electrical connections, and any engine venting ports. A gentle spray of water from a garden hose over the motorcycle while washing will be fine, while using a power washer is a bad idea. When washing, pay special attention to the underside of the motorcycle, including under the fenders. A lot of road grime ends up in those places. Check back tomorrow for more tips on tools, drying your bike, and a secret pledge. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Dodsfall; 10-12-2011 at 12:28 PM..

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10-13-2011, 08:17 AM	#2
vito Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 819	This makes me almost feel guilty. My bike was bought new in May, and I have only washed it once after getting caught in the rain. I clean the bugs off the windscreen and the backs of the mirrors, etc. after every ride with just plain water and a soft towel, but that is all I have done for the last several months and the bike still looks clean and great. I guess I should at least check the inside of the fenders. With my bad knees I find it hard to get down low to even lube my chain, and I must admit that I have yet to try to clean the chain at all; I just spray on lube every 400 or 500 miles. Any easy way to clean the chain that you can recommend?