Cleaning your motorcycle may seem like an insignificant part of its maintenance scheme, but actually it is quite important. Properly cleaning your motorcycle will make it look good, work smoothly, and thus it prolongs its life span. But just like with everything else – preparation is key here as well. You need to have the proper motorcycle cleaning kit so that you can clean your babe and keep it fresh as often as you want to.
Don’t be intimidated by this though – cleaning a motorcycle does not require any special skills. So, stay away from commercial washing facilities and do it yourself if you want to save. It is not that big of a deal, provided that you have a good motorcycle cleaning kit. Before you start, make sure to choose the right spot for this task. Do not wash your bike in the unit driveway or on the street as this can be dangerous.
Also, remember to never wash a hot bike. So if you have just finished riding it, give your motorcycle some time to cool down. Moreover, never wash it when directly exposed to the sun or in the middle of a hot summer’s day when the temperatures are sky-high as the detergents will dry before you can rise them off.
Frequently cleaning your motorcycle could help you discover some important problems such as fluid or oil leaks, damaged or loose parts, etc. Squashed bugs on its paintwork can be difficult to remove if you leave them to stay too long, and those in the radiator could cause overheating. Cleaning your bike after coming back home from a mountain ride is a must as you don’t want it to stay covered in mud for too long.
Do not use a lot of water and use the right cleaning supplies. Be careful of general-purpose cleaning products or abrasive cleaners as they can damage the chrome or paint. When choosing a detergent for bike cleaning, make sure to check its pH balance. This product should have between six and eight pH balance so it is neither too alkaline nor too acidic, so it does not damage the paint. Also, avoid using vinyl cleaners on the seat – they may make the seat look shiny and nice at first, but chances are they will make it quite slippery.
Once you are done with the washing and polishing part, take a micro-fibre cloth and go with it over the motorcycle. Clean the engine casings, wipe the cables, rub the wheel hubs. If necessary, lie down on the ground and inspect it well to see if you have missed some spots. If you want to add some shine to your two-wheeled beast, use a soft wax that adds a layer rather than takes a layer off. To avoid damages, test the product on a discrete area.
The final step – use a squeezed and well-rinsed micro-fibre cloth to dry the bike. If you accidentally drop the cloth, sponge or chamois, do not use it again before washing and rinsing it thoroughly. The small pieces of grid picked up from the ground could easily scratch your bike. Once it is fully dry, you can take yourself for a ride around the block. Have fun!
