How to wash a motorcycle

Washing your motorcycle regularly is one of the best ways to keep it in tip-top condition.

Frequent tubs will not only keep the bike clean, but can also prevent the paint, plastics and metalwork from degrading prematurely, helping your machine to keep its good looks for longer.

A weekly or fortnightly wash gets you up close and personal with your ride more often, so you’ll be able to identify any issues such as oil leaks, loose wires or fraying cables before they become a problem.

Tempting as it may be to wash your bike in the sun to help spot hidden dirt and speed up the drying process, it’s not a great idea. Direct sunlight will dry the detergent suds too quickly, leaving streaks and marks that can be a pain to remove later.

Better to wash in the shade, or at least out of direct sunlight. Tub the bike in the garage, under an awning, canopy or a tree (beware of falling leaves and detritus undoing your hard work). If you don’t have a shady option, choose an overcast day to wash.

Another no-no is washing the bike straight after a ride. Hand-scrubbing a hot bike is an invitation to a painful burn, while cold water on hot metal parts could cause cracking or surface damage. Wait until the bike has cooled before breaking out the hose and suds.

A basic kit should comprise two buckets, a sponge or wash mitt, a soft-bristled brush and some microfibre cloths. And detergent, of course. A good motorcycle or automotive-grade detergent is fine, but steer away from using dishwashing liquid or other household cleaners – these are usually chemically harsh and can damage your bike’s finish.

Why two buckets? One holds the detergent suds and water and the other holds fresh water only. The idea is that you rinse the sponge or cloth in the fresh water between applying suds to wash away any dirt or grit from the sponge that could scratch the paint or put dirt back on the bike.

A sponge or mitt is good for paintwork and larger surfaces, while a microfibre cloth works well getting around smaller components and into crevices. The soft-bristled brush is super handy for cleaning wheels, under guards and in hard-to-reach places. Toothbrushes are cheap, and can be really useful where a larger brush might be unwieldy.

Pressure washers tend to be divisive. Some folk reckon they should never be used, while others swear by them. From personal experience, a pressure washer can be very effective for shifting stubborn grime and mud (particularly useful for dirt bikes) and for saving time.

Just be sensible. Keep your distance and don’t hold the spray head too close to bodywork or painted surfaces – the high-pressure water can strip paint or decals pretty quickly. And definitely don’t aim it directly at bearings or electrical components.

It’s a wise idea to keep water out of the bike’s exhaust too. The exhaust heat won’t always boil it away from nooks and crannies, which can lead to rusty pipes and mufflers. Specialised exhaust plugs are available, but a rag stuffed into the muffler is cheap and effective.

If you’re using a pressure washer, give the bike a once-over spray first up to loosen and rinse away crud. Same applies with the garden hose. You can deal with any stubborn bugs by laying a wet paper towel or old tea towel over the top for a few minutes for easier removal. It’s a good time, too, to soak the wheels and undercarriage with detergent and get stuck in with the brushes.

Next up, break out the suds and start washing the bike from the top down. Break the cleaning into segments – get each one clean to your satisfaction, rinse and then move on. Don’t forget to rinse your sponge, mitt or cloth in-between applications.

When the bike’s all washed, give it a final rinse to clear away any lingering suds then grab a chamois or towel for drying – again, working from the top down. If you’re in a hurry, a garden blower dries quickly and well.

Start the bike to check water hasn’t affected the electrics, let it warm up and then take it for a quick run to make sure everything works as it should. Upon returning, it’s a good idea to lube the chain, and you can also apply any polishes or post-wash surface treatments.

Dirt bikes, by their very nature, are going to get grotty. For cleaning, a carefully wielded pressure washer can come in very handy but the other tools and techniques apply just as they do for road bikes.

The plastics on dirt bikes are usually designed for easy removal, so get them off and get in there to give the bike a proper clean. Don’t forget to plug the exhaust, wash from the top down and then dry thoroughly before putting the bike away ready for the next ride.

• Wash early, wash often – your bike will thank you
• Use two buckets – one for suds and one for rinsing
• Brushes are your friends – gather a collection
• Pressure washers are fine with common sense and care
• Wash from the top down and dry the bike completely