How To Wash a Motorcycle

I don't think I've ever passed a "Free Bikini Bike Wash" sign without stopping for as long as I've been riding a motorcycle. Something about having a sexy babe wash your bike for you. Let's forget about that for a while - here's some tips to help wash your bike.

How to get your motorcycle clean and keep it that way.

Some people don't care, and that's fine. For some people it's one of the greatest pleasures of owning a motorcycle, for others it's pure torture.

Start by removing the saddle and a few other external pieces that get in the way, such as saddlebags, side covers, and windshield. Get two clean, preferably new soft terry-cloth towels. Clearcoats do a great job of resisting environmental threats, such as acid rain and the suns rays, it scratches easily. Do not use a sponge - if you must use a sponge, make sure it is new. Remember, any towel or sponge that gets dropped on the ground should not be used until it is thoroughly rinsed.

Before you start, remove any rings and watches that might scratch the bike. Some bikers like to use a lift which raises the bike off the ground and allows the wheels to turn. This makes it incredibly easy to clean the wheels and tires.

Do you work in a shaded area, and your bike's surfaces should be cool. Start with a thorough prewash hosing - this rinses away grit and loosens and softens bug body parts. Depending on the size of your bucket, squirt in about half ounce to an ounce of Biker Wash and fill with hot water. Make it as hot as your hands can take. Biker Wash is tough enough to get rid of the dead bugs, road mung and other crap motorcycles typically collect, yet soft to not scratch the clearcoat.

Rinse frequently to keep the soap from drying on the surface. Use a good strong flow of water. If using a pressure washer use with care. Avoid getting water in your exhaust pipes. Pressure spray should be kept off of electrical parts, instruments and chains.

Wash and rinse sections at a time - I like to divide the bike into quarters. Take the time to get into all the crevices - don't forget the swingarm and exhaust pipes.

Drying your motorcycle

This is the pest part. Start your bike and take a nice half hour or so ride, and when you get back your bike will be nice and dry. Go get yourself a beer, because your work is done.

If for some unexplained reason you don't or can't go for a ride, you can choose from a variety of drying methods.

A chamois towel does a good job of drying without streaks. A soft terry-cloth towel works well. Microfiber towels are very absorbent and soft and do a great job. Use a hair dryer or leaf blower to blow the water out of crevices.

Now you are ready to wax your motorcycle.

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