Motorcycle Cleaning Tips
After some hard riding, your motorcycle likely looks as though it’s seen some better days, what with the dust, dirt, debris, and grime that collects as you ride. While cleaning your bike may not be as much fun as riding it, removing all that dirt will not only make your motorcycle look better, but it’ll run better, too, unencumbered by the weight of mud in every crevice. Cleaning your motorcycle isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little more than simple soap and water to get the job done.
Gather Supplies
Your first step will be finding a workspace for scrubbing down your bike, whether it’s your driveway, your yard or your garage. Remember that there will be dirt and oil runoff that you may not want on your lawn, so be wary. You want to have enough space for you to move around your bike without feeling cramped. Don’t work in direct sunlight, as it will not only be hot for you, but your soap will dry too quickly and streak on your bike.
Next, you should gather your supplies, including a bike cleaner that’s suited for your particular bike, sponges for scrubbing, brushes to run through spoked wheels and nooks, flannels and chamois for drying, and microfiber cloths or brushes for finishing touches.
Spray the Bike Down
Plug up your exhaust to prevent water from getting into your engine. Spray down your dry bike with a mixture of bike cleaner and water to loosen up some of the grime. The cleaner will start to remove dried mud, dead bugs, and anything else you’ve collected on the highway. Use a standard hose to rinse instead of a pressure washer to avoid knocking your bike over or damaging its internal components with a huge blast of water.
Apply Water and Sponge
Soap up your sponge and start at the top of your bike, scrubbing downward to let all the dirt run to the ground. Use the correct chemicals for the surface you’re working on, whether it’s chrome or plastic. Rinse your sponge often to get out the grime. Try not to get a lot of water and soap on your bike’s chains – it’s inevitable that some will get on there, but don’t scrub at it.
Rinse Off and Dry
Rinse off your bike as soon as you’re done soaping it down to prevent the soap from drying and causing streaks. Remove as much residue as you can, then start drying immediately. You don’t want to let water sit in your bike and corrode valuable components. An air compressor or even a leaf blower or a can of compressed air can speed this process up and get those interior parts dry when you’re unable to fit a towel in.
To order parts or get maintenance performed on your bike once it’s cleaned up, contact our service department to make an appointment with our mechanics. Polaris of Gainesville also has a well-stocked inventory of motorcycles for sale in Alachua, FL. We welcome all our patrons visiting us from Gainesville, Lake City, and St. Augustine.