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A Beginner's Guide To Washing Your Motorcycle

Jun. 8 2021 Maintenance By Jim Moroney's Inc

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Motorcycles get dirty with every ride. Bug splatters, kicked-up dust, mud, and more can begin to collect on the frame. Left unaddressed, it can eventually cause damage. Plus, it compromises the beautiful aesthetic of your bike!

We've created the following guide to washing your motorcycle. For more maintenance tips or to shop motorcycles for sale, visit Jim Moroney's Inc. Our dealership is based in New Windsor, New York, and we serve those in Newburgh and Cornwall as well.

Pick The Spot

It's best to wash your motorcycle in a location that is out of direct sunlight. The sun's rays will make the soap dry faster, which can cause streaks and water spots.

Get The Cleaning Supplies

To properly wash your motorcycle, you will need:

  • A cleaner tailored to the given material you are washing.
  • Sponges to scrub off caked-on gunk.
  • Brushes for the wheels.
  • Cloths, flannels, or a chamois for drying.

Get The Motorcycle Ready

Plug up the exhaust, which will help keep water from entering it and causing damage. Use a rag, glove, or rubber plug.

It's important that the motorcycle is fully cooled down. Adding cold water onto a warm motorcycle can be a disaster!

Washing The Motorcycle

Rinse

Mix together water and motorcycle cleaner. Spray this onto your motorcycle. This will help loosen up any caked-on bits, which will reduce the time you spend scrubbing. Once you finish this first pass, rinse the mixture off with a standard-pressure hose. Using a high power wash can damage your motorcycle, so avoid it whenever possible.

Scrub

Start at the top of your motorcycle and work your way down scrubbing with soap. This helps you avoid going over an area that you have already done.

Odds are, you will need to rinse off the sponge a few times as it gets dirty. You may even need to rinse out the bucket and add a new soap mixture.

Remember not to scrub too hard. Doing so can scratch the motorcycle's paint.

Dry

Once the motorcycle is cleaned, it's time to dry it. Use the chamois, cloth, or flannel for this step. For those hard to reach areas, use a can of compressed air or a leaf blower.

After your motorcycle is dry, add lube to the motorcycle chain. The soap and water likely stripped some of the lubrication away, so it's helpful to apply the lube again.

Want to shop motorcycles for sale? Check out the selection at Jim Moroney's Inc. Let our experts help you find the best model for your budget and lifestyle. Reach out today or stop by our dealership in New Windsor, New York. We also proudly serve those in Newburgh and Cornwall, New York.