How To Clean Your Motorcycle
If you’re wondering how to clean your motorcycle thoroughly and efficiently without causing any damage to your pride and joy, look no further than this handy guide! You’ll have her sparkling again in no time.
Not only does cleaning your bike properly keep it looking great, it also helps to stop its parts getting damaged by built-up dirt and the elements.
Common questions include, “How to clean your motorcycle?”, “How to clean matt paint motorcycle?” and “How to clean motorcycle chain?” Well, you’re in luck, we are here to provide the answers!
Pre-clean
The first thing to do is give your bike a quick pre-clean. Spray your whole bike with a gel cleaner and leave it on for a few minutes so that it reaches all those tricky places that it’s hard to get to like the nooks and crannies around the engine. A product like the Tru Tension Bike Cleaner is just the ticket! Once the gel has worked its magic, use a brush to dislodge any remaining dirt before giving your bike a rinse.
For a bike with a matt paint finish, you should use only car wash soap and water. Use a microfibre cloth and plenty of water to clean it regularly. Even a bit of dirt on a matte finish can make a scuff mark on the paint.
Deep cleanse
Next, you’ll want to deep cleanse your engine and all of the metal parts on your bike with motorcycle degreaser such as the Muc-Off Motorcycle Degreaser to make sure your beauty is shining. Scrub these areas carefully with a brush to get rid of any build ups and then hose off.
The devil is in the detail!
Your brake discs and pads can develop a layer of surface rust and dirt on them over time so it’s important to make sure you clean them thoroughly. Use a brake cleaner such as the Muc-Off Motorcycle Disc Brake Cleaner which will break down this pesky grime and then wipe away the excess cleaning fluid. Simples!
Chain reaction
Now onto your bike chain. You’ll need a chain cleaner and a specially designed brush like the Muc-Off Chain Cleaning Brush, to remove the dirt on your chain effectively as it can get quite stuck on due to the grease. We recommend you get yourself a chain cleaner which prevents flash rusting, like our Tru-tension PrimeShine Motorcycle Chain Cleaner.
Flash rusting is caused by metals being exposed to corrosive environments and often happens when wet surfaces are left to dry naturally. If you don’t use a chain cleaner with a rust-inhibiting formula, you risk causing flash rusting when removing these contaminants.
Always use protection
Protecting your bike from any future corrosion is a key part of looking after your bike. There are plenty of multi-purpose sprays on the market, including the Tru-Tension PrimeShine TT78 Multi-Use Spray which is designed specifically for motorcycles and Muc-Off Motorcycle Protectant which protect parts and also act as a lubricant for stiff components.
Lube up!
Lastly, make sure you apply some non-fling lubricant to your bike chain. A lube such as our Muc-Off All Weather Chain Lube or Tru Tension Motorcycle Chain Lube provides long-lasting protection by penetrating deep into the chain links so that it stays in top condition and performs well in even the most extreme weather conditions.
Now that your bike looks like you have just walked it off the showroom floor, make sure you have it properly secured in a suitable place with our range of locks and motorcycle covers. Check out our Motorcycle Locks Buying Guide for some helpful tips.
If you decide after cleaning it that any parts need replacing or upgrading, take a look at our comprehensive range of parts featuring all of the best bike brands online or in store.