The motorcycle is one of the most valuable items that its owners usually have. They take care of her and pamper her as if she were a person; they buy her all the accessories she needs; they take her to the workshop for check-ups, etc. But what happens with its cleaning? Do you know how to wash a motorcycle correctly?
Although it may seem like something very simple and unimportant, washing your motorcycle hides secrets to keeping it in perfect condition. In this guide, we tell you how to clean it to keep it perfect and extend its life without fear of possible breakdowns.
How to Wash a Motorcycle: An Essential Guide
Although we will stop later on each of the parts of the motorcycle, this is the general step-by-step that you have to carry out when you clean it:
1. Combine a Bucket of Water and Some Detergent
Apply a few drops of detergent directly to the sponge. We recommend the use of Cif Bio Active, which has X5 degreasing power and removes difficult dirt, even from plastics, from the first pass.
2. For Large Parts of the Motorcycle, Use a Sponge
These parts are not very vulnerable to dried mud buildup and are quite durable.
3. For the Rest of the More Delicate Areas, Use the Brush
The brushes allow you to reach all the gaps and help you protect the delicate parts since they prevent you from having to scrub vigorously.
4. Dry Everything with the Help of a Cloth
Once everything is dry, We recommend using Cif Ultra Shine, which will help you leave the motorcycle shiny, guaranteeing high protection and care without leaving residue. If your motorcycle has leather parts, you can use this same product, as it offers a sophisticated and modern mix to clean your delicate surfaces.
Motorcycle Cleaning: Rims
As for the motorcycle rims, regardless of whether they are made of spokes or aluminum, the ideal is to apply the same methods to remove dirt. But what precautions do you have to take to clean this part of the motorcycle?
- The best way to clean this area is with a combination of water and detergent.
- Be careful when using very strong degreasers, as they can leave traces of drops on the rims that are very difficult to remove later.
- Use microfiber cloths to remove excess water and embedded dust.
- Be careful not to wet the brake discs and pads, as it may affect the performance of the first brakes after cleaning.
Motorcycle Cleaning: Engine
In the case of the engine, there is a belief that something can happen to it if it comes into contact with water, but the reality is that it is completely safe. The only measures you have to take into account are:
- Wipe with a cloth before cleaning with water in order to remove excess dirt.
- Wipe it with a second cloth, this time dry, after having cleaned the engine with water.
How to Wash a Motorcycle Chain?
In the area of the motorcycle chain, you must be especially careful, mainly with the grease (if you use a common degreaser and you have a chain with rubber seals, they could break). Pay special attention to choosing a product that does not damage the chains.
After cleaning the chain, you have to re-grease it with some special grease for the type of motorcycle you have.
Motorcycle Cleaning: Seats
The motorcycle seats are one of the easiest parts to clean, but you should still keep some points in mind:
Use a detergent that is as neutral as possible, so that you do not damage the seat material.
Use two cloths: one to scrub and remove the first layer of dirt, and another to give it the final touch.
Finally, it is advisable to apply a special product such as Cif Ultra Shine that cleans and leaves the seats shiny and gives them an extra shine.
Motorcycle Cleaning: Rest of the Elements
Although we have already listed the main cleaning areas of the motorcycle, there are other parts to consider that people do not usually pay attention to:
Lock, clutch cable and footpegs. Once they are dry, you should apply liquid grease or vaseline to prevent them from drying out and the motorcycle from making noise.
Dome, mirrors and headlights. You must use water and neutral detergent, and once it has been cleaned, apply glass cleaner and dry again.
Exhaust pipe. Use a polishing product to leave it with a perfect result.
Conclusion
Keeping your motorcycle properly cleaned using our recommended washing methods, motorcycle-safe detergents, and electrical component protection steps will allow you to safely remove grime and debris for a shining, damage-free bike after miles on the road.
