There are many different ways to clean a motorcycle. However, there are a few tried and true methods that can make it much easier on you. After all, there are as many different types of motorcycles as there are people. This guide will make sure that you are cleaning your motorcycle in the most efficient way possible.
The first thing that you need to consider when cleaning your motorcycle, is if it is safe to use water on it or not. Sometimes, there are electrical connections exposed that cannot be touched with water. If you touch some of these connections with water, they can short out and stop working, or even cause electrocution. Therefore, it is important to make sure that there are no exposed electrical connections before cleaning your motorcycle.
After checking that all electrical connections are covered, it is time to begin cleaning your motorcycle. You should start with a good automotive soap that will not harm the paint on your bike. Liberally apply the soap all over your motorcycle. There should be a thick foam covering your entire bike. Let the foam sit for about 5 minutes, this will ensure that the soap is allowed to penetrate through the dirt and grime that has been building up on your bike. Next, you should rinse your bike with a high pressure water rinse. You must ensure that all of the soap has been removed from your bike before proceeding to the next step. The next step is to polish any type of material that can be polished. Materials able to be polished include aluminum and chrome. A good polisher should be slightly abrasive, as this will allow the polish to penetrate to the inner metal. You may use an automatic polisher, or you may do the job manually. An automatic polisher can make your job extremely easy, but you must ensure that you select the proper one. A good automatic polisher will have a large, soft pad on it. This will enable the polisher to make quick work of any grime that you have built up on your metal surfaces. Dab a little bit of polish onto the polisher’s applicator, and then work in a slow, sweeping motion. After you have reached an acceptable level of shine, you must allow the polish to dry, and then wipe it clean with a dry rag.
The next step is to firmly wipe down any surface with a dry rag. This will ensure that all dirt and dust comes off of the painted surfaces on your bike. You must ensure that the rag is soft, clean, and dry. Microfiber cloths work well for this purpose.
The next step is optional. Many people decide to wax their bikes after washing them. Waxing ensures that the finish on your bike will stay protected and beautiful. In order to wax your bike, apply a small amount of wax onto a clean, dry applicator. Wipe the wax onto the painted surfaces of the bike with circular strokes. After allowing the wax to dry, wipe it clean with a dry rag. Wax generally works best when kept out of the sun while applying.
The most important thing to ensure when cleaning your motorcycle is that it is acceptable to you. Some people prefer to clean every single spot on their motorcycle until everything shines. Others prefer to quickly go over their bike without much care of how good of a job they are doing. Whichever style fits you, ensure that you use the proper tools. Always remember that automotive chemicals can be dangerous, and they should be handled with caution. Always wear protective gloves and eyewear when cleaning your motorcycle. Your safety should be your utmost concern before, during, and after cleaning your bike. Cleaning your bike can be one of the most fun things that you can do. Never neglect your bike, and always have fun.