Posted by One thing is certain whether you ride a gas or electric motorcycle: your vehicle will become dirty. Additionally, even though you probably already know how to wash a motorcycle, sometimes we all need a reminder of how to make our bikes shine once more.
In light of this, we’ve compiled a list of dos and don’ts of motorcycle cleaning. If you follow these instructions, cleaning your motorcycle will almost be as enjoyable as riding it.
DO’s
AVOID USING TWO BUCKETS OF WATER
- Using two buckets of water will yield the best results when cleaning a motorcycle.
- The dirt that has accumulated on your bike tends to land on your microfiber cloth as you clean it. The result is that as you rinse and wring out the cloth, the dirt will mix with the water and fall back onto the cloth. You’ll just be reapplying the same grime to your bike if you complete this process in a single bucket. Pointless.
- Consequently, when washing a motorcycle, you ought to use two distinct buckets:
- The water and motorcycle shampoo are put into bucket 1 with clean water in bucket number two.
- When your cloth needs to be cleaned of dirt, rinse it in the bucket of fresh water before re-dipping it in the cleaning solution.
USE THE SHADE TO CLEAN YOUR BIKE
You can brag about your two-wheeled marvel to a bystander while washing your motorcycle in the sun. There are better cleaning techniques than this one, though.
The sun and soap don’t mix. The soap will simply dry out too quickly in the sun. This leaves stains and streaks on your motorcycle that can be challenging to get off when you hose it down.
The best places to clean your motorcycle could be a garage, a tree, and a camping canopy.
PLEASE TAKE YOUR TIME
While some of us like to wash our motorcycles, others prefer to watch the paint dry.
It may be tempting to finish cleaning as soon as possible if you fall into the latter category. Slowing down is preferable even though it goes against a rider’s nature to do so.
Rushing could result in a number of things:
- Damaging the paint job on your bike
- Making a poor job of it: If you don’t remove dangerous road grit and salt deposits, you’re just wasting your time.
- Causing harm to the fixtures and components of your motorcycle
As you are aware, maintaining a motorcycle requires regular cleaning, and not just for aesthetic purposes. As a result, we suggest that you take your time.
DON’Ts
DO NOT USE DETERGENT OR CAR SHAMPOOS
Never wash your motorcycle with household detergent, car shampoo, or a homemade body wash.
Although a bike like the Damon HyperFighter may appear to be dangerous, the materials and paint job are still delicate! Additionally, cleaning solutions not made especially for cleaning motorcycles might include harsh chemicals that harm your bike’s components and paint job.
A FUEL BIKE SHOULD NOT BE WASHED RIGHT AWAY FOLLOWING A RIDE
You might feel tempted to clean your bike as soon as you get off a ride if it is obscenely dirty. While this way of thinking is admirable, it is not recommended for ICE motorcycles.
You must allow enough time for gas engines to properly cool down. On the road, there is a significant amount of heat exposure to the engine and other metal parts, including the carburetor. Cleaning right away increases your risk of self-burning. Furthermore, the abrupt temperature change that results from splashing cold water on a freshly heated gas motorcycle may cause cracking.
DON’T LOSE CALM WHEN CLEANSING OFF BUGS!
You will become all too accustomed to having dead insects squished onto your motorcycle if you ride off-road. That is reasonable. What is unexpected, though, is how challenging it can be to get them off.
Approach bug removal with caution and composure. You run the risk of destroying the paint job on your bike if you scrub too vigorously. The best course of action is to start by trying to loosen bugs. Use hot water or bug spray, as recommended. Then, they ought to peel off much more easily.
SOME OTHER DON’Ts
Moving towards the end, of our tips on dos and don’ts of motorcycle cleaning. Consequently, before you start washing your car, consider the following list of things not to do:
- Use a different detergent than you would for your car. Get a cleaner designed just for motorcycles.
- Avoid washing your bike in the heat. When the engine is cool, only wash it.
- Avoid cleaning your bike in the sun. Heat will hasten the drying of soap and make rinsing off more challenging.
- A high-pressure hose should not be used.
- Long-term issues may result from water being forced into engine parts.
Conclusion:
There are a few crucial dos and don’ts to keep in mind when cleaning your motorcycle, to sum up. In order to make cleaning easier and safer, first buy a bike paddock stand or other motorcycle accessories. You can access every part of your bike with the help of these tools while maintaining stability and avoiding any damage.
However, there are a few things you should be aware of not doing. When cleaning your motorcycle, stay away from abrasive or harsh chemicals because they can harm the paint or delicate components. To effectively remove dirt without harming the environment, choose gentle soaps and soft cloths.