Clean Your Motorcycle: Products and Techniques

Cleaning motorcycles is not just an aesthetic need. Because in addition to ridding your bike of the dirt that inevitably builds up on the road, cleaning helps prevent the corrosion they are sure to cause. If you want to be able to use your motorcycle constantly and for a long time, cleaning it should be an integral part of your maintenance rituals.

What product to use for cleaning a motorcycle ? How to take proper care of your motorcycle ? Find out what products and methods are used to properly clean your motorcycle, as well as tips for motorcycle care.

Possible washing methods

There are two main options for cleaning your motorcycle: hand wash and high pressure wash. Each of these methods will clean your motorcycle. Which one should you choose? Here is a guide to the possible methods of washing your car.

High pressure motorcycle wash

Some people use this technique, but others strongly discourage it. What then is to be done? First, you should know that high pressure washing involves: some risks : penetration of water and dirt into electrical parts and inside the motorcycle, drying out of grease, removal of seals or even oxidation due to the use of unsuitable products in some service stations.

As you can see by now, if jet usage is not properly monitored, it can present you with more problems than solutions. If the high pressure washer is really effective, then use it sparingly, that is, only for a thorough wash. And it is advisable to entrust this task to professionals. More and more gas stations are offering two-wheeled special services... But, of course, this is not the most economical solution.

If you are using nhigh pressure cleaner type Kärcher at home, just follow the guidelines for use. In particular, a distance must be maintained so that the high pressure water jet does not damage the motorcycle.

Manual motorcycle wash

If you need it to rid your motorcycle of a few light spots and dirt, a few buckets of water will help. This old-fashioned solution has proven to be effective and offers the advantage of being cheaper... However, for it to be truly effective, you need to use the right products and apply effective methods. Otherwise, you are most at risk of damaging your motorcycle.

Some bikers appreciate this moment and carry out several operations such as shampooing, rinsing, rubbing and finally drying. But if you wash the motorcycle by hand with VULCANET cloths when washing without water, the budget will increase depending on the number of cleaning operations that need to be carried out. Indeed, the cost of motorcycle cleaning wipes is high.

Items you need to service your motorcycle

For effective cleaning, it is best to use special products made for motorcycles. They are expensive, of course, but at the very least you will be sure not to use unsuitable products that can attack and damage your bike's parts. From the cheapest to the most expensive on the market, you can find:

• Le Fairing cleaner Moto Pratic - about 7 euros for a bottle of 0.5 liters.
• Le CleanWash d’IXS - about 7.5 euros for a 500 ml liquid; but allow about ten euros more for the purchase of a spray gun.
• Le Motorcycle from Yacco or Motul - about 30 euros per bottle.

However, this does not mean that this is the only option available to you. You can choose less expensive solutions, but still effective. However, provided that they meet certain requirements, they can seriously damage the chrome and paintwork of your motorcycle.

Liquid soap and detergents

Eh yes! Bikers who have experienced this are unanimous: Marseilles soap works wonders with discs, plastics and painted metals.... It's the same with dishwashing liquids. Besides the more than satisfactory result, these products are very interesting from a financial point of view: they cost almost nothing!

Note, however, that the risk of corrosion is much higher if appropriate products are not used. Also, to minimize these risks, make sure you use foods that are not corrosive, too acidic, or too alkaline. They should have a pH of 6 to 8 if you don't want to say goodbye to your beautiful paint. Also, for optimal performance, mix with hot water and apply using soft, damp gloves or sponges.

Laundry detergent

Detergents are also very good. Whether it's a degreaser, a stripper, or a scrubber, they are generally not very aggressive, and if you choose them carefully, they can pose minimal threat to your motorcycle's paint and chrome. However, for maximum effectiveness, a direct unmixed application should be used. So remember to use a spray bottle and bring your toothbrush to hard-to-reach places.

The famous WD40

Don't feel like digging into your brain? Don't have time to find the perfect product? Why not use the WD40. This The multifunctional cleaner is effective not only for washing and cleaning, but also for repairing, polishing, lubricating, loosening and effectively protecting your motorcycle from corrosion.... It is ideal for removing excess water as well as gently removing accumulated grease. Therefore, it should not be sprayed where the required lubricant is available, such as around wheel axles, as this will dilute the lubricant.

But be careful, WD-40 should be avoided on painted rims like the Yamaha MT-10 or MT-09 motorcycles. Frequent use of WD-40 to abrade wheel rims can result in tarnishing or streaking.

Degreasers for the engine

Unfortunately, while household cleaners work wonders for rims, fairings and chains, they aren't enough to remove deposits from the engine. To clean the latter, you will need a special degreaser. The good news is that there are a lot of them on the market.

Among the most famous we find the Degreaser from Elf or the Jet 4 in 1 from Predator Auto. They are quite expensive but very effective. In a set of cost-effective solutions, you might otherwise resort to gasoline F or dearomatized gasoline... Regarding application, schedule your toothbrush again or bring a brush. Otherwise, whichever product you choose, go for sprayable ones. It is more practical and efficient.

Some rules for cleaning a motorcycle

Now that you have the equipment and products you need to thoroughly wash your bike, it is recommended that you follow certain rules so as not to damage fragile parts or the body. here are some instructions to follow for successful cleaning.

Where and when to clean the motorcycle?

Never in full sun and never after a trip. Why ? Of course, because of the heat! All metal parts of your motorcycle will expand during use. If they come in violent contact with the cold, there is a danger of being crushed and thus damaged.

You also run the risk of scratching the paint on your beautiful bike. Indeed, if it has been in direct sunlight for a long time, its color may weaken. If you wash without letting the fairing cool down, you run the risk of leaving unattractive marks that remain there.

In addition, the engine, chain, or even the exhaust parts of the motorcycle are very hot. If you spray the motorcycle with cold water, simply when returning from a motorcycle ride without letting the motorcycle cool down, you risk damaging it.

What are the most effective movements?

Circular movements are not recommended at all. Because you run the risk of bringing dirty and abrasive particles from below to an already cleaned top. Not only is this a waste of time, but also if you bring in dirt or dust, you risk causing micro-scratches on the paint. To clean your motorcycle effectively, do friction from top to bottom, always from the cleanest part to the dirty one, and never the other way around.

Last but not least, drying.

Use a well-washed and wrung out microfiber cloth or suede to dry the motorcycle thoroughly. When you are finished drying the motorcycle, slowly walk around the block while applying the brakes to release excess water. Allowing water to remain there can cause corrosion. You can also drive longer and faster on the highway to drain water from deep ditches. Otherwise, you can use a leaf blower to do the same job.