Washing Your Motorcycle

There will come a time when you’ll need to give your motorcycle a good cleaning. Let’s face it, your bike has been built to last, which means it braves all types of conditions on the road. It comes into contact with dirt, water, mud, dust, rocks, debris, exhaust, and many other elements. You definitely don’t want to be the guy on the road with a disgustingly dirty bike that appears as if it’s never been washed. Of course, you can’t just cruise through a car wash. You’ll need to set aside some time for washing your motorcycle since there are many exposed parts.

Here at Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County, we know how important is to have a shiny, clean bike. We’ve gathered some essential cleaning tips to get you started. 

For more information, visit us at our dealership serving Los Angeles, Inland Empire, and Riverside County, California. We’re happy to help with all of your motorcycle needs, including parts and service.

Gather Supplies

Once you’re ready to start washing, gather all the supplies you’ll need and bring them to your designated cleaning spot. There are many cleaners out there to choose from, just make sure to pick something that’s suitable for use on your bike. You’ll want to have a variety of sponges available for removing stubborn grime. Other key items include brushes for spoked wheels, cloths for drying, and a microfiber cloth for the final touches.

Spray It

Before you lather it up, be sure to plug up the exhaust with a glove, rag, or rubber plug. Your main goal is to keep all water out of the exhaust pipe. This is especially important if the exhaust pipe is at an angle, because it can pool up inside as you wash. This tends to be a pointer for dirt bikes, but it never hurts to use extra care to protect your motorcycle. After all, you certainly don’t want to compromise that throaty roar next time you start it up.

Next, it’s time to spray it down. Use a combination of both water and motorcycle cleaner. This will help loosen any stubborn bits before you begin the more intense washing. Once you start cleaning, remember that less is more when it comes to friction. The harder you scrub, the more likely you are to drag dirt across your bike’s finish. When rinsing, be careful about the amount of water pressure you apply to the bike.

Add Suds

In order to avoid making multiple passes, start at the top of your bike and work down. Always be sure to use the right amount of chemicals for the surface at hand. Clean and rinse your sponge as you go to get rid of any that you picked up. It’s also wise to switch out your bucket if it gets really dirty. It might sound a bit tricky, but do your best to prevent soap and water from getting onto your bike’s chain and brakes. You should also avoid scrubbing these parts too roughly.

Rinse & Dry

As you lather up the bike, don’t let it sit for a long time before rinsing it off. Streaks found after washing are a result of dry soap, so remember to work at a consistent pace. You want to get rid of any leftover residue, so don’t be scared to really get in there. The process is the same for drying, so don’t waste any time and do as thorough of a job as you can. These steps are important because water can eventually lead to corrosion if it builds up in small crevices. This is a great opportunity to pull out your trusty microfiber cloth. Motorcycles require a different type of cleaning than cars. You can’t get away with taking it for a spin in hopes of air drying.

Final Touches

Now that your bike is dry, you’ll want to add some final touches with a little bit of lubricant. Give your chain some love with a good re-lubing now that the soap and water have washed some of it away. A nice waxing will also help protect the finish, plus it’ll make it look super spiffy. Polishing can be a more involved process and is best left to those who are familiar with the job.

For more washing tips or to check out our latest inventory, stop by Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County today! You’ll find our dealership located just outside of Los Angeles, California near the Inland Empire and Riverside County.