Motorcycle Cleaning Tips

After some hard riding, your motorcycle likely looks as though it’s seen some better days, what with the dust, dirt, debris and general grime that collects as you ride. While cleaning your bike may not be as much fun as riding it, removing all that dirt will not only make your motorcycle look better, but it’ll run better, too, unencumbered by the weight of mud in every crevice. Cleaning your motorcycle isn’t rocket science, but it does take a little more than simple soap and water to get the job done. That’s why Abernathy Cycles, your Union City motorcycle dealership, has provided this list of motorcycle cleaning tips, to help you get the job done well and to do it right.

Clear A Workspace & Gather Supplies

Your first step will be finding a workspace for scrubbing down your bike, whether it’s your driveway, your yard or your garage. Remember that there will be dirt and oil runoff that you may not want on your lawn, so be wary. You want to have enough space for you to move around your bike without feeling cramped. Don’t work in direct sunlight, as it will not only be hot for you, but your soap will dry too quickly and streak on your bike.

Next, you should gather your supplies, including a bike cleaner that’s suited for your particular bike, sponges for scrubbing, brushes to run through spoked wheels and nooks, flannels and chamois for drying and microfiber cloths or brushes for finishing touches.

Spray The Bike Down

Plug up your exhaust to prevent water getting into your engine. Spray down your dry bike with a mixture of bike cleaner and water to loosen up some of the grime. The cleaner will start to remove dried mud, dead bugs and anything else you’ve collected on the highway. Use a standard hose to rinse instead of a pressure washer to avoid knocking your bike over or damaging its internal components with a huge blast of water.

Apply Water & Sponge

Soap up your sponge and start at the top of your bike, scrubbing downward to let all the dirt run to the ground. Use the correct chemicals for the surface you’re working on, whether it’s chrome or plastic. Rinse your sponge often to get out the grime. Try not to get a lot of water and soap on your bike’s chains -- it’s inevitable that some will get on there, but don’t scrub at it.

Rinse Off & Dry

Rinse off your bike as soon as you’re done soaping it down to prevent the soap drying and causing streaks. Remove as much residue as you can, then start drying immediately. You don’t want to let water sit in your bike and corrode valuable components. An air compressor or even a leaf blower or a can of compressed air can speed this process up and get those interior parts dry when you’re unable to fit a towel in. Don’t ride your bike while it’s wet to try and dry it off, because it won’t really work and you’ll never be able to get the water out of the crevices if you don’t pay them special attention. Plus, you could simply collect more dirt on your wet bike, necessitating a repeat of the whole process.

Finishing Touches

The last steps will ensure your bike works well and will make it look nicer, too. Lubricate those chains that got wet earlier so they can work smoothly. A polish and a wax will get your bike looking factory-new as they protect your bike’s finish. Take a deep breath and admire your work!

To order parts or get maintenance performed on your bike once it’s cleaned up, contact our service department to make an appointment with our mechanics. Our dealership has a well-stocked inventory of new and used motorcycles for sale if you’re looking to get a bike, too. Abernathy Cycles serves the cities of Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee from our Union City location.