How to Wash Your Motorcycle

Each time you take your motorcycle on a ride, it returns with a little grime on it. This gunk may seem like simply an aesthetic issue, but it can cause damage if left on your bike too long. Regular cleaning of your motorcycle is important, but it can be hard to keep track of all the various steps. That's why we created the following beginner's guide to washing your motorcycle. If you have any questions or want to explore motorcycles for sale, head over to North County Indian Motorcycle®. We are an Indian Motorcycle® dealer located in San Marcos, California, and we also serve those in San Diego and Oceanside, California.

1. Pick Your Spot

Start by figuring out where you will wash your motorcycle. Ideally, find someplace out of direct sunlight. The sun will make the soap dry quicker, which creates streaks and water spots that are hard to remove. It's also good to pick somewhere with enough space so you can easily get at your bike's various nooks and crannies.

2. Get Your Supplies

Consult your owner's manual to see if there are any products you should be using or not using. It's important to make sure any cleaners you use are compatible with the materials found on your model. Once you've got the cleaners, you'll want sponges for scrubbing off grime, brushes for spoked wheels, and either cloths, flannels, or a chamois for drying.

3. Get Your Motorcycle Ready

Make sure your motorcycle is cool and has not been ridden lately. Cold water on a hot bike is not a good combination! You'll also want to plug up the exhaust with a rubber plug, rag, or glove. This helps keep water out.

4. Rinse Your Motorcycle

Create a mixture of water and motorcycle cleaner, then spray it on your bike. This will help loosen up the hardened grime, making it easier to clean off later. Use a standard pressure hose to rinse off the cleanser. It's tempting to use a high-power wash given its speed and efficiency, but the spray is so powerful that it'll likely result in damage to your motorcycle.

5. Scrub, Scrub, Scrub

Next, use the suds to cleanse away the dirt. Start at the top, then work down. This helps you avoid going over an area that you already addressed. Don't scrub too hard as it can damage the motorcycle's surface.

Depending on how dirty your motorcycle is, you may need to rinse off your sponge a few times. You may even need to dump out your bucket and refill it if it gets too dirty.

6. Dry Your Motorcycle

Once your ride is fully cleaned, you will want to get it dry. Use the chamois, cloth, or flannels to dry it off. Use an air blower, such as a leaf blower or can of compressed air, to handle the hard-to-reach spots.

7. Final Touches

The soap and water will likely have stripped some lubrication away, so you will want to re-lube the motorcycle chain. Now is also a great time to add a layer of polish and wax, which will help protect the motorcycle's finish and add a nice sheen. This is a great step to keeping your ride looking like-new!

We hope you found this guide helpful! If you want more maintenance tips or want to shop motorcycles for sale, visit the experts at North County Indian Motorcycle®. We are happy to help you with whatever you need, from offering advice to answering questions. We are an Indian Motorcycle® dealer that proudly serves those in San Diego and Oceanside, CA.