How to Wash a Motorcycle Properly: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Wash your bike in the shade—unless you’re into soap spots and streaks. Direct sunlight dries that stuff faster than you can scrub it, so give yourself a fighting chance.

Make sure the bike’s surface is cool, too. Hot surfaces? Not your friend. Water and soap evaporate quicker than a cold beer on a summer day, and we don’t need that mess.

If you’ve just finished tearing up the road, let your engine chill out for a bit. Spraying cold water on a hot engine can cause metal components to crack due to thermal shock.

Worried about water sneaking into your exhaust? Shove a rag, rubber plug, or heck, even a plastic glove to protect the exhaust ports. Better safe than soggy!

Before diving into the sudsy fun, give your ride a gentle rinse. Seriously, a little water love goes a long way. This first rinse will wash away loose dirt, dust, and debris that’ll otherwise turn your bike into a scratch magnet when you start scrubbing. No one wants to drag dirt across that pristine paint, chrome, or plastic and end up with a swirl party.

Zero in on the dirt magnets—the wheels, fenders, and exhaust. Those bad boys collect grime like they’re trying to win a dirt-eating contest, so get them prepped for the real clean-up.

Pro Tip: Ditch the pressure washer. Sure, it looks badass, but that high-pressure blast can wreak havoc on your bike’s delicate parts, like seals, bearings, and electronics. Trust us, costly repairs aren’t nearly as cool as a shiny ride!

Prepare Two Buckets

Get yourself two buckets—because we’re fancy like that. In one bucket, mix up a motorcycle-specific cleaner with water. In the second bucket, fill it with clean water for rinsing your mitt. This two-bucket magic keeps dirt from crashing the party in your soapy water, which means fewer scratches and a whole lot more shine.

Wash from Top to Bottom

Now, dip your wash mitt into that soapy goodness and start at the top of your bike. Work your way down like a pro—straight, gentle strokes only. This way, dirt flows downward instead of re-soiling those shiny spots you’ve already cleaned.

Use a Soft Brush for Intricate Areas

For those tight spots—like around the engine and between spokes—grab a soft brush. Treat your bike with care, though; we’re throwing a clean party, not a scratch party.

Avoid Scrubbing the Chain and Brakes

Let water and soap touch the chain and brakes, but don’t get scrubbing happy... you could wipe away essential lubes or coatings needed for smooth riding. Just give them a rinse and re-lubricate that chain afterward for good measure.

Pro Tip: Got some nasty tar or bugs clinging to your bike like a bad date? Grab some Bug and Tar Remover and make the crud go away.

Start by grabbing a degreaser or wheel-specific cleaner that knows how to tackle tough grime without giving your wheels a makeover they didn’t ask for. Spray that cleaner directly onto the wheels and let it sit for a few minutes—think of it as a mini spa treatment for your ride, loosening up all that accumulated dirt and brake dust. Just steer clear of harsh cleaners; we want to keep those rims and spokes looking fresh, not wrecked.

Next up, take a soft-bristle brush or a detail brush and get scrubbing. If you’ve got spoked wheels, you’ll need a brush that can shimmy between those spokes for a proper clean. Don’t skimp on the details—those little crevices love to collect grime.

For those hard-to-reach spots or stubborn grime that just won’t budge, whip out some smaller detailing brushes. They’re like the secret weapon in your cleaning arsenal, ensuring every nook and cranny—especially around the hub, brake discs, and spokes—gets the love it deserves.

Finally, rinse those wheels thoroughly with water. We want all that cleaner and debris gone, leaving your wheels spotless and shining like they just rolled off the showroom floor!

Rinsing your bike properly is non-negotiable if you want to avoid those pesky streaks, water spots, and residue that scream “I didn’t clean my ride!” Grab a low-pressure hose and give your bike a gentle rinse; trust us, high-pressure water is a one-way ticket to damaging sensitive bits like seals, bearings, and electrical components. We want your ride looking good, not wrecked.

Start from the top and work your way down. This way, any dirt or soap sliding down won’t mess up the areas you’ve already rinsed. Be sure to give some love to those hard-to-reach spots—like under the fenders, around the engine, and between the wheels—because that’s where soap and grime love to hide.

After rinsing your motorcycle, don’t just let it air dry like a lazy dog. You need to give it a good towel-down to prevent those annoying water spots and the dreaded rust in all those sneaky hidden nooks. Grab yourself a microfiber towel, chamois, or even an air blower to get the job done right.

Microfiber towels are the MVPs here—super absorbent and soft, they’re like a gentle hug for your bike, keeping scratches at bay. They’re perfect for detailed drying and won’t mess with those delicate finishes.

Chamois cloths are another solid choice, soaking up water like a sponge and gliding over large areas without leaving streaks.

If you want to get fancy, air blowers are great for blasting water out of those hard-to-reach spots—think cracks, seams, and around engine parts—without laying a finger on the surface. Less contact means fewer chances for scratches or swirls.

Start drying from the top and work your way down. This way, any drips from above won’t mess up the areas you’ve already dried.

Keep an eye on those tricky pooling spots, like around mirrors, in cracks, under seats, and around engine components. If you let those areas sit wet, you’re just asking for water spots or, worse, rust. So dry it up like you mean it!

After you’ve scrubbed your bike down, it’s time to show some love to that chain of yours! It might’ve lost some vital lubrication thanks to all that water and soap action, so re-lubing is a must to keep things running smoothly.

First up, grab a motorcycle-specific chain cleaner to kick out any grime, dirt, or leftover degreaser from your wash. Don’t rush this part. Get in there and make sure you’re tackling every nook and cranny to evict any unwanted guests.

Once your chain is squeaky clean and completely dry, it’s time to bust out the motorcycle-specific lubricant. This magic potion will shield your chain from wear, cut down on friction, and help prevent that pesky rust. Apply the lubricant evenly all over the chain, giving extra love to those moving parts like rollers and links that need to glide like a dream.

Let that lubricant soak in fully before you hit the road again. Your chain will thank you with a smooth ride and some serious longevity!

Apply a motorcycle-specific wax or polish packed with UV protection to keep that color vibrant and fend off sun damage like a pro. This magical wax isn’t just eye candy; it also creates a shield against dust, moisture, and other pesky environmental elements trying to ruin your ride. To control overspray, spritz the applicator or cloth generously and then apply to the surface.

Grab a microfiber cloth or applicator and apply that wax with smooth, even strokes—no scribbles, please. Let it chill for about 15 minutes to work its magic, then buff it off with a fresh microfiber towel for a shine that’ll make heads turn. Shine on, you shiny bike!

For your chrome and metal surfaces, grab a metal polish that's specifically made to clean and restore that dazzling shine while warding off pesky oxidation. Chrome has a flair for collecting scratches, water spots, and tarnishing, so regular polishing is a must to keep it looking fabulous.

Tackle it in small sections with a microfiber applicator pad. Just squeeze out a dab of that metal polish and work it in gently but thoroughly—no need to go Hulk on it. Let it haze up a bit, then buff it off with a fresh microfiber towel. Voilà! You’ll be left with a brilliant, mirror-like shine that brings back chrome’s original luster like it just rolled off the showroom floor. Shine on!

To keep your motorcycle's paint looking as fresh as a daisy, slap on a wax or polish specifically designed for the two-wheeled beauties. Look for one with UV protection to fend off that brutal sun damage that turns vibrant colors into sad, faded memories. Plus, waxing adds a tough layer of defense against the elements—dust, moisture, and all that road grime trying to rain on your parade.

Grab a microfiber cloth or applicator pad and apply that wax in straight, smooth strokes—no swirlies here. Let it chill for the recommended time (around 15 minutes is usually the sweet spot) before you buff it off with a clean microfiber towel. You'll be left with a high-gloss finish that not only protects but also makes your ride shine brighter than your future!

To keep your motorcycle's leather looking fresh and fabulous, grab a leather cleaner made just for delicate surfaces—because your seat deserves some love, too!

Dab a bit of that cleaner onto a microfiber cloth and gently wipe down the seat to lift away dirt and grime. No need to go all Hulk on it; a gentle touch will do the trick without risking any damage to the leather.

Once you’ve got it clean, slather on a leather conditioner to keep that material moisturized and shielded from the sun's harsh rays and the weather’s wrath. Just remember to test it out on a small, inconspicuous spot first to make sure it plays nice. This little ritual will keep your leather supple, spotless, and ready to ride!

Once you’ve given your ride the royal treatment with polish and wax, it’s time for the grand inspection. Take a close look at your bike to spot any sneaky missed spots and make sure it’s shining like a superstar.

But don't stop there! This is also the perfect opportunity to play detective and check for any mechanical gremlins lurking around. You never know what you might find, so give it a thorough once-over to ensure everything’s in tip-top shape and ready for your next adventure!