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Tips for Safely Washing Your Motorcycle Wait at least 10 minutes (if not longer) for the engine to cool down. Avoid high pressure. Don’t spray your motorcycle down with exposed leather – work in sections. Use non-detergent based soaps (some detergent-based car wash soaps can react with aluminum).
Is it bad to wash your motorcycle?
While it is technically safe to pressure wash your motorcycle, you need to exercise caution and common sense. Unlike cars, motorcycles have many exposed components such as seals, bearings, and electronics. These are water-resistant but pressurized water can still cause damage.
What should you not wash a motorcycle with?
What Not to Do Don’t use the same detergent you use on your car. Get a motorcycle-specific cleaner. Don’t wash your bike when it’s hot. Only wash it when the engine is cool. Don’t wash your bike in direct sunlight. Don’t use a high-pressure hose.
Is it okay to hose down a bike?
So, can you use a hose on your bike? YES! It is true that if you leave water sitting on your bike for a long time, leave soap or degreaser on your bike, or do not properly dry off your bike before storing it, you could have some rust and wear issues on your hands.
Can you wash a motorcycle with car soap?
Get your bucket filled with warm water and a shot of Car Wash soap, one ounce to two gallons. The Griot’s Car Wash soap is far more gentle than most other car wash soaps on the market and really gets the job done without harming the wax and finish of the various surface areas on your bike.
Can I spray my motorcycle with water?
Spraying water all over a hot engine is a recipe for disaster: the sudden change in temperature can crack the engine block. Even if you’ve just gone down a wet country road and your motorcycle’s caked in mud, let it cool down before you begin. Get your cleaning gear together. Auto/motorcycle wax (optional).
How often should you wash a motorcycle?
As a general rule of thumb, it’s important to wash your motorcycle at least every two weeks. Obsessives will do it every week, or sometimes more frequently. Additionally, irregular dirt such as road salt and bug guts require immediate attention to prevent paint or metal damage.
Can I wash my motorcycle while it’s hot?
Never wash a motorcycle while the engine is hot. It’s ok to wash if it’s cool enough that you can touch the engine without burning yourself, but you’d ideally clean it when the bike is completely cold. Just make sure your bike is not hot and that it’s not in direct sunlight.
Can I use Dawn dish soap to wash my motorcycle?
It is safe to wash your motorcycle with dish soap as long as you rinse off the dish washing liquid afterward. The salts in dish soap dissolve oil and grease but are not corrosive like sea salt. Washing your bike often with dish soap may require you to re-wax the paint to prevent damage.
Should I wash my motorcycle after rain?
You have to just do 2 basic things after rain ride. Let it get cool for few hours and then Wash it and wipe it properly so that it doesn’t get rust. If doesn’t have time for washing just wipe the rain water. After this most important thing lube your chain properly.
How do I dry my bike after washing it?
Allow the bike to dry after rinsing. Use compressed air if available, but do not blast bearings directly. Use a light lubricant such as CL-1 on the chain, pulley wheels, cables, and pivots points.
Can you use wd40 on a bike chain?
You can use WD-40 Multi-Use-Product. It is a water based lubricant that provides the right amount of lubrication to the chain lube. WD-40 is a great bike chain lube water based lubricant and will not only lubricate the chain well, but will also keep it rust and corrosion free.
Should I wash my bike after every ride?
You should be cleaning your bike after every few rides and definitely after any ride when you get caught in the rain. 2 Hose ‘er down: Just like washing your car you want to hose down the bike, apply soapy water with a brush and scrub away all the grit and grime from the frame, wheels and drivetrain.
Can you use a pressure washer on a motorcycle?
Using a jet wash for certain parts of the bike can speed up the process for busy modern riders. If in doubt, avoid using jet washing machines and opt for warm soapy water and a cloth. Other cleaning top tips: Never clean your bike when the engine is hot, since you could get burned.
How often should I lube my motorcycle chain?
A motorcycle chain should be lubricated every 300-600 miles to ensure peak performance and a long life. Lubricate the chain after riding, not before. This allows time for the solvents in the spray to evaporate before the bike is used again, and lets the lubricant penetrate the link properly.
Can we use shampoo for bike wash?
Stick to automotive shampoos at all costs. If you are looking for a proper clean, the key is in the details and there are no two ways about it. Cleaning each spoke on an older motorcycle may seem tedious but will prove to be extremely rewarding.
