Rust and corrosion don't usually appear because a motorcycle was ridden once in the rain. Problems build over time when water, road salt, mud and grime are allowed to remain around exposed parts of the bike.
That's particularly relevant for motorcycles ridden throughout the UK, where wet roads, winter salt and damp storage can expose the bike to moisture for much of the year.
The good news is that preventing motorcycle rust and corrosion doesn't need to be complicated. A consistent routine of cleaning, drying and protecting the bike can make a significant difference.
Clean it. Dry it. Protect it.
Why Do Motorcycles Rust and Corrode?
Rust is a form of corrosion that affects iron and steel when they are exposed to oxygen and moisture. Other motorcycle materials, including aluminium, don't technically rust in the same way but can still suffer from corrosion and oxidation.
Motorcycles are particularly exposed because so many components sit directly in the path of water and road contamination.
Areas around the engine, frame, swingarm, fasteners, wheels and exposed metalwork can all encounter water, mud and road spray while you're riding.
Add road salt into the mix during winter and the conditions become even more aggressive.
Start by Removing Dirt, Mud and Road Salt
If you want to help prevent corrosion, the first job is simply to stop leaving contaminants sitting on the motorcycle.
Mud and road grime can hold moisture against surfaces, while winter road salt can significantly accelerate corrosion.
After a dirty ride or a journey on salted roads, rinse away loose contamination before giving the motorcycle a proper wash.
A motorcycle cleaner such as MotoClean Gel Bike Wash can then be used to remove the remaining dirt and grime from appropriate surfaces.
Pay attention to the areas that don't immediately catch your eye. The underside of the bike, swingarm, engine area, wheels and spaces around fasteners can all hold dirt and moisture long after the obvious bodywork looks clean.
Drying the Motorcycle Matters
Washing the motorcycle removes the mud, salt and grime that can contribute to corrosion, but the wash itself also introduces water across the bike.
Even after the motorcycle looks dry, moisture can remain around bolt heads, joints, brackets, gaps and other awkward areas.
Use a clean drying towel or microfibre cloth on suitable surfaces and give trapped water time to drain away.
If you have access to an appropriate motorcycle or vehicle dryer, carefully blowing water from difficult areas can also help.
But drying what you can see isn't always the end of the job. The next stage is helping to deal with moisture that may still be sitting in harder-to-reach areas and adding some protection before the motorcycle is put away.
Washing Is Only Half the Job
Cleaning removes the dirt, mud and road salt that you don't want sitting on the motorcycle.
But after rinsing, you've also introduced water around the bike. Even when the visible surfaces have been towel dried, moisture can remain around fasteners, joints and difficult-to-reach components.
That's why the post-wash stage is important: displace remaining moisture and leave suitable surfaces with a protective layer before putting the motorcycle away.
Use a Motorcycle Maintenance Spray After Washing
This is where a maintenance spray becomes particularly useful.
MotoClean Maintenance Spray is designed to help displace excess moisture from suitable areas of the motorcycle and leave a protective coating behind.
That means it isn't simply another product to make the bike look clean. It's part of what happens after the wash.
You remove the contamination with the wash, dry the motorcycle as thoroughly as possible, then use Maintenance Spray on suitable areas to help drive out remaining moisture and leave a protective layer against water, rust and corrosion.
The job isn't finished just because the motorcycle looks dry.
That protective coating also helps repel moisture from treated surfaces, making it particularly useful for motorcycles regularly exposed to rain, wet roads, mud, winter conditions or damp storage.
A simple way to think about the routine is:
Wash away the contamination. Dry the bike. Displace the remaining moisture. Leave protection behind.
After the wash.
See MotoClean Maintenance Spray being applied to the motorcycle.
Where Should You Apply Motorcycle Maintenance Spray?
Maintenance Spray is useful on suitable exposed areas where moisture displacement and corrosion protection are beneficial.
Depending on your motorcycle and the manufacturer's care instructions, this can include suitable metal and plastic components around areas such as the frame, swingarm, engine exterior, fasteners and other exposed parts of the motorcycle.
These are also the sorts of places where water can remain after washing, even when the motorcycle looks dry from a few feet away.
Apply an even coating according to the directions on the can rather than soaking everything in sight.
For tighter areas, a controlled application makes it easier to put protection where you actually need it.
Where Should You Not Spray It?
This part is important.
Maintenance products that leave lubrication or a protective coating must be kept away from areas where grip and friction are critical.
Do not apply Maintenance Spray to brake discs, brake pads, tyres or other friction surfaces.
Use the product carefully around the motorcycle and follow both the product instructions and the motorcycle manufacturer's guidance.
If you're unsure about a particular finish or component, test compatibility in an inconspicuous area first.
Road Salt Is One of the Biggest Winter Corrosion Problems
If you ride through winter, road salt deserves particular attention.
Salt mixed with water creates very favourable conditions for corrosion, and it can reach parts of the motorcycle that aren't immediately obvious when you park the bike.
Leaving a salt-covered motorcycle sitting for days is therefore very different from simply leaving a little dry dust on it after a summer ride.
If you've been riding on heavily salted roads, rinse the contamination away as soon as reasonably practical, wash the motorcycle properly and dry it before adding protection to suitable areas.
The protection stage matters here because you're not only removing the salt — you're also dealing with the water introduced during the cleaning process and leaving suitable surfaces better protected afterwards.
Even if the bike is going to get dirty again tomorrow, removing salt rather than allowing it to remain on the motorcycle is worthwhile.
What About Motorcycles Stored in a Garage?
Putting a motorcycle indoors doesn't automatically remove the risk of corrosion.
A bike can enter the garage wet after riding or washing, while some garages and sheds remain damp for long periods during the colder months.
If the motorcycle is being stored for a while, put it away clean and as dry as possible rather than leaving road grime and moisture sitting on it.
Using suitable protection after washing can help displace remaining moisture and leave exposed areas with an additional protective barrier while the motorcycle isn't being used.
Don't Forget the Chain
The drive chain also needs attention after a wet wash or ride, but Maintenance Spray isn't a replacement for a dedicated motorcycle chain lubricant.
Once the chain is clean and dry, apply a suitable chain lubricant according to the motorcycle and chain manufacturer's recommendations.
MotoClean Wet Chain Lube is designed specifically for motorcycle drive chains and is better suited to providing the ongoing lubrication required by the chain.
A Simple Post-Wash Corrosion Protection Routine
You don't need to spend hours treating the motorcycle every time it gets dirty.
A sensible routine is:
- Allow the motorcycle to cool.
- Rinse away loose dirt, mud and road salt.
- Wash the motorcycle properly.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry the visible surfaces and allow trapped water to drain.
- Lubricate the chain where required.
- Apply Maintenance Spray to suitable areas to help displace remaining moisture.
- Leave suitable treated surfaces with a protective coating against moisture and corrosion.
- Keep all protective and lubricating products away from brakes and tyres.
It's a relatively small amount of work compared with dealing with heavily corroded fasteners and components further down the line.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop my motorcycle from rusting?
Keep the motorcycle clean, remove road salt and mud promptly, dry it thoroughly after washing or wet rides and use appropriate corrosion protection on suitable surfaces. A maintenance spray can also help displace moisture left behind after washing and leave a protective coating.
Why use Maintenance Spray after washing a motorcycle?
Washing removes dirt, mud and salt but also introduces water around the motorcycle. After drying the bike, Maintenance Spray can help displace remaining moisture from suitable areas and leave a protective layer that helps defend treated surfaces against water, rust and corrosion.
Should I use corrosion protection after washing my motorcycle?
Applying suitable protection after the motorcycle has been cleaned and dried can help displace remaining moisture and create a barrier against water and corrosion. Always follow the instructions for the product you're using and keep it away from brakes, tyres and other friction surfaces.
How do I protect my motorcycle from road salt?
Don't allow road salt to remain on the bike longer than necessary. Rinse it away, wash the motorcycle, dry it thoroughly and apply suitable corrosion protection to appropriate exposed surfaces.
Can a motorcycle rust while stored in a garage?
Yes. A damp garage, condensation or putting the motorcycle away wet can leave moisture around exposed components. Store the bike as clean and dry as possible and use suitable protective products where appropriate.
Does motorcycle Maintenance Spray prevent rust?
MotoClean Maintenance Spray is designed to displace moisture and leave a protective barrier that helps protect suitable surfaces against rust and corrosion.
Does Maintenance Spray repel water?
The protective coating left on suitable treated surfaces helps repel moisture rather than simply leaving water sitting directly against the surface. It forms part of the post-wash protection process alongside proper cleaning and drying.
Do I need Maintenance Spray after every wash?
How often protection is required depends on how the motorcycle is used and stored. Bikes regularly exposed to rain, winter roads, road salt or damp conditions may benefit from more frequent protection than motorcycles used occasionally in dry weather.
Can I spray Maintenance Spray on motorcycle brakes?
No. Keep Maintenance Spray and other lubricating or protective products away from brake discs, brake pads and other friction surfaces.
Is Maintenance Spray the same as chain lube?
No. Maintenance Spray can be useful for a range of protection and maintenance tasks, but a dedicated motorcycle chain lubricant is the better choice for ongoing drive-chain lubrication.
Protect the Bike After You've Cleaned It
Preventing motorcycle corrosion is mostly about consistency.
Don't leave mud and road salt sitting on the bike. Remove the contamination, dry the motorcycle properly and then deal with the moisture that may still be left behind.
MotoClean Maintenance Spray is a 500ml post-wash maintenance product designed to help displace excess moisture and leave a protective coating that helps defend suitable motorcycle surfaces against water, rust and corrosion.
Washing gets the bike clean. Post-wash protection helps keep it that way.
