You've had the ride. The bike's covered in mud, road grime or whatever the day's riding has thrown at it, and the easiest option is to push it into the garage and deal with it later.
But spending a little time on your motorcycle when you get home can make the next ride considerably easier.
A simple post-ride motorcycle care routine isn't just about making the bike look clean. It's an opportunity to remove the dirt while it's manageable, dry the bike properly, look after the chain and give suitable surfaces some protection before everything is put away.
Ride. Clean. Lubricate. Protect. Ready to go again.
Don't Start Washing a Hot Motorcycle
If you've just finished riding, give the motorcycle time to cool down before reaching for the cleaner.
Hot engine cases, exhaust components and bodywork can cause water and cleaning products to evaporate more quickly than intended. That can leave streaks, water spots or marks on sensitive finishes rather than giving the cleaner time to do its job.
Let the bike cool until the surfaces you're going to clean are comfortable to touch.
Where possible, it's also better to wash the motorcycle out of strong direct sunlight so the cleaner doesn't begin drying onto the surface before you've rinsed it away.
Get the Worst of the Dirt Off First
Before applying motorcycle cleaner, remove as much loose dirt and heavy mud as you reasonably can.
A rinse helps shift loose contamination and means you're not immediately rubbing grit and dirt around the bike when you start cleaning.
Pay particular attention to areas where mud and grime tend to collect, such as around the wheels, swingarm, underside of the bike and behind bodywork.
If you're using a pressure washer, don't treat every component like the side of a muddy van. Keep a sensible distance and avoid concentrating a close, powerful jet directly onto sensitive seals, bearings, electrical components or other vulnerable areas.
The aim at this stage is simple: remove the heavy stuff before you start the proper wash.
Ride done?
Clean, lubricate and protect it ready for the next one.
Use a Motorcycle Cleaner That Has Time to Work
Once the loose dirt has been rinsed away, it's time for the main clean.
MotoClean Gel Bike Wash is a pH-neutral motorcycle cleaner with a thicker gel consistency designed to cling to the bike rather than immediately running off.
That gives the cleaner more time in contact with dirty surfaces, particularly around areas where road grime, mud and general riding dirt have built up.
Apply the Gel Bike Wash evenly to the wet motorcycle and work it around the bike using a suitable motorcycle cleaning brush or mitt where required.
Give the cleaner time to penetrate the dirt rather than immediately rinsing it away. For stubborn areas, gentle agitation can help loosen contamination.
Don't allow the product to dry onto the motorcycle.
Work Methodically Rather Than Chasing Dirt Around the Bike
There's no benefit in rushing from one side of the motorcycle to the other.
Working methodically makes it easier to see where you've already cleaned and where dirt is still hiding.
Depending on the bike, that might mean working through areas such as:
- Bodywork and plastics
- Wheels
- Swingarm
- Engine cases
- Mudguards
- Underside of the motorcycle
- Areas where mud and road grime collect
Use appropriate brushes or cleaning tools for awkward areas rather than trying to force one dirty mitt into every part of the bike.
Once the dirt has been loosened, rinse the motorcycle thoroughly with clean water.
Don't Forget to Dry the Motorcycle
Once the bike looks clean, it can be tempting to consider the job finished.
Drying is worth the extra few minutes.
Removing standing water helps reduce water spotting and prevents moisture sitting unnecessarily around fasteners, gaps and exposed components.
Use a clean, suitable drying towel or microfibre cloth on the appropriate surfaces and give trapped water an opportunity to drain away.
This is also a good time to look around the motorcycle while it's clean. Dirt can hide loose fasteners, damage and other small issues that are much easier to spot once the bike isn't covered in grime.
The Wash Is Only Part of the Post-Ride Routine
A clean motorcycle is a good start, but if you've just exposed the chain and other components to water, there are a couple of jobs worth doing before pushing the bike back into the garage.
Clean it. Dry it. Lubricate it. Protect it.
Look After the Chain After Washing
If your motorcycle uses a drive chain, don't forget about it once the bike has been washed.
The chain should be clean and dry before applying fresh motorcycle chain lubricant.
MotoClean Wet Chain Lube is designed to provide lubrication and protection in wet, muddy and demanding riding conditions.
Shake the can thoroughly and apply an even coating to the chain according to the product instructions, then allow the lubricant time to settle before riding.
This is a small job after washing, but it's considerably easier to do now than remembering five minutes before you're due to leave for the next ride.
Add Some Post-Wash Protection
Once the motorcycle is clean and dry, you can also give suitable areas some additional protection before putting the bike away.
MotoClean Maintenance Spray is designed to help displace moisture and leave a protective coating on suitable motorcycle surfaces.
That makes it a useful final step after washing, particularly when the bike regularly sees rain, mud, road spray or damp storage conditions.
Use it according to the product instructions and keep maintenance products away from braking surfaces, tyres and any other area where lubrication or reduced friction would create a problem.
Do a Quick Check Before You Put the Bike Away
Cleaning a motorcycle gives you a useful opportunity to actually look at it.
Before putting it away, take a few minutes to check the obvious things that could affect the next ride.
Depending on the motorcycle and the type of riding you've been doing, that might include:
- Chain condition and tension
- Tyres and visible damage
- Loose or missing fasteners
- Controls and levers
- Obvious fluid leaks
- Damage caused during the ride
This isn't intended to replace the maintenance schedule in your motorcycle owner's manual. It's simply a useful habit while the bike is clean and you're already standing beside it.
Why Do It Now Instead of Before the Next Ride?
Because there's nothing particularly enjoyable about getting ready for a ride and discovering that yesterday's mud is still baked onto the bike, the chain needs attention and there's another job you forgot to do.
A short routine at the end of the day means the bike can go back into the garage clean, lubricated and protected.
Then when the next opportunity to ride appears, you're starting with a motorcycle that's already been looked after rather than another list of jobs.
You've had the fun. Get the bike ready so you can do it all again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you wash a motorcycle while it's still hot?
It's better to let the motorcycle cool before washing it. Hot surfaces can cause water and cleaning products to evaporate too quickly, potentially leaving streaks, spotting or marks on sensitive finishes.
Should you rinse a motorcycle before applying bike wash?
Yes. Removing loose dirt and heavy mud first means the cleaner can work on the remaining contamination rather than immediately being overwhelmed by loose grime.
Should motorcycle cleaner be allowed to dry on the bike?
No. Give the cleaner time to work according to its instructions, but don't allow it to dry onto the motorcycle. Rinse the bike thoroughly with clean water once cleaning is complete.
Should you lubricate a motorcycle chain after washing?
If washing has exposed the chain to water and removed lubricant, allow the chain to dry before applying an appropriate motorcycle chain lubricant according to the product and motorcycle manufacturer's instructions.
Why dry a motorcycle after washing?
Drying helps reduce water spots and removes moisture that would otherwise remain sitting around exposed components, gaps and fasteners.
Can you use a pressure washer on a motorcycle?
A pressure washer can be useful for removing heavy dirt, but it should be used sensibly. Avoid holding a powerful jet very close to seals, bearings, electrical components and other sensitive areas, and follow the cleaning guidance supplied by your motorcycle manufacturer.
Ready for the Next Ride
Post-ride motorcycle care doesn't need to turn into an entire evening in the garage.
Let the bike cool, remove the dirt, give it a proper wash, dry it, look after the chain and add protection where appropriate.
MotoClean Gel Bike Wash is a 1-litre pH-neutral motorcycle cleaner with a gel formulation designed to cling to dirty surfaces and help break down the grime left behind after a ride.
Ride. Clean. Lubricate. Protect. Ready to go again.
