It seems like it has taken forever to get here, but it looks like we have finally turned the corner and summer conditions are here for the next several months.
For motorcycle enthusiasts, that also means it is time to get their rides out for good. Whether your bike has been in storage since last fall or you squeezed in the odd ride between extended bouts of inclement weather, your bike could always use a little TLC at the outset of riding season.
“There is no questioning the sheer joy that comes from the wind in your face as you cruise down the open road astride a motorcycle,” says Megan Currie, Armor All Marketing Manager. “But there is also no questioning that motorcycles are eye candy. They turn heads, and when people give yours the once over, you want them to like what they see.”
Washing a motorcycle isn’t quite like washing your car. With smaller parts, an exposed engine and only two wheels, it requires some patience, precision and caution when giving it a bath.
Here are some tips for cleaning your bike, courtesy of Armor All.
Let the bike rest first. Any rider knows it doesn’t take long for your tailpipe to get hot while you ride. Make sure you bike has completely cooled off before attempting to wash it. For starters, it will prevent accidental burns if you touch the tailpipe. But it will also protect your ride. Dousing a hot tail pipe with a blast of cold hose water could cause damage to your exhaust.
Restore the shine. Do not, under any circumstances, use a household cleaner on your motorcycle. They are formulated to cut through grease on your dishes, and can damage the clear coat on your paint. Car wash concentrates are designed to lift away dirt and grime while protecting and preserving the wax and clear coat.
Preserve the shine. While you can go old school and apply a paste wax, there are so many other options for putting a coat of wax on your motorcycle. A liquid wax buffs easily to high-gloss shine. Or simply spray on a coat of wax and then lightly buff it out.
Protect the chrome. After a long rest, closely inspect the chromed accessories for emerging rust, which you can clean off with a low-abrasive steel wool. Use a specially formulated polish for chrome surfaces such as your rims, tailpipes, handlebars, headlight housing, air intake and other surfaces you have seen fit to give a mirrored finish. Apply the polish with a soft, clean cloth and then use a separate cloth to buff it with light pressure and slow strokes.
Keep it clean on the go. You do all the work in your driveway, but you know once you hit the open road there will be grit and bug splatter ruining all of your effort. By the time you get to your destination, it may look like your bike hasn’t seen a hose in months. Keep a package of Armor All Wash Wipes in your saddlebags and you can restore the shine to your bike anywhere. These pre-moistened, extra large towels remove dirt, grime, dust, bird droppings and more, all without needing water.