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Motorcycles get dirty quickly, regardless of how much you try to avoid puddles and mud. Much like cars and other vehicles, motorcycles require maintenance and occasional washing.
While you can get it professionally cleaned at a car wash, you can also clean your bike at home. It’s cheaper to do it by yourself since all you need is a water and motorcycle cleaner.
Great motorcycle cleaners last a long time and are efficient in removing even the most persistent grime and dirt. Check the guide below to discover the best products and how to pick one that suits your motorcycle.
5 Highest Rated Motorcycle Cleaner Reviews
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | |
|---|---|---|
Chemical Guysr  | Chemical Guys Features: Easy to apply and rinse, advanced foaming technology Size: 16 oz, 64 oz, gallon | Check Price |
Muc Off  | Muc Off Features: For all surfaces, alkaline-based formula Size: 1-25 liters | Check Price |
Bike Brite  | Bike Brite Features: For all painted surfaces, for vinyl and rubber Size: 64 oz | Check Price |
Meguiar’s  | Meguiar’s Features: Ideal for hard-to-reach areas, advanced foaming Size: 16 oz | Check Price |
S100  | S100 Features: Versatile use, for all surfaces Size: 1.32 gallon | Check Price |
Chemical Guys – PH Neutral
Chemical Guys is a PH neutral cleaner that provides a gentle wash, removing dirt, grime, and dust from your bike. It’s one of the best choices for regular maintenance and weekly washing, thanks to its gentle formula.
The formula is safe to use on wax and sealant coats. On top of that, the container comes in several sizes, allowing you to choose between 16 ounces, 64 ounces, and a gallon.
One of the best things about it is that you can use it for bucket washing or a foam gun. It works equally well in both cases, producing enough foam without scratching your bike.
Another thing worth noting is that it’s simple to rinse. It rinses easily and without leaving any residue that could be slippery or damaging to your paint job.
PROS
- Easy to apply and rinse
- Gentle formula
- Advanced foaming technology
CONS
- Conversation is only possible if the visor is up
Muc Off – Nano-Tech
This 1-liter cleaner uses a Nano-Tech formula to break down grime and dirt accumulated on your motorcycle. It’s an alkaline-based formula that’s biodegradable and free from solvents, acids, and CFCs.
The fact that it’s so gentle means you don’t have to worry that it could damage your paint finish. It’s safe to use on all surfaces and bike parts, including disc brakes and carbon fiber surfaces.
Muc Off is available in several sizes that range from 1-25 liters. This allows you to get the amount best for your weekly maintenance.
Smaller packs come in a spray bottle that makes it ideal for spot-cleaning. People use it for bucket washing and in foam guns.
It gives a decent amount of foam that’s free of toxic ingredients, acids, solvents, and other similar things that could damage your bike.
PROS
- For all surfaces
- Alkaline-based formula
- Several sizes available
CONS
- Not for cold water
Bike Brite – Degreaser
Bike Brite is a degreaser meant for heavy-duty dirt and regular maintenance. It’s designed to clean and degrease O-rings, bearings, and other similar components.
It’s easy to use, bringing a new shine to all painted surfaces. Plus, it adds quite a sparkle to your trim, wheels, and other such parts that get dirty quickly.
This one is also safe to use on rubber and vinyl. You can use it to clean tires, and other rubber parts of your bike, avoiding those made from leather.
The formula is PH-controlled and biodegradable. It contains no acid or toxins that could corrode or damage your bike.
Another thing worth noting is that this one prevents water spots from creating. It gives a nice shine to your vehicle, repelling dust and dirt after washing.
PROS
- For all painted surfaces
- For vinyl and rubber
- Biodegradable formula
CONS
- It takes a bit of effort to rinse
Meguiar’s – All Surface
Meguiar’s is another all-surface cleaner that’s easy to apply and rinse. It’s safe to use on all surfaces, removing dirt, grime, and dust from your bike.
This one comes in a spray bottle that makes it ideal for cleaning hard-to-reach parts of your motorcycle. Don’t worry if you get the product in any other area as it’s gentle and non-damaging.
It’s designed to foam when in contact with dirt and dust. It adheres to vertical surfaces, removing even the most persistent grime, bugs, and dirt.
The spray bottle allows easy application, featuring a spray trigger that sprays quickly and easily. It requires rinsing, but that shouldn’t be too complicated because the formula is rather gentle.
It’s biodegradable and PH-balanced to remove dirt without stripping your wax protection.
PROS
- Easy application
- Ideal for hard-to-reach areas
- Advanced foaming
CONS
- It might require some scrubbing
S100 – Rinse-off
S100 Total Cycle Cleaner is designed to work as a spray-on, rinse-off cleanser. Its formula gets to all the nooks and crannies of your motorcycle, removing accumulated dust and dirt without scrubbing.
One of the best things is that the entire cleaning process takes only a few minutes, depending on how dirty your bike is. Spray and rinse the whole vehicle or use the formula for spot-cleaning.
It’s one of the best products to use on chrome, paint, alloy, and rubber parts. It’s safe to use on O-rings bearings, tires, and other similar components.
The formula is non-acid and PH-controlled. It’s biodegradable and has corrosion inhibitors for added protection and safety to use on various surfaces.
Apart from using it on your motorcycle, you can also use it for cleaning snowmobiles, car engines, lawn and garden equipment, marine equipment, and more.
PROS
- Versatile use
- Quick cleaning
- For all surfaces
CONS
- Messy spout
Motorcycle Soap/Cleaner Buying Guide
Ease of Application
Ease of application is one of the most critical things to pay attention to. Nobody likes to spend hours trying to hassle with a motorcycle cleaner, regardless of how dirty the vehicle is.
For this reason, make sure to check all your options before settling for one. Many cleaners come in spray bottles that are by far the easiest to use.
However, a spray bottle is typically best for spot-cleaning and maintaining the ride clean between regular washing.
Larger bottles are usually meant for bucket washing or using a foam gun. These are quite easy to use on the dirtiest motorcycles.
Versatility
As you may have noticed, some of these cleaners are safe to use on all surfaces. You can use them to clean vinyl, chrome, paint, plastic, rubber, and other similar materials.
This gives you enough versatility to clean your entire motorbike with a single product. On top of that, many of these are also safe to use on other vehicles and equipment.
They’re ideal for lawn and garden equipment, cars, and snowmobiles. This makes cleaning easier and more cost-efficient since you can clean all kinds of things with a single product.
Environmental Friendliness
Harsh chemicals can affect the environment when you wash them down the drain. For this reason, you might want to avoid cleaners that contain these toxins.
Luckily, most reputable brands make eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaners. These are typically made with water and plant-based ingredients that are far better for the environment.
Apart from being better for the ecosystem, these cleaners are also better for your health. They’re not harsh, and you probably won’t suffer any problems from working with them.
In most cases, the package label contains information on whether the product is eco-friendly.
Scent
The scent isn’t that important for your motorcycle because it typically evaporates after the first ride. However, it’s crucial for you since you probably don’t want to work with a stinky cleaner.
It’s still a vital topic because you’ll spend time working with this product and the last thing you want is the scent to bother you.
Some people like flowery, candy scents while others don’t care about this at all. Many cleaners have a relatively strong smell, while some don’t emit any smell at all.
In many cases, it’s a topic worth considering if you’re sensitive to any scent.
Effectiveness
The effectiveness of your cleaner is probably the most critical factor to consider. You want a useful product that does its job quickly and efficiently regardless of how dirty your motorcycle is.
For this reason, it’s usually best to focus on reputable brands. Take a few minutes to read a few customer reviews to check just how effective and easy-to-use the cleaner is.
Make sure that it can clean the grime and dirt you usually deal with. Most bikes have more than just dust on them, so ensure that your cleaner of choice can remove all that.
Pricing
As always, some products are more expensive than others. When it comes to motorcycle cleaners, the price differs depending on the bottle size, effectiveness, versatility, and ease of use.
Some of these cleaners are relatively cheap and will still do a reasonably good job in regular maintenance.
On the other hand, some are quite pricey. These are usually more than just cleaners, working as conditioners and wax as well.
Think about your budget in advance, always considering your needs and preferences as well as the buying factors we mentioned earlier.
Different Types of Motorcycle Cleaners
Waterless
Waterless cleaners are meant for quick spot-cleaning. It’s one of the best options if you’re looking to keep your bike clean in between more throughout washings.
Some of the best brands make waterless cleaners that are easy to use. Still, none of these can be a valid replacement for deep-cleaning.
All-surface
All-surface motorcycle cleaners are among the most versatile and useful products. These clean all (or nearly all) surfaces of your motorbike, including metal, glass, paint, plastic, and rubber.
Still, you should ensure that the chemicals it contains won’t damage any of these surfaces. Consider testing the product on a more discreet area of your motorbike first.
Surface-specific
Surface-specific products are meant for specific components like your seat, engine, or wheels. These are made for a particular material and are ideal for detailing jobs.
Many people use all-surface products to clean their entire bike before focusing on more specific areas. A surface-specific cleaner is ideal for bringing shine to your leather seat or chrome pipes.
Benefits of Using Motorcycle Cleaners
Maintains your Motorcycle
Many motorcycle cleaners are meant for cleaning and maintaining your motorbike. Even if you love getting your bike professionally cleaned, a small bottle of cleaner can help you maintain its good looks between the washes.
Plus, some cleaners act as wax as well. This helps to protect the surface from getting dirty as quickly.
Effective in Removing Dirt
Cleaning your motorcycle regularly is a matter of more than just aesthetics. Removing the accumulated dirt is crucial to keep all parts functioning correctly.
Built-up dirt and grime can mess up your engine, brakes, and other parts. An efficient motorcycle cleaner helps to remove these particles with ease.
Prevents Corrosion
The metal parts on your bike can rust rather quickly if they stay dirty and wet for a long time. This is why it’s essential to wash your motorbike regularly.
Washing your bike helps prolong the life of its metal parts, especially if you usually ride in wet and muddy conditions.
Makes Bike Look Good
One of the most significant benefits of a motorcycle cleaner is its ability to make your bike look good. A good cleanser can give its parts a shiny look as long as it’s safe to use on the particular material.
Plus, the entire process usually doesn’t take long and requires little effort.
How to Wash a Motorcycle
The first thing you should do is prepare the bike and the area around it. Wet the vehicle before applying any soap so that you wash off as much dust as possible.
Once you do that, you can go ahead and apply a cleaner of your choice. You can do this with a bucket or a foam gun.
Use a sponge or a microfiber cloth to go over the surface. This can help to remove more persisting stains and grime that’s stuck to your bike.
Remember to rinse the cleaner and dry the surface with a dry cloth.
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Helpful Tips in Cleaning Your Motorcycle
Probably the most important thing to remember is to use specifically-made cleaning products. Avoid using shampoos, dishwashers, and anything else that’s not a motorcycle cleaner.
Take some time to read the product label, especially if it comes with instructions on how to use it. This is particularly important for concentrated products that require diluting.
You should also avoid using harsh clothes and sponges. In most cases, a microfiber cloth is the best option for washing and drying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you clean and wash your motorcycle?
Although it’s essential to remove dust and grime from your bike, you don’t want to wash it too often. It’s usually enough to wash it once a month if you don’t always ride on muddy roads.
You can wash it less frequently if you don’t ride as often.
What water spray is ideal in washing motorcycles?
The safest way to wash a motorcycle using a water spray is to use a low-pressure one. High-pressure sprays can damage the surface of your motorbike regardless of the cleaner you use.
Choose one with a few nozzles you can use interchangeably on all surfaces of your bike.
What are the cleaning tools needed in washing a motorcycle?
You probably already have all the necessary tools to clean your motorcycle. Start with a motorcycle cleaner, a water hose, and two buckets for washing and rinsing.
Make sure to have a few microfiber cloths and towels to wash and dry the area with. You might also want a few gentle brushes for more persistent stains.
Conclusion
Keeping your motorcycle clean is vital for running smoothly, especially if you love muddy, off-road terrains. And, the best way to keep it clean is to use a specifically made cleaner.
At this point, you probably understand the importance of having a good cleaner. It can help to remove persistent grime and keep your bike clean with minimal effort.
As you see, these products come in all sizes and package types. You can choose between 5-gallon and 16-oz bottles, depending on your needs and preferences.
The ones we mentioned are among the most efficient and easy-to-use for nearly all motorbike surfaces.
