Make Your Bike Shine By Adding This One Extra Step To Your Wash Routine

Summary

In this video, the creator shares a detailed, hands-on guide to cleaning and detailing a motorcycle after a long touring trip. Covering everything from bug removal with Motul Insect Remover to washing, drying, and polishing painted and plastic surfaces, the video emphasizes careful techniques like working in the shade, using straight-line motions to avoid swirl marks, and cleaning from top to bottom. Tips for tackling stubborn grime, maintaining wheels, and keeping the bike showroom-fresh are included, along with product recommendations and personal insights. The creator also encourages viewers to share their own methods, making it both informative and interactive for motorcycle enthusiasts.

Takeaways

• 😀 Always work in the shade when cleaning your motorcycle to prevent soap and cleaners from drying on the surfaces.
• 😀 Use motorcycle stands to lift the bike and spin the wheels freely for easier cleaning of all parts.
• 😀 Start cleaning with a bug and grime remover, focusing on leading edges like the radiator, forks, and triple clamp.
• 😀 Rinse gently with a low-pressure washer and avoid spraying high pressure on sensitive areas such as gauges, gas caps, and electronics.
• 😀 Apply a foamy car wash solution with a foam cannon, starting with delicate surfaces first and working downward to dirtier areas.
• 😀 For stubborn grime or oil buildup, use Simple Green and a toothbrush on problem areas, ideally cleaning within a day after a trip.
• 😀 Dry the bike using a microfiber cloth in straight lines, avoiding circular motions to prevent swirl marks.
• 😀 Clean wheels and hard-to-reach areas like exhaust pipes and under the back wheel after painting and delicate surfaces.
• 😀 Polish painted surfaces with products like Honda Pro Polish or Griot’s Ceramic 3-in-1, and black plastic parts with Motul Shine & Go, always applying to a cloth first.
• 😀 Regular cleaning and maintenance preserve the bike’s appearance, prevent scratches, and keep even older motorcycles looking nearly showroom fresh.
• 😀 Use separate microfiber cloths or corners for different stages of cleaning to avoid cross-contamination and excessive microplastic waste.

Q & A

Why does the creator place the motorcycle onQA generation from script two stands before cleaning?

Placing the motorcycle on two stands allows both wheels to spin freely, making it easier to clean the wheels thoroughly.

Why is it important to clean the motorcycle in the shade rather than in direct sunlight?

Cleaning in the shade prevents soap and water from drying too quickly on the bike, which can leave spots or streaks.

What is the purpose of using Motul Insect Remover?

Motul Insect Remover softens bugs and grime, making it easier to remove sticky, stubborn insect residue from the bike.

Why does the creator recommend using low-pressure water during rinsing?

Low-pressure water prevents damage to sensitive parts such as gauges, electronics, and the gas cap, which can be harmed by high-pressure washing.

What is the proper order for washing different surfaces of the motorcycle?

Start with the top and delicate painted surfaces like headlights, then move to dirtier and grittier surfaces, following a top-toQ&A based on script-bottom cleaning sequence.

How does the creator deal with stubborn grime or oil buildup?

He uses Simple Green along with a toothbrush to target problem areas, allowing the grime to be lifted without damaging surfaces.

What technique does the creator use when drying and polishing the bike to avoid swirl marks?

He wipes in straight lines consistently across the bike instead of using circular motions, which helps maintain a clean, swirl-free paint finish.

What products are recommended for polishing painted surfaces and black plastic parts?

For painted surfaces, Honda Pro Polish or Griot’s Ceramic 3-in-1 is recommended, while Motul Shine & Go is used for black plastic parts.

Why does the creator perform mid-trip rinses during long rides?

Mid-trip rinses prevent dust and dirt buildup, which can scratch the bike and make cleaning more difficult later.

What is the overall philosophy behind the creator’s motorcycle cleaning routine?

The focus is on regular, preventive cleaning using proper techniques and products to maintain the bike’s appearance and prevent long-term damage, rather than restoring it after heavy grime accumulation.

How does the creator ensure different microfiber cloths are used effectively?

He uses different corners or separate cloths for different surfaces—painted vs. plastic—to avoid cross-contamination and maintain surface quality.

What role does sponsorship play in the selection of cleaning products?

Although sponsored by Motul, the creator emphasizes that he has been using their products long before the sponsorship and recommends them based on personal experience.