To wash a motorcycle, let it cool, rinse off loose dirt with gentle water, wash from the top down with mild soap and a soft mitt, rinse well, dry it with a clean towel or blower, then lube the chain and check for anything that needs attention. Avoid high-pressure spray on bearings, electrical parts and seals, and keep water out of the exhaust, airbox and intake. A wash takes about an hour and doubles as a good chance to inspect the bike.
This guide covers what to protect, what you need, the order to work in, and the things that cause damage.
What you need
- Two buckets, one for soap and one for rinse water
- Motorcycle or car wash soap that is pH-balanced and mild
- Soft wash mitt and microfiber towels
- Soft brushes for wheels, chain and tight areas
- Garden hose with a gentle nozzle
- Chain cleaner and chain lube (see below)
- Plastic bags and tape or a rubber exhaust plug
- Wheel cleaner made for your wheel finish
- Microfiber drying towels or a leaf blower or air blower
- Optional: bug remover, plastic polish, wax or sealant made for motorcycles
- A stand to hold the bike upright
Skip dish soap and household degreasers. They can strip wax, dry out rubber and plastics, and leave streaks.
Before you wash: set up
Let the bike cool
Wait until the engine, exhaust and brakes are cool to the touch. Washing hot parts causes water spots and stubborn soap residue.
Work in the shade
Direct sun dries soap before you can rinse it. Pick a shady spot or wash in the morning or evening.
Protect sensitive parts
Cover or avoid these:
- Exhaust outlet. Plug it with a rubber plug or a plastic bag held by a rubber band so water cannot enter. Remove it before starting the engine.
- Airbox or intake. Keep the spray away from these. Do not aim water into the air filter area.
- Electrical connectors, ignition switch and the instrument cluster. Avoid direct spray.
- Brakes. Keep soap off rotors and pads where you can and do not spray lubricant near them.
- Seat and leather. Some seats are porous. Use a damp cloth rather than a soaking.
Take off or secure luggage, saddlebags, a phone mount and any electronics.
How to wash a motorcycle: step by step
1. Park on a level surface, upright
Use a center stand, paddock stand or a firm side stand. A stable bike is easier to wash and less likely to fall.
2. Rinse loose dirt
Rinse from the top down with a gentle stream. Do not blast. The goal is to loosen grit so it does not scratch the paint when you wipe.
3. Clean the wheels and chain first
Wheels and the chain are the dirtiest parts, so do them first so you do not splash dirt on a clean bike.
- Spray wheel cleaner made for your wheel finish and agitate with a soft brush. Rinse well. Never use acidic wheel cleaners on a finish that does not allow it. Check the label.
- For the chain, use a chain cleaner and a brush. Our chain maintenance guide covers cleaning, lubing and adjusting, including which cleaners are safe for O-ring and X-ring chains.
4. Soap the bike from the top down
Mix soap in the bucket. Wash with a soft mitt starting at the top: tank, seat, fairing and windscreen, then work downward to the lower parts. Rinse the mitt in the clean bucket often so dirt does not go back into the soap.
Use a light touch. Rubbing hard drags grit over paint and plastics and causes swirl marks. For stubborn bug splatter, let a bug remover or a warm, wet cloth soften it first.
5. Clean the engine and lower areas carefully
Wipe the engine cases and frame with the mitt or a soft brush. For heavy oil and grime, use a cleaner made for engines, and keep it off the brakes and tires. Do not spray water directly at seals, bearings or electrical parts.
6. Rinse thoroughly
Rinse from the top down with a gentle spray. Leftover soap can streak and dull finishes, and it can also leave residue on chrome and aluminum. Do not point the hose at the exhaust outlet or air intake.
7. Dry the bike
Dry with microfiber towels or a leaf blower. Blow water out of crevices around the mirrors, switchgear, fasteners, brake and clutch levers and any place water pools. Water left in these places causes spots and can contribute to corrosion over time.
8. Start the engine briefly (optional)
After you remove the exhaust plug, start the engine and let it run for a short while, to push moisture out of the exhaust and warm the bike. On a dirt bike or a bike with a carburetor, a short ride helps dry brakes and chain. Do not leave the engine idling for a long time just to dry the bike.
9. Lube the chain
Lube the chain once it is clean, fully dry and slightly warm, as the chain lube instructions say. Wipe any extra, and keep it off the rear tire and the brake rotor. See the chain maintenance guide for steps.
10. Protect the finish
Apply a polish or sealant made for motorcycles and the surfaces you have. Keep wax and silicone sprays off the seat, the tires, the brake rotors and pads and the footpegs, since slippery surfaces are dangerous.
11. Test the brakes before riding
Pump the brake levers and pedal and check they work. Roll forward slowly, and test the brakes gently. Water on rotors can reduce braking for the first few stops.
Surface by surface guide
| Surface | What to use | What to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Painted tank and fairings | Mild soap, soft mitt, microfiber | Dish soap, harsh solvents, abrasive pads |
| Clear plastic and windscreen | Soft cloth, plastic cleaner made for windscreens | Window cleaner with ammonia, dry wiping |
| Chrome | Mild soap, soft cloth, chrome polish | Steel wool, harsh acids |
| Aluminum and polished parts | Soft cloth, polish made for the metal | Harsh acid cleaners |
| Matte paint and matte plastics | Soap and water, matte-safe products | Wax and polish, which leave shiny patches |
| Rubber and tires | Soap and water | Shiny tire dressings on tread areas |
| Leather and vinyl seat | Damp cloth, leather or vinyl cleaner | Soaking, silicone dressings |
| Brake rotors and pads | Dry or brake cleaner made for brakes | Oils, wax or silicone sprays |
Things that can damage your bike
High-pressure water
A pressure washer can push water into wheel and steering bearings, swingarm bearings, the chain's seals, switchgear, electrical connectors, fuel injection parts and the airbox. It can also strip paint and decals. Use a garden hose, and keep any pressure washer well away and on a wide, low-pressure setting if you must use one. If you need to know what your manual allows, check it.
Wrong cleaners
Strong degreasers and acids can stain paint, dry out rubber and harm anodized or powder-coated finishes. Use a product that is made for the surface.
Dry wiping
Wiping a dusty bike with a dry cloth scratches paint and clear plastic. Always wet the surface first.
Water in the wrong places
If you notice the bike runs rough, a warning light appears or the ignition acts up after a wash, water may have gotten into a connector or the airbox. Let it dry and have a shop look at it if the problem stays.
Wash and inspect
Washing is a good chance to look for problems you do not see when the bike is dirty. While you dry it, check:
- Oil, coolant or brake fluid leaks. Our leaking oil guide can help with a source
- Fork seals with oil film
- Chain wear and tension
- Tire condition and pressure
- Cracked hoses, loose bolts or damaged wiring
- Brake pad thickness
A fuller check is in the pre-ride inspection checklist.
How often should you wash your motorcycle?
Wash it whenever it is dirty, and quickly after riding in salt, mud, road grime, or after a lot of bugs. Salt in particular sticks to metal and speeds up corrosion, so rinse it off as soon as you can. For long storage, a clean, dry bike is easier to keep in good shape, as our winterizing guide explains.
Common mistakes
- Washing a hot bike or in direct sun
- Using dish soap or harsh chemicals
- Spraying water into the exhaust, airbox or electronics
- Using a pressure washer close up
- Wiping a dirty bike dry
- Getting wax, polish or lube on the brakes, tires or seat
- Forgetting to lube the chain after washing
- Riding off without testing the brakes
When to see a mechanic
Get a shop's help if:
- The bike will not start, stumbles or throws a warning light after a wash
- You find fluid leaks, cracked parts or damaged wiring
- Water got into the airbox, an electrical connector, the exhaust or the fuel system
- The brakes feel weak and do not recover after a few stops
- Corrosion has appeared on the frame, fasteners or electrical connections
- You are not sure how to protect a custom or restored finish
For routine care, our maintenance services page lists shops, and you can compare motorcycle repair shops in Miami or your own city. If the paint is damaged, see the paint and body repair page.
Quick checklist
- Cool bike, shade, gentle water.
- Plug the exhaust and protect electrical parts and the intake.
- Wheels and chain first, then top to bottom.
- Dry well and lube the chain.
- Keep polish, wax and lube off tires, brakes and seat.
- Test the brakes before you ride.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a pressure washer on a motorcycle?
Use extreme caution. High pressure can force water past seals and into wheel bearings, swingarm and steering head bearings, electrical connectors, the airbox and the chain's seals. A garden hose with a gentle spray is safer.
Should I wash a motorcycle when the engine is hot?
No. Hot metal can cause soap to dry into spots and cold water on hot parts is not good for them. Let the engine and exhaust cool first.
How often should I wash my motorcycle?
Whenever it is dirty, and promptly after riding in salt, mud or heavy bugs. Regular cleaning also lets you spot leaks and wear.
Is car soap safe for a motorcycle?
Mild car wash soap is generally fine on paint and plastic, but avoid harsh degreasers and household cleaners. Use a product made for the surface you are cleaning.