There’s no denying the love we have for our bikes. People who don’t ride think they’re just machines, but those of us who do, we know they’re actually a part of the family. But a dirty, grimy motorcycle is an unloved motorcycle. Which is why regular maintenance for any true rider should always include a good wash.
First things first: how you clean your bike is going to be slightly different depending on whether or not you have denim (flat) paint. If that’s the case, you need to use a cleaner that is specifically designed for a matte paint finish and NEVER use a polish afterwards.
Also, this should go without saying, but don’t use regular household cleaning products on your bike. Not all soap is made the same. The chemical structure of common household cleaning products are too harsh on your motorcycle, especially the paint.
As with anything you do to your motorcycle, you want to do it right, and that means buying the right products and taking the time to learn how to use them properly. Whether you’ve been meticulously washing your motorcycle for decades already, or you think hosing it down once a week does the trick, we’ve compiled a list of the best products you can buy in 2020 to keep your bike sparkling clean.
1.Wash Mitt
For Harley riders, we recommend the Harley-Davidson branded wash mitt. It’s made of a premium wool blend that’s built to last, but gentle enough to keep your bike clean without scratching the paint.
If you don’t ride a Harley yet and need a little more scrubbing power to clean your plastic fairings, this Motopro microfiber wash mitt is exactly what you need.
2.Bug Remover Sponge
Harley-Davidson’s Bug Eater Sponge is easy to grip, double-sided, flexible, and most importantly, tough on bugs. Use it in combination with the brand’s Bug Remover Spray to scrub away the more stubborn, baked on bug guts.
Since the Bug Eater Sponge was designed specifically with HD motorcycles in mind, a regular mesh bug sponge will also do the trick for other motorcycle brands.
3.Detailing Swabs
Detailing swabs are not an extra, unnecessary product. They’re critical
to keeping your bike clean, even in small and hard-to-reach places. Sure, it takes a little extra time. But at the end of the day, isn’t your bike worth it?
4.Soap
When it comes to what cleaner to use, there’s an endless number of options. But if you have a Harley, there’s really only one. Harley-Davidson created one of the only motorcycle cleaning products on the market that can be used in the sun. Their Sunwash Bike Soap can be used on any bike surface at any time of the day, making it the all-around best choice.
But, we don’t always have the time for a full wash. On days when you’re in a hurry but still want to give your bike the love it deserves, you can use Meguiar’s Motorcycle EZ Clean Spray & Rinse or Harley-Davidson’s Denim Paint Cleaner (depending on your bike’s specific needs) for a hassle-free clean that’ll quickly get rid of any oils, fingerprints, dirt, and dust.
5.Leather protectant
You don’t just want to take care of the bike’s body, but also the seat, saddle bags, and even your gear. High quality leather requires high quality care, so be sure to slather some Harley-Davidson Leather Protectant on all leather surfaces to weatherproof it and keep it looking like new.
While good for weatherproofing your leather as well, Skidmore’s Biker Edition Leather Cream also cleans, restores, and conditions old leather that hasn’t been properly taken care of. If you need to give your leather items a little more TLC, this non-toxic and chemical-free cream is what you need.
6.Polish
The last step of the cleaning process, Harley-Davidson’s Glaze Poly Sealant will have your bike sparkling like it just came off the showroom floor. Apply liberally for an all-over shine that protects your bike from harsh UV rays.
