Motorcycle cleaning and care
Motorcycles are exposed to everything that our weather can throw at them and that means that they need plenty of care and attention. You’ll find that a motorcycle chain cleaner and motorcycle degreaser quickly become your best friends!
How to clean your motorcycle
- Look after your chain. Keeping your chain clean and lubricated is absolutely vital and it’s important that you use the best motorcycle chain cleaner you can find and don’t skimp on quality. A motorcycle chain cleaner is easy to use. A quick squirt and it removes dust, grime and any excess oil.
- Remove unwanted grease from the engine using a motorcycle degreaser.
- Give the frame of your bike some attention using a hose, warm soapy water and brushes and sponges.
- Clean your disc brakes and pads. Your brakes are fundamental to your safety on the road and a specialist disk brake cleaning product will help to keep your brakes in good shape.
- Look after your paintwork. There are plenty of external sources which can damage your paintwork from bird droppings to tree sap. Apply a motorcycle cleaner to your paintwork to remove dirt and contamination remaining after your hand wash.
- Reach for the polish. Now it’s time to give your bike that finished look. Use a soft microfibre cloth and a good polish.
- Re-oil your chain. The soap and water you have used to clean your motorcycle can get into the lubricants on your chain so it’s a good idea to re-oil your chain.
Do’s and don’t’s
DO follow health and safety rules and always wait for your engine and pipes to cool down if you have ridden your bike shortly before cleaning.
DO use cleaning products designed for the task and use a specialist soap. Household cleaning products can be too strong.
DON’T go at the cleaning too hard. Over enthusiastic scrubbing can cause damage. Allow the soap to do its work.
DON’T damage the electronics. If you are using a pressure washer make sure that it isn’t on too high a setting.
The right materials
To look after your motorcycle you will need:
- The best motorcycle chain cleaner you can find
- A motorcycle degreaser
- Specialist soap, sponges and brushes
- A brake cleaner
- A motorcycle cleaner for your paintwork
- A soft microfibre cloth and polish
- Motorcycle chain oil
Looking after your engine
The rate at which your bike will use engine oil isn't a constant. Environmental factors such as poor fuel quality, extreme temperatures or just spirited riding can affect your bike's oil consumption.
Here at Castrol, our motorcyclists check their oil level at least once a week, and always before going on a long ride. Find out more about how to check your motorcycle oil with Castrol.
And Find out which oil is right for your bike by using our quick and easy Oil Finder tool .
