Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Motorcycle

Of course, we all know motorcycles are magnets for dust and grime, but would it surprise you to learn that motorcycles can also collect germs? Regular deep cleaning is your best strategy to avoid picking up and spreading disease when riding your motorcycle. Rid your ride of bacteria and viruses by following these tips from BMW Motorcycles of Jacksonville!

Are you doing a little research before purchasing your first bike? Learning about motorcycle maintenance is a great place to start. When you’re ready to check out some motorcycles for sale, visit BMW Motorcycles of Jacksonville in Orange Park, FL.

Cleaning Preparations

Your first step is to decide where to clean your motorcycle. Choose a spot that’s away from direct sunlight, as you don’t want your bike drying too quickly. If your bike dries off when it’s covered in suds, you might wind up with streaks and water spots that are hard to remove. You also want a space with plenty of elbow room so you can move around comfortably.

Your next step will be to gather supplies. Be sure to select a cleaning product that’s compatible with the materials used in your bike’s construction. It’s good to have a bucket of water and several sponges handy, as well as a brush for cleaning out wheel spokes. A standard-pressure hose is a big help, and you’ll also want a cloth or chamois for drying.

Now it’s time to prepare your bike. Make sure it’s completely cooled off before you begin cleaning, and use a rubber plug, rag, or glove to keep moisture out of the exhaust pipe.

We’re almost ready! All that’s left is to put on your mask and gloves. That’s right—just like you need to wear the proper gear when riding your bike, you need to gear up when cleaning to protect yourself from germs and from any harsh chemicals present in your cleaning products. You’ll also want to shower and wash your clothes after completing the process.

Washing Your Motorcycle

Begin by thoroughly rinsing your bike. Spray it down with some diluted cleaning product to loosen up any caked-on dirt, then rinse it off using your standard-pressure hose.

Now you can start scrubbing your motorcycle with your cleaning product and sponge, beginning at the top and working your way down. Be gentle! Scrubbing too vigorously can damage your bike. Keep your bucket close by to rinse your sponge, and be ready to refill your bucket as the water becomes dirty.

When you’re all done scrubbing, take the time to dry your motorcycle by hand using your cloth or chamois. If you have a device that blows air, such as a leaf blower or a can of compressed air, you can use that for any hard-to-reach crevices.

Before moving on, you’ll probably want to reapply lubricant to your motorcycle chain, as soap and water tend to strip the lubrication away.

Disinfecting Your Motorcycle

Now that you have a squeaky clean machine, disinfecting your bike is simply a matter of applying disinfectant to any “high-touch” surfaces, such as your handlebars and touchscreen. The tricky part here is choosing the right product. You want something powerful enough to kill germs, but you don’t want anything too abrasive. Your owner’s manual should have advice on which cleaners to use.

Whichever disinfecting product you choose, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe it dry, and be extra gentle when cleaning electronics.

Disinfecting Your Gear

Your bike may be germ-free, but we’re not finished yet! It’s just as important to disinfect your motorcycle gear. After all, you’re in constant contact with your gear when riding your bike, and it’s bound to get gunky.

To disinfect your helmet, first remove the padding and give it a good wash. Then spray your helmet with disinfectant. Again, this is mostly a matter of finding the right product. If you’re not sure whether your disinfectant is compatible with your helmet’s material, apply it to a small area first to make sure it won’t harm the finish.

Wash your motorcycle gloves regularly, and keep two pairs on hand so you can switch between them. We know it can be tempting, but avoid storing your gloves inside your helmet! Your gloves are more likely to carry germs than any other piece of gear, and you don’t want those germs spreading to your helmet.

Healthy Habits

How often you go through the disinfection process will depend on how frequently you go riding. To keep dirt and germs from building up in the meantime, consider packing your motorcycle with a small cleaning kit. These are especially convenient for long trips. Your cleaning kit can include sanitizing wipes, a microfiber cloth, disposable gloves, and perhaps even a miniature spray bottle of cleaning solution.

When filling up at the gas station, you can minimize contact with germs by keeping a barrier between your riding gloves and the fuel nozzle. A paper towel works great for this purpose, or you can slip on a pair of disposable gloves.

Now that you have a solid plan for staying healthy, it’s time to hit the road! Are you still looking for the perfect bike? Stop by BMW Motorcycles of Jacksonville to check out our selection. We proudly serve Orange Park, FL, along with our neighbors in St. Augustine and throughout the greater Jacksonville area.