Banish road grime

There’s a lot more to cleaning than a knackered old sponge

1 Let it cool then hose it off

You’ll need to start with a cold bike because cleaning solution will evaporate off hot engine and exhaust components, leaving an unsightly residue. Place the bike on stands so both wheels are off the ground then give it a good rinse with the hose. Direct the spray at any large clumps of dirt, so they loosen off. Thoroughly wet the bike so it is completely soaked.

2 Invest in a quality cleaner

There are plenty of decent bike-specific cleaners to choose from (but don’t get confused and use degreaser by mistake). The bike will need to be wet first as the solution gets to work as it reacts with water. Leave the cleaner to dwell for two or three minutes. On really warm days just work on one area at a time to prevent the solution from drying out.

3 Work on the engine and chassis first

Work the cleaner into the chassis parts and engine first. Agitate the cleaner lightly using a suitable brush. Don’t be too aggressive or you’ll scratch the bike. The cleaning compound will loosen the dirt and make it easy to remove. For areas where there are deep pockets of grime, rinse and repeat. Any baked-on insects, road tar or chain lube can be spot-cleaned later.

4 Zap the bug splats

Insects on can be difficult to remove without scrubbing and causing damage, so use a dedicated cleaner and follow the instructions. This Autoglym Active Insect Remover (£8.50) is one of the best; just spray it on and leave it to work for 30 seconds, before simply wiping away the encrusted creatures. Don’t forget bug magnets including the brake and clutch levers.

5 Target the tar spots

Rides on hot summer days can see melted tar flick up from the road surface and onto your bike, often onto the underside of fairing panels and the exhaust. It’s stubborn stuff so you’ll need a dedicated cleaner. Follow the instructions on the label and only use it to spot clean the contamination.

6 Aim for a squeaky clean feel

Give the whole bike a thorough rinse with a hose, the idea is to remove all traces of dirt and any remaining cleaning product. Rinse the radiator and oil cooler from the back to push dirt back out, rather than through. Run your fingers over the bodywork to feel for that squeaky clean finish.

7 Clear away old lube

With the bike is rinsed off, check around the back wheel and side panels for chain lube fling. There are several dedicated cleaners to do this specific job and their strong degreasing properties easily remove chain lube that has embedded itself onto surfaces. Use it sparingly and only for this specifc task. SDoc100 chain cleaner is a big MCN favourite.

8 Don’t just let it drip dry

Dry the bike off, working your way down with a quality cloth. Turn the cloth as you go and wring out as necessary. Make sure there are no hidden pools of water lurking in any crevices, for example under the fuel filler cap. If you have one, an airline is good for blasting out the water from these areas. Any pockets of water missed will leave a scaly deposit.

9 Time to shine

Follow the instructions on the polish. Take care not to apply it directly on top of raised lettering, bolts or trim because the wax can leave white deposits on the edges. Apply the polish with a separate cloth or specific applicator. Let it dry to a dull haze and then buff off with a polishing cloth, turn the cloth as necessary to maintain a clean polishing area.

10 Rejuvinate your plastics

Tarnished plastic trim can be treated with ACF-50. Apply ACF to a cloth and rub it on, using another cloth to remove and buff the area afterwards. The same goes for metal surfaces. You can apply it to many parts, such as wheels, chain adjusters and sprocket carriers. Always remember to apply it sparingly and not direct from the can.