A Beginner's Guide To Cleaning And Disinfecting Your Bike

It's important to regularly clean and disinfect your motorcycle, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic continues on. Riding around town and stopping at various places, such as the gas station or grocery store, can expose yourself to germs. A thorough disinfection of your motorcycle helps kill those germs and keep them from spreading.

Use the below tips for effective cleaning and disinfecting of your bike. If you have any questions or want to shop motorcycles for sale, head over to Advantage PowerSports. Our dealership is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and we also serve those in Columbia and St. Joseph.

Essential Preparation Steps

Prepare Yourself

During the cleaning process, it's important to protect yourself against germs that may be on your motorcycle. Wear a mask and gloves, which will offer some helpful protection. It's also key to avoid touching your face, eyes, and other parts of your body during the disinfection process.

Once you’ve finished cleaning, consider throwing the clothes you were wearing into the washing machine and then take a shower. These extra steps can help remove any germs that are on your clothing or skin, which can help reduce the chances of getting sick. Plus, it’ll help remove any dirt, dust, grime, or other debris that transferred from your motorcycle to you.

Prepare Your Motorcycle

Park your bike on the main stand. When the motorcycle is in a balanced position, it will make cleaning easier. Plus, you'll be able to better reach the various nooks and crannies for disinfection. Just be sure that the motorcycle is fully cool before you hose it down with water!

Disinfect Your Bike

Start by washing your motorcycle. This will remove any caked-on debris so that you can clean the surfaces underneath. Begin at the top and work down, making your motorcycle shine.

Once the frame is cleaned, you can move onto disinfecting the various parts. Focus on frequently touched surfaces, like the touchscreen and handlebars.

Be selective about the cleaning products you choose. They need to be strong enough to kill germs, but without causing damage to the motorcycle's materials. Check the owner's manual for suggestions on products and ingredients.

Disinfect Your Motorcycle Helmet

If your helmet has removable pads, take them out and wash them. Next, use a disinfecting spray on your helmet. Look for a product that is made for motorcycle helmets, which will decrease the chances of the cleaner causing any damage. Focus on the inside of the nose and mouth areas.

Disinfect Your Riding Gloves

Many riders absent-mindedly throw their gloves into their helmet when they return from a ride. Try to resist this! It's an easy way to get germs from your gloves to transfer to your helmet.

Instead, store gloves elsewhere and clean them regularly. It's helpful to own two pairs of riding gloves. That way, you will always have a pair handy if one pair is in the wash.

Use Strategic Riding Habits

How you ride your motorcycle matters. Some habits can increase the germs collecting on yourself or your bike. Others can reduce them and keep your gear clean for longer.

One handy strategy is to pack cleaning supplies in your motorcycle. Bring along disinfecting wipes, a microfiber cloth, hand sanitizer, and so on. It'll be easy to disinfect on the go!

It's also wise to be cautious in high traffic areas, such as a gas station. Many people are touching the various surfaces, which means they are a high risk for germs. Try to have a barrier between your riding gloves (or hands) and the nozzle. Use a paper towel or use disposable gloves to help you avoid touching those high risk surfaces.

We hope you enjoyed this guide to cleaning and disinfecting your bike! For personalized suggestions or to shop motorcycles for sale, visit Advantage PowerSports. Our dealership is based in Kansas City, Missouri. We also proudly serve those in Columbia and St. Joseph, Missouri.