THE MOTORCYCLE CLEANING KIT WE KEEP COMING BACK TO

It’s time to give your dirt bike or motorcycle the deep clean it deserves. The best part is you don't have to be a pro motorcycle detailer for a pro look; to make the job a little easier, we've put together a list of essential cleaning tools, supplies, tips, and tricks to help get the job done right.

The secret to having the cleanest bike: a motorcycle cleaning kit you love

First things first, you'll need a bucket of warm water and a mild soap or motorcycle cleaner (car wash soap works great). You'll also need a hose, a sponge or microfiber wash rags, a brush, and a larger microfiber towel to dry off the bike.

Optional, but highly recommended motorcycle care products: a tire brush, a set of small brushes for scrubbing hard-to-reach areas, a mud scraper, and some tire/bike shine.

Bikes stay cleanest when they get washed regularly, otherwise, dirt builds and stains stay even when you eventually wash it. It’s best to wash it after every ride and thats easy to do when you have a cleaning kit that is organized, simple and effective to get the job done quickly.

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Here are the tools and supplies in the Throttle Minded Dad motorcycle cleaning kit:

(2+) Microfiber Wash Rags:

Always designate one as the dirty rag for greasy areas, and one for washing cleaner areas like plastics or paint. You can also use a soft washing brush or sponge, but I've found there's no substitute for the ease and precision you get using your hand with a microfiber cloth.

Flex Multipurpose Brush:

Use this brush on areas that need some scrubbing, but are more resistant to scratching like spokes, frame, pegs, etc.

Chain Brush:

This multipurpose bicycle and motorcycle chain brush will help extend the life of your chain plus it has a long bristle end for hard to reach engine crevices.

Detailing Brush:

For small areas like behind the front sprocket or near suspension linkage.

Tire Brush:

The stiffer bristles help get rocks and and clear tread patterns so you're ready to roll for your next ride.

Mud Scraper:

I use a cheap ice scraper and it works great for getting mud off fenders at the track or while washing up after.

Bucket:

If it holds water, you're good to go! Some like to have two buckets: one for dirty rinsing and one for clean soapy water. One bucket works well enough for me since I tend to rinse off rags and brushes with the hose sprayer as I go.

Exhaust Plug:

This product from Rocky Mountain works well for two strokes and four strokes with exhaust openings 25-55mm.

(2) Large Microfiber Towels:

Drying by hand is what makes all the difference! You can get into all the hard-to-reach spots with small microfiber rags, then finish it all off with the big towels. Again, use one for clean areas and one for greasy areas.

Glass Cleaner:

Most will already have this cleaning product and it’s perfect for goggles, faceshields and windshields (if have one).

Bike Shine:

For an extra pop and a layer of motorcycle protectant, use this stuff; it’s incredible! If you're a dirt bike guy, Maxima SC1 is what you want. If you’re on a cruiser or anything with mostly paint and chrome, go with the Maxima Speed Wax.

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I keep moto cleaning supplies together and only use them on bikes which makes setup and cleanup quick and simple

Now that you've gathered your motorcycle care kit, it's time to get to work. Here's how to clean a dirt bike in five easy steps:

1. Insert your exhaust plug then Rinse off any loose dirt or debris with the hose. Be sure to get in all the small spots, as well as under the fenders and seat. You can use a power washer but don’t put it on high pressure and certainly avoid direct pressure on seals and bearings. A hose sprayer attachment works great too.

2. Start by giving the wheels a good scrub. Use the tire brush to scrub away any dirt or grime from the tires and rims. Then, move on to the body of the motorcycle.

3. Mix a small amount of soap with the warm water in the bucket and use the sponge or microfiber cloth to scrub the entire dirt bike, starting at the top and working your way down. Use the small brushes to scrub hard-to-reach areas, and don't forget to rinse the cloth, sponge, and brush frequently to avoid spreading grime around.

4. Once you've washed the entire dirt bike, it's time to rinse it off. Use the hose to thoroughly rinse away all the soap suds and remaining dirt.

5. Finally, dry off the dirt bike with the microfiber towel. Be sure to get in all the hard-to-reach areas. This step makes all the difference, take your time hand drying to avoid water spots and your bike will look flawless. If you want to take your dirt bike protection and cleanliness to the next level, take some metal polish to those chrome parts or apply some bike shine to the body panels for an elevated finishing touch.

Lessons learned:

By hand washing and hand drying your bike after every ride, you’ll see when parts start to deteriorate or when something is broken; you’ll usually be able to catch things early and avoid getting stranded out on ride day. Also, don't forget that dirty riding gear. Give those boots a rinse and hit your jersey and pants before they go in the wash on muddy days.

Total cost: $xxx

And that's it! With a little bit of time and a motorcycle detailing kit you like, your motorcycle will be looking good as new time and time again. Happy cleaning!