I think that preventing rust on motorcycles in general also reduces breakdowns.
We all want our bikes to stay glossy and beautiful, right?
Basically, I don’t wash my bikes. For example, if an off-road bike gets caked in mud, a good water rinse works wonders.
But with an on-road bike that doesn’t see rain, you spray it down with water, lather it up with soap, and wonder if it’s actually clean…
That’s the classic weekend dad move.
Pouring tap water all over it to look clean, then—after falling for a TV commercial—I bust out the Kärcher pressure washer!
In the end, I think the final wipe-down with a cloth is what really does the job.
Maybe a damp rag would’ve been enough? That’s my suspicion.
When you spray water everywhere, it seeps into gaps your hands can’t reach, penetrating deep into pivots, engine hanger bolts, and every corner, causing rust throughout.
There are different schools of thought on washing, so I can’t say one way is right. But using water, hot water, and soap removes the protective oils from the frame too.
After washing, apply wax to the fairings and use products like no-touch coatings or silicone spray on the frame to keep it glossy—this really cuts down on deterioration.
The same goes for the suspension (front forks and rear shocks).
Adding oil (moisture) back to cleaned areas has a fantastic anti-aging effect, I think!
Cleanliness starts from the ground up—it’s super important.
