How to Detail Your Motorbike Like a Pro (Mar 2026)

Never, ever wash a hot bike. I learned this the hard way on a black Commodore engine bay years ago, the tap water hit the hot metal, left instant water spots, and actually cracked a plastic trim piece. Let the bike sit for at least an hour.

With the Aussie sun, if you wash in direct heat, your soap will dry before you can rinse it. You'll end up with nasty streaks that are a pain to get off. Under a carport or in the garage is best.

Chuck a dedicated exhaust plug or even a clean rag wrapped in a plastic bag into your muffler. You don't want water sitting in your exhaust system causing rust from the inside out.

Start with the filthiest part. Spray your chain cleaner on the chain and sprockets. Use the grunge brush to agitate that black gunk. While that sits, spray a bit of degreaser on the lower engine casing and swingarm where chain fling usually lives. Don't let it dry!

Give the whole bike a gentle spray with a hose. No high pressure here, especially around the dash, wheel bearings, or air intake. We just want to knock off the loose dust and soften those bugs.

Clean the wheels before the paint. Use a separate bucket for this. If you've got spoked wheels, I'm sorry, they're a nightmare. A thin brush or an old microfibre cut into strips works best to get around each spoke.

If you've got a foam cannon, give it a crack. It dwells on the surface and lifts the grit away. Let it sit for 5 minutes, but don't let it dry in the sun.

Starting from the top (the tank and fairings) and working down, gently wash the bike with your mitt. Don't scrub. If there's a stubborn bug, leave the soapy mitt on it for a minute to soften it. I remember a customer brought in a Triumph that was covered in bat droppings, he'd tried to scrub them off and scratched the clear coat to hell. Soften, don't scrub.

While the bike is soapy, use a soft detailing brush to get into the switchgear, around the fuel cap, and between the engine fins.

Rinse everything thoroughly. Make sure all the soap is gone from behind the radiator and under the seat.

This is the pros' secret. Use a leaf blower to get every drop of water out of the engine, the chain, and the switches. It prevents water spots and stops that annoying 'drip' that happens as soon as you start the bike.

Pat dry any remaining water on the paint and chrome with a clean, plush towel. Don't drag it; just pat it.

Apply your wax or sealant. If you've got matte paint, make sure you use a specific matte sealer, otherwise it'll go blotchy and look terrible. For gloss paint, I reckon a ceramic spray is the go-to these days for easy maintenance.

Now that the chain is clean and dry, apply your chain lube. Do this while the bike is stationary, and wait at least 30 minutes before riding so it doesn't fling all over your freshly cleaned wheel.