The best motorcycle cleaning products tried and tested by MCN | The stuff that really works

Some bikers relish getting out the bucket and sponge and setting about cleaning their motorcycle with all manner of lotions and potions – but I am definitely not one of them. The easier you can make the chore of bike cleaning, the better in my book.

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In all my years as a biker I’ve used loads of bike washes and to be honest they’ve all worked to some extent. Even a spraying down with a hose will leave your bike slightly cleaner than it was before, after all. But there are a few cleaners that stand out, and they’re the ones I buy when it’s time to put my hand in my own pocket; Muc-Off, SDoc, Oxford Mint and Rhino Goo.

That’s not to say these are the ONLY ones that work and you’ll see others in this list recommended by more members of the MCN team. But these are a reliable place to start and one or other or all of them are usually on offer somewhere, too.

Why should you clean your motorcycle?

It’s a fair question and plenty of bikers don’t bother very often. But the inconvenient truth is that regular cleaning is good for your bike. It protects your paint and finished surfaces from attack by dirt (and salt in winter), prevents dirt build-up and corrosion that will lead to maintenance bills and could eventually give you a higher selling price when it’s time to trade in or upgrade.

As well as the general week-to-week (month-to-month?) cleaning you should go deeper from time to time, including cleaning your bike’s chain or deep cleaning your wheels.

Certain areas have their own specific products, too, such as motorcycle chrome cleaner or exhaust downpipe washes. And you don’t have to stop at your bike, either, there are plenty of products for cleaning motorcycle kit so it stays fresh and performs at its best for longer.

If you keep your bike safe in the garage over winter (there’s no shame in it) then one of the jobs you need to do first is to give it a proper clean.

So, whether you’re giving your pride and joy a quick wipe down with a waterless wash or going to town on it with foam and a jet wash, here is a selection of motorcycle cleaning products that will make your life that little bit easier.

It may sound like daft advice, but make sure you read the instructions on a cleaning product before you start. Some are designed to be applied to a dry bike and left, others should be sprayed onto a rinsed one. Failing to follow the instructions could lead to a sub-par job or, in extreme cases, do damage to some finishes.

As a team, we cover tens of thousands of miles per year in all conditions and so we can quickly work out which stuff really works and what doesn’t.

Best motorcycle cleaners

Best motorcycle cleaning accessories

Best motorbike cleaning accessories

Things to keep in mind

Make sure you check the compatibility of any cleaning solutions or chemicals before you use them on your bike. Some motorcycle cleaning products cannot be used on chrome or aluminium, for example, but they will say on the bottle.

If you use a pressure washer, avoid spraying directly into electronic components or switches, down the exhaust or into the air intake. Bearings should also be avoided, and be careful of your decals. If your pressure washer has a lower setting, opt for that.

A coating of general lube or water dispersant spray on a clean bike can lengthen the gap between washes, protect vulnerable surfaces and make future washes easier. ACF-50, FS-360 or Oxford General Protectant are all solid options.

How MCN tests products

At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands miles and we want to use that wisdom to make sure you buy cleaning products that are worth the money.

We ride year-round and in all conditions, and so we get a lot of bikes dirty. That means a LOT of washing for our test bikes and our own machines and so we get through cleaner and cleaning accessories quickly.

We use cleaning products just how you do, not in a lab and not in controlled conditions but in the real world.

If you can’t see a review against an item on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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What our scores mean

When we review a product, we award it a score out of five. In the ratings tab of a given product, you may also find more specific scores for the different aspects of a product’s performance to help you make an informed decision. In order to be included in a buying guide, a product must achieve an overall score of at least four stars.

Here’s a guide to what each number score means:

• 1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
• 2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level and there is room for improvement.
• 3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
• 4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
• 5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

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