The Muc-Off Powersports Dirt Bucket kit is your one-stop shop for easy bike cleaning

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Muc-Off is celebrating its 30th birthday this year, and during that time they have stood by their iconic pink cleaner and expanded to a wealth of other products. If you’re anything like me, the worst part of motorcycling by far is cleaning the bike, so I highly value anything that makes for an easy clean.

If you’re looking for everything to set you up with motorcycle cleaning then you can’t look much further than the Dirt Bucket kit. With a discount compared to buying the items individually you can save a few bob, but if you’re like me and can’t use some bits (i.e the chain cleaner and drivetrain cleaner, because neither of my current bikes have a chain) it’s worth looking at some of the other bundles Muc-Off offers, or indeed their individual products to tailor your cleaning kit.

Are they good quality?

Muc-Off has become a household name when it comes to bike cleaning, and it’s clear how they’ve cemented themselves near the top – the products work!

You have to take your time with the motorcycle cleaner. Initially, (without reading the instructions on the bottle) I assumed a quick spray and wipe would do. But you do have to soak the bike and leave the motorcycle cleaner to do its job for it to live up to the Muc-Off name – no hardship for me, anything that means less elbow grease is always a win in my book.

I’m used to cleaning brushes being quite harsh on paintwork and losing fibres quickly, but neither of these things are applicable to the super soft wash brush, and there is a wheel cleaning brush when you need to be a bit tougher. The same goes for the microfibre mitt, the soft exterior is gentle on paintwork, but even the other side which is meant for bugs and tougher grime doesn’t give me a grimace when using it on paintwork.

How practical are they?

The bucket holds up to 13L of water and has a ‘Filth Filter’ which is essentially a small grate at the bottom of the bucket so you can keep bigger grime particles away from your sponge or wash mitt. The copolymer plastic means you’re not worried about the handle buckling once it’s been filled and you’ve got to carry it to the bike, and it hasn’t let me down yet.

For the most part I loved everything in the bucket, but I wasn’t as blown away by the practicality of the 2-in-1 microfibre wash mitt. After you get it wet it becomes very heavy and I found myself gripping the inside of the mitt to keep it ‘upright’ as the weight became uneven. But the mitt itself worked wonders and got into some nooks and crannies I wouldn’t have reached with a generic sponge.

I’ll also mention that the motorcycle protectant requires a little elbow grease as you have to wipe down the excess with a microfibre once you’ve applied it – and since it can be sprayed on all parts of the bike it’s a lengthy process. But, it does smell like vanilla, so is a nice way to end your clean.

Are they good value?

My three-bike household has managed to get through the first litre of motorcycle cleaner over the past eight months, but with two packs of powdered motorcycle cleaner, I like the fact that I am in no rush to replenish anything as of yet, even after it has battled the salty winter grime, so the pack lasts a long time, and the bucket itself isn’t showing signs of wear and tear yet either. Score.

It’s worth noting that I haven’t had a chance to try out the chain lube as I’m currently riding shaft-driven and belt-driven motorcycles, so before you buy consider whether you’re likely to use the entire contents to make the most of your money. Luckily with the job I’m in I’m likely to ride other bikes frequently so I can use them then.

It’s hard to do a comparison with other brands on the market as it is a bundle – and a big one at that – so nothing will be exactly the same. But broadly speaking, an S100 Care Set will set you back around £67 but has five products, Oxford have a 5-part Mint bundle for around £25 and at the top of the market sits Tru Tension with a 7-piece kit for £56, but doesn’t include a bucket or sponge etc.

The easiest way to look at value is similar to the above – price up what’s inside. Doing that, you can see that you’re saving at least £20, so you do get more for your money in terms of Muc-Off gear.

But even though buying the whole bucket will save you a few bob, there’s no denying that it’s a big outlay, but it will last you the summer season… depending on how anal you are of course!

The bottom line

Sure, there are a few niggles depending on how you prefer to clean your bike. But all in all, this kit has everything you’ll likely need to keep your bike clean. The products work well and get rid of grime with minimal elbow grease and aside from a little inconvenience once the wash mitt gets wet and having to wipe off excess fluid once you spray protectant over your bike, everything is there to make the job easier for you, and indeed it does. For someone that hates washing motorcycles with a passion, I love it when a kit like this makes it easier.

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