Motorcycles need just as much care (if not more) than other types of vehicles. For the best results, you should use cleaning products that are engineered specifically for two wheels. The best motorcycle cleaners tackle dirt and grime caused by road debris, weather, insects, and more. Check out our best motorcycle cleaner guide to find the perfect product for cleaning your bike.
Best OverallAero Cosmetic Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax
Check Latest PriceSummaryThis plant-based cleanser leaves behind a non-stick UV protective coating on the surface. It is also biodegradable, Eco-friendly, and safe to use on most surfaces.ProsIt's really easy to use, it smells good, and it doesn't require any water for application. Overall, it leaves your bike with a clean, shiny, and smooth surface.ConsIt doesn't contain wax as the name implies. It may leave behind some streaks, and it has difficulty removing material such as tar. It’s pricey.Best ValueOriginal Bike Spirits Spray Cleaner and Polish
Check Latest PriceSummaryThis "detailer in a can" can be used without water and removes road grime, grease, and bugs. It's intended for motorcycles, ATVs, scooters, automobiles, and marine and power equipment.ProsIt works great on painted surfaces, chrome, plastics, and other materials. It makes everything look like new and smells nice. When it's used regularly, your bike is much easier to clean.ConsIt may leave behind a hazy film, and it may be hard to remove from certain surfaces. You also need to keep it off your tire tread and brake rotors.Honorable MentionStar brite Ultimate Bike Guard Motorcycle Detailer & Protectant
Check Latest PriceSummaryThis waterless cleaner sprays on wipes off and shines up painted surfaces and polished metals. Its protective polymers bond to the surface to repel dirt and prevent UV damage.ProsThis product beautifully cleans and shines your bike and requires minimal buffing. A little goes a long way. It's easy to use and it has a pleasant smell.ConsIt may not remove water spots on chrome parts, such as your pipes. It may also require a bit of elbow grease to remove stubborn dirt and debris.As the name suggests, this type of cleaner can be used on most, if not all, of the components on your motorcycle, including the paint, metal, glass, and plastic. Since this type of cleaner is essentially a one-size-fits-all product, select a brand that doesn't include harsh chemicals that can damage leather or produce swirl marks.
Some of the best motorcycle detailing products are geared specifically towards certain components, such as the wheels, engine, or leather seat. You can initially use an all-purpose cleaner on your entire bike and then focus on separate cleaners and polishers for chrome pipes, leather saddlebags, or plastic windshields. Each product will have ingredients designed specifically for tackling dirt on these types of surfaces.
A waterless motorcycle cleaner is also known as a "detailer in a can." It is very convenient and worthwhile if you want to quickly clean your bike in between more thorough washings. While waterless products are easy to use, they are not a substitute for deep cleaning and waxing.
Meguiar's has been around for over a century and creates products for every automotive surface, including paint, wheels, tires, and interiors. It is based in Irvine, Calif., and one popular product is the Meguiar's Motorcycle Care Kit.
Chemical Guys is based in California and designs and create high-quality waxes, coatings, polishes, and sealants for automotive purposes. One of its recommended motorcycle cleaners is the Chemical Guys Moto Line Moto Metal Polish Cleaner.
Turtle Wax, headquartered in Addison, Ill., was founded in 1946 by Ben Hirsch. He and his wife, Marie, developed the world's first liquid car polish, known as Plastone. The company became Turtle Wax Inc. in the 1950s after Hirsch linked a turtle's protective hard shell to his Plastone polish. One popular cleaner is the Turtle Wax Ultimate Motorcycle Cleaning Kit.
Star brite launched in 1973 and is a top manufacturer of marine, RV, powersports, and automotive cleaners, polishers, motor oils, and fuel additives. All products are made in Montgomery, Ala. We recommend the Star brite Ultimate Bike Guard Motorcycle Detailer & Protectant.
Some motorcycle cleaning products can be used on motorcycles as well as cars, boats, and other types of equipment. You can save money if you purchase a product that is multipurpose. Also, as we mentioned previously, some products can be used on several parts of a bike, including the gas tank, wheels, leather seat, pipes, windshield, etc.
Some spray-on cleansers are easy to apply: simply spray on and wipe off with a microfiber cloth. However, some products are more likely to leave behind streaks or a hazy film. Make sure you select a brand that doesn't require you to do more wiping than necessary and that is simple to use.
This product gently cleans and protects motorcycles, cars, boats, and RVs and leaves behind a non-stick, UV-protective coating on the surface. The water and plant-based solution is alcohol- and ammonia-free. It is also biodegradable, Eco-friendly, and safe to use on most surfaces. The kit includes one gallon of Wash Wax ALL, a 16-ounce spray bottle of Wash Wax ALL, four microfiber towels, and a product guide.
One great thing about this product is it's really easy to use. You simply spray it on and wipe it off. It smells good and doesn't require any water for application. Also, you can wash your bike anywhere—in the garage, in a parking lot, or any spot that's convenient. Overall, it leaves your bike with a clean, shiny, and smooth surface.
While it effectively removes dirt, you will need to use a lot of the product to clean gritty debris such as tar off your bike, and that may not even work. Also, it doesn't contain any wax (although its name alludes that it does), and there have been some complaints that it leaves behind some streaks.
This waterless cleaner sprays on, wipes off, and shines up painted surfaces and polished metals. Its protective polymers bond to the surface to repel dirt and prevent UV damage. It removes light road grime, bug debris, and greasy fingerprints. It's safe to use on motorcycles, helmets, and all clear coats, wraps, and metal flake paints.
Star brite's product beautifully cleans and shines your bike and requires minimal buffing with a cloth. A little goes a long way, and it doesn't take very long to clean an entire motorcycle. It's easy to use and diligently removes dead bugs that can cling to your bike as well as dirt. It also has a pleasant smell. It works well on chrome, rubber, plastic, and painted surfaces.
The manufacturer cautions users not to spray the product on a helmet's visors. Also, it may not remove water spots on chrome parts. In addition, it may require a bit of elbow grease to remove stubborn dirt and debris.
Meguiar's Motorcycle Care Kit has seven items, including Motorcycle EZ Clean, Detailer Mist & Wipe, and Liquid Wax. You can use the products on leather, paint, plastic, metal, and vinyl surfaces. The EZ clean is simple to use: just spray it on your bike, and wipe it off. The wax is also easy to use and requires just one step to polish your paint and clear coat.
We also like the leather cleaner and conditioner, which won't leave behind a slippery residue or artificial shine. The metal polish helps with minor scratches, and overall the kit keeps your bike in tip top condition. Plus, each bottle is compact, so it will fit in your saddlebags or small storage bag, so you have them on hand when you need them.
However, since the bottles are so small, you will go through them quickly. Depending on how often you clean your bike, you may need to replace the items regularly. There have also been some complaints that the chrome cleaner leaves behind a residue.
The Muc-Off Nano-Tech Motorcycle Cleaner is safe for all surfaces and provides a deep clean by dissolving dirt and grime. Its biodegradable, alkaline-based formula comes in a one-liter bottle and doesn't contain any acids, solvents, and CFCs. You can use it on a variety of surfaces, including carbon fiber and disc brakes.
This product does a good job of getting things clean, including wheels and hard-to-reach places around the engine. It easily removes bugs, road grime, and light dirt and mud. Simply spray it all over on a wet bike, let it sit for five minutes, and hose it off. We like that it doesn't leave behind any residue or spots.
However, it struggles to remove caked-on grease. Also, if you use Muc-Off on a warm engine, it will evaporate before you can rinse it off.
A: As we previously mentioned, you don't want to wash your bike too often. We recommend cleaning it once a month unless you ride it on muddy roads. If you ride less frequently, then you can wash it every few months.
A: As long as you are careful when you clean your bike and use the proper cleaning materials, it's a good idea to wash it. There are more benefits to washing it than leaving it dirty, which can lead to corrosion and other issues.
A: The most important thing to do is to use a low-pressure spray on your bike. If you have a nozzle with various settings, choose a gentle one because too much pressure can potentially damage certain parts of your bike.
Our pick for the top motorcycle cleaner is the Aero Cosmetic Wet or Waterless Car Wash Wax. It's an eco-friendly product that doesn't require any water. You can use it anywhere, and you'll end up with a clean and shiny bike.
If you want a more budget-friendly option, consider the Original Bike Spirits Spray Cleaner and Polish.
