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There is nothing as satisfying as a bike so clean that it gleams. After all, a motorcycle's maintenance also entails keeping it spick and span.
Grime from the road itself can wear down the bodywork on our bikes or even eat away at the gears. That's why the quality of the cleaner you choose matters.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Motorcycle Cleaners
- OUR TOP PICK: Plexus Plastic Cleaner Protectant Polish
- RUNNER-UP: Motul Chain Clean
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: S100 Total Cycle Cleaner
Comparison of the Best Motorcycle Cleaners
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Why Did These Cleaners Make Our List?
When looking for the best motorcycle cleaner, we focused on three main points: how easy it is to use and clean up, how effective the cleaning is, and how safe it is for the entire bike.
While some can work all over your motorcycle, like the Plexus Plastic Cleaner Protectant Polish, others are for specific parts of your bike, like the S100 Wheel Cleaner.
This way, if you're looking for one product that does everything, you have your solution. However, if what you need is a fuel tank cleaner and fuel treatment, we've also got you covered.
These products are at the top of their class. No matter what their focus is, you can be sure that they're going to be simple to employ, give a good clean, and won't harm any part of your bike.
Review of the Best Motorcycle Cleaners
Not all motorcycle cleaners are made the same. Let’s take a look at some of the best brands out there to find out which will work best for your bike.
Best Overall:
Plexus Plastic Cleaner Protectant Polish
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent reviews are mostly thrilled with this product. They mention that it is more expensive than others, but the quality more than makes up for the difference.
One of the big selling points is how easy it is to use and how you get a great polish fast. Users even note how it can cover small scratches and work as a bug repellent.
Why it Stands Out to Us
What makes this the best motorcycle cleaner? Probably the fact that it's so simple to apply and that it does so much.
With one spray, your motorcycle will be cleaned, polished, and there will be a layer of protection that other cleaners lack on their own.
Even so, it doesn't leave windshields or visors fogged up. Instead, they're clear and resistant to even fingerprints.
We also appreciate that this cleaner doesn't need a full wash. Instead of rinsing your bike with cold water, you can just wipe the polish off with a cloth or towel.
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that it doesn’t get any better than this cleaner. As far as they go, this is the best motorcycle cleaner around. It does everything you need (clean, polish, and protect) all in one go.
Runner-up:
Motul Chain Clean
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are raving about how well this chain cleaner works. They say it works great on chains, sprockets, and any other part of your bike that gets greasy.
They also like how quickly it works and evaporates, making their weekly chain clean a breeze. Even people who routinely ride through heavily dusty areas swear by this cleaner.
Why it Stands Out to Us
No degreaser works better, faster than Motul Chain Cleaner. It's one of the best motorcycle cleaners available, even though it is only meant for the chains of a bike.
You may use half a can in one cleaning, but it's worth it. it's fast, easy to use, and gets even the most caked-on grease and grit off.
Best of all, it does all this hard work without damaging the surrounding paint. While you should, of course, try to limit the spray to the chains, it won't hurt your bike if you miss a little.
Bottom Line
What this boils down to is that there is little better out there than the Motul Chain Cleaner. It works fantastically anywhere there’s grease, and it dries fast, letting you get back to what matters most: enjoying the road.
Best for the Money:
S100 Total Cycle Cleaner
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Overall, most buyers say that they're happy with this product. It does a job, cleans the whole bike, and they love how easy it is to use.
Some mention it can leave spots if left on, or it may take more than one coat, but they still think it's worth the price.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This is a great overall cleaner for those of us sticking to a budget. You can use it on the entire bike, including the chains and windshield, all without harming the varnish, paint, or clear coat on your motorcycle.
It does a good job of sinking into any crevice or tight spot on your bike, ensuring a complete clean. When you get those tight spots free from grime, you ensure that your bike doesn’t rust or suffer from preventable corrosion.
Bottom Line
The S100 Total Cycle Cleaner does more than a decent job of getting your bike spotless. It may take two coats, but for the price, you can’t beat it.
Best Motorcycle Chain Cleaner:
Maxima Clean Up Degreaser
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People like that they don't need to scrub down their chain with this Maxima Clean Up Degreaser. Recent buyers think it works well, eliminating even built-up grease.
What they appreciate is speed. It only takes a single minute to dissolve away grime and then can be rinsed away.
Why it Stands Out to Us
You don’t need two coats or long waiting periods with this product. Instead, you just need to spray it carefully on your chain and sprockets, wait 60 seconds, and then spray it off with a hose.
Nothing beats grease the way the Maxima does. Because it was made for Powersports, you can trust that it will work well (and fast!) on your bike.
Bottom Line
If you’re in the market for a chain cleaner specifically, this is the best product around. It works like nothing we’ve seen before, and it doesn’t take ages to dissolve dirt. Just be careful where you spray it, as it may leave spots.
Best Motorcycle Carb Cleaner:
Red Line (60103) Complete Cleaner
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are thrilled with the product. Many say how it has transformed how their vehicle performs and accelerates. Most state how their vehicles have been sluggish but using this product has completely turned their experience around.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you have been having issues accelerating, it may not be the throttle but because your fuel system needs a clean. This product will break down any buildup and get things running the way they should.
It can not only improve gas mileage, but it can vastly help with acceleration. Each bottle lasts about 3,000 miles, so while it does take a full bottle each clean, it does last.
Bottom Line
If you need your carburetor cleaned, this is the product to use. It will get it nearly as good as new and will likely improve how your bike functions and accelerates to boot.
Best Motorcycle Fuel Injector Cleaner:
Motion Pro HV2 Fuel Injector Cleaner Kit
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent reviews that the product works well has great features, but that you need to be sure you get the right connector when you order. They also state to beware that the two ports do different things: one flush and one backflush.
Why it Stands Out to Us
No matter what kind of fuel injector you have, the Motion Pro HV2 Fuel Injector Cleaner Kit will likely take care of it. It's made out of aluminum, so you know it's going to be sturdy and hold up against repeated use.
We like that it doesn't require compressed air and that it can flush and backflush all in one kit. The backflushing ensures you get a thorough clean each time. This single kit is all you need to keep your fuel injectors spotless.
Bottom Line
All in all, this is one of the best fuel injector cleaning kits available. It does the job, getting injectors clean with an additional backflush.
However, we wish it came with connectors and the actual fuel injector cleaner.
Best Motorcycle Wheel Cleaner:
S100 Wheel Cleaner
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Some recent reviews are mixed. Most people love this product, saying that their tires look brand new after using it.
However, some think that it doesn't penetrate deep into the grooves of their tires to get the muck there.
Why it Stands Out to Us
When we're cleaning our bikes, we want something that will work fast but still get in deep. This spray tire cleaner does just that, giving more power than others we've tried.
We appreciate how it breaks down chain grease, even if it's been sitting on the tires for weeks.
It's simple to use. For a basic clean, we just spray it on and then hose it off. For really baked-on grime, we may have to wipe it off, but the grit comes away easily.
Bottom Line
No spray-on tire cleaner works better than the S100 Wheel Cleaner. It’s strong enough to dissolve even caked-on grease, but it isn’t difficult to clean up after. In total, it stands out from the crowd.
Best Motorcycle Windshield Cleaner:
Klock Werks Shine Works Windshield Cleaner
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
People seem to agree that this windshield cleaner does its job: it takes bugs to clean off, removes grime, leaves no residue, even on paint or chrome.
However, several mention its price and that it does work best on Klock windshields.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Klock Werks Shine Windshield Cleaner is one of the top windshield cleaners available. It can be used on many surfaces and won't leave smears or smudges on the body of our bikes if we don't aim well when we spray.
One thing that stands out is not just the shine it leaves on our windshields, but how it prevents fogging up and repels water, so we can ride safely in harsher conditions without limiting our visibility.
Bottom Line
There are many windshield cleaners out there, but Klock Werks stands out. It works on all kinds of surfaces, leaves a good shine, all while protecting against water and fog. Cleaning is easy with this solution and gets rid of bug splatter quickly and painlessly.
Best Motorcycle Gas Tank Cleaner:
Star Tron Gas Tank & Fuel System Cleaner
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Overall, most recent reviewers are thrilled with this product. Many have mentioned that it cleans out their fuel tanks like nothing ever has before and that it's more than a tank cleaner. Most rave about how it's a fuel treatment too.
Several have said that it's cleared up their stall problems.
Why it Stands Out to Us
As many reviewers mentioned, this is more than just a tank cleaner: it's a fuel treatment as well. It works on both gasoline and diesel, which we appreciate, and cleans while improving old fuel.
This cleaner even breaks down heavy sludge and grime deposits that have been sitting for a long time in your tank. It's a top-quality product, and it will last a long time.
It can even help to smooth down idling and make starting in winter that much easier.
Bottom Line
While this won’t deal with every issue out there for fuel tanks, namely diesel “algae,” it does more than the name suggests. It cleans, revitalizes, and it even spruces up the engine in cold weather.
Best Motorcycle Engine Cleaner:
Gunk FEB1 Foamy Engine Brite
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent purchasers seem to agree that this engine cleaner works. They mention that it's a thick foam that grips to the engine and gets rid of grime, even biological dirt from pests.
While it may not restore your engine to new, it's going to make it as clean as it can get.
Why it Stands Out to Us
What stands out most to us about this cleaner is how easy and effective it is. Simply spray the thick foam on to the entire engine, including rubber, plastic, and electrics. Then, once it's soaked for about ten minutes, you can hose it down for a complete clean.
The can may need to be held upright to use efficiently, but it's still simple to dispense. Overall, you won't find a better engine cleaner.
Bottom Line
The Gunk FEB1 Foamy Engine Brite is one of the best engine cleaners around. It's straightforward to use, doesn't take long, and the effort on our end is minimal. All in all, we've got no complaints.
Is All Motorcycle Cleaner The Same?
Not only is each motorcycle cleaner different, they often focus on different parts of the bike itself.
For example, our top pick, the Plexus Plastic Cleaner Protectant Polish, works on the whole bike while our runner up, Motul Chain Cleaner, is meant to degrease chains specifically.
Each one has its high points, and each has its drawbacks. We'll do a detailed review of each, so you can determine which will fit your needs best.
How Often Should I Clean My Motorcycle?
We'll get into how often you should wash your motorcycle later, but how about cleaning? While you certainly don't need to wash your bike after every ride, it's a good idea to give it a once over at the end of each day you've ridden to make sure it's in a good state.
Let the bike cool down, and then look for any spots heavy with grime or bugs. If there is any brake fluid or road salt on your bike, you'll want to wipe it off with your favorite cleaner and a damp sponge. Don't leave the detergent on as it can be corrosive, so give your bike a quick rinse down with cold water when you're all done.
Can Any Motorcycle Cleaner Be Used for Home Cleaning?
While there are a handful of household cleaners that are moderately safe to use on your bike (think a chrome cleaner like Pledge, wet wipes to grab a bug or two stuck on the paint, or a degreaser like Pine-Sol), it's a good idea to keep your motorcycle cleaner reserved for your bike.
Motorcycle cleaners are designed specifically for bikes and not our kitchen flooring. As such, they're going to be more expensive than cleaners meant for home cleaning. Why waste a niche product on something you could clean with a vinegar solution? All in all, keep the motorcycle cleaner for your bike.
Conclusion
There's no single perfect cleaner. Each motorcycle is going to have different needs depending on age, paint and varnish type, and more.
Our top pick is Plexus, but it may not be the best solution for everyone. Always reference the instructions of a cleaner before you use it to make sure your bike can handle it.
People Also Ask
You may have more questions about how to take care of your bike. After all, just like cleaning your motorcycle, washing can lead to accidental damage to your bike. Don’t worry, though. We’ve got you covered!
How Often Should I Wash My Motorcycle?
Washing and cleaning are two separate affairs. Cleaning can happen every time you take your bike out, but unless it gets filthy, washing doesn’t need to happen often. In fact, riders who don’t take their bikes out frequently can get away with washing every month or so.
Can Cleaning Damage My Motorcycle?
Unfortunately, even if we are trying to look after our bikes, cleaning can damage our motorcycles. If we don’t read the directions on the cleaner carefully, we may end up stripping paint or damaging our bikes in some way. Be sure that the product you’ve chosen works for the kind of bike you have.
Can I Use a Pressure Washer on a Motorcycle?
You can use a pressure washer, but only if you're very careful. Avoid the engine and any electronics as water can easily damage them. Instead, focus on the fenders, the wheels, and rims. This is only a good idea if the dirt is caked on.
Will I Damage My Motorcycle If I Use a Garden Hose to Clean it?
If you want to use your garden hose, treat it like the power washer. Avoid sensitive areas like the engine. However, don't spray directly. Rather, use an oblique angle to prevent dirt from being driven further in. Also, make sure your bike is completely cooled down before you get it wet.
Can You Wash a Motorcycle With Dish Soap?
Because of the compositions of most dish soaps, they are not a viable option for washing your bike. Often, they'll strip the wax coating and finish of your motorcycle. Dish soap is meant to remove grime and grease, and it doesn't differentiate between a bike's clear coat and dirt.
How Often Should I Wax My Motorcycle?
Typically, a good wax should be applied about once a month. However, if you've switched brands, you will likely want to remove the older layer first, as it may not work well with your last coat. You also may need to remove any scratches in your paint before you apply to get a tight seal.
Is it Bad to Leave a Motorcycle in the Sun?
While a good coat of wax is usually enough to protect your bike when you're out for a ride in the sun, it's not a good idea to leave it sitting in the sun for days and days at a time. The sun can damage the clear coat over your paint and wear it away until your paint starts to chip. UV rays can also destroy rubber and plastic, so stay safe and keep your bike out of the sun.
Can You Wax a Carbon Fiber Bike?
All in all, carbon fiber can be treated the same way as other motorcycles. You can clean and wash them in the same way, but you can also put on a coating of wax too. However, it's a good idea to be a little gentler with carbon fiber.
What Happens If Your Motorcycle Gets Rained On?
Just like with other elements, such as the sun, you should try to limit how much exposure your motorcycle gets to rain. A few days here and there likely won't harm it, especially if you're waxing it regularly, but over time, rain can lead to damage.
