How To Disinfect Your Motorcycle And Gear
As COVID-19 continues to spread, regular disinfecting of high contact surfaces remains important. For motorcycle enthusiasts, that includes their bike and their gear. The more often you ride, the more often you will need to go through the disinfection process.
We've created the following cleaning guide to help you keep track of all the various steps. If you have any questions or want to shop motorcycles for sale, visit Biggs Harley-Davidson. Our dealership is based in San Marcos, California, and we proudly serve those in San Diego and Oceanside as well.
Important Precautions
A quick note - there are a few safety steps to take when disinfecting high touch surfaces like your motorcycle and riding gear:
- Wear a mask and gloves during the cleaning process.
- Avoid touching your face while you clean.
- Once you finish disinfecting, take a shower and wash the clothes that you were wearing.
Disinfecting A Motorcycle
Begin with your motorcycle parked on the main stand. This keeps the bike balanced and ensures the various parts are easy to reach, which makes the disinfection process easier.
Make sure the motorcycle is fully cooled down before you spray water on it. Then, go through the regular washing process to remove any caked-on grime. You don't want the hardened gunk keeping you from disinfecting the parts underneath it.
Next, it's time to disinfect the high contact surfaces (such as the touchscreen and handlebars). Be careful about the cleaning products you pick. They need to be strong enough to kill germs, but not so strong that they damage the motorcycle's materials. Consult the owner's manual for tips on which cleaners work best with which motorcycle parts.
Disinfecting The Motorcycle Gear
Next, it's time to clean your riding gear. For your helmet, take out any removable pads and give them a wash. Then, spray a disinfectant onto the helmet's surfaces. Look for a spray designed specifically for motorcycle helmets. That way, you won't need to worry about the cleaner damaging or dulling the helmet's finish. During the cleaning process, pay extra attention to the mouth and nose areas.
For your gloves, follow the cleaning instructions on the tag or look up the manufacturer's recommendations. It's also helpful to have a backup pair of gloves. If one pair is being washed or is still drying, you have a second pair to use on a ride.
It's also wise to check your glove storage habits. Sure, it's quick and easy to toss the gloves into your helmet at the end of a ride. But this can get germs from your gloves onto your helmet. Instead, store them separately to avoid cross-contamination.
Keeping The Motorcycle And Gear Clean
Your riding habits can affect how long your motorcycle and riding gear remain clean.
For example, think about everything you touch at a gas station. Try using a barrier between your riding gloves and the gas nozzle. A paper towel, for example, can be a barrier. Or you can use disposable gloves at the gas station.
It's also wise to store disinfecting supplies on your motorcycle. This can include disinfecting wipes, a microfiber cloth, and hand sanitizer. That way, you will be able to clean and disinfect during the ride.
We hope you found this guide helpful! For more advice or to shop motorcycles for sale, chat with the experts at Biggs Harley-Davidson. We can answer questions, give shopping advice, and even keep your motorcycle running well thanks to our service department. Whatever you need, you can find with us! We are a motorcycle dealership located in San Marcos, California, and we also proudly serve those in San Diego and Oceanside.