Best motorcycle cleaner & how to clean your bike | Dish-soap, Muc-Off, S100, Motul, Pro-GreenMX...

[@bennettsbikesocial]

UPDATE 10 OCTOBER 2022. SIX NEW PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN TESTED THAT ADD A NEW BEST BUY: www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/products/motorcycle-maintenance-and-servicing/best-motorcycle-cleaner

[@houjous5131]

Do you have a best for dirt, mud and salt? Or if they are on your best list, it doesn't matter?

[@houjous5131]

Jungle gel and the modular insect seem the most promising.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@houjous5131 I'd say that the best on there are the best overall, so no need to narrow down to the type of dirt

[@robertinofontaine3269]

Before thus video I used various car washes on my bike, what an eye opener. Currently use Pro Green MX Snow Foam & After Shine brilliant stuff. Thanks

[@rronaldreagan]

​@@bennettsbikesocialis your video regarding o-ring cleaners(bike chain) gone?

[@ronrookledge4311]

I’ve spent the last 20 years in the cleaning and restoration industry and been part of end user product testing. I have to say that’s probably the most thorough and best consumer advice video I’ve seen on cleaning products and you should be proud of this video considering that you also came to the right conclusions! Well done and keep up the good work. By the way, I’ve been using fairy liquid for years now and it works a treat with no corrosion and my hands are so soft 🤣

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks SO much! All the best, John

[@girlinagale]

I washed my new Royal Enfield with Fairy washing up liquid, good result, only lots of water drying stains even though I took it for a good ride afterwards. So I have an electric leaf blower arriving today, £33 compared to double that for a pet dryer.

[@spikerobinson5692]

Tipping my hat in recognition of the time, effort and attention to detail - cheers

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! Cheers, John

[@informedcarpet]

Are you a Bennetts employee? 😂😂😂

[@LTVoyager]

I worked for a Ph.D. Chemist many years ago. He always said that the only difference between a safe chemical and a poisonous one was the concentration. Even water is fatal if you drink too much of it. So, basically everything is dangerous with high enough concentration or long enough exposure. Nothing is “totally safe” and we need to always keep that in mind.

[@johnhudghton3535]

You just won a subscriber. Congratulations on a thorough and honest series of tests. Aldi Magnum washing up liquid -well who knew?

[@Swoop10]

The way 2021 is going I just use a duster to wipe the dust off my bike no need to clean it 👍 great video

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Not long until 29 March... It'll be worth the wait! Cheers, John

[@edmartin271]

I can’t of been the only one to be thinking “come on washing up liquid” before it was given a special mention. Don’t use it myself but what an underdog story 😂

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I knew it didn't have salt in it, but I wasn't expecting such a good result. Cheers, John

[@Faithinthedock]

My daily bike (Thunderace) is now going to get 'treated' to Aldi washing up liquid. A surprising result...

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@Faithinthedock Thunderace's still look absolutely stunning. Nice one!

[@Faithinthedock]

@@bennettsbikesocial Thanks alot. There's something appealing about a bike with dials and carbs. 😁😎

[@bk83082]

My red 95 VFR750 (the Testarossa of bikes) is lovingly washed with dish soap after long days of murdering bugs.

[@h8510129]

amazing content! as a researcher myself it's great to see ppl performing more accurate testing methodologies.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! All the best, John

[@writestuffmedia]

Absolute legend. Fantastic test, I *HATE* cleaning bikes but you've actually made me want to do it as well as you do. Can't offer higher praise than that.

[@writestuffmedia]

PS nice use of the Wilhelm scream 😉

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@writestuffmedia Thanks mate! I'm just gutted nobody has noticed the hidden theme to the corrosion protectants video! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXPKd2NtfpyHh68

[@floydian25]

The amount of work put in this video deserves a lot of views

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! Cheers, John

[@abhishekdhibar9641]

This channel is a hidden gem. ❤️

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! All the best, John

[@AleksiJoensuu]

As it is a corporate channel that's part of Bennett's marketing I'm sure, hard to see it really as "hidden" ;) But yeah I agree though. Especially I like it as it's corporate channel that ACTUALLY gives you something useful. I'd go so far as to say it's at least one of the best motorcycle publications out there. I mean, I learn more from this channel than much of the dedicated motorcycle media house channels.

[@Snoupity]

@@AleksiJoensuu I damn near agree with you :D

[@DiagolonRider]

i bought a thing of that pink 'Muck Off' stuff and it actually works pretty good. it cleans the $hit off and polishes it at the same time. i really like it

[@JDMz]

*Muc off.

[@christaylor491]

Starting to become my go-to channel for bike advice, keep up the good work guys 👏

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! Cheers, John

[@andrewvickers4487]

These ultra-thorough Bikesocial reviews are so needed these days - far more helpful than the "top" this or "best" that from youtube celebs. Well done!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks SO much! Cheers, John

[@veronicaalessandrello1022]

I knew there was some level of Doctorate behind your work. It would be so helpful if motorcycle manufacturers offer these cleaning products tailored to the materials they use.

[@Oilyhands749]

Been using neat fairy liquid and a paint brush washed off with warm water on mtb motorcycle and cars for years , Another excellent vid , top work .

[@aaronkumada2167]

Dude you put waaaaayyyyy more work into these vids than you’re getting credit for. Big like from California bro 🤘

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much - hopefully it'll pick up some views! Cheers, John

[@oliviermagere]

I can honestly say I use Bennetts insurance for my bike because they fund your work. Just so well thought out and done.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thank you SO much! Hope my boss sees this! Cheers, John

[@arsssis]

You’re not the only one!!

[@koalajs]

Hahaha wait till they pass you on to the 4th dimension company for claim management. You'll be screwed in no time !!!

[@Diamondblaze]

hands down the best channel I have found that takes so much care into your videos and actually does all the science and gives you all the data you could possibly ever ask for , I appreciate the amount of work you put into these videos , please never stop this high level of work, im pretty sure I can speak for the rest of us when I say it really helps us a lot and spreads awareness of alot of misconception about some products.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

That's really, really kind - thanks SO much! All the very best, John

[@jonathanmackie4884]

Just getting back to motorcycling after a decade and a half away. Your videos are a fantastic resource for information on what's available now, and how good they are, in all things bike related. Almost all my buying decisions from the bike I bought, to the cleaners I''ll use have been informed by watching your videos. And incase your employer doubts the value of your efforts; made me get my insurance with Bennets too!! Keep up the good work.

[@NJLinSpain]

I just discovered your outstanding video. What a superb job you did. As a (now retired) university professor, I give you an A+ for your comprehensive and scientific approach and for your clear, informative and enthusiastic explanations. If you consider the tens of thousands of pounds one can pay for a bike, spending a 100 pounds or less on the best cleaning products is an excellent investment. Thank you for the time and effort you put into the project. Fabulous!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate that! All the best, John

[@tonyb622]

Excallent and informative. Now where did I leave that washing up liquid! Note, as an alternative, I use a cheap Titan wet/dry Vacuum (on blow obviously), rather than a bespoke bike dryer. Used on my road/off road bikes and my car, with excellent results, it blows warm air by default and cost £40!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I've got one of those - very handy! Another option is a pet dryer; they tend to be more powerful than the Titan. Cheers, John

[@rickdelmonte1682]

Thanks for the great effort: very informative. I have been using S100. I trust it because of my experience in the Porsche air cooled world. It was the only wheel cleaner that would not damage the anodized aluminum finish on the forged Fuchs wheels.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

It's scary how much damage some products can have the potential to cause. Cheers, John

[@alrecaps8682]

Bloody behemoth of a video, your tests are always so great ! Shouldn't have taken down the previous video, just make it clear there's an update Can't wait to see your future tests

[@jamest5149]

Love the detail and extent you go to, plus the addition of expert advice and comment 👍

[@johnDukemaster]

You really did some hard work here mate! Thank you so much!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! Cheers, John

[@leeroberts5193]

The time, effort and detail here is fantastic. Thanks

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! Cheers, John

[@hookedonbasscornwall]

Have being washing bikes for decades and I use fairy, a warm bucket of water and a few different size brushes Sometimes gunk degreaser on some parts & a quick polish & wax on necessary parts & metal polish on the obvious - cheers John good effort

[@cubtestdummy]

Really impressed by your back to back tests (not just this one), I now have a potential new new bike cleaning regiment. You have no idea how happy the washing up liquid result makes me. The XCP is a new one to me. The last bike I owned was 30 years ago and rust was simply a fact of ownership, I'll be looking into this further. Thank you for all the hard work.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! All the best, John

[@Fiatmannen1]

Apply scrub rinse done. Have never given it much thought and will not begin to.

[@paulgarritty8978]

Brilliant really enjoyed that… very interesting about washing up liquid… One little trick I use to make my plastics and really pop is using Wetting a rag with WD40 and rubbing it in… works great on wheel rims to and cleans away chain fling in a jiffy 👍🏻😊

[@someguy9520]

From my experience, i treat cleaners like one would with radiation Exposure time, concentration makes things go bad. Rinsing with lots of water helps a lot Since i do hobby detailing on cars, i have a ton of cleaners for every part and for every material. But everything is "car" orientated After 2 years of cleaning my bikes(and the ones of my mates) with automotive equipment, nothing bad happened to plastics, anodizing etc I have to emphasize that i use the lower conentration and milder mixtures whenever possible If a shampoo says between 1:20 - 1:40 ratio i go for 1:40. Less concentrarion. If i need more cleaning, i go for a second round

[@TheMrWaby]

If it is ever a possibility that you and Project Farm could do a collaboration of some sort, that would absolutely blow up the internet. Thanks for your hard work!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

That would be fantastic, though I can't think of anything I could do that could be of benefit to Project Farm; that guy is the gold standard! Unfortunately I also have loads of other stuff in my job outside of videos, so just can't do as many huge projects as he does.

[@winksmt01]

I've been using washing up liquid since the 70s no problem at all. I also use muck off and good old gunk.

[@scottaspden7235]

Amazing work put into this and great scienctific backup.. I've used furniture polish spray such as Pledge or Mr Sheen with wax in it for years on bikes plastics and bodywork. Spray on a clean bike, polish with a microfibre cloth, it makes the bodywork and plastics shine, fills in tiny scratches, is hydrophobic and makes getting bugs off later much easier. So after a ride spray on a bit more, wait a short while and wipe off road spatter/bugs etc. We warned! Dont polish your seats as you and your pillion may end up on the tar! Paper towels should never be used on polycarbonates, screens, helmets and visors or any polished surface as they are abrasive and will dull said surfaces.. same with TFT computer screens and TV screens ..micro fibre only!

[@marksparks59]

Aldi dish soap on the list for next time. The purists may wince, but I use white spirit, in a spray bottle to squirt around the rear wheel after most rides, then wipe off the dirt and chain lube with a cotton cloth, works a treat and no bad reactions to date.

[@mrkennethporter]

A product that I use after cleaning to rinse of the bike. Finish Rinse Aid for dishwashers. I fill a 6 liter pressure sprayer and add a squirt . It smells nice and It stops streaking from tap water. Which is a problem here. I'm hoping it's safe on plastic.. could you test it properly

[@andrewwelbourn9577]

Brilliant review thanks. Glad my cleaning regime is safe, I used the old Muc off which didn’t foam, but the new stuff diluted 1 part Solution to 2 water works much better. Looking forward to the chain cleaner and lube tests and hoping again I’ve chosen correctly with SDOC. I like the small cans for touring and the big ones in the garage. I’ve a Bruhl blower / heater coming soon and really enjoy cleaning the bike, something I used to find a real chore. Keep up the reviews, thanks again.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! Chain cleaners will be a while, but the lubes test is in progress... that's a big one in organisation, and I'm using an independent lab for the testing I can't do, so it's been a real challenge. Cheers, John

[@stefanhansen5882]

Amazingly nerdish! Thanks a lot! How about a video about how to care for you bike during a one week Trans Euro Trail ride, without access to blow dryers and more? That would be awesome!

[@JHallam77]

Love this channel. Makes me wanna choose Bennett’s as my insurer for next year, unfortunately they weren’t able to match my premium. Anyway, love the videos, great channel

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Cheers, and sorry to hear that! Hopefully next year!

[@sergeantsodom6969]

Honestly Im the kind of guy that cries whenever the bike gets a spec of dirt on it, let alone having to ride it all seasons to work and back on salt-roads of the north, end up giving up half the time, but hey great video very detailed thank you kindly!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! Ride safe, cheers, John

[@martinrew9285]

Road salt is the Devil's work when it comes to bikes. I've had to rebuild calipers and even had a perforated oil filter because of it. Shocking stuff! Now use the Urban Misery Wagon (car) when they've spread that chemical nightmare on the roads.

[@nibbsie2605]

Very interesting. I thought that washing up liquid can dry out the oils in rubber parts causing the rubber to prematurely degrade.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

There's a lot of fear about it. Ironically it was some of the car-specific cleaners that proved to have the most potential to cause damage!

[@Gaverny]

Just put a deposit down on a 2017 Kawasaki Z650, with only 126 miles on it! Closest thing to a new bike as I might ever get :) I wanna take care of this thing so thank you for the informative video.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Brilliant - enjoy! Cheers, John

[@ablokeabikeandotherstuff5240]

Excellent 👏👏 Back in the saddle after 30 years away and this vid taught me tons about how to look after my new pride and joy 👍 Thanks

[@Richie65afc]

I use paraffin to clean the rear wheel, because this wheel gets all the crud and fling off from the chain oil. I don't think paraffin has any affect on the paint on the wheel. I wash the paraffin off after. Does anybody else to do this or have a better way?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Paraffin proved totally safe in my testing. Meths on paint is a very different matter... Cheers, John

[@JohnGhani]

I've used WD40 and GT85. Both are mostly paraffin by composition and make life easier when cleaning the wheels later on!

[@aleksrodins]

Does paraffin can be substituted with Turpentine??? Or this is completely different chemical? Thanks

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@aleksrodins Paraffin and turps (or turpentine spirit) are different things, and as I didn't try that I'm afraid I can't help, sorry! Cheers, John

[@aleksrodins]

@@bennettsbikesocial Thanks!

[@captainaverage721]

First job clean the chain and rear wheel with a paraffin rag to get rid of chain wax and rinse well.I tend to hose the bike down then liberal use of mucoff, agitate worst dirt with a stiff brush other areas with soft brush then hose bike down again. Snow foam from the Karcher leave for a few minutes then hose down again and use whatever car shampoo is on special with a couple of wash mitts and dry with microfbre drying towels. I'm currently using cheapo Astonish car polish seems to work well and only costs a fiver! Don't think I've ever waxed a bike I've owned because of the residue builds up in all the wee footery bits the cloth can't reach. ACF 50 the bike and wipe the cycle parts down and the use the same cloth on the plastics brings them up like new on my cb650r

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Sounds great! Personally I'd probably do the snow foam before the Muc-Off and brushing as I'd want it to dwell and loosen some of the dirt first, but nice work! Cheers, John

[@captainaverage721]

@@bennettsbikesocial Thats a fair shout I'll give it a try

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@captainaverage721 Ultimately though, I reckon that as long as people are aware of material compatibility, if there's a cleaning method or product that works for you, stick with it! Cheers, John

[@TheAdventuresofPhilJones]

Great video. Funny enough I mention washing up liquid in my cleaning video as it was all I used to use. I’ve recently discovered Auto Finesse Citrus Power as a Pre-Wash and then Meguairs Snow Foam. I’m also talking about cleaning exhaust pipes so I won’t give my favourite product away just yet! As someone who loves cleaning their bike, I really enjoyed watching this. Thanks for all the effort! 😁👍

[@e5m956]

Spray down with simple green, pressure wash, scrub with automotive car soap and microfiber, rinse... dry and finish with a spray wax like Turtle Wax ICE. My 1998 Yamaha Blaster still looks showroom...

[@Chris-uh3cm]

The best ever. I wish you were in the USA to show some of those products because your effort for this vid is amazing

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks so much! Cheers, John

[@xfreeman86]

Great video! I'm wondering which of these I can find at American auto shops...

[@LTVoyager]

It may not be available in the UK, but in the US it is hard to beat Dawn dishwashing liquid. This is fairly inexpensive, quite safe and quite effective on grease and tar. It is safe enough that wildlife rescue organizations use it to clean animals that have been the victims of oil spills. The only downside to Dawn is that it can be rough on waxes. I generally use Dawn in the spring to get my cars and bikes clean, wax them and then use automotive “car wash” solutions for normal cleaning during the riding season. These solutions aren’t as capable as Dawn, but remove light dirt and are easier on wax.

[@mlivy7]

How about snow foams as a pre wash? Are they generally safe on bikes?

[@SennaTaylor-fq8lj]

Great video. Question can you use muck off cleaner in a compressor air gun. What product can you generally use in a air gun as using an air gun will give you better coverage that hand spay. Just like to know as I know you use a compressor.

[@UPTHETOWN]

Yup, Dr Downpipe + Magnum + XCP + wax, that's what I do now (changed to Magnum following your previous, excellent video, thanks). Not many exotic plastics on my 40 year old bike though

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Good work! Doesn't matter how old it is, just how much you love it. Cheers, John

[@pyromaniac12345]

Is it safe to use snow foams/shampoos containing wax on the brake discs?

[@one-of-us9939]

I'm half way through, and I already got more information than I needed... Just the way I like it! Thanks my friends!

[@one-of-us9939]

And yes... I am gonna finish. Good stuff!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@one-of-us9939 Thanks very much! I do worry that my videos tend to go on a bit much! Cheers, John

[@tweetchris46]

Fantastic vid.....I really wasn't expecting that from washing up liquid, the forum "experts" won't like this at all lol

[@Roberttttttttt]

What I got from this? Fairy liquid it is then. No complaints about salt but it will strip polish

[@andrewjako7651]

Great video and testing. 👍 Just wonder - how about very popular Autoglym polar blast and wash ? I lnow it’s for cars mainly but would be really nice to know if could use same product on bike, save time and hassle buying numerous different cleaners…🤔

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! Good question... I've been using it and do get on well, but there are time you need a more heavy duty degreaser, and now XCP had a great value one, that's the best I've found for bikes. Cheers, John

[@Tomahawkmissile_]

Fairy Washing up liquid, 100% been using on cars bikes mountain bikes for the last 20 years plus, never had any problems and it's safe on your skin 👍🏻

[@mujjuman]

I live in a city and do not have access to running water in a way that I can wash and rinse off my bike. Trying to think of an efficient and effective way to wash away road grime and dirt off my bike.

[@EdisonTheFox]

I would like to know how these products affect some of the matte finishes on bikes like those found on the Aprilia RS125

[@downhiller010]

What is, in your opinion, the best dilution ratio for dish soap? Did you get the same results at 1.5% and 10%? I see both are listed on the website.

[@jaym7880]

You need to include Motoclean on one of these videos

[@Godwinsson77]

Wow, really impressed with the work gone into investigating these bike products. Well done. You got my subscription.

[@donaldjames3912]

I'd like to know how unperfumed cheap baby wipes go? They seem to clean anything up, yet kind to baby skin. Is aluminum more sensitive than baby skin?

[@moi5627]

What about Sugar Soap? A friend of mine swears by it, but I have always doubted it's compatibility with custom (or indeed any other) paint jobs.

[@nickthequick]

Excellent review as usual from Bennets. You may not have to spend a fortune to get a great wash, but you still need a lot of products, a lot of time, and quite some private space with run-off for the dirty water. Not a great combination for those of us who live in apartments in the big city ... I take my bike to a "professional" bike wash, but I have no idea what products they use, I just know that it costs me a pretty penny each time I go there.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Hopefully this video showed that all you need is a hose, brush and washing up liquid in a spray bottle), but the apartment thing is a real problem. Though one option could be to use a garage forecourt's jet wash area, then take your own brush and cleaner - just use the lance for rinsing. Keep you distance around electrics and bearings and there's no reason not to use a pressure washer. I'd avoid the brush though as it'll have picked up no end of grit. Cheers, John

[@nickthequick]

@@bennettsbikesocial Yes to the soap and brush, but I had also just watched the video on anti-corrosion products (which you had no way of knowing) thus my comment ...

[@mikefletcher6595]

Absolutely brilliant feature, very comprehensive, I learnt a lot. Been using Muck-off on my expensive push bikes for decades, now use the cycle version for everything. Was wondering about plastic shiners and revivers. Been using this Car Pride one on my Tiger, used it on my MX bike plastics when I had one, very cheap at only £1.30 a spray can. Does a great job on just about anything, frame, rims, vinyl, plastics, and not a pain to use unlike Autoglym vinyl one which is one of those horrible milky type ones that have to be rubbed in. But I do use the Autoglym tyre black on the plastics of my mini cooper, that is also a milky one, but it does make them look good, better than the gel version. So I was wondering, What is the best plastics/vinyl reviver? Expensive product of peanut butter... or Olive oil... GT85.... Staggering what some people have suggested. Many thanks.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Good question - one for me to have a think about, thanks! Personally, I just use the XCP or ACF rag on all unpainted plastics, after I've treated the metal. Cheers, John

[@mikefletcher6595]

@@bennettsbikesocial I did wonder if any of these sprays, gels and creams actually long term did more harm than good, causing black plastics to go that horrible grey colour even quicker. I'm guessing most of the fading is caused by sun damage, but you've now made me question what I know. Thanks again.

[@mattprice3335]

Excellent as ever. Something you might like to look at and perhaps comment on are ceramic coatings. There is a whole wealth of investigation to be done there and also directly related to both cleaning and rust proofing bikes....just an idea😊

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! I have tried one professionally-applied ceramic coating and wasn't that impressed, the water-beading not lasting particularly well. I am still thinking about way to do more with them though. Cheers, John

[@mattprice3335]

@@bennettsbikesocial I am about yo have one applied by an independent on my brand new bike. They reckon it will give 10years cover. Its cheaper than the one offered by the dealer which only gave 3years and only covered the paintwork. This is supposed to cover EVERYTHING and mean the application of xcp /acf etc is un-necessary. We shall see! If you fancy a trip out to see the process or the bike afterwards and again at some point down the line you'd be welcome to. I'm sure they wouldn't mind but I'd need to check with them First. They're booked in on the 18th

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@mattprice3335 I'd definitely be interested to hear how you get on - drop me a line on email (it should be on BikeSocial), or use our Facebook page and PM on there, asking for me. facebook.com/bennettsbike

[@ixifutureproof9286]

@@mattprice3335 what I've noticed with SiO2 coatings is that they do not like even a moderately long run in the rain (even spring to autumn). So on my bike which I ride daily it lasted around 2 months and on my car it was wearing off in 3 months. The response I got is that *all* SiO2 products need maintenance application which is provided by specific SiO2 branded cleaners - essentially topping up the surface coating. Therefore your 3 -10(!!) year protection comes with a big *BUT*. (I like big buts, but not in terms and conditions). For me wax is better, but I enjoy the process of cleaning and applying it too.

[@mattprice3335]

@@ixifutureproof9286 That's all well and good....but the coating I am having applied isn't SiO2 based so I'm hoping your comments are rather redundant. Polisilazane based ceramic coatings are (apparently) a different animal. I guess I'll see but I appreciate your comment.

[@TheGrumpLee]

Bilt Hamber Surfex HD. Can be used down to 1:200 mix and lasts ages. Not PH neutral though, but is non toxic, solvent free and biodegradable. Water based and with it being being able to be diluted so much, your PH will be closer to your water. No motorbike in the name though, so might get overlooked. Would also mention their snow foam and auto wash, which are both brilliant options for the bike. The auto wash is also highly concentrated and has anti corrosion properties also.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I'd simply stress that I tested some cleaning products that have a good reputation in the car world, and in my testing they were not compatible with the materials used on bikes.

[@jamesperrin5691]

I tested dish soap with some mild steel and got similar results to you, ie, tap water made it rusty dish soap didn't. You didn't mention snow foam I'd love to see that tested, I'd be surprised if its any better than any other cleaner. You could also test pressure washers compared to had washing. Are they any good do they save time over hand washing? Thanks for all your hard work on this and other tests.

[@leighcoulson2148]

Always used a bit of washing up liquid, unless it needs a bit more of a proper degreaser like the chain etc.

[@derekthomas-qx2cc]

Great video and great recommendations have been riding bikes since eleven but didn't realise the harm a wrong cleaner could really do to your bike and having just bought a brand new royal Enfield this year I wanted to try and look after it as best I can your video really shows this and I will be following your recommendations . Cheers Derek

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Glad it helped! Cheers, John

[@florianalexander9183]

Thank you so much for putting the effort in twice! How "legal" is it in the UK to do your bike wash at home? Over here in Germany bike and car wash is only allowed in special areas (mainly cleaning or petrol stations) because they use an oil filter in their gullies.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! That is a very good point. To the best of my knowledge, a private vehicle owner can legally wash their car or motorcycle on their drive. I just did a bit of digging but I will have a longer look at this, as it appears it could potentially be an issue for any business that makes money from valeting. The document below is withdrawn now, but there's very similar guidance for Scotland and Northern Ireland. Cheers, John assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/485190/pmho0307bmdx-e-e.pdf

[@Jim553just]

What a legend you are. These 2 uploads are probably unique, certainly enjoyable and very useful. Many thanks ;)

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! All the best, John

[@ukvamp]

I was always told that washing up liquid was corrosive to rubber hence why they say don't use it on cars

[@Sunrazor]

Thing is that ALL cleaning will put wear on your bike. Talked to an expert and he said that you should never clean if you don't have to. And never use more friction based cleaning than necessary. I tend to agree. Wax your bike and try to avoid needing to clean it. That's why you should use gear oil on your chain. It can be wiped off usually. No chemicals.

[@bm7760]

Thanks for that. I think I've been spending a small fortune unnecessarily. Can I ask what that bike stand you're using is? Cheers.

[@andrewwhitehead2353]

Thanks really good.Washing up liquid from here on .looking forward to the chain cleaner and lube test.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! The chain cleaners will be a little while off but the lubes test is very much in hand. Cheers, John

[@roscoeskipper7846]

@@bennettsbikesocial Fortnine did a great vid on chain cleanup.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@roscoeskipper7846 They also did one claiming it took four and a half minutes to cut through a 7mm chain, which put me off their content. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3yyYqyrmayJhMk

[@kjeksklaus7944]

What bike is this? I know it’s an Africa twin but looks very different, looks great

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks! It's my Grom, which I customised to look like an Africa Twin. Cheers, John kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHXHp5qIr9mebJI

[@NickElliottuk]

Fantastic level of attention to detail! Hope it's still valid 2 years on... Just ordered a few of the things you recommend. Thanks.

[@DonlineUK]

Thanks, excellent & very thorough video. Appreciate the effort you put in. My tuppence worth: SDoc 100 Gel & MuckOff are my favourite bike cleaners.

[@Fee.1]

Do you have a chain CLEANER video that Includes a rust remover?

[@thelvanemee3049]

Are there any that are available for the US?

[@zedddddful]

Hi have you had a look at muc offs new hcb-1 it seems like an easier to use acf-50 but no way of knowing if it's as good.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Not yet, and sadly it came out just as I was finishing another test. It's got to be better than the 'All Weather Protectant'

[@zedddddful]

@@bennettsbikesocial OK maybe on a future test then as xcp released their clear coat also since which seems impressive 👍

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@zedddddful Yes - that one is in the new test, which took over five months (there's a spoiler in there). Sadly the new Muc-Off only got announced a couple of weeks back and I was almost completed then (there's timelapse again). Clear Coat is discussed in this video briefly. Cheers, John

[@Grahamvfr]

Just an additional thought, we know more about what's in the cleaners, but unfortunately we don't know what's in the dirt (all sorts of diluted chemicals from the Rd.) that's eating the bike away. So possibly the cheap cleaner used regularly is preferable to the expensive cleaner used on a random basis. That might sound obvious, but be interesting to know what's in the dirt?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

That's a very good point. For this I couldn't test every kind of dirt, but certainly winter riders will want to rinse the bike very regularly due to the road salt that'll be deposited on it. Cheers, John

[@Tykj1]

Great video! How aboat brake-cleaner for the headers?

[@johneden7066]

Great well researched comparisons, I used to use Waxoil on my VFR 750 back in the day when I rode all year round, now I still ride all year but use ACF-50

[@PaulMorris-UK]

An excellent and informative video. I tend to use a lot of snow foam (Bilt Hamber Auto Foam), so from a personal point of view it would have been great to see some foam testing. However, I will be buying some PH test strips I think...

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! Yes - they're only cheap so it's worth a look. My daughter loves experimenting with them too. I did test some very popular car and household products, but not snow foams. Still, they tend to be claimed to be PH neutral and I'd expect them to be pretty gentle, given they'll be used on waxed cars, though I have learned not to always trust what's claimed. It was surprising how damaging some 'all-purpose' cleaners proved, particularly on polycarbonate. I used to snow foam my bikes as part of the cleaning, but I really have simplified my regime since doing this just to save time. I've gone from 3-4 hours to clean my bike to around 1 to 1.5 and the results are no worse. Cheers, John

[@PaulMorris-UK]

@@bennettsbikesocial Thanks John, I will make sure I keep it away from the clear plastic bits (not many on a KTM SDR...) I will post back on when I have tested the PH. Actually, I might even do a mini version of your test if I can rustle up some different samples....

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@PaulMorris-UK Sounds good. I would be very surprised if a foam had any potential for harm, but it's interesting to test other liquids too. Cheers, John

[@calvinlondt3037]

My current motorcycle cleaner is a combination of Cleen Green and Dishwashing Liquid, as both are great degreasers. For chain I use it to clean away the excess kerosene before rinsing and relubing the chain.

[@Godwinsson77]

Can paraffin also be used as a general purpose anti-rust agent for a bike?

[@nibbsie2605]

I use Autoglym snowfoam.. spray on and agitate with a brush and microfiber cloth, wash off. Clean the wheels with furniture polish

[@mattblackledge9068]

Bilt hamber auto wash. By far the best shampoo I've ever used and genuinely helps fight corrosion. Can tell because unlike other shampoos the brake discs on my car don't flash rust orange.

[@thegingerbeardedbiker9147]

When’s the latest video out? I’ve used TruTension banana juice and Oxford mint - they both seem to work well, it’ll be interesting to see what you find out about them

[@Baphomet_biker]

After every ride I clean my matte black mt10 with windolene spray on wipe off, leave to dwell for a moment on flys. 2 years 6000 miles no problems when on anodised parts.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Nice one! Matte paints can be a pain to keep looking good. I actually opted for a gloss MT-10 when I bought mine, rather than the matte one I could have had a better deal on, just because I didn't want to try to keep it looking good. Cheers, John

[@Baphomet_biker]

@@bennettsbikesocial i love the look of matte paint but it's a nightmare, if I could choose i would have choose gloss but 2019 was matte black, maybe one day I may have it painted.

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@Baphomet_biker Or wrapped?

[@Try2KeepUpK]

I deeply appreciate this. I love that there is so much care put into this. It allows me to pass the TLC onto my bike. This is sincerely awesome. Thank you 🏍❤️

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! Cheers, John

[@stuartwass6672]

I love all the effort you put into these films, buying new clothing soon and I now know a lot more what to out for ❤

[@Bladerunner4511]

Wow what a superb educational video you really pulled out all the stops great tutorial all the best

[@bennettsbikesocial]

Thanks very much! All the best, John

[@Nomad-Drifter]

Is BikeCare Evo Motorcycle Cleaner discontinued? Excellent video really appreciate the effort!!!

[@bennettsbikesocial]

I think it is, sorry! I did clean my bike the other day again... with the Aldi! Cheers, John

[@Nomad-Drifter]

@@bennettsbikesocial thanks for the reply. Does it have to be Aldi or would Fairy work?

[@bennettsbikesocial]

@@Nomad-Drifter I'm just tight-fisted... Fairy should be fine. Dr Bob uses Fairy to wash his classic car. Cheers, John