How to Wash Your Harley-Davidson | Timber Town Harley-Davidson

How to Wash a Harley-Davidson

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Like any Harley owner, you want to keep your bike looking sharp with regular maintenance and cleaning. But before you haul out the soapy water and sponges, you should know that there’s more to cleaning a Harley than you might think. You need to be certain that your cleaning supplies won’t damage your bike’s paint or cause rust, issues that could have wider ramifications if left unchecked. This guide from our service team covers how to wash a Harley properly in a few simple steps!

Preparation: What To Do Before Cleaning a Motorcycle

Before you pull your Harley-Davidson out for a good wash, be sure you have the right supplies on hand. You’ll also need to be certain that your bike is properly prepared for a wash. That’s right: it’s not always a good time or place for cleaning a Harley! We recommend cleaning a motorcycle in shade, rather than in direct sunlight. Even more importantly, wait until the engine is fully cool before you begin.

Now that your bike is ready to go, here are the supplies you’ll need:

  • Wash mitt
  • Microfiber detailing cloth
  • Softstrips
  • Soft cloth
  • Soft drying towel
  • 2 Water buckets
  • Soft detailing pad
  • Wheel & spoke brush
  • HOG Blaster motorcycle dryer
  • Harley-Davidson Bug Remover
  • Harley-Davidson Wheel & Tire Cleaner
  • Harley-Davidson Sunwash Bike Soap
  • Harley-Davidson Glaze Polish & Sealant

How to Wash a Harley: Step By Step

  1. Pre-wash your bike and then rinse from the bottom up
  2. Spray Wheel & Tire cleaner and allow it to sit for one minute
  3. Use your soft detailing pad or wheel and spoke brush to scrub the wheels and tires
  4. Rinse off the Wheel & Tire cleaner
  5. Add the Sunwash concentrate into one water bucket
  6. Fill up the second water bucket with clean water
  7. Place your wash mitt in the bucket of concentrate, then clean from top to bottom
  8. Use the bug remover if needed
  9. Rinse once more
  10. Use the soft drying towel to dry all surfaces (or HOG Blaster for faster results)
  11. Wring the towel out often, continuing to wipe until dry
  12. Add the Harley-Davidson Glaze Polish & Sealant to your microfiber cloth and follow the bottle’s directions for perfect buffing

Shop Riding Essentials at Timber Town Harley-Davidson!

Questions about how to wash a Harley or other DIY motorcycle maintenance? Looking for genuine H-D replacement parts? Be sure to contact us!

Race Into Summer Open House

Harley-Davidson Open House

Get Revved Up

Racing has been part of the Harley-Davidson experience since the very beginning. From the Hillclimbers to the flat trackers to today’s King of the Baggers™ led by our H-D® Factory Racing team. Join us to honor our roots with the Race Into Summer Open House on Saturday, June 22. Summer has arrived. It’s time to roll.

  • Be among the first 55 to RSVP below and claim your exclusive H-D® Racing Pin*
  • Earn additional Prizes & Giveaways*
  • Celebrate the power and performance that only Harley-Davidson® motorcycles can deliver – from the 2024 motorcycle lineup to custom P&A packages and all-new riding gear

 

H-D® Membership event Special***

  • Paid H-D® Members, earn up to 2,000 Bonus Points with a $100+ in-store purchase ($20 Value)
  • Free H-D® Members, earn up to 500 Bonus Points with a $100+ in-store purchase ($5 Value)

 

Harley-Davidson® 2024 CVO™ Road Glide® ST

Register For Your Chance To Win An All-New 2024 CVO™ Road Glide® ST**

Stop in to register for your chance to win** a 2024 CVO™ Road Glide® ST, a 2025 King of the Baggers VIP Race Experience and a Trip to Daytona for 2 OR 2 VIP Tickets to a King of the Baggers Race, plus other great prizes. Ask us how to earn additional entries.

Harley-Davidson® Event Pin

RSVP to get a special gift**

Be one of the first 55 to RSVP AND attend our event for an exclusive racing pin. Just fill out the form below and show us your confirmation email when you arrive at our Race Into Summer Open House.

* While supplies last. Offer limited to the first 55 attendees.

 

* While supplies last.

** Sweepstakes entry period June 21, 2024, 9am EST through June 23, 2024, 11:59pm EST. No purchase necessary. Purchase does not increase odds of winning. Open only to legal residents of the continental United States, including D.C. and Alaska and excluding Hawaii who are 21 years or older, and legal residents of Canada, who have reached the age of majority in their state, province, or territory of residence at time of entry. Void where prohibited. Need not be present to win. See participating H-D® dealerships for details or visit official rules at HD-SummerOpenHouse.com.

*** H-D® Members earn up to 2,000 bonus points ($20 value) on a purchase of $100+ between 6/21/24 9:00 am EST through 6/23/2024 11:59 pm EST participating Dealers only; H-D® Membership must be activated at the time of sale. Points apply to a single transaction for eligible purchases of $100+ before tax and after any sales discounts are applied. Promotion good for genuine H-D® and H-D® licensed products only. Usual point restrictions apply. Please allow up to 72 hours for points to appear in your account. Visit bit.ly/HD_points for details.