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It's important to thoroughly disinfect your motorcycle and riding gear. The deep cleaning process helps kill germs and keep them from spreading. How often you go through the disinfection process depends on how often you go riding, but every rider should go through the steps at least a few times a year, which is why we created the following guide to disinfecting your motorcycle and riding gear.

Grab a mask and gloves to wear while you disinfect your motorcycle and gear and try to avoid touching your face and other parts of your body while you clean. Once you finish, take a shower and wash the clothes you were wearing.

Start by parking your motorcycle on the main stand. The cleaning process will be smoother if the bike is in a balanced position and you can easily reach the various parts. Always let the motorcycle fully cool before you spray it with water. Once that’s taken care of, give your motorcycle a good wash. You don't want caked-on gunk getting in your way when you are trying to disinfect the various parts.

Next, disinfect the frequently touched surfaces, such as the handlebars and touchscreen. When it comes to the cleaner you use, you are trying to strike a balance. You want something powerful enough to kill germs, but you don't want something so abrasive that it damages the material. Your owner's manual should give you advice on the types of cleaners/ingredients that you should use or not use. Pair the appropriate cleaner with a microfiber cloth and be extra careful around any electronics.

If your helmet is made with removable pads, start by taking those out and giving them a good wash. Then use a disinfectant on your helmet. You can find sprays that are made with motorcycle riding helmets in mind. If you get a disinfectant and aren't sure whether it's compatible with your helmet's surface, test it out. Place a small amount of disinfectant either on an old helmet or a small area of the helmet first and make sure the cleaner won't dull or harm the helmet's finish. As you clean, pay extra attention to the insides of the mouth and nose areas.

Sure, it's convenient to toss your gloves in your helmet when you finish a ride. But try to break this habit. Storing gloves in your motorcycle helmet could transfer germs from your gloves to your helmet.

It's also helpful to own two pairs of riding gloves. One can be used on the ride while the other is getting washed.

When you hit the open road, you can follow a few techniques to keep your motorcycle and gear clean for as long as possible.

Anytime you fill up at a gas station, try to have a barrier between your riding gloves and the nozzle (such as a paper towel). Or keep a supply of disposable gloves on hand for when you need to refuel.

You can also pack your motorcycle with disinfecting wipes, a microfiber cloth, and other small cleaning items. If you are on a long ride or even an overnight trip, you'll still be able to clean your motorcycle on the go.

We hope you found this motorcycle disinfecting guide useful! If you have any questions or want to shop motorcycles for sale, visit the experts at Southern Illinois Motorsports in Carbondale, IL. We are happy to assist you with whatever you need, so stop by and visit us today. We also serve those in Murphysboro and Marion, IL, as well as St. Louis, MO.