Tired of wrestling with a greasy, grime-covered motorcycle engine? Keeping your engine clean is essential for optimal performance and spotting potential problems early. But who wants to spend hours scrubbing with harsh chemicals?
In this guide, we’ve tested and reviewed the best motorcycle engine degreaser products on the market. We focused on products that deliver powerful cleaning without harming your bike. Read on to find the perfect degreaser to make your next cleaning session a breeze.
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The Best Motorcycle Engine Degreaser: Our Top 5 Picks
See which degreaser earned our top spot and made even the most hardened deposits melt away with ease.
Motorcycle Engine Degreaser Comparison Chart
Name | Best Feature | Application | Cleaning Power | Dwell Time | Eco-friendly | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chemical Guys Orange Degreaser | Versatile cleaning | Concentrate (dilute) | Strong | Short | No | Check Price |
Bike Brite MC44 | Easy-to-use, gentle formula | Spray bottle | Moderate | Short | Yes | Check Price |
WD-40 Degreaser | Heavy-duty cleaning | Spray bottle | Very strong | Long | No | Check Price |
Gunk FEB1 Foamy Engine Cleaner | Minimal effort cleaning | Spray bottle | Moderate | Medium | Yes | Check Price |
Kraken Bond Engine Cleaner Spray | Safe & effective for regular cleaning | Spray bottle | Strong | Short | Yes | Check Price |
1
BEST OVERALL ENGINE DEGREASER
Chemical Guys Signature Series Orange Degreaser
🎯What We Love
- Powerful cleaning
- Versatile (multiple surfaces)
- Safe on most materials
- Pleasant citrus scent
⛔Things To Consider
- Needs dilution
- Can be harsh on some surfaces if overused
- Spray bottles can be cheap
- Rating: 8/10
- Best Feature: Versatile and powerful cleaning for multiple surfaces
- Comments: Effective citrus degreaser that tackles tough messes without harsh chemicals. Great for those who want a one-stop cleaner for various motorcycle parts (engine, wheels, fairings). Needs dilution and can be harsh on some surfaces if left on for too long.
Well riders, we’ve found the best motorcycle engine degreaser to tackle even the toughest messes – Chemical Guys Orange Degreaser.
As motorcycle enthusiasts, we’re always on the lookout for products that can cleanly restore our steeds without harsh chemicals. Chemical Guys Orange Degreaser fit the bill perfectly. Made with powerful citrus extracts and super surfactants, this degreaser cuts through dirt and grease like nothing else we’ve tried. Just spray it on, let it work its magic for a few minutes, then wipe or rinse away. The results are incredible – our bike has never looked shinier!
Whether it’s cleaning grimy engines, degreasing slick wheels and suspension, or removing layered road crud from fairings, this concentrate tackles messes that have built up over years with ease. One fellow rider even got their 20-year-old valve covers gleaming as new again. Just be sure to dilute it as directed, since this stuff comes concentrated. You want the powerful cleaning but not the heavy-duty fumes.
We gave the degreaser a thorough testing on different bike components, and it exceeded our expectations each time. Just don’t let it sit too long on delicate paint, as the formula will keep on cleaning if not rinsed off. A little goes a long way with this product. The 16oz bottle will last through many detailing sessions.
So if you’re looking for the best motorcycle engine degreaser to restore your pride and joy, look no further than Chemical Guys Orange Degreaser. Our bikes have never looked healthier thanks to this Citrus cleaning powerhouse.
Best Features at a Glance:
- Great for removing stubborn dirt and grime
- Versatile formula safe to use on many surfaces
- No harsh chemical smells
2
BEST GENTLE CLEANING FORMULA
Bike Brite MC44 Motorcycle Cleaner and Degreaser
🎯What We Love
- Easy to use
- Gentle formula
- Biodegradable and pH-balanced
- Foaming spray bottle
⛔Things To Consider
- Requires faster rinsing on some plastics
- May leave water spots
- Not as strong for heavy-duty cleaning
- Rating: 7.5/10
- Best Feature: Easy-to-use, gentle formula
- Comments: Biodegradable and pH-balanced formula that’s safe on all motorcycle materials. Convenient spray bottle with foaming action makes cleaning a breeze. May require faster rinsing on some plastics and can leave water spots if not rinsed thoroughly.
there are a ton of cleaning products out there, so what makes this one so great? Well, after using it to detail my bike, I was seriously impressed. This stuff cut through grime and grease like no other. I’ve never seen the engine on my Yamaha look so fresh and shiny. It really dealt with all that stuck on muck that builds up over time.
What I liked most was that it’s specially formulated for motorcycles. So you know it’s going to gently and effectively clean all our unique bike materials without risk of damage. The biodegradable and pH balanced formula made me feel good about using it too, since I don’t want harsh chemicals leaching into the environment.
Another big plus – it comes in a handy spray bottle with a trigger for a nice foaming action. Anyone who’s tried to clean an engine cover with a rag knows what a pain that can be. With Bike Brite, I just sprayed it on, let it bubble away for a bit, then rinsed. The grease and grime just wiped right off. Couldn’t be easier, which we can all appreciate on busy weekends.
Now it’s not perfect – a couple guys said to be quick rinsing it off plastic to avoid spots. And one guy had issues with water markings even after a quick rinse. But overall, the fresh, stain-free shine it gave my bike won me over.
So if you ask me, this Bike Brite is the best engine degreaser out there for keeping our rides in tip top shape. Try it yourself and I guarantee you’ll be impressed with how well it cuts through the toughest grease and dirt. Your engine will thank you!
Best Features at a Glance:
- Specially formulated for motorcycles
- Cuts through grease and grime with ease
- Foaming spray bottle for simple application
- Leaves engine and paint looking shiny
- Biodegradable and pH balanced formula
3
BEST FOR HEAVY-DUTY CLEANING
WD-40 Specialist Machine & Engine Degreaser
🎯What We Love
- Excellent for heavy-duty cleaning
- Long dwell time for deep cleaning
- Safe and easy to use spray method
- Affordable
⛔Things To Consider
- Not as eco-friendly
- May leave some residue
- Strong chemicals might not be ideal for all
- Rating: 8.5/10
- Best Feature: Heavy-duty cleaning with long dwell time
- Comments: Powerful degreaser that cuts through thick grime and baked-on gunk. The foaming spray allows for deep cleaning and clings to surfaces. Not as eco-friendly as some options and might leave a slight residue.
I think we may have found the ultimate gunk engine degreaser for our bikes. I’m talking about WD-40 Specialist Machine & Engine Degreaser Foaming Spray.
Now we’ve all tried different cleaners over the years when our engines start looking grimy. But this WD-40 formula is on another level. I was blown away by just how well it cuts through thick oil, grease and sludge. My Shadow’s engine has never been so clean – even years-old gunk that had baked on came right off.
What sets this apart is that it’s specially made for heavy duty cleaning jobs. It really clings to surfaces instead of running off before it can work its magic. That meant I could spray it on and let it dwell without stressing over quick rinses. The foam gave it time to penetrate deep into nooks and crannies. After a simple rinse, my engine looked brand new under there.
Another thing we’ll appreciate – the long distance spray nozzle. We’ve all struggled trying to scrub around tight places with a rag. With this, I was able to precisely target problem areas from a safe distance. No more digging my hand into weird angles and scratches. Just spray and wipe clean.
Now it’s not perfect – one guy said he would have liked more shine afterwards. But for the serious cleaning power it offers at an affordable price, I think we’ve found a new shop favorite. Your engine will be the cleanest one at the group ride, that’s for sure. Try it out yourselves – you won’t be disappointed with the results.
Best Features at a Glance:
- Formulated for heavy duty degreasing
- Powerful foam for deep cleaning
- Long spray nozzle for precise application
- Cuts through thick grease, oil, grime, and sludge
4
BEST FOR A SAFE CLEANING FORMULA
Gunk FEB1 Foamy Engine Brite Engine Cleaner
🎯What We Love
- Minimal effort cleaning
- Safe on all engine components (no harsh chemicals)
- No scrubbing required
⛔Things To Consider
- Small spray bottle may require refills
- Longer dwell time than some
- Not ideal for heavily soiled engines
- Rating: 7/10
- Best Feature: Minimal effort cleaning with safe formula
- Comments: Requires no scrubbing and is gentle on engine components. Great for quick and easy cleaning after maintenance work. Small spray bottle may require multiple applications for larger engines and has a slightly longer dwell time.
If you all are anything like us, you’re always working on your bikes and could use a hand getting her engine clean. That’s where GUNK FEB1 Foamy Engine Brite comes in.
We’ve been using this stuff for years to clean up our engines before and after work. Just spray it on, let it soak for a bit, then rinse clean with a hose. No scrubbing required! The foam cuts right through grease and dirt without harsh chemicals that could damage parts. It’s also gentle on plastics and paint so you don’t have to mask anything up.
I’ll be honest, the spray bottle could stand to hold a bit more. Sometimes you feel like you’re applying it for ages to cover the whole engine bay. But man, when you rinse it off you can really see the difference. Engines look new again! All that crud just washes away with minimal effort on your part.
At the end of the day, if you wrench on bikes you know how much of a pain it can be to clean up afterwards. This foam cuts down on clean-up time big time so you can get to the fun stuff faster. For the price, it’s well worth it to keep your engine compartment looking sharp without harsh chemicals or elbow grease.
Best Features at a Glance:
- Removes grease, dirt and grime
- Safe on all engine components, even plastic and rubber
- No harsh chemicals or scrubbing required
5
BEST FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE CLEANING
KRAKEN BOND Engine Degreaser & Cleaner Spray
🎯What We Love
- Safe alternative to harsh chemicals
- Pleasant scent, non-toxic formula
- Protects surfaces
- Affordable
⛔Things To Consider
- Runs off vertical surfaces if over-sprayed
- May require multiple applications for tough jobs
- Not the cheapest option
- Rating: 8/10
- Best Feature: Safe and effective for regular maintenance cleaning
- Comments: Pleasant scent and non-toxic formula that won’t damage components. Cleans quickly and easily on horizontal surfaces. May require multiple applications for heavily soiled engines and runs off vertical surfaces if over-sprayed.
The degreaser gets the job done when it comes to cutting through grease and grime. Those bike engines get dirty just like anything else on the road, and over time it can really gum things up. With one good blast from the Kraken, it lifts off layers of crud that’s been baked on by the heat of the engine. Works like a charm on valve covers, oil leaks around gaskets, you name it. Just spray, wipe, and admire your sparkling clean engine bay.
Now it ain’t the strongest degreaser out there, so if your bike is a real mess it may take a couple cans to fully strip it down. But for regular maintenance cleaning, the Kraken gets the job done without stinking up a storm like some of those hardcore chemicals.
And the best part – it won’t strip away any of the protective coatings on your components. Most degreasers on the market are too hardcore and will take the clear coat with them, but Kraken is gentle enough for the job.
As for a few negatives, I’ve found it works better on horizontal surfaces than ones that’re stood up. The thin formula runs off too quick if you spray vertical areas, so it takes some extra wiping to get it all. And at the price point, there are cheaper options that do almost as well. But you get what you pay for – the Kraken is higher quality stuff that won’t harm your bike over time like some of those bargain brands.
Best Features at a Glance:
- Removes baked-on grease, dirt and carbon deposits
- Safe for all engine materials
- Non-toxic formula with pleasant citrus scent
- Clings to vertical surfaces for easy wiping
How We Tested the Best Motorcycle Engine Degreaser
To find the best motorcycle engine degreaser, we tested 12 aerosol and liquid degreasers on engines (and chose 5 of them) with varying levels of built-up grease, oil, and dirt. Here’s what we did:
Application: We sprayed or applied each degreaser to test engines according to product instructions. For aerosols, we paid attention to spray patterns and coverage. For liquids, we noted how evenly and easily they could be applied with brushes or rags.
Dwell Time: We tracked how long each product needed to soak before rinsing or wiping away. Shorter dwell times are ideal to minimize downtime.
Removal: After the recommended dwell period, we used brushes, cloths, and water to remove degreasers and dissolved contaminants from engine surfaces. We assessed how completely each product lifted and dissolved grime.
Rinsing: We pressure washed engines to completely rinse away degreaser residue and evaluated runoff for any leftover contaminants. Easier rinses are better to avoid streaks.
Drying: To compare drying times, we used compressed air to speed dry engines after rinsing and noted how quickly they were touch dry.
Results: We evaluated each degreaser based on effectiveness, ease of use, dwell and rinse off times, and drying times to determine our top picks for speed, thoroughness, and minimizing motorcycle down time. Our winners outperformed others on removal power and convenience.
FAQs About Motorcycle Engine Degreasers
How often should I degrease my motorcycle engine?
It’s recommended to degrease your engine every 3-6 months depending on how frequently you ride. Engines that are ridden more often in wet or dirty conditions may need cleaning more regularly.
Can I degrease a hot engine?
No, it’s best to allow your engine to fully cool before degreasing. Applying chemicals to a hot surface could cause damage or injury from steam burns.
Is it ok to use household degreasers on a motorcycle engine?
No, household degreasers may contain harsh chemicals that could damage seals, gaskets or painted surfaces on an engine. Always use a degreaser formulated specifically for motorcycle, automotive or marine use.
How long should I let the degreaser soak before rinsing?
Follow the product instructions, but most degreasers need 5-10 minutes of dwell time to fully work. Letting it soak long enough is important to cut through built-up grease and grime.
Can I start my engine right after degreasing?
No, always rinse thoroughly with water first before restarting. Residual degreaser or dirt could damage internal components. Make sure the engine is completely dry before firing it up.
Will degreasing remove wax from my painted parts?
Yes, degreasing will strip wax and other protective coatings from paint, chrome or other surfaces. You may need to reapply protectants after degreasing exposed parts.