Tested by Colin Williams
Tested by Colin WilliamsMotorcycle cleaners are a consistent seller for dealers, as customers search out the quickest and lowest-effort way of getting their bike gleaming. German chemical specialist Dr Wack has new additions to its S100 range of cleaners, so how do they measure up?
To give S100’s finest a tough test I used my own bike, which bears the scars of many a commuting winter and rarely sees a sponge. For the new formula Moto Wash (£17.99 SRP) I followed the instructions, spraying it liberally onto one half of the bike and left it to work its magic while I tried out the Power Bike shampoo (£19.99) on the other half. The shampoo was diluted in warm water and applied using a wash mitt, so had an element of agitation before I rinsed the bike. Results were impressive, the dirt could be seen running off in the foam, leaving the bodywork ready for a quick wipe with a pillowy-soft S100 microfibre cloth (£9.99). The Moto Wash cleaned painted surfaces and the screen brilliantly, but required some agitation with a brush to remove heavier soiling on the swingarm and the leading edge of the forks, but this was not unexpected.
On to the wheels, and Dr Wack’s Rim Cleaner (£14.99) also promised a spray-on, rinse-off application. Its bright pink gel formation stuck to the wheels and was left to do its stuff for the recommended 10 minutes before rinsing with a hose. Its effectiveness was immediately apparent, as the bits I’d missed with the spray stood out a mile. A quick second spray and a bit of a wipe round with a wheel brush soon sorted that out.
The S100 range covers leather and fabric care, helmet cleaning and chain treatments, as well as a wide selection of bike washing formulations and accessories. It is not a cheap brand, favouring concentrated formulae and scientific testing, but it does an excellent job of making cleaning a bike a minimal effort job.
The Key Collection
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