Many riders make the mistake of not caring enough for their dirt bike because “it’s meant to be tough”. They focus more on riding accessories like helmets – which is good, but unfortunately not enough.
However, this is not true. In fact, you must care more for your bike, considering how much it has to go through in the wilderness. So, in addition to having high-quality protective gear like Fox Helmets, you must take the proper steps to maintain your dirt bike to keep it in a good condition.
This blog post will outline some helpful maintenance tips to keep your dirt bike looking new!
Proper Lubrication
A lack of lubrication can lead to corrosion, negatively affecting performance or even breaking down an engine completely. To avoid this, make sure you regularly check all bolts/nuts with a torque wrench before riding your dirt bike.
After riding, make sure you clean off all surfaces with light oil. In addition, you may opt to add a corrosion inhibitor, which would provide an additional layer of protection.
Chain Maintenance
After extended periods of riding, inspecting your chain is paramount for preventing drop links from snapping. It’s best to check the entire chain every week or so for any worn out links or corroded/rusting parts. If found, replace the link or rust with a new one as soon as possible to avoid further damage to your bike!
Motor Oil Flush & Filter
Flushing your dirt bike’s engine is essential if you’ve been doing a lot of off-roading. Doing so will help your engine run smoothly by clearing out all the accumulated dirt. You can also use an oil filter re-charger to recharge your old filters, which may be dirty or clogged up with grime.
Cleaning & Detailing
Keeping your dirt bike clean is incredibly important, especially after a long period of riding. Dirt bike shampoo or a strong detergent can be used with warm water to clean off all the mud and grime accumulated within the frame, wheels, brake system, etc.
If your dirt bike is extremely dirty (e.g., after riding through harsh terrain), then scrubbing is the best course of action. Be sure to let it dry completely before you re-lubricate all areas to prevent mud/dust from collecting again.
Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
Proper tire pressure is important for both performance and safety. You should always balance between good off-road traction and adequate road safety. If the tire pressure is too high, it decreases your off-road traction.
Cleaning of Plastic Parts
Plastic parts can become dirty after constant use. To avoid this, it’s best to use a specialized plastic cleaner. If that’s not available, you can use a simple solution of warm water with dish-washing liquid or shampoo to clean off those stubborn stains on your dirt bike’s plastics.
Check the Battery
Checking your battery’s charging level is always important to determine if you can actually start your bike. An uncharged battery means you would need to charge it before anything else, so be sure to check it regularly and recharge as needed.
Keep the Lubricants Warm
If your dirt bike operates best at a certain temperature range (e.g., below 10 degrees Celsius), always store it in a warm place to reduce the viscosity of the lubricants. This way, you can prevent excessive wear and tear or even breakdowns from occurring when they’re least convenient.
Final Word
Every rider wants to keep their bike looking awesome! However, you must know what to do to keep your bike looking new. Proper maintenance is also crucial for your bike’s optimum performance. We hope the above tips will be helpful.
Happy riding!
