Dirt Bike Cleaning Guide – Dirt bike maintenance is key in making sure nothing wears and tears in your bike. This is especially true with how much tough terrain and mud your bike can go through. Maintaining your bike can include washing, parts replacement, oil changes, visual inspections, and tire pressure checks. You can have a professional do it, but you can also do most of it yourself with the right tools.
The amount of maintenance a dirt bike needs depends on how much and how hard it is used. If you ride your bike daily on difficult tracks or terrains, then expect to maintain it more often. If you ride conservatively or only occasionally, you can get away with lower maintenance. However, it’s always a good idea to inspect your dirt bike after each use to ensure it’s in good condition. Off-road riding can be hazardous, so regular checkups are important for safety.
There are plenty of tips and tricks for cleaning a dirt bike. In this article, we will be exploring a general dirt bike cleaning guide that can help out both beginners and veteran riders.
Dirt Bike Cleaning Guide: Steps to Know
Don’t worry, cleaning a dirt bike is not too difficult as cleaning other vehicles. Especially since there are dirt bike cleaners to help you out. These are just some of the general steps to follow when maintaining your bike:
Prepping for Clean
To properly clean a dirt bike, it’s best to use a pressure washer instead of a hose and spray nozzle. When cleaning the bike, you can leave the seat on if you’re careful with the water, but it’s recommended to take it off along with the air filter and install an airbox cover. Before starting, knock off excess dirt with a rubber mallet and clean the chain with a wire brush. Also, remove the handlebar pad.
Washing Process
When washing your bike, you’ll want to lay the bike on its side with the handlebar on a bike stand. This will help you clean hard-to-reach areas. Lightly spray the bike with water, let it sit for a minute or two, then power-wash the bike clean. Use common sense and avoid directing spray to bearings, seals, and electrical components.
To clean the other side of the bike, lay it on its other side, remove the skid plate, and use a pressure washer to clean thoroughly. Scrub the underside of the frame and the aluminum frame and under-side of the motor with an S.O.S. pad or Scotch-Brite pad with penetrating lubricant. Hose the bike off when done. To clean the bike upright, put it on the stand, spray soap solution or bike wash, let it sit for a few minutes, scrub with a soft brush, and hose it off from top to bottom. Scrub the swingarm, spokes, and aluminum frame and hose off the rest.
Drying Process
To dry and add finishing touches, use a clean towel to dry the bike and compressed air for hard-to-reach areas. Blow compressed air only from the front of the bike back on the radiator fins. Use a microfiber cloth to dry and check for water spots on the lower fork legs. Remove water from the chain with compressed air and penetrating lubricant before applying chain lube. Check cables for water and lubricate if needed. Use compressed air to dry electrical fittings and apply dielectric grease to keep out water in the future.
Dirt Bike Cleaning Guide: Extra Tips
While the above guide is a good general format to follow, there are some extra tips that can help make the cleaning process more concise.
Remove Mud Chunks by Hand
Make sure to remove any sizable clumps of mud by hand before washing your dirt bike. Use your fingers or a soft rubber mallet to gently knock off the dirt, being careful not to scratch or damage the bike’s surface. Avoid using sharp objects such as metal scrapers or screwdrivers that can cause more harm than good.
Take Care If Pressure Washing
Pressure washers are often used to clean dirt bikes, but caution must be taken. While they can quickly remove mud, they can cause damage if used carelessly. It is important to avoid spraying directly on the head stem, wheel bearings, and chain (if you have an O-ring chain), as the water can ruin seals and lead to corrosion. Passing a stream of water past these parts is fine, but prolonged and direct exposure should be avoided.
Use a 40-degree Nozzle
When using a pressure washer to clean your bike, it’s best to use a 40-degree nozzle as it provides a larger area of coverage and is safer for your bike. Never use a 0-degree nozzle as it can cause damage to decals, graphics, and plastic parts.
Use an Airbox Wash Cover and Muffler Plug
To prevent water from entering the engine, you can use an airbox wash cover and a muffler plug. The airbox wash cover is installed after removing the air filter, while the muffler plug protects the muffler packing. Additionally, putting the piston at top-dead center provides extra protection. Although plastic bags can be used to cover the air filter and muffler, they are not as effective as the airbox wash cover and muffler plug.
Avoid Caustic or Abrasive Detergents
Using harsh chemicals can cause damage to the anodized aluminum and ruin the look of your bike. Abrasive cleaners may be useful in removing tough stains or marks, but they can scratch and damage plastic parts.
Use a Mild Detergent
You can clean your bike using a dish detergent like Dawn, which can easily remove dirt and mud without harming plastic or metal parts. It is also affordable and readily available in most stores. Simply mix it with warm water and use a soft-bristled brush to wash your dirt bike.
Other Washing Tips
To properly wash a dirt bike, it’s important to focus on a few key areas. Firstly, the radiator should be cleaned thoroughly to prevent debris from affecting its performance. It’s important to be careful when pressure washing to avoid bending the radiator fins. The chain area is another important area to clean, as dirt can cause damage to the chain. Make sure to clean the chain guide to prevent this. Finally, it’s important to clean the springs on the shift lever to ensure it is free from dirt and mud.
If you are interested in exploring other topics on dirt bike maintenance, you should check out questions like “Can You Use Brake Cleaner to Clean the Carburetor.” You can also check out maintenance items like the best oil or chain lube. Aside from this, you can explore dirt bikes for beginners.
