7 Basics of Routine Dirt Bike Maintenance

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Zipping along dirt-covered trails gets messy and can affect the long-term condition of your bike. Keeping up with routine maintenance can help keep your dirt bike in great shape so you can ride for years to come. If you’re new to owning a dirt bike, you might not know how to properly service your bike. To help you out, Cycle Trader—which has dirt bikes listed for sale—has provided seven basics of routine dirt bike maintenance.

1. Engine Oil

Over time, the oil can break down in your dirt bike and leave your engine vulnerable to decreased performance and heat build up. Oil changes are a critical part of dirt bike maintenance that can be done without going to a mechanic. Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations to know how often you’ll need to change your bike’s oil and the correct oil to use.

2. Fluids

In addition to changing the engine oil, your dirt bike has other fluids that need to be maintained. Keep an eye on your bike’s brake fluid in between rides to avoid problems with braking when you’re on the track. Coolant, which keeps your engine operating at a safe temperature, is another fluid to monitor. Riding with low coolant levels can damage your bike’s engine, so make a habit of checking it before each ride. You can change these fluids at home by following the OEM’s recommendations.

3. Chains and Sprockets

Maintaining a clean and properly adjusted chain can extend the life of your dirt bike. After every ride, clean and lubricate the chains and sprockets. A nylon brush can easily remove mud from both, and you don’t even have to remove the chain to do so. Once the chains and sprockets are clean, lubricate them with a high-quality chain lube. You’ll also want to check the tension of your chain. It shouldn’t be too tight, to allow suspension movement, but not so loose that you can remove it from a sprocket.

4. Air Filter

Just as you don’t want to breathe in dirt while riding, neither should your bike. Sand, mud, dirt, and other debris can degrade the filter when you ride. Maintaining a clean air filter improves your dirt bike’s performance and protects the engine from potentially expensive damage. To clean your air filter, wash it with a mix of water and household cleaner or spray it with an air filter cleaner. Once the filter dries, coat it with an air filter oil.

5. Cables and Controls

Cables provide support to most of the controls on your dirt bike. You should inspect and clean the throttle and clutch cables, along with the front brake line, after every ride. To clean the cables, carefully disconnect them and remove any build up around the connections. These cables should also be routinely lubricated. You can use a cable luber kit, then reconnect and tighten the connections.

6. Tires

Just like a car, you’ll want to make sure your dirt bike’s tires are always ready for riding. Check your bike’s tire pressure before each ride by using a tire pressure gauge. You’ll want to make sure that your tires are at the proper psi to ensure a safe ride. Most dirt bikes ride between six and 18 psi, depending on what kind of tire you have. Check with your owner’s manual for the correct tire pressure.

You’ll also want to inspect your tire’s tread to determine whether or not you need to replace it. Lack of tread will result in a smoother tire, which makes it harder for your bike to grip the road. Finally, check the tightness of spokes and rim locks with a wrench.

7. Keep Your Dirt Bike Clean

After every ride, give your dirt bike a quick scrub down to reduce mud build up. Use a bucket of water and brushes to gently get rid of dirt and caked on mud from the unit. You’ll want to remove the seat and air filter beforehand, and avoid getting water and dirt into areas that can damage the engine and electrical components. You can use duct tape to cover the airbox and the muffler. Cleaning is also a great time to give your bike a quick inspection.

As you can see, you don’t have to be a gearhead to own a dirt bike. In fact, these bikes aren’t as high maintenance as most think. Performing this routine maintenance will allow you to spend more time tearing up the trails and less time worrying about the condition of your dirt bike.

Looking for your next dirt bike or motorcycle? Shop CycleTrader.com for the largest selection of new and used bikes nationwide.