Dirt bikes are not high maintenance as long as you keep them in good order. Doing some basic maintenance routines on your bike after every ride is recommended. This will not only make things easier for you, but it will maintain the quality of your bike longer.
Is It Hard to Maintain a Dirt Bike?
Although dirt bikes are fun, many people fear owning one due to fear of maintenance. The truth is, maintaining a dirt bike is not a challenge as long as you are taking good care of it. For the first two or three times, it might be necessary to take it to a specialist, but with time, you will learn essential maintenance on your own.
Once you have done the maintenance severally, you will get confidence in performing the essential maintenance without any issues. Therefore, maintaining a dirt bike is not a problem if you know how to go about it.
What Maintenance Do Dirt Bikes Require?
There are very few maintenance steps required in a dirt bike. Some of these include:
Washing it after every ride
You might be tired after riding the bike for a day or several hours. Therefore, you might get tempted to store it without cleaning it. However, it is advisable to make sure that you clean your dirt bike before storing it. This might seem like a very insignificant and basic habit, but it contributes to the bike’s durability in the long run.
Visual check
You can check your bike when cleaning it. However, some damages might not be visible until the bike is dry. Therefore, once you have cleaned the bike and it is dry, check out for any damages before you store it.
Check the oil
Whether you have a small dipstick or not, look for a way of checking the oil filler cap. Check the oil per your manual. If you are not keen on maintaining the bike, the oil level and color may need to be changed. For competition riders, it is advisable to have an hour meter to ensure that your oil doesn’t run dry.
Check brake pads and tire pressure.
This is a pre-ride that you should always do every time. Unlike other checks, a tire pressure check is done before you start riding the bike but not after. You can use a tire compressor and inflating to check the tire pressure. When it comes to brake pads, the amount of wear will determine whether they need replacement or not. You can check this after a ride to ensure the bike is ready for the next ride.
Is dirt bike maintenance expensive?
Dirt bike maintenance is not expensive. You can do this by yourself, making it cheap and affordable unless many repairs are needed. Once in a while, you might need to involve a third party in doing the job for you.
What Is High Mileage in a Dirt Bike?
High mileage in a dirt bike simply means a bike drove more than average. Not all of us can buy new bikes, and therefore, once in a while, we decide to go for a used motorcycle. The challenge comes in getting a good deal. No seller will be honest enough to tell you the faults in their bikes. Therefore, you need to be very keen when looking for the right bike to take home.
One of the things that many people consider is the mileage of the bike. The question, however, is, does this matter? The truth is that mileage is not among the most important things to consider when buying a used dirt bike. Sellers might use the mileage to understand the value of a motorcycle, but that doesn’t make it good or bad.
A bike might have high mileage, but it will still be perfect to take it home if it is well-maintained. However, on the other hand, mileage can be used to know the health and age of a motorcycle but not its quality and durability. A low-mileage motorbike will be more expensive than those with high mileage simply because it has a newer motor. But this doesn’t mean it is well maintained.
Which Are the Cheapest Dirt Bikes to Maintain?
When shopping for dirt bikes, make sure you go for one that aligns with your budget. If you buy a bike that is too expensive to maintain, chances are, it will not serve for long since you cannot take good care of it. Although there are many factors to consider when shopping for a dirt bike, ease of maintenance should top the list.
Any vehicle owner, whether motorcycle or car, is always keen to get value for their money. The best way of ensuring you get the best is the ease of maintenance. A ride that is too expensive to maintain will limit you and dampen your mood. Many dirt bikes are straightforward and cheap to maintain. Some of these include:
Honda CB 750
This is one of the best bikes that is said to set the pace for vintage motorbikes. The bike has high speed (125 mph) thanks to its four-cylinder 68 hp engine.
Kawasaki Z1/KZ 900
Kawasaki bikes are generally known as the “Kings of Motorcycles.” This is because they have managed to make powerful bikes that are not only easy and quick to maintain but also cheap.
Yamaha XS50
There is no doubt about the quality of bikes made by Yamaha. The fact that Yamaha XS50 is easy to maintain has made things even better for riders.
Conclusion
Choosing the right quality dirt bike that is easy to maintain simply means durability and maximum experience of fun and exercise. Therefore, take your time when shopping for a bike to ensure you get nothing but the best!
FAQs About Dirt Bike Maintenance
How often should a dirt bike be maintained?
There is no “one size fits all” rule regarding dirt bike maintenance. Maintenance depends on the brand and frequency of use of the bike. However, performing a simple routine check before every ride is advisable.
What is the recommended dirt bike maintenance after every ride?
Before you store your bike after a ride, you should clean up the airbox and the air filter. You should thoroughly clean for the bike’s safety and durability.
Why do dirt bikes demand so much maintenance?
Dirt bikes are exposed to very harsh environmental conditions. For this reason, lubricants like clutch and brake fluid, gear, and engine oil must be changed more frequently.
What’s the most crucial part of a bike?
The beating heart of every machine is the engine, and so are dirt bikes. A dirt bike’s engine consists of a cylinder head and block, a crankshaft gearbox, and more. It is generally what runs the motorcycle.
How often should a dirt bike suspension be serviced?
For an average rider, you should service the suspension once a year. However, if you use it more often, like every weekend, it should be serviced after every six months.
Which are the tell-tale signs that my dirt bike needs an oil change?
There are many indicators that your bike is low on oil. Some include a hotter engine than average, a seizing engine or clutch, a metallic clattering sound, and many more. The secret to this is knowing your bike well to identify any new, unusual development when riding.
