Are you looking for a lightweight motorcycle that you can comfortably ride off road? A dirt bike is exactly what you need. Dirt bikes are perfect for handling cross-country rides over mud, rocks and rough terrain.
Dirt bikes are not high maintenance as long as you maintain them regularly. It is recommended to do some basic maintenance routines on your bike after every ride. 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 to ride, many people are afraid of 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 basic maintenance on your own.
Once you have done the maintenance severally, you will get confidence of performing the basic maintenance without any issues. Therefore, maintaining a dirt bike is not a problem as long as you know how to go about it.
What maintenance does 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 so tired after riding the bike for a whole 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 in the long run, it contributes to the durability of the bike.
- Visual check
You can check your bike when cleaning it. However, there are some damages that 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 dip stick or not, look for a way of checking the oil filler cap. Check the oil per your manual. If you are not very 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 tyre pressure
This is a pre ride that you should always do every time. Unlike other checks, tyre pressure check is done before you start riding the bike but not after. To check the tyre pressure, you can use a tyre compressor and inflating. 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 bikes maintenance expensive?
Dirt bikes maintenance is not expensive. The fact that you can do this by yourself makes it cheap and affordable unless there are many repairs 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 that is driven more than what is considered average. Not all of us are able to buy new bikes and therefore, once in a while, we decide to go for a used motorcycle. The challenge now 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 really matter? The truth is, mileage is not one of the most important things to consider when buying a used dirt bike. Seller might use the mileage to understand the value of a bike but that doesn’t make it good or bad.
A bike might have high mileage but if it is well maintained, it will still be perfect to take it home. 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 definitely 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 that you go for one that is in line with your budget. If you buy a bike that is too expensive to maintain, chances are, it will not serve for long since you will not be able to take good care of it. Although there are many factors to consider when shopping for a dirt bike, the ease of maintenance should top the list.
Any vehicle owner whether of motorcycles or cars, they are always very 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. There are many dirt bikes that are very easy 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 the 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 when it comes to 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!
