Cleaning Your Dirt Bike the Right Way

If your dirt bike is covered in mud, that's a good sign that you're having fun with it. They are called "dirt" bikes, after all. However, it's important to know how to clean your dirt bike to prevent any damage or corrosion. If you would like to see our dirt bike selection, visit our location in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. At Crossroad Powersports, we serve Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware.

Prepping the Bike

Your life will be so much easier if you get a pressure washer. Although you can wash your bike with a regular garden hose, it isn't going to do as thorough a job as a pressure washer. You can wash the bike with the seat on. Keep in mind, though, that the seat foam can deteriorate if it is exposed to too much water. Most mechanics take the seat off.

If you decide to remove the seat, you will have to remove the air filter as well and install the cover for the airbox. You then have to put back the seat bolts so the shrouds aren't flopping around. Also, use a spare bolt that is plugged into the end to seal the overflow hoses so it doesn't catch water. 

In your muffler, you need to put in a wash plug. You can also use duct tape to cover the end so water doesn't get into your engine. If you plan on leaving the seat on, seal the holes in the airbox with duct tape.

Before you start cleaning, use a rubber mallet to get off excess dirt. If don't want to scratch the plastic, avoid using a mud scraper. If the dirt is wet, though, you can use one. Use a wire brush to get off most of the dirt on the chain before spraying it down. Next, take off the handlebar pad.

Start Washing

Now that your dirt bike is prepped for cleaning, put the bike down on its side. The handlebar should be leaning on a bike stand. With the bike on its side, you'll be able to access the fenders, cases, and tank. Using the handlebar to support the bike is going to prevent pressure from being put on the fork tube.

To loosen some dirt, spray the bike down lightly with water. Once the water has sat for a minute, you can start to powerwash the bike. Of course, you don't want to spray down the bearings and seals.

Afterward, turn the bike on the other side. Remove the skid plate if you have one. Use the pressure washer to remove dirt. Clean the frame's underside. If it is an aluminum frame, use an S.O.S. pad to scrub the frame and the motor's underside. It is also possible to use a Scotch-Brite pad with a lubricant that has penetrating capabilities. This will help you get rid of the dirt that is hard to get off. Then, hose down the bike.

Place the bike in an upright position and spray it down with a bike wash solution. Let the bike wash sit for a couple of minutes. Then, use a soft brush to scrub the dirt bike. Hose it down from the top to the bottom. If your spokes, frame, and swingarm are made of aluminum, you can use an S.O.S. or Scotch-Brite Pad to scrub them. Then, hose down the rest of the bike.

Proper Drying Methods

Use a towel to dry the bike. For hard-to-reach areas, dry them with compressed air. You can also use compressed air to dry the electrical fittings. You can add dielectric grease to the connectors so water doesn't get in. 

You can use a microfiber cloth to clean as well as dry the lower fork legs. Dry the chain with compressed air before putting on the chain lube. Make sure the cables don't have water on them and lubricate the ones that need it.

Use a contact cleaner to get rid of black marks. Spray some bike polish on the microfiber cloth and detail the bike. Be sure too much spray doesn't get on the brake discs or the seat. Now, the dirt bike is good as new.

Your Dirt Bike Shouldn't Stay Dirty

While your dirt bike will certainly get dirty, it shouldn't stay that way. By following the above tips, you can keep your bike clean without damaging it. To learn more about our dirt bikes, come to our location in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, which is serving Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, Delaware.