Cleaning Your Dirt Bike

Dirt bikes, also called off-road motorcycles, are thrilling, fast, and fun. But like the name suggests, these machines get dirty, and that’s a problem—not only does it spoil the look, but it can damage the machine! We here at Motorcycle Maxx want to help you keep your dirt bike in good working order, so we’ve put together a brief guide to cleaning it up, below. To learn more, or to see the dirt bikes we have for sale, contact our store in Lewis Center, Ohio, today!

Remove and Clean Fragile Parts Separately

There are some parts of your dirt bike more sensitive than others, so it’s best to remove these and clean them more carefully than you might with the rest of the bike. These parts include:

• The seat.
• Air filter(s).
• Skid plate.
• Pipe guards.
• Bark Busters.

Anything similar to these parts in texture and material should also be added to your personal list. Avoid power washers and harsh chemicals to prevent serious damage to the parts. On a similar note, you should also cover and protect the airbox, exhaust, and muffler before getting started on the main bike, since they’re a bit harder to outright remove.

Hose it Down

With all the delicate pieces protected or removed, pull out your hose or power washer and go to town! These will help you chip away at the built-up mud, dirt, and debris. At some point, make sure to lay your bike on one side so you can also get at the underside with your hose. Take breaks and give the bike a visual inspection every so often to ensure you get everything.

Scrub Away

With the majority of the dirt blasted away, it’s time to scrub away anything that remains. You’ll have to get into some hard-to-reach areas here to get stubborn bits of dirt that might be hiding. Use a soft rag or a toothbrush for this step in the process and dip them in a gentle detergent or bike washing solution. If the scrubbing isn’t doing the trick, soak the dirty area and let it sit so the dirt in question softens up a bit, then try again.

This is likely a similar process to how you’ll be cleaning the delicate parts from earlier, but check that with your owner’s manual to be safe.

Rinse

Now that the dirt’s gone, rinse the entire bike to make sure no soap is left on it. Check for any spots you missed, as well.

Dry and Finish

You’ll want to get your bike as dry as you can with a towel or two to avoid streaking and corrosion. Microfiber towels will have the best results, and compressed air cans or a hair dryer can get any water that’s hard to reach. Lubricate the moving parts, including the chain, and you’re good to go!

We hope this helps keep your dirt bike shiny and healthy! For more information, or to browse our dirt bike inventory, contact us at Motorcycle Maxx. We proudly serve Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio—let us serve you today!