How Much Maintenance Do Dirt Bikes Require?

Dirt bikes run in harsh off-road terrains and tracks where hard acceleration and braking can wear them down faster than what a street motorcycle would endure in its environment. 

But are dirt bikes really that much harder to maintain than other motorcycle types? Not really. The difference lies in the frequency of the maintenance needed rather than the difficulty. Here are some things to know about dirt bike maintenance.

Dirt Bike Routine Maintenance List

There are just a few things you need to frequently do to maintain a dirt bike:

• Wash your dirt bike after every outing (also a good time to inspect for broken or worn components)
• Clean, lube, and check the tension on the bike’s chain
• Clean (or replace) the air filter
• Inspect your dirt bike’s tires
• Change or refill the engine oil after every other ride

Dirt Bike Cleaning

Getting dirt and mud out of pivot points can reduce wear and corrosion, so use soap and water to clean up your dirt bike after every ride.

Also, scrubbing your dirt bike gets you a close-up look at cracks, rust, and any other issues you may need to address. There are many quality motorcycle cleaners you can use to clean your dirt bike, and the point is simple: a clean bike experiences less wear over time. 

Dirt Bike Chain Maintenance

Cleaning your dirt bike also includes scrubbing the drive chain. Use a chain care kit and a good chain brush to get the job done, then follow it up with an adjustment.

There are tools like Motion Pro’s Slacksetter that can help you properly set the slack by measuring the distance from the chain to the swingarm. Chain adjustments are a necessary part of dirt bike maintenance because if the chain is too tight, it can break and if it’s too loose, it can jump the sprocket.

Dirt Bike Air Filter Cleaning and Replacing

A street bike can go a long way without having to replace the air filter. However, the same can’t be said for a dirt bike. The mud, dirt and debris of a trail or motocross track calls for more frequent air filter maintenance.

Most dirt bikes are equipped with foam air filters you can clean, oil and reuse. Doing so after every ride helps your dirt bike perform its best by allowing good airflow into the engine without letting dust and other particulates in.

Dirt Bike Engine Oil Changes

As already mentioned, dirt bikes run in harsh environments, and the oil passes contaminants sucked in from those environments through the oil filter. Like air filter maintenance, an oil change service after every couple of rides is a great way to keep your dirt bike’s engine healthy and running its best.

Dirt Bike Tire and Wheel Inspections

A dirt bike tire inspection will reveal any visible cracks or tread wear, and you should also check the tire pressure during every inspection. 

Another thing you want to check for is to see if your dirt bike’s wheels are true. The wheels take a beating from riding on rough terrain, and it can hurt your bike’s handling or damage the machine altogether. Truing a motorcycle wheel is an art that requires patience and some equipment you might not have lying around your garage, so a good mechanic can take care of that for you.

If you want to take a crack at doing it yourself, watch the video above to learn how to true a motorcycle wheel.