For many people, cleaning or washing bikes are tiresome and lazy works. Honestly, in this article, we’ll show how to wash a dirt bike with the maximum fun factor. Yes, washing dirt bikes are funny sometimes and no monotony. Several ways to wash but you all know, water is the best solution for all. However, we discuss washing steps, tips, tricks, techniques, required equipment, and procedures. Hope you enjoy this pretty much!
Washing Dirt Bikes
As the article title, I had to do this one first. But don’t worry, I’ll describe all essential items and strategies regarding this dirt bike washing. Dirt bikes have less sensitive equipment than normal bikes. Lightweight and strong motors should be covered up or removed during washing/cleaning. Battery-operated things must be removed or dismantled temporarily.
Sensitive Parts Removal/Cover-up
As we said, some parts should be covered up and some have to be removed. Wheels, lights, brakes are outta removal or covered up. Before washing any dirt bike with water, you have to
- Remove the seat first unless not fixed. If leather seats and fixed, cover it up
- Remove the air filter. Air filters are sensitive to water. Not that sensitive but when you sprinkle water, it would be forced sometimes
- Remove the skid plate, pipe guard. Skid plates can be dislocated due to water-pressure. Likewise, pipe guards are less stiff. Forced spray on dirt bikes causes fragility to pipe guards
- Cover airboxes. It can’t be removed totally or properly without experience. So it is recommended to cover with waterproof sheets/cloths
- Cover the muffler of bikes. Most people ignore this but it is good to cover it for safety. These are stiffer but sensitive to forced water and lubricants
Spray or Sprinkle
Washing with water types are- spray gently or sprinkle (splash faster). If you live in a house with a garage, it’s not wise to sprinkle dirt bikes. Because dirt or mud would destroy the walls and surroundings. For household garages, it is recommended to spray gently with a variable speed water tap. Better use hose pipe or hand-switch pipe to control the speed. Pressure washers are recommended to avoid, in my opinion. Parts of a dirt bike are sensitive and not sturdy. Excess pressure can cause casualties on and off. For thicker dirt, gently take the hosepipe onto it and wash with water normally.
Sponge or Scrub
Sponges have a good soaking factor of water. After spraying on dirt and removal, you have to use sponges to scrub on dirt areas. For better glazing, scrubbing is essential. Basically, soft foams are used for tires, hoods, chain covers. Hand brushes are used for critical areas like spikes, engines, motors, chains. Careful about cleaning with brush or sponge. Any movement or sudden starting of bikes causes severe injuries. Keep children away from dirt bikes while washing. A slip of finger from them results in serious mistakes.
Bike Washers
Recent technology developed versatile things for vehicles as well as bikes. Literally, no stresses at all for bike washing. Bike washers are a kinda mixture of distilled water and lubricants. 10:1 ration between water and oil made this thing cool for bike washing. Many lubricants companies and manufacturers produce such types of solution nowadays. You have to wash dirt gently spraying on the area. It doesn’t harm or fade colors, rather make bikes glossy. Greasy parts are removed easily with this liquid. But local hardware stores mostly lack this product because of its creation. Always manufacturers don’t prepare this stuff. However, online stores are available for these bike washers. It would be better to use bike washer sprays outside houses.
Dry & Rub
Dry-washing is famous for fabrics, textiles, leather stuff. Similarly, for a dirt bike, soft cotton towels or warm air-blower can work. After using water and sponge, it should dry with soft towels to eliminate every water from dirt bikes. Furthermore, you can use warm air-blower for quick drying and critical areas like engine, motors, etc. Don’t use silk or synthetic fabric for a dry wash. Silk or flannel fabrics have electrostatics and it causes a malfunction to engine motors.
Set All Back
After washing and drying, set all parts back to its own places. Place chains gently and sharply. Set accessories quite comfortably as well. Set all removed plugs, lights (if any), filters, carburetors, etc. Check whether the bike working well or not. It is randomly seen some malfunctioning afterward. Sometimes horns don’t work properly or engine noise much. In these situations, recheck the particular parts there. Don’t take unnecessary actions on dirt bikes. Low-price dirt bikes are more sensitive so you have to handle those safe. Check also – Best 4 Stroke Dirt Bike for Trail Riding
Tools & Equipment to Wash a Dirt Bike
Cleaning fabrics or soft stuff is different from washing a dirt bike because dirt bikes need proper tools to fix. Not a hosepipe will do for washing, to dismantle or set parts of bikes- you need exact equipment. Otherwise, it would cause severe problems and malfunction.
Not only for dirt bikes but also for household tasks, few tools must be in your toolbox. These are familiar and easy to use or available everywhere. For dirt bikes, you need some extra tools at affordable costs. Better manage a toolbox and fill it with the necessary tools.
Must Needed Tools
Some tools are compulsory for daily life as well as dirt bikes. Hardware tools and equipment are available to local stores and cost affordable. We recommend below tools for mandatory-
- Pliers: the most reliable and useful tools for daily works. From unscrewing to hard pressing, pliers are the best companion for dirt bikers. Dirt bikers need to care & maintain their bikes regularly. So these tools are obvious for them.
- Allen keys: dirt bikes are made of both tiny and huge parts. Parts are attached to each other with different shapes and sizes of screws, nuts, bolts. Allen keys are a must for diverse diameters and twists of screws.
- Screwdrivers: like pliers, screwdrivers are inherent for dirt bikes. To unzip or lock anything, you need screwdrivers. A plus, minus, and asterisk screwdriver are enough for collection.
- Hammers: obviously not giant hammers but smaller ones. Both side flat hammers are good for usage. At least 2/3 different size hammers should be kept in your toolbox. Aluminum handle hammers are good but we recommend for wooden handle hammer with aluminum construction. Diameters of the hammer should be lesser and fit for dirt bikes.
- T10 Set: pretty important tool for hardware tasks. Similar to Allen keys, T10 set consists of some different edge screwdrivers. There are lots of T10 sets in marketplaces. Not only T10 but also you can get T12 or T20 set. All products are essential to screw and unscrew.
Tools for Dirt Bikes
Some tools are specific for dirt bikes and useful when washing. A long list with some small tools by the way. Only necessary items you can collect but it is recommended to collect all below items-
- Bike stand
- Pressure washer
- Duct tape
- Wash bucket
- Rubber mallet
- Soft brush
- Compressed air
- S.O.S. pads
- Exhaust pipe plug/s
- Soap solution (dishwashing liquids work well; bike washes work best)
- Dielectric grease
- Wire brush
- Scotch-Brite pads
- Clean towels
- WD-40 or other penetrating lube
- Spray bottle
- Airbox cover
- Spray polish
- Contact cleaner
- Microfiber towels
These 20 tools are essential for dirt bikes, normal bikes, automobiles, aviation stuff. Some pieces of stuff are avoidable because of replica- you have those in normal. Such as towels, brushes, duct tapes, bottles, etc. Check also – Do You Need a License to Ride a Dirt Bike?
Procedures to Wash a Dirt Bike
Now we reach the main topic. Step by step procedures to wash a dirt bike isn’t that hard. However, we discuss in a nutshell because of time.
- Remove or dismantle all sensitive parts excluding carburetor and disc brakes.
- Cover up the residual parts. Use waterproof sheets or pads.
- Place the bike on its stand. Don’t allow to fell on the ground all of a sudden. Never wash bikes on slopes or rough area with bulky grounds.
- Make sure of adequate water, equipment, hosepipes, sprinklers, hand water switches, and toolbox.
- Measuring the weight of dirt, water should be used gradually. No need for excess water. Moreover, dye colors are important so keep concerned about it.
- After hard material washing, use normal water flow on bikes.
- Use a brush and lukewarm water to wash engine parts. Don’t splash or sprinkle on engine parts. Soak the brushes and gently use on engines.
- Use a blower to dry the engine parts sooner. As long as the water drops exist on engines, risk factors increase consistently.
- Gently rub the handle, structure, brakes, covers with a cotton towel. Don’t keep bikes in the sun. Rather keep it in a cool, dry place for better shine.
- Wash dirt bikes quarterly in a year with proper tools and experience. Check also – Best Dirt Bike for 9 Year Old Kids
Major Areas to Wash of a Dirt Bike
For quick action, sometimes you need to wash the most important parts of a dirt bike. It reduces time and cost as well as hardworking. Not all parts are major to be washed. The most critical and mandatory parts to be washed are-
- Forks Adjusters: these are adjusters of forks. Basically, you have to use simple screwdrivers to wash it with the tips. These things are removable and screwdrivers set are needed to remove because different manufacturers use different screws. Allen keys or T20 set is a perfect choice for this purpose.
- Shaft Lever: people occasionally call these shift lever also. Used like a throttle but actually this is a protective brake for rear wheels. Mud, dirt, dust always cover it with a mess so this is mandatory to wash this part in dirt bikes.
- Bumpers: ahh! Bumpers are always important and bike decoration depends on it. All mud, dust, dirt store in bumpers. Use gentle water to wash these. No need to clean the inner walls with a towel. Besides, you can wipe gently on the outer sides.
- Radiator fins: radiators are important for any bikes. It directly relates to the carburetor and engine motors. Radiator fins are a protective device that comes in a couple. Due to excess dirt or mud, dust, debris- these fins messed up very often. Too much dirt on this radiator fin causes slow speed, noise, and chain malfunctioning occasionally. Do not splash water on this. Gently use hosepipes on it with slow speed water. Use brushes to clean heavy dirt.
- Chain Guard: not only in a dirt bike but also in every bike has chain guards. It supports the stability and statutory condition of the chain. If chains are full of heavy dirt, it cannot work properly. Speed becomes slower and sometimes auto-off the engine. Small pieces of dirt or stone cause a severe accident on roads during dirt bike racing. Specks of Dirt or filth store on chain guard both inside and outside. It is necessarily important to wash that dirt from a chain guard spraying with variable-speed hosepipes.
- Tank bottoms: tank bottoms are essential and sensitive parts of a dirt bike. Basically, it places at the bottom of bikes and closer to rear wheels. Specks of dirt or mud splashed from rear bikes, directly hit on tank bottoms. Tank bottoms get heavier and function improperly. Tank valves are sensitive and flammable, so it is obviously better not to ignite anything on it. During a dirt bike washing, we recommend washing tank bottoms with little water. Then use brushes and soft cotton towels.
- Seats: seats are optional to wash but not bad at all. Most dirt bike seats are hard cushioned or rubber made, stiffer, durable, and solid. Some seats are removable, some aren’t. Removable seats should be removed first before washing. Fixed seats must be covered up by water-resistive sheets or cloths. Ultra-modern seats are fixed and water-resistive also. So you need not worry about washing this.
- Airbox: another sensitive part of a dirt bike is airbox. It helps to brake properly and thrust the nitro boosters. It needs sponging and a little piece of soft cloth to remove dust or dirt from it. However, a wet sponge is the best solution to wash the airboxes. You can use washing soda with little warm water for better results and glazing. By the way, airboxes need not authentic washing. Excess washing cause imbalance braking later.
Tires or wheels, disc brakes are also washable things. Usually people wash these commonly hence we avoided here to discuss. The above-mentioned materials are the most valuable things to wash in a dirt bike. Expert bikers and mechanics have lots of specifications about dirt bike washing. Check also – Best Starter Dirt Bike Review & Guide
Don’ts of Washing a Dirt Bike
Every washing or cleaning procedures have some dos’ and don’ts. Abrasive surfaces should be avoided for dirt bike longevity. Anyways, we selected some avoidable reasons during dirt bike washing. Keep following these suggestions for better cleaning.
- Never use abrasive surfaces to place the dirt bike.
- Using abrasive sanders or sandpaper or stuff is totally prohibited.
- Forced water spraying isn’t good unless severe reasons. You can do this in a garage that has a proper drainage system.
- Excess scrubbing is also prohibited for structural colors and dye.
- Don’t put bikes into a lake/pond/marsh unless you remove the engine and accessories.
- Never use heavy stuff to remove or restore accessories of dirt bikes.
- Using a shovel to remove dirt from floors is good. But don’t use sharp-edged shovels. It would cause injuries to you or bike wheels.
- Don’t forget to soak dirt/mud from tires, floors, wheel guards, indicators, and lights. Check also –Best Dirt Bike Grips Review
Bottom Line
It is always hard to wash a dirt bike keeping the utmost safety of both humans and machines. However, we tried to provide some tips and tricks of how to wash a dirt bike easily. As well as essential equipment, tools, must washable parts- everything is covered in a nutshell here. Any queries further, feel free to ask us anytime. Our expert support team works 24×7 for our clients. Live chat options are available too to ask instantly. Our next tutorial article would be similar to this also. Stay tuned for better writings from us up next.