Dirt Bike Cleaning Tips & Tricks

Some riders love getting home after a hard ride on the track or trail and cleaning up their bike to a showroom shine.

Others dread it.

One thing remains clear - whether you love or hate cleaning your bike - it has to be done. A good cleaning takes some time but it doesn't have to be painful. With practice and some tips, you don't necessarily have to spend as much time cleaning your bike as you did riding it. Though we certainly understand if you want to spend that much time cleaning. It's a thing of beauty after all!

If you do fall in the camp of dreading the clean-up, understand that keeping your dirt bike clean marks the first step in maintaining your bike. You want to win? Maintain your dirt bike inside and out. Dirt, grease and grime wears down the vital parts of your bike, like the bearings, seals, chain and sprockets, among others, much faster when left sitting for days without so much as a rinse. You may not feel like it but as soon as you get home, if reasonable, get your dirt bike back to a showroom shine.

The first step to cleaning your dirt bike starts with a spray down of the major parts with a good quality bike cleaner. Coat all plastics, the seat, tires, wheels frame, swingarm and handlebars. Use a degreaser anywhere grease and grime cake up and settle like the chain and sprockets and pretty much anywhere chain lube spits off and attracts dirt.

Note: Don't use degreaser on plastic parts.

Dirt Bike Cleaners

Good Dirt Bike Cleaner	Better Dirt Bike Cleaner	Best Dirt Bike Cleaner
Liquid Performance Cycle Wash - 32 oz	Motul Moto Wash	Maxima Bio Wash Cleaner
Features: Surfactant-based formula lifts dirt from the surface Leaves an unequaled shine Safe for high-tech metal or plastic Non-corrosive and biodegradable	Features: Safe for use on all surfaces: plastic, synthetic fabrics, paintwork, varnish, metal removes all traces of grease, dust, soil, bugs, brake pad residue Dries evenly Biodegradable	Features: Fully biodegradable, Eco-friendly formula Advanced micro chemistry Special additives protect aluminum, magnesium and other alloys Safe on paint, plastic, carbon fiber, rubber and alloys

Dirt Bike Degreasers

Good Dirt Bike Degreaser	Better Dirt Bike Degreaser	Best Dirt Bike Degreaser
Maxima Contact Cleaner	Pro Honda Contact/Brake Cleaner No-Chlorine	Maxima Clean Up Degreaser
Features: Quickly removes oil and grease Removes soft carbon deposits Displaces moisture Leaves no residue	Features: Removes grease and oil quickly Cleans brake drums, liners, cylinders, and springs Safe for most plastics Dries fast with no residue	Features: Removes caking and build-up Breaks down dirt Dissolves grease and other contaminants Do Not use on plastic or Lexan windshields

Now rinse everything off - but first pop in a muffler plug. Metal + water = rust. You don't want water in your exhaust system. In a worst case scenario - water seeps into your engine. Never a good outcome!

Additionally, an air box cover allows you to wash out the air filter box without getting water or debris into your carburetor and engine. Pop one of those on too.

Muffler Plugs

Good Muffler Plugs	Better Muffler Plugs	Best Muffler Plugs
BikeMaster Rubber Muffler Plug	FMF Muffler Plug	Acerbis Muffler Plug 2T/4T
Features: Protects the exhaust system from water Keeps humidity from entering pipe as it cools down or prevents condensation inside the pipe during storage Formulated to be stiff enough to not fall out but soft enough to insert into the pipe without damage	Features: Keeps water out of your exhaust system Tapered rings spanning from 3/4" to 2-1/4" Will not not fit exhaust outlets smaller than 3/4" Keeps dirt and debris out of your exhaust while in storage or traveling	Features: Seals the silencer Keeps water and debris from entering the exhaust system during transportation and cleaning Fits 4-stroke and 2-stroke exhaust systems

Air Box Cover

Good Air Box Cover	Best Air Box Cover
No Toil Air Box Wash Kit/strong>	Twin Air - Air Box Cover
Features: No-Toil Air Box Cover Exhaust plug Sample of the No Toil Air Box Cleaner	Features: Prevents water and cleansers from entering your intake when cleaning Manufactured from tough, durable ABS plastic Rubber sealing ring ensures a perfect, leak-free fit Easy install

Next, grab a mitt or rag and use a mild detergent soap to wash your dirt bike. Consider brushes your best friend in areas where heavy dirt and grease build up like around the chain, sprockets, swingarm and wheels. Yes, you can use a pressure washer. But be careful! A pressure washer can rip the graphics right off the plastic, tear a hole in the seat and negatively impact some vital connections.

Use the pressure washer on the chain and sprockets but still use a degreaser first. Use a brush to break through thick muck. If you use a pressure washer also avoid spraying directly in areas with bearings and electrical components.

Stand back - don't use a pressure washer at point blank range.

Good Cleaning Brush	Better Cleaning Brush	Best Cleaning Brush
BikeMaster 3-Peice Brush Set	Grunge Brush	HP Tools 2-Piece Cleaning Brush Set
Features: Brass, nylon and stainless steel brushes Plastic handles	Features: Specifically designed to clean motorcycle and ATV chains can be used on O-ring and non O-ring chains Oil resistant Attacks greasy chains from 3 angles	Features: One detailing brush One spoke and wheel brush. Impact-resistant handle

After you break up and remove the mud, muck, dirt and grease, rinse everything off again. Check underneath too. You may be one of many people who forget to wash the bike's "back side." Check the underside of the frame and swingarm for build-up.

Now dry the bike.

Start with a heavy towel to sop up the excess water then switch to a smaller microfiber cloth to grab the remaining dampness and residual dirt and grease. Microfiber cloths also leave your bike water spot and streak free. Use compressed air to dry in tight areas you can't reach like around the engine and to blow water from electrical components.

Dirt Bike Cleaning Accessories

Cleaning Mitt	Microfiber Cloth
BikeMaster Compressed Towelettes	BikeMaster Micro Fiber Towel
Features: Multiple Uses Expands to 13.75 x 9 inches Thick and absorbent Washable and reusable	Features: Made from split combined polyester and polyamide fibers Holds up to seven times its weight in water Perfect for cleaning, polishing, wax removal, detailing and drying Washable

Once dry, use a silicone spray polish on all plastic to help keep dirt and debris from sticking - this makes it easier to wash after the next ride. The silicone spray also gives plastic that "new bike" shine. Finally, lubricate and grease your chain, sprockets and bearings.

Dirt Bike Spray Polish

Good Spray Polish	Better Spray Polish	Best Spray Polish
Pro Honda Spray Cleaner and Polish	Motul Shine & Go	Maxima SC1 Silicone Detailer
Features: Exclusive Honda formula Cuts through road grime, grease and bugs without water Works on paint, chrome, glass, and clear plastic Spray cleaner and polish	Features: Silicone-based spray Leaves a long-lasting non-sticky protective film Dries evenly Repels water and dirt	Features: Restores the factory shine Works as a polish, undercoat protector, and a light lubricant Formulated to repel water and dry completely Easy to use application

Now you've got a clean bike and next weekend is just around the corner.