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 is 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, know that keeping your dirt bike clean is the first step in maintaining your bike. One of the keys to winning is a well-maintained bike. Dirt, grease and grime can wear down the vital parts of your bike, like the bearings, seals, chain and sprockets, among others, much faster.

That's one dirty bike

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

Note: Degreaser is not for use 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
Price: $6.39 - $14.39	Price: $10.39	Price: $8.99
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
Price: $6.99	Price: $5.61	Price: $10.99
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 and in a worst case scenario - water can seep into your engine and that's never a good idea.

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
Price: $4.99-$5.99	Price: $4.99	Price: $7.99
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	Better Air Box Cover	Best Air Box Cover
Acerbis Uniko Airbox Wash Cover	No Toil Airbox Cover	Twin Air - Air Box Cover
Price: $19.99	Price: $24.99	Price: $32.99 - $33.99
Features: Rubber NBR fuel-resistant material Fits to every filter cage 100% waterproof barrier Easily and quickly applied to the original filter holder	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 bike. Brushes are your best friend in areas where heavy dirt and grease build up like around the chain, sprockets, swingarm and wheels. A popular tool with riders is a pressure washer. But you have to be careful - a pressure washer can rip the graphics right off the plastic and tear a hole in the seat.

You can use the pressure washer on the chains and sprockets but it's still a good idea to use a degreaser first and if the muck is thick it's always best to break it up using a brush. If you use a pressure washer also avoid spraying directly in areas with bearings and electrical components.

Distance is your friend - 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	Oxford Brush & Scrub Cleaning Brushes
Price: $6.26	Price: $14.99	Price: $17.95
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: Soft nylon brush for bike washing Hard nylon short scrub brush for parts and chain cleaning Soft scrub brush with Scotchbrite panels Two small wire brushes and one soft spoke brush

Once you're satisfied the mud, muck, dirt and grease is broken up, 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 any build-up.

Now it's time to 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. Compressed air is useful 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
Price: $6.26	Price: $3.56 - $5.36
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 your bike is 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
Price: $4.74	Price: $9.99	Price: $8.99
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.