Should You Wash Your Dirt Bike After Every Ride? (Answered)

Written by Jason Kidd in Dirt Bikes,Powersports Maintenance

Should You Wash Your Dirt Bike After Every Ride

A question that’s often debated by dirt biker riders is whether or not you should wash your dirt bike after every ride.

Some say it’s necessary to get the bike clean and free of any mud or dirt, while others claim that it’s overkill and unnecessary.

So which is it – should you wash your dirt bike after every ride, or can you skip a few washes without causing any harm?

The answer to this question can vary.

Because ultimately, how often you should wash your dirt bike will depend on several factors, including how muddy the conditions are where your riding and how often you ride.

In general though, if you’re riding your dirt bike in muddy conditions you should ideally wash the bike down after every ride.

However, if you’re riding in light dust or sand, a wash every few weeks should be more than enough.

For a more in-depth answer though, make sure to keep reading.

As we break down on a case-by-case basis how often you should wash your dirt bike, depending on where and how often you’re riding.

Breaking Down How Often You Should Wash Your Dirt Bike

Dirt Bike Riding

Now that we generally know how often to wash a dirt bike, let’s take a closer look at how often you should wash a dirt bike based on where and how often you’re riding.

Muddy or Wet Conditions VS Light Dust or Sandy Conditions

If you’re riding in muddy or wet conditions, it’s a good idea to at least give the dirt bike a quick rinse after every ride to dislodge any excess mud or dirt from the bike.

In addition, you’ll also want to give the dirt bike a full wash at least every two weeks, to clean the bike thoroughly and remove all dirt and grime from its components, including the wheels, the frame, the engine, and the air intake.

If, however, you’re only riding in light dust or sand you really don’t need to wash the bike after every ride unless you just like a clean-looking bike.

As these types of terrain shouldn’t cause any excessive dirt or debris to build up on the bike that would need to be washed away after every ride.

So when riding on dry dirt or sand, giving the bike a full wash every couple of weeks should be more than adequate to keep the bike clean and in top working order.

Frequent Riders VS Infrequent Riders

The terrain you ride your dirt bike on isn’t the only thing that can affect how often you should wash your dirt bike though, as the frequency of your riding can also impact how often you should wash the bike.

For example, if you’re someone that rides almost every day or multiple times a week, it’s less important to thoroughly wash the bike after every ride, as the bike should be receiving regular washes anyway.

If, however, you’re someone that only rides every couple of weeks or once a month, it’s much more important to thoroughly clean the bike after every ride.

As this will help to ensure that dirt, grim, and caked-on mud is not sitting on the bike for weeks at a time.

Which can impact not only the performance of the machine but also its longevity.

How to Wash a Dirt Bike

https://youtu.be/HbXV2DMp6-8

As we mentioned above, giving your dirt bike a quick rinse to dislodge mud and dirt from the bike after every ride can go a long way in helping to maintain the bike and keep it in good working order.

However, a quick rinse is no substitute for a thorough wash, which you should be giving your bike at least every couple of weeks while actively riding.

So we thought we would break down how to properly wash a dirt bike since we’re on the topic of how often you should wash one.

Things You’ll Need

Nice Things to Have But Not Necessary

Prepping the Dirt Bike Before Washing

Before you start hosing down your dirt bike and washing it there are a few things you need to do to prep the dirt bike for a thorough wash.

Which are all pretty simple but important to help protect the bike during washing.

Use an Exhaust Plug or Duct Tape to Plug the Exhaust

One of the most important things you should do before washing your dirt bike is to plug the exhaust.

Which can be done either by using an exhaust plug or with duct tape.

As this will prevent water from entering the exhaust and potentially getting into the engine.

Remove the Bike’s Seat

Another important step you should take as often as possible to prep the bike for washing is to remove the seat.

As this will help to prevent the seat from breaking down and getting soft over time, from exposure to water.

Remove the Air Filter and Install an Air Box Wash Cover

The last thing you need to do if you remove the seat before washing is to remove the air filter and install the appropriate air box wash cover.

As will allow you to wash out the air box without getting water down into the motor.

Step-By-Step Instructions to Wash a Dirt Bike

Now that we’ve gone over what you need and prepped the bike for washing, there’s nothing left to do but wash the bike.

Which we’ve broken down into a step-by-step process below.

Step 1: Give the Bike a Thorough Rinse

The first thing you want to do when washing a dirt bike is to thoroughly rinse the bike off either using a normal garden hose or a pressure washer.

As this will make the washing process much easier.

As it will not only remove most of the mud and dirt from the bike, but it will also help to break up any remaining dirt and grim still left.

Step 2: Lay the Dirt Bike Over

To thoroughly wash a dirt bike, it’s important to lay the bike over.

As this allows you to wash parts of the bike that would be very difficult to wash otherwise.

To help protect the bike’s components and grips though, it’s important to rest the bike on either a layover stand or a dirt bike stand, by resting the bike’s triple clamp on the corner of the bike stand.

Step 3: Wash the Bottom of the Bike

Now that the bike is on its side, you’ll want to start the washing process by focusing on all the parts of the bike that will be difficult to reach once the bike is upright, such as underneath the fenders and the bottom of the frame.

Step 4: Set the Bike Back Upright

Once you’ve washed the bottom of the bike, set the dirt bike back upright in order to continue the wash process, which is where a dirt bike stand really comes in handy.

As a dirt bike stand will keep the bike perfectly upright and stable while washing.

If you don’t happen to have one though, you can just lean the bike up against a wall.

Though this will require a little more effort, as you’ll have to move the back around more.

Step 5: Wash the Rest of the Bike

Now that bike is back upright you’ll want to wash the rest of the bike.

Starting from the top of the bike and working your way down with a sponge or wash mitt, a soft to medium bristle brush, and plenty of soap.

Making sure to get all the nooks and crannies, such as the air box, the spokes of the wheels, and the intricate bits of the engine and frame.

Step 6: Use a Chain Cleaner and Grunge Brush to Clean the Chain

When washing a dirt bike, it’s important not to forget about the chain, as this should also be cleaned when washing a dirt bike.

To do this, you’ll need a chain cleaner and ideally a grunge brush, to thoroughly clean the chain and to get as much grim and dirt off as possible.

Step 7: Put the Bike Back Together

Now that the bike has been thoroughly cleaned, it’s time to put the bike back together by removing the wash box cover, reinstalling the air filter, and installing the seat.

Also, don’t forget to remove the exhaust plug or duct tape as well from the dirt bike’s exhaust.

Step 8: Dry the Dirt Bike

When drying the bike there are a few things you can do to help speed up the process.

The first of which is to use a quality set of microfiber clothes.

As these types of cloths offer superior absorption compared to standard towels.

Plus, microfiber cloths are also very soft and won’t scratch plastic pieces or vinyl decals.

Starting the bike and letting it run while drying can also help to speed up the drying process.

As the heat from the engine will help to burn off the water from the engine and the exhaust.

Step 9: Protect the Dirt Bike

Now that the bike is thoroughly clean and dry, the last step in the process is to protect the bike.

This is accomplished by lubricating the chain with a chain lubricant and then spraying down the bike with SC1 clear coat polish to help protect the bike and keep it looking its best.

Things to Keep in Mind and Pitfalls to Avoid When Washing a Dirt Bike

Mud-Caked Dirt Bike

Now that we’ve gone through the process of cleaning a dirt bike, let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind and pitfalls to avoid during the washing process.

Use Caution When Using a Pressure Washer

While it’s perfectly acceptable to use a pressure washer to wash a dirt bike.

If you choose to wash your dirt bike with a pressure washer it should be done so with caution.

As pressure washers can damage delicate parts, such as the steering stem bearings, linkage, and swing arm bearings.

So if you’re using a pressure washer to wash your bike, don’t get too close to these parts with the spray, and ideally, avoid them altogether.

Also, when the bike is turned over and you’re washing the undercarriage, make sure you’re not shooting water directly at the bottom of the shocks.

As this can get water into the shocks, which can cause all sorts of issues.

Finally, if you’re going to be using a pressure washer to wash your bike, make sure to use the least aggressive nozzle the pressure washer comes with to minimize the likelihood of causing damage to the bike.

Avoid Electrical Components

Another area to avoid when washing a dirt bike regardless of whether you’re using a pressure washer or a regular garden hose is the bike’s electrical system and components, such as the ECU, mapping switches, and kill switches.

As water and electricity don’t mix.

So make sure when you’re washing you’re dirt bike that you’re avoiding the bike’s electrical system and components.

Don’t Use Abrasive Products on Soft Plastics or Decals

It’s also important not to use any abrasive products like Brillo or S.O.S. pads on soft plastics, such as the fenders and shrouding or the decals of the bike when washing it.

As these abrasive products can scratch soft plastics and vinyl decals causing permanent damage.

Washing is a Good Time to Inspect the Bike

The final thing to keep in mind when washing a dirt bike is that it’s an excellent time to inspect the bike and look for parts that have become damaged or worn.

So when you’re washing and drying the bike, make sure to be on the lookout for anything that looks damaged or that might need to be replaced.

Wrap Up

Dirt Bike Roosting

So should you wash your dirt bike after every ride?

The answer to this question depends on the conditions you’re riding in.

If you’re riding in muddy and wet conditions then it’s a good idea to at least rinse if not wash your dirt bike after every ride.

However, if you’re riding in dry dirt or sand and in relatively clean conditions, then it’s not necessary to wash your bike after every ride.

When you’re giving your dirt bike more than a quick rinse though and giving it a thorough wash, make sure to follow the steps outlined in this article and be mindful of the washing pitfalls that we discussed.

As this will help to keep your bike looking its best and in top working order for years to come.

Happy riding!

Jason Kidd

Jason is both a writer and editor for Powersports Owner HQ and has been enjoying dirtbikes and ATVs for over 20 years.

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