How to Deep Clean Your Dirt Bike

Between the weather getting colder and the days getting shorter (not to mention some of our most avid riding enthusiasts are headed back to school) you’ve probably got a few more good dirt biking weekends before it’s time to put the bike in storage. While you’ve likely been hosing down your dirt bike throughout the season, now might be a good time to get one last deep clean in.

To do this properly without doing damage to your ride, Peak Honda World has provided some tips to help you out. You can also ask our experienced staff about some of their own tips, so contact us at our location in Littleton, Colorado, serving Denver and Aurora. We’ll help you with all your dirt bike needs and make the last few weekends of fun some of the best yet.

Clean and Remove Fragile Parts

Of course, the biggest concern with cleaning your dirt bike is avoiding damaging parts of it. While some areas will be able to take even the stress of a pressure washer, others will require a more gentle touch. Instead of attempting to work around them, simply remove them. This includes:

• The seat
• Air filter
• Skid plate
• Pipe guard
• Bark busters

Along with similar parts that could be damaged by high-pressure spray or cleaning detergent.

You’ll also want to cover the airbox, exhaust, and muffler. These parts can also be damaged during the cleaning, but they’re not quite as easy to remove. 

Chip Away at the Top Layer

At this point, you can be less cautious with your strategy, so work on chipping away at the top layers of caked on mud. You can use a hose for this or a pressure washer if you have access to one. 

We also recommend lying the bike on its side so you can get the underside, and continue moving it around so you don’t miss hard-to-see places.

And Now for a Gentler Approach

Once you’ve got the top layer removed, it’s time to start scrubbing off what’s left. This will likely include those hard-to-reach areas and any particularly stubborn spots. You’ll need to use a gentle detergent or bike wash for this, as well as some soft rags and maybe even a toothbrush for the smaller grooves. If scrubbing isn’t working, don’t put more elbow grease in. Apply a little bit of water and let the dirt soak it up so it’s easier to remove. 

Hose Down One More Time

When you’re fairly certain you’ve removed all the mud and washed the entire dirt bike, you’ll want to give the whole thing one more rinse. Not only will this get the last of the soap and dirty water off, but it’ll give you the opportunity to look for spots you might have missed and touch up these areas. 

Towel Off and Wrap it Up

As you’re wrapping things up, you’ll want to dry off your bike to avoid streaky spots. You can use any soft cloth for this, although a microfiber towel will be better at gathering any residual grease or dirt. Harder to reach areas can be tackled using compressed air or even a hair dryer. 

Before you’re completely done, lubricate some of the moving parts, including the chain. You may also want to wash some of your gear, especially your boots. This can also be a good time to look for excessive wear and tear or damage that may have been hidden under the muck. 

And, of course, once everything is dry, put the parts you removed back. 

While initially we wanted to give you these tips to prepare your dirt bike for storage, the truth is your motorcycle could use a deep clean more often than once or twice a year. Even if you still plan to get a few more riding sessions in, you’ll want to take some time to clean your bike after every ride. If you do notice some problem areas while you're inspecting it, contact our service department at Peak Honda World in Littleton, Colorado. We’ll connect you with one of our expert technicians so we can get your ride ready to hit the dirt again in no time. We welcome all those from Denver and Aurora, so ask us how we can assist you today!