Maintaining an offroad or a dirt bike can be tough, especially if you regularly engage in heavy-duty and extreme activities like racing. Every time you get into these activities, you subject your bike and its offroad parts into extreme stress and pressure that significantly reduce its lifespan. No wonder it's very expensive to own a dirt bike--your spending doesn't end right after purchase of the bike. In fact, it's just the beginning of many more expenditures as you upgrade your bike and maintain it.
However, while you can't do anything about spending on upgrades, you can do something about spending on replacements and maintenance. Offroad bike maintenance can get demanding, and it requires consistency and discipline. But, the good thing is that it can save you from even more expenses in the future as long as it is performed properly and at correct vehicle intervals.
So, what are some basic maintenance procedures that you need to observe?
Well, depending on your activities, there are parts in your ride that need regular replacement. If you've ever seen extreme races (or even participated in one), you will understand the importance of replacing parts as needed. In fact, in professional races, there are parts that are replaced right after every race. These parts include brake pads, filters, and bearings. If you don't engage in activities as extreme as those, you can simply follow the recommended servicing and maintenance mentioned in your bike manual. Just remember that the frequency and the kind of maintenance that you perform will depend on your use of your bike. Since this varies from driver to driver, you can't use any concrete measure--this will depend on you.
Offroad rides cause a lot of your offroad parts to suffer too much dirt--mud, dust, and moisture depending on the terrains that you frequent. You need to carefully clean the parts after every ride. In doing this, familiarize yourself with the right cleaning materials that you have to use. Sometimes, water may not be enough. After cleaning, you also have to inspect and ensure that no water reach any area where water is not needed, such as beneath the ignition cover. Also, regularly check for corrosion that may be caused by moisture.
You will also need to regularly lube some components like the chain. Familiarize yourself with all the components that require periodic lubrication, even the smallest ones like the bearings. It's very easy to neglect parts that are very small and those that are not readily visible. But, you need to take care of them or their damage can cause a lot of troubles.
You also have to ensure that all that need to be tightened are tightened (i.e. spokes and bolts), snug and firm in their proper location. And of course, always inspect parts to monitor when one of them is already wearing. Replacing a part before it completely fails is important in ensuring that you won't have to deal with a more serious problem that might occur when a part suddenly buckles down while you're in the middle of your drive or adventure.
And when it comes to maintaining your offroad bike, you also need the right partners. You need a reliable mechanic who can help you perform more serious bike servicing, repairs, and even replacements. Of course, there are some tasks that you can DIY, but you have to admit that there are others that may need the expertise of a licensed and certified mechanic. And when it comes to replacement offroad parts, you also need to partner with reliable manufacturers and auto parts stores.
However, while you can't do anything about spending on upgrades, you can do something about spending on replacements and maintenance. Offroad bike maintenance can get demanding, and it requires consistency and discipline. But, the good thing is that it can save you from even more expenses in the future as long as it is performed properly and at correct vehicle intervals.
So, what are some basic maintenance procedures that you need to observe?
Well, depending on your activities, there are parts in your ride that need regular replacement. If you've ever seen extreme races (or even participated in one), you will understand the importance of replacing parts as needed. In fact, in professional races, there are parts that are replaced right after every race. These parts include brake pads, filters, and bearings. If you don't engage in activities as extreme as those, you can simply follow the recommended servicing and maintenance mentioned in your bike manual. Just remember that the frequency and the kind of maintenance that you perform will depend on your use of your bike. Since this varies from driver to driver, you can't use any concrete measure--this will depend on you.
Offroad rides cause a lot of your offroad parts to suffer too much dirt--mud, dust, and moisture depending on the terrains that you frequent. You need to carefully clean the parts after every ride. In doing this, familiarize yourself with the right cleaning materials that you have to use. Sometimes, water may not be enough. After cleaning, you also have to inspect and ensure that no water reach any area where water is not needed, such as beneath the ignition cover. Also, regularly check for corrosion that may be caused by moisture.
You will also need to regularly lube some components like the chain. Familiarize yourself with all the components that require periodic lubrication, even the smallest ones like the bearings. It's very easy to neglect parts that are very small and those that are not readily visible. But, you need to take care of them or their damage can cause a lot of troubles.
You also have to ensure that all that need to be tightened are tightened (i.e. spokes and bolts), snug and firm in their proper location. And of course, always inspect parts to monitor when one of them is already wearing. Replacing a part before it completely fails is important in ensuring that you won't have to deal with a more serious problem that might occur when a part suddenly buckles down while you're in the middle of your drive or adventure.
And when it comes to maintaining your offroad bike, you also need the right partners. You need a reliable mechanic who can help you perform more serious bike servicing, repairs, and even replacements. Of course, there are some tasks that you can DIY, but you have to admit that there are others that may need the expertise of a licensed and certified mechanic. And when it comes to replacement offroad parts, you also need to partner with reliable manufacturers and auto parts stores.
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