While most people worry about how hard it is to ride a dirt bike when they first get into off-road sports, it’s more important to learn about proper maintenance. For example, changing the dirt bike oil filter at the right time will considerably improve the engine’s lifespan.
Every dirt bike has an oil filter. No matter the brand or the model, you can be sure that your dirt bike has an oil filter. The reason behind this is that all engines need to have oil to keep them running clean and smooth. There are metal parts inside the engine that are moving in close contact with each other, and the oil will prevent them from wear and tear. That’s not all. The oil will lower the engine’s emissions and improve the overall mileage. This is why all dirt bikes are equipped with an oil filter.
Keep on reading if you want to learn how dirt bike oil filters work in a 2-stroke and 4-stroke engine. Stick around for the end because I will also show you the best time to change the filter.
Do Dirt Bikes Have Oil Filters?
Oil filters are one of the most essential parts of an engine. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that dirt bikes have oil filters. As previously mentioned, the role of the oil in the engine is to keep the parts from wear and tear. The oil will ensure that the engine runs clean and smooth so that you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars in repairs every time that you take the dirt bike out for a ride on muddy trails.
One important lesson about dirt bike oil filters that all riders shouldn’t learn the hard way is that the 2-stroke oil differs from the 4-stroke oil. Even though the oil has the same role in the 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines, the viscosity is different. For example, the 2-stroke oil comes in a mixed form and is considered light. On the other hand, we have the 4-stroke oil, which is heavier and has a higher viscosity.
Where is a Dirt Bike Oil Filter?
In general, dirt bikes have an oil filter located on the left side of the engine. However, this is not the case for all models. The best thing you do here is to use your dirt bike’s owner manual to see the location of the oil filter. If you bought a used dirt bike and you can’t access the owner manual, you can always google your brand and make. You will be able to find all the information you need about the dirt bike this way.
Since I mentioned buying used dirt bikes, I need to highlight that I have a guide that helps you how to determine high mileage. That’s not all. The guide also goes into great detail about the things you need to look out for when buying a used bike. You can read the guide by clicking here.
How Often Should You Change the Oil Filter on a Dirt Bike?
Like you would with a car or motorcycle, you need to regularly change the oil filter on a dirt bike. As a rule of thumb, the oil filter on a dirt bike needs to be changed every 6200 miles (10000 kilometers). Although, you might want to consider changing the oil filter sooner if you are riding the dirt bike every day, especially if you ride it on rugged trails where you need to keep the engine revved to the max.
In case you don’t change the oil filter on your bike, it will get clogged. This is really bad since it can lead to expensive damage to the engine. On the bright side of things, oil filters are not too expensive. A good oil filter is priced at less than $20. Considering that the damages you can cause to the engine by not changing the oil filter on time are way more expensive, investing up to $20 is worth it.
Final Words
In conclusion, all dirt bikes have oil filters. This part is essential to the well-being of the engine, and you should change it every 6200 miles (10000 kilometers). The best advice I can share with both ATV and dirt bike fans who have specific questions about their vehicle is to check the owner’s manual for additional info. That is where you can find information such as the location of the oil filter, how often you need to change it, and more.