Learning the best practices when you are a new dirt bike owner might seem overwhelming. There are so many things that you need to think about when you first get started that most people choose to rent a dirt bike whenever they want to go trail riding. Here is where we come. Here at ATV Outdoors, we will help you learn everything there is to know about riding dirt bikes and quads. This includes if it is bad to leave a dirt bike muddy or not.
As a general rule, you need to try and wash your bike every time that you ride it through the mud. While there might be no harm in leaving the bike dirty for a while, proper chain maintenance is very important after it gets wet or muddy. Keep in mind that fresh mud is far easier to clean off. You just use pressure water and you will get all the mud off in less than five minutes. Just make sure that when using pressurized water, you get all the mud off the seals and other places where it shouldn’t be.
Another important thing that most riders forget to consider is that mud is basically wet dirt. So, if you leave the dirt bike muddy for too long, it will start rusting. Although, I need to mention that these are dirt bikes after all. They are designed to get dirty and you shouldn’t get scared if they get dirty. If you make sure to do the proper maintenance after every ride, you won’t have to worry about a single mechanical problem.
Knowing the ins and outs of dirt bike maintenance will ensure that the bike will last a long while. Keep reading to find out just how bad is it to leave a dirt bike muddy, how often you should wash the bike, and if it’s a bad idea to ride in the rain.
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Should You Wash Your Dirt Bike After Every Ride?
If you have access to pressurized water and can clean the dirt bike right outside your home, it’s best to clean it after every ride. Keep in mind that we are talking about trail riding where the bike gets muddy and dusty. If you take it for a quick ride around town or to the local shop, you don’t need to clean it.
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Clean your dirt bike as often as possible and it will “thank you”. Washing your dirt bike doesn’t take more than a couple of minutes and you should consider taking the plastic parts off only once it gets really muddy. In addition, cleaning the mud while it’s fresh is much easier and faster than when it hardens.
As previously mentioned, chain maintenance is essential for dirt bikes. You can get mud all over it and it will not be a problem. However, this can quickly take a turn for the worse if the chain gets muddy. Since proper maintenance is so important, it’s always a good idea to visit a professional. If you don’t have the time or money, you should click here to check out a YouTube guide.
Can You Keep a Dirt Bike Outside?
You can leave the dirt bike outside, but you need to cover it with something. Unlike a car where the interior and electrical parts are always covered, the dirt bike offers easy access to them. Nothing bad will happen if it starts raining and you forget the bike outside once. However, this can lead to corroded wires, rust, and other issues if the bike is always sitting outside even if it’s bad weather.
Another important thing that you need to worry about is to keep the dirt bike in an enclosed place. This way, no one can damage it. My advice is to keep the dirt bike in a garage if possible. This way, bad weather will not affect it and no one can steal or damage it. If this is not possible, you should buy a bike cover. This doesn’t cost more than a couple of bucks and it will prevent dust from getting on the dirt bike.
Is It Bad to Ride a Dirt Bike in the Rain?
Another question that we get asked a lot is if is it bad to ride a dirt bike in the rain? The short answer is now. Dirt bikes are made for rough terrain and bad weather. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they are designed to be ridden in the rain. On the other hand, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t any risks that you will be faced with.
While it’s okay to ride a dirt bike in the rain, it’s not advisable to leave it wet for long periods of time. If you leave the dirt bike outside in the rain for extended periods, you will deal with both cosmetic and mechanic issues. Some other risks that you should consider when riding in the rain is that the terrain is much slippery and it’s easy to fall. Professionals advise beginner riders to go slower than usual and to be more cautious when taking corners.
So, Is It Bad To Leave a Dirt Bike Muddy?
Riding dirt bikes through rough terrain is a blast! Sliding and speeding through mud is one of the most exciting things that you can do on a bike and there is no doubt about that. However, it’s not a good idea to leave a dirt bike muddy.
First off, the mud is much easier to clean when it’s fresh and if you don’t get it off in time, it can lead to mechanical problems. My advice is to use pressurized water or a hose after every muddy ride. The cleaning process doesn’t take longer than ten minutes and the dirt bike will look and ride much better if you do it regularly.
