Dirt bike fanatics will rarely ask how many hours riding is too many hours for the sake of thinking that they are too hooked on their passion. The reason for asking this question is much more practical than anything else. Knowing how many miles a dirt bike crossed is important because of the maintenance and durability of the machine.
Some people like to buy used machines, second-hand so to speak. Sometimes it can be hard to determine if the deal for a bike is good or bad, there are several things you should consider, and one of them is mileage. People think that too many miles on a dirtbike is a measure of quality, it is a common misconception.
There is no specific quantifier on the number of miles and hours, as there are many other segments that need to be taken into consideration when purchasing a used dirt bike. Owners’ habits, service records, and how the bike was ridden will affect greatly the vehicle’s condition.
Mileage is used to understand the ‘purchase value’ and is not the definite equivalent of a good motorbike, as there are few others as well determining the reliability and longevity of a used dirt bike.
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What Is Considered High Mileage on a Used Motorcycle?
With a low-mileage bike, you have a newer motor, but it does not come off as a guarantee for better condition. For people who are considering buying a second-hand motorcycle, it is highly recommendable to check the service history entirely. In those cases where you can not acquire the full history of the bike, reconsider whether or not it is worth the risk of the purchase.
When it comes to numbers, motorcycles with more than 40,000 miles are said to be high-mileage bikes. Good maintenance can sometimes increase its quality and value, compared to some rarely used and rarely serviced bikes. Any type of sports motorcycle is driven with more ‘aggression’, where the engine experiences more wear, which is why maintenance is the key to keeping a solid value of a dirt bike.
In practice, a number above 25,000 miles is considered high for any type of sports bike. However, it does not add up to base your assessment only on the quality of the vehicle only on that.
What to Pay Attention To
There are situations when dirt bikes have low miles, but the owner bumped the engine, or another part of the vehicle and never got it checked or fixed. Not caring for the bike and leaving it bumped out can impact the amount of money you would have to invest to get it to a level fit for good and secure driving.
There are several other segments you should pay attention to when buying any type of used motorcycle.
Owner Habits
It is important to know who owned the motorcycle before. There is a general tendency that if the bike was bought on a whim and used once or twice, and has had a few owners, there is less chance that it was serviced properly each time it was a transaction.
Older riders will probably take better care of their bikes than younger generations, who are interested in utilizing the maximum capacity of their vehicle for a more intense experience.
This does not mean that you should impose on the previous owners’ personal history (such as marital, children status, work, etc.) But you should feel comfortable asking about the maintenance habits because of the quality and longevity of the bake.
Ask about storage, and whether or not it was taken out every day, during the weekend. Maybe it sat in the back of the garage collecting dust for a few years… Because of this, ownership is one of the most important factors when buying a used dirt bike.
Service Records and History
Having insight into how often, why, where, and when the bike gets a service can give you insight into the potential areas that may cause more trouble, or can be expected to require additional investments in the near future. Having access to this information will allow you to maybe continue taking the bike for regular service and maintenance to the guy that has been doing it from the start.
On the other hand, if you don’t have as much experience with buying a used motorcycle, consider hiring an expert for his opinion.
People who know the technical details about any vehicle will give you an objective assessment of the value, and whether or not it should be an investment you take part in or not.
What Was the Intention of the Motorcycle?
Different bikes are used for different things. using a bike for a specific activity will result in differences in the quality of used motorcycles. The generation, make and model will play a large part in its longevity as well. This is unfortunately dictated by the consumer market.
For example, motorcycles designed for beginners are not made to be as long-lasting as those season riders use. Also, dirt bikes, also known as off-roaders, may have the shortest life span among bikes for obvious reasons.
Dirt Bike Maintenance Tips
Maintenance is everything for the equipment in all types of sports. Especially one that is this extreme and includes rough roads, scratches, falls and tumbles each time. Learning how to maintain a dirt bike is a great way to preserve its quality, no matter the number of miles it has crossed.
Routine maintenance is critical to maintaining any vehicle’s longevity, as well as performance consistency (which can sometimes ensure safety when using a dirt bike). Proper care and a basic understanding of mechanics can ensure a rider for many seasons to come.
There are a few things riders should pay attention to when it comes to essential motorcycle maintenance so they can stay on track and away from the service guy who will charge you double because you are not a regular customer.
Air Filter
Keeping an eye out for the air filter is more complex than it may appear to amateurs. Dirt bikes include driving on different types of terrain and can have mud, water, and other types of residue everywhere on the bike (bad weather can take a toll on the machine).
Because of that moisture can get collected in the air filter, and if it is not clean it can cause many technical difficulties. This is why it is important to always inspect the air filter before and after every drive.
There are cases when an air filter needs to be replaced after only one ride, this can happen especially if the filter is not completely enveloped in a proper amount of oil. Too much oil can get into the engine, and too little will allow the contaminants to pass through the intake with no trouble at all.
Brake Pads
These items also have a lifespan directly depending on how much they are used. The material wears down over time. Once the backing plate is revealed, the hardened steel can destroy the brake door.
We will not even mention the dangers that come from brake pads that have a reduced function! General practice is to get the brake pads replaced when there is 1,0 mm of the pad material remaining.
Don’t be lazy and check this using a micrometer from time to time, and (also) quality pads will have indicator marks, and once they are not visible it is time to get them changed.
Engine Oil
This is the blood of the vehicle. Humans cannot work properly if they don’t have a healthy and stable blood flow throughout their entire organism. The same goes for any type of motorcycle (vehicle in general) and oil.
The type of oil and its origin is another topic, but every mechanism needs something to fuel its proper functioning.
Chain Tension
This can easily be considered one of the most overlooked maintenance items. Because its purpose is to transfer the rotational energy from the engine to the wile, it is extremely important to measure it from time to time.
There is something called the ‘Three Finger Rule‘ which is quite a risky technique. But simply putting your three fingers under a chain cannot be sufficient.
The proper way to check is to ensure that the rear wheel is off the ground. Lubricate the chain and rotate the wheel to find the tightest point in the chain. Measure the end of the chain slider and the bottom of the chain, then use the recommended owner’s manual to compare the results. If something does not add up, it is highly advisable to get in an expert to look at it.
These are the most important things you need to pay attention to daily, or rather every time you are driving that dirt bike. Many other components should be taken into consideration, but they require more knowledge and experience. It is highly recommended for any fresh dirt bike, or motorbike owner, to do the homework and research some basic information on the bike, parts, and maintenance. This way there is a reduced chance of getting it damaged straight away, and for some naive reason.
So, How Many Hours Is Too Much on a Dirt Bike?
This is a rather complex question. The first thing to keep in mind is that the dirt bike is more exposed to the wear&tear of the terrain. Also, some extra fans will use their dirt bikes in bad weather, which is a recipe for disaster. Or rather, a recipe for reducing the optimal functionality of the vehicle.
There is no specific quantifier on the number of miles, as there are many other segments that need to be taken into consideration. Starting with the previous experience in riding a dirt bike, all the way to being informed of the services that this machine requires. Finally, the most important conclusion to take from all this is that maintenance is half of the work to reduce the risk of getting hurt in this extreme sport.
