Enduro and motocross bikes come back from the trail caked in clay, sand and water. Leave the mud until the next ride and it dries into a crust, holds moisture against the metal and eats the chain, bearings and brakes.
The best time to wash is straight after the ride, before the dirt sets. Here is a routine that gets the bike back in shape quickly without missing anything.
What you will need
Important: Do not aim a strong pressure-washer jet at wheel bearings, the steering head, fork seals, electronics or the air filter. No lubricant should ever reach the brake discs or pads.
Step 1
Rinse off the heavy mud
Put the bike on a stand on level ground. Bung the exhaust and cover the air filter intake. Soak the bike thoroughly with the hose and give the mud a few minutes to soften.
Apply motorcycle wash to the wet bike, let it work, then go over it with a sponge or microfibre. Use the brush on wheels, mudguards and under the frame. Repeat if needed and finish with a thorough rinse.
Step 2
Clean the brake discs
Discs and callipers are the first to clog with dirt and pad dust. Wash them with clean water and a brush, keeping wax shampoo and any lubricant well away.
For stubborn deposits use a dedicated brake cleaner that leaves no film, then rinse off any residue with water. Test the brakes at low speed before riding.
Step 3
Clean the chain
After a muddy ride the chain is packed with an abrasive paste of sand. Spray it with WD-40 Multi-Use while turning the rear wheel to cover its full length. It softens the dirt and drives water out from under the rollers.
Work stubborn areas with the dense brush, then wipe the chain dry with microfibre.
Step 4
Lube the chain
Treat the clean, dry chain with WD-40 Specialist Motorcycle Chain Lube, aiming at the inside run, the rollers and the seals. Turn the wheel several times and give the lube time to set before riding.
Wipe off any excess so sand does not stick to it and it does not fling onto the rim and disc.
Step 5
Protect metal, electrics and plastics
After washing, moisture lingers in bolts, cables and pivots. Go over levers, pedals, footpegs and bare metal with WD-40 Multi-Use to drive out water and stop rust forming.
Treat wiring connectors and switch contacts with WD-40 Specialist Contact Cleaner. Finally, refresh the plastics with WD-40 Specialist Silicone applied to a cloth, never to the seat or grips.
Step 6
Check the bike over
Check tyre pressures, brake pad wear, spoke and chain tension, and the levels of brake fluid, engine oil and gearbox oil. Inspect the air filter: after mud it often needs washing and re-oiling.
Tip: In winter and the shoulder seasons, Ukrainian dirt roads are often spread with salt and de-icers. After such rides, wash the bike the same day and always treat the metal with a moisture displacer, or orange bloom will appear within days.
What next
Wash and lube the chain after every muddy ride and do a full check every few outings. For a garage or team looking after several bikes, WD-40 5 l with sprayer is the more economical choice.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
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