If you are a dirt bike owner, you know how much your bike means to you and the excitement it invokes, especially when you are pushing it at its full power. Dirt bikes need proper care and maintenance for them to run optimally and at their maximum horsepower. If you’re new to riding be sure to pop over to 7 Riding Tips for Dirt Bike Beginners.
So how can you get your dirt bike’s horsepower up? The solution is performing proper maintenance to increase your bike’s horsepower and general performance. Like any other machine out there, your bike can quickly veer off the performance edge if it is short of good care.
Upgrading your dirt bike for more horsepower does not have to be costly. There are low-cost measures that you can take to rev up extra juice from your engine. This article looks at five of the primary and low-cost practices to increase your dirt bike’s horsepower and improve performance. Ensuring you are always ahead of your competitors in a race, and your bike feels more powerful. With these adjustments and modifications, your dirt bike will be ready to go to the next level.
1. Work on Fluids
Bike fluids comprehensively include the engine oil, clutch and brake fluids, fork oil, chain lubrication, and cooling system fluid. You need to ensure that you only get the best of these fluids for your bike. Buying cheaper fluids can be more expensive in the end, as some substandard fluids can affect your engine’s performance.
However, you do not have to break the bank when buying your dirt bike fluids. The key is to buy from recognized and trusted brands that sell high-quality fluids.
Bike fluids are the basics when it comes to maximizing dirt bike horsepower and performance. Some of the fluids that need constant replacement are fork oil, brake fluid, and radiator fluids. Work on upgrading your fluids if you are enthusiastic about improving your bike’s horsepower today.
2. Help Your Bike Breathe
This is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to enhance a bike’s horsepower. As a start, imagine the engine air filter system as the bike’s respiratory system. It’s tasked with the job of blocking foreign particles from reaching the engine.
Stock parts are easily upgraded, so the engine receives cleaner air for more combustion and power with new air filters.
Stock air filters will do their best to prevent air dust particles from reaching the engine, but some harmful particles may still find a way in. Upgrading to a Maxima dual-stage air filter or Twin Air filters can make all the difference.
These filters present different types and sizes, so larger particles are retained on the exterior layers, while the secondary layer filters out smaller debris that bypasses the first stage. Also, these filters have a tight-fitting seal to firmly secure the filters to the airbox, ensuring a direct airflow through the filter’s main portion.
Additionally, the premium air filter chosen may come pre-oiled, which makes installation easier. Pre-oiled filters are also reusable, so you can wash and re-oil for subsequent uses, improving your bike’s power while saving money.
3. Consider a Fuel Upgrade
You may think that we are referring to race gas, which is an option, but it’s more about the fuel you source at the local gas station. So go for the higher-octane premium gas when filling your dirt bike gas tank the next time.
Although the fuel will be pricier than your normal gas prices, throwing in a few extra dollars for a 91-octane fuel is worth the while when it’s riding time.
Something else to pay attention to is the gas station in your locality. The busiest gas station is the one with the freshest fuel since they continually replenish their fuel reserves.
For race fuel, though an option, it’s an expensive one, and it often does not apply to everyone. However, it can help you get much more horsepower from your dirt bike, but it can be a problem if you use your stock dirt bike engine.
Very high-octane levels can also affect your dirt bike’s performance. In addition, most race fuels are designed for modified engines, so if you do not have one, you will need some more expensive upgrades for proper performance.
4. Improve Compression
Changing the compression level can quickly get your bike more horsepower. However, the process varies depending on the type of engine.
Compression ratio alteration for a 2-stroke engine requires that you mill the piston head. For a 4-stroke engine, you have to change the entire piston and replace it with one containing a broader dome shape. Thus, improving compression is like giving the bike more miles per hour, which increases acceleration.
However, this comes with another sacrifice because a compression alteration may strip the bike of its top-end performance. Still, the gains are what make the difference.
Keep in mind that changing the bike’s compression settings means changing your regular fuel type. Higher compression requires a higher-octane fuel, which is costlier than the standard pump fuel.
5. Improve the Exhaust
The muffler is a vital component of your bike’s exhaust system. A custom exhaust typically increases horsepower by letting in more air and ensuring less restriction of gaseous flow. Additionally, it can sound and look better!
Regarding the engine type, you can have a pipe add-on for 2-strokes or a slip-on exhaust for a 4-stroke to boost engine performance incrementally. The beauty surrounding a muffler upgrade is that it requires minimal skill, with a swap taking about 15 minutes. This is a perfect option for novice riders.
In addition, before modifying the exhaust muffler, you have to pay attention to the power boost you want to achieve. Is it the top end or bottom? Different muffler designs increase performance at either of the ends. While the difference might not be felt at first, it pays to be aware of the point of change occurrence.
If you are not comfortable making the upgrade or don’t trust your expertise, ride your bike to a local shop and have a professional perform the swap.