The difference between regularly lubing and not lubing your dirt bike’s chain could be catastrophic. A chain that is not lubed will rust and get stiff over time, making it kink and eventually break.
When a chain breaks, bad things can happen, such as a broken engine case, or worse; your bike locking up on the face of a jump. So, what is the best chain lube for my dirt bike?
You want something that will keep the chain clean and lubricated, but you don’t want something that is extremely messy and will stick to everything that it flings itself on while the chain is rolling.
While there are a lot of lubes on the market, you may like one lube more than another, depending on what kind of riding conditions you have, as well as what kind of chain you’re running; x or o-ring.
WD40 – Chain Lube or Cleaner?
Yes, the almighty WD40 is still a common chemical that riders use on their bike chains. While it is great for keeping a chain clean and rust-free, it is more of a penetrating solution than a lubricant.
Although many people have sworn by it for decades with little to no problems, it depends on the terrain you’re riding in. Mud and clay are harder on a dirt bike chain, and are worse when they dry on it. I would not recommend using WD40 for harsh conditions such as this. If you’re just riding in dusty or on fairly clean soils, you’ll probably get away with running it though.
Bel-Ray Chain Lube
Riders have been having the most success with Bel-Ray’s Super Clean Chain Lube. Not only does it properly lubricate the chain, but it is really clean compared to a lot of other lubes. It protects the chain and sprockets from sand, mud, clay, and any other soil you’re willing to throw at it.
It can be used on any chain, and is easy to apply. The price is a little higher than WD40, but it’s worth it if you don’t want a blown up chain.
In the end, it’s really just your personal preference. These are what I would use, but if you find another chain lube that does the job right, go ahead and use it. If you think there should be a product added to this list, feel free to leave a comment!
How to ride with confidence off-road
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