This guide covers motocross (MX), enduro, cross-country (XC/GNCC), and trail dirt bikes, both 2-stroke and 4-stroke. Whether you're racing hare scrambles on a KTM 300 XC-W, riding single track on a Honda CRF250F, or lapping the local motocross track on a Yamaha YZ450F, select your bike type and riding style below for a personalized maintenance schedule. We cover everything from oil changes and air filter service to top-end rebuilds, suspension maintenance, and chain care.
By Derek Hildreth, founder and lifelong rider
A dirt bike needs an oil change every 10 to 20 hours, with the air filter cleaned just as often and every ride in the dust. Clean and lube the chain every 10 to 20 hours too. Check valve clearance at 40 hours, then every 40 to 80. Service the forks and shock around 80 hours. A 4-stroke top-end gets inspected at 100 to 150 hours, a 2-stroke around 80 to 120. Racing cuts all of these in half. Your owner's manual sets the exact numbers for your model.
Jump to section
These intervals are based on data from major dirt bike manufacturers, adjusted for how people actually ride, not worst-case manufacturer specs. Use the rider profile selector above the schedule to match your riding style. Always cross-reference with your owner's manual for model-specific requirements, as your manufacturer knows your machine best. For intervals tailored to your exact machine, download LookOver free on iOS and Android.
Hours-based intervals for enduro and trail riding. If you race, cut these intervals in half.
| Service Task | Interval |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
Cam Chain / Tensioner Inspect | Every 100 hours or 8,000 miles or 24 months |
Engine Idle Speed Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Spark Plug Inspect Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
Throttle Operation / Freeplay Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Valve Clearance Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
Engine Oil Change Replace | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Oil Filter Replace | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Spark Plug Replace Replace | Every 100 hours or 8,000 miles or 24 months |
| Transmission & Clutch | |
Chain Slider / Guide Inspect Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
Clutch Lever Freeplay Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Drive Chain Inspect / Adjust Inspect | Every 5 hours or 500 miles or 1 month |
Sprockets Inspect Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Drive Chain Lubricate Service | Every 1 race or 3 hours |
Clutch Fluid Replace Replace | Every 8,000 miles or 12 months |
Drive Chain Replace Replace | Every 200 hours or 10,000 miles |
| Air & Intake | |
Air Filter Inspect / Clean Inspect | Every 5 hours or 500 miles or 1 month |
Air Filter Inspect / Clean Clean | Every 15 hours or 2,000 miles or 3 months |
Air Filter Replace Replace | Every 100 hours or 8,000 miles or 12 months |
| Fuel System | |
Fuel Injector Inspect Inspect | Every 150 hours or 12,000 miles or 24 months |
Fuel Line Inspect Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Throttle Body Inspect Inspect | Every 100 hours or 8,000 miles or 24 months |
| Exhaust | |
Exhaust System Inspect Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
Spark Arrester / Muffler Clean Clean | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
| Cooling System | |
Coolant Hoses Inspect Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
Coolant Level Check Inspect | Every 5 hours or 500 miles or 1 month |
Radiator Inspect / Clean Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Coolant Replace Replace | Every 100 hours or 12,000 miles or 24 months |
| Electrical | |
Battery Inspect / Maintain Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 3 months |
Wiring / Electrical Inspect Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
| Brakes | |
Brake Fluid Inspect Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Brake Line Inspect Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
Brake Pad Inspect Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Brake Rotor Inspect Inspect | Every 100 hours or 8,000 miles or 24 months |
Brake Fluid Replace Replace | Every 8,000 miles or 12 months |
| Suspension | |
Fork Seal Inspect Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Shock Absorber Inspect Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
Suspension Linkage Bearings Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
Swingarm Pivot Bearing Inspect | Every 100 hours or 8,000 miles or 24 months |
Fork Oil Change Replace | Every 100 hours or 10,000 miles or 24 months |
| Chassis & Hardware | |
Frame Inspect Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Side Stand Inspect Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Skid Plate Inspect Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Spoke Tension Check Inspect | Every 25 hours or 2,000 miles or 6 months |
Steering Head Bearings Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
Tire Inspect Inspect | Every 10 hours or 1,000 miles or 1 month |
Tire Pressure Check Inspect | Every 1 race |
Wheel Bearings Inspect Inspect | Every 50 hours or 4,000 miles or 12 months |
These schedules are built from manufacturer data and real-world riding - but nobody knows your machine better than you. If something looks off, tell us. We read every message.
Share Your FeedbackTrack hours, set oil change reminders, and log every service. LookOver works offline on the trail.
Dirt bike engines work harder than almost anything else with wheels. Proper oil maintenance is non-negotiable.
Change oil every 10-20 hours. Period. Racing or aggressive riding? Every 10 hours. Trail riding? Every 15-20 hours.
Why so often? Dirt bike engines run at high RPM in dirty environments. The oil breaks down fast, and the consequences of running bad oil are expensive.
What you need:
Capacity: Most 4-stroke dirt bikes take 0.7-1.0 liters. Check your manual.
2-strokes burn oil by design. Modern TPI/injection bikes use an oil tank that feeds into the engine automatically.
Injection oil: Use manufacturer-specified 2-stroke oil. Keep the tank topped up.
Premix bikes: Mix at the ratio your manual specifies (typically 32:1 to 50:1). Use quality 2-stroke oil.
Transmission oil: 2-strokes have separate transmission oil. Change every 10-20 hours.
Check before every ride. Takes 30 seconds.
4-Stroke:
Signs of trouble:
Build a complete service history. Know exactly when your last change was and what oil you used.
A dirty air filter robs power and risks engine damage. Clean it regularly.
Clean every 10-20 hours. In dusty conditions? Every ride.
Process:
Pro tip: Keep a spare pre-oiled filter ready. Swap at the trail, clean at home.
Foam filters: Standard on most dirt bikes. Reusable, easy to clean, requires oiling.
Twin Air, No Toil, Uni: Popular aftermarket options with better filtration or easier maintenance.
Never run without a filter. Even one ride can destroy an engine with ingested dirt.
The chain is your connection to the ground. Keep it clean, lubed, and properly tensioned.
Suspension takes a beating on the trail. Regular service prevents expensive failures.
Modern air forks and spring forks need different care, but both need attention.
Every ride:
Every 40-80 hours:
The rear shock handles huge forces. Service intervals matter.
Every 40 hours: Check linkage bearings, grease if needed
Every 80 hours: Full shock rebuild recommended
Signs of wear: Inconsistent damping, excessive sag, oil leaks
The rear linkage contains multiple bearings that need grease.
Grease interval: Every 40 hours, or after any water crossing
Check for:
Swingarm pivot: Same interval as linkage bearings
The engine is the heart of your bike. Know when to service it.
Valve clearance affects performance and reliability. Check regularly.
First check: 40 hours (break-in period causes changes)
Regular check: Every 40-80 hours depending on model
Symptoms of tight valves:
Note: This is typically a dealer service unless you're experienced.
Piston and ring inspection/replacement based on hours and use.
Trail riding: Inspect at 100-150 hours
Racing: Inspect at 50-80 hours
What gets checked:
2-strokes need more frequent top-end work than 4-strokes.
Trail riding: 80-120 hours
Racing: 40-60 hours
What's replaced:
When to do it: Loss of power, increased consumption, or at scheduled interval.
Know exactly when your top-end was last done. Log piston changes, valve checks, and rebuilds.
Track all your service intervals in one place. LookOver handles hours, miles, and dates so you never miss a service. Download free on iOS and Android.
Download LookOver now and take control of your machine maintenance. It's free to use. No credit card required.
