Dirt bikes have to put up with a lot of abuse. When you’re pushing your bike to the limit, everything from the chassis to the tyres and brakes get a serious workout. With consumables like tyres and brakes, though, it’s easy to tell when they need replacing. A quick look at the tread on your tyre, for instance, pretty much tells you all you need to know.
Engines are very much a different story. Without removing the engine from the bike and opening it up, you can’t tell for certain what condition it’s in. Even if it sounds healthy, there may be components inside that are nearing the end of their lives – and they could be just one more rev or one lap of the circuit away from giving up the ghost.
So, how do you avoid that from happening? How do you know when your engine is likely to expire before it does? Engine failure mid-race would certainly ruin your weekend – so carrying out preventative maintenance is key.
So, when will my engine need to be replaced?
If you want to replace or rebuild your engine before it blows up (which is the smart thing to do), you’ll need to keep track of your riding hours.
If you race your bike and push it to the absolute limit, you’ll get less use out of your engine than if you treat it a little more delicately. For instance, a fully built race engine that’s being revved to the limiter all the time may only last for 10 hours. A standard-spec engine that’s used only for light trail riding could last for many, many years if it’s well taken care of.
It also depends on the specific engine you have. To get an idea of what maintenance is required and when, you should always study the manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific bike.
What can I do to improve the lifespan of my engine?
It’s all about maintaining it in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Provided you service it regularly and don’t abuse the hell out of it, your 2-stroke should last you a long time. Regular rebuilds or replacements are really only required for professional riders who push their bikes to the limit week in, week out.
Need protection parts for your bike? Check out our comprehensive range of carbon fibre parts today.