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Your motorcycle gets you where you need to go and provides you with an enjoyable form of transport and recreation at the same time. But all that riding eventually gets your bike pretty dirty. During these uncertain times, you may also be concerned about how clean your bike is, especially if you take it to a shop or allow someone else to touch it. So you want to be safe and cautious and get your motorcycle as clean as possible before you ride it.

ATVs and More is a motorcycle dealership near St. Louis that can provide you with the help you need to keep your motorcycle in peak condition. That’s why we’ve outlined the steps you should take to wash and disinfect your motorcycle below.

Before you wash your bike, make sure that it’s cooled off; if you recently rode it, give it an hour or two for the engine to cool down. Park it on a flat surface that has good drainage like a driveway or gravel lot so that the soap and debris doesn't ruin your lawn. Try to park your bike out of direct sunlight as well to prevent it from getting soap spots (although sunlight is also a very good disinfectant, so leaving your bike in the sun in general should help to keep it cleaner!). 

Gather together everything you need to get your bike clean. These supplies include: a source of clean, fresh water (a garden hose is perfect), buckets, a motorcycle soap, a wax or polish if you so desire, a hard-bristle brush, chamois cloths, sponges and a microfiber cloth. Some people like to invest in a pressure washer that can blast off dirt and grime on surfaces, but you don’t need one. Wearing a mask and gloves can help you to stay protected from any germs your bike harbors, and you can take a shower and change your clothes once you’re done cleaning.

Use a rag to plug up the exhaust on your motorcycle to avoid getting water in it. Take your garden hose and give your bike a thorough rinse, top to bottom. Once the bike is wet, you can mix your motorcycle soap and water in a bucket and apply it with a sponge from top to bottom, rinsing as you go to prevent soap residue build-up. Use your hard-bristle brush to get into every crevice to really get the dirt out. Rinse your sponge often and replenish the soap and water mixture in your bucket so that you aren’t cleaning your bike with dirty water.

Now you can give your bike another rinse with the hose and either allow it to air-dry or dry it by hand with your chamois cloths to prevent water spots from forming. Some people like to use an air blower to thoroughly 

If you so desire, you can now apply a wax or polish to your bike and its chrome to make it look great. A tire shine can spruce up your wheels, too. Just make sure that you use the right type of wax or polish for the materials that your bike is made from, and avoid getting polish on the seat or handlebars as this can make your motorcycle slippery. Your bike should be clean now! To maintain cleanliness, you can carry a bleach wipe to disinfect your handlebars after riding and make sure to wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your face.

Seeking motorcycles for sale in St. Louis? Browse our website to see the full stock of new and used motorcycles for sale at our Salem, IL, dealership. ATVs and More is proud to be your premier ATV dealership for the greater STL metro area, also serving the city of Mount Vernon, IL.

Everyone knows that dirt bike riding requires safety gear. But not everyone knows which gear to get. It can be tough building your starter collection, which is why we created the following guide to essential dirt bike safety gear. 

If you have any questions or want to explore dirt bikes for sale, head over to ATVs and More. We are a dirt bike dealership based in Salem, Illinois. We also proudly serve those in St. Louis, Missouri, and Mount Vernon, Illinois.

The first essential piece of dirt bike gear is, of course, a helmet. This handy item offers protection from concussions, brain injury, and even death during a bad crash. Never hop onto your dirt bike without it!

But a helmet alone is not enough. It needs to be well-fitting to offer the protection you want. Too loose and your head can move upon impact, reducing the effectiveness of the protection. Too tight and you face an increased risk of chomping down on your tongue and cheek in a crash.

There are a few key traits to seek out when helmet shopping. Look for:

You'd never jump onto your dirt bike wearing flip-flops. But closed-toed shoes alone are not enough. You need a few more features to get the protection you want. The right dirt bike riding shoes guard your feet against kicked-up debris, absorb impact after a jump, and help prevent a twisted ankle. 

It helps to purchase dirt bike boots, which are designed with dirt bike riding in mind. Make sure the boots lack laces since the laces can get caught in your dirt bike and cause an issue. Once you purchase boots, spend some time breaking them in before going on a long ride.

When you ride your dirt bike, you face kicked-up debris, insects, low-hanging branches, compromised visibility due to rain, and so on. Eye protection helps ensure you can clearly see the path and keeps your eyes safe from incoming hazards.

Make sure your eye protection fits with your helmet and isn’t uncomfortable to wear. It’s also wise to find models that offer ventilation features to prevent fogging and extra foam padding to absorb sweat.

Dirt bike riding requires full-length outerwear, which protects your skin from the weather and during a crash. Make sure you get outerwear that leaves room for any accessories, such as a knee brace or chest protector.

Your hands face the hazards of weather, blisters, and scrapes. Protect them with dirt bike riding gloves. The right ones will offer extra grip and protection while staying comfortable to wear.

One of the most common sports injuries are knee injuries. Consider wearing a knee brace when you ride your dirt bike. This simple purchase can help protect your leg and knee against damage. Seek out a model that fits well and offers enough protection without being too uncomfortable to wear.

We hope you found this guide useful. If you want to shop dirt bikes for sale, visit ATVs and More. We offer a range of models for all riding levels, so stop by today! We are a dirt bike dealer located in Salem, Illinois, and we also proudly serve those in Mount Vernon as well as St. Louis, Missouri.

A motorcycle is a great investment in adventure, excitement, and an improved lifestyle. But before you make a purchase, it’s helpful to have the full picture since the cost of getting a motorbike extends beyond the sticker price. There are other costs, such as getting safety gear or paying for motorbike insurance. Keep reading to learn more about expenses to factor into your budget. If you have questions or want to explore motorcycles for sale, head over to ATVs and More. Our dealership is based in Salem, Illinois. We also proudly serve those in St. Louis, Missouri, and Mount Vernon, Illinois.

Ready to shop for motorcycles for sale in Salem, Illinois? The expert staff at ATVs and More is ready to help. We can assist you with finding the best motorbike for your budget and lifestyle, so stop by and visit us today. We also proudly serve those in Mount Vernon, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri.

A UTV is among one of the most versatile and exciting powersports vehicles on the market. They’re easy to use and just about everyone can enjoy some time behind the wheel—including those with disabilities. There are a lot of ways in which UTVs in particular can allow disabled persons to enjoy off-roading just as much as anyone else, although you might need to make a few tweaks to your model. That’s where ATVs and More comes in. We’ll help you find the perfect side-by-side for you and we can help you upgrade it, or give you some pointers on how to do it yourself, some of which we’ve listed below. Just stop by our ATV dealership in Salem, Illinois, serving Mount Vernon, as well as our neighbors in St. Louis, Missouri, and let us know how we can help you. 

If you can use a car, you can probably use a UTV. They come with the same wheel and foot pedals that a larger vehicle does, they just can’t reach the same speeds and things will feel a little more open. Not to mention, they’re easy to get in and out of.

Even if you yourself can’t operate the side-by-side, you can still enjoy off-roading with these machines. Most models offer bench-style, side by side seating (see where the name comes from?) for at least two to four people, if not more. While someone else drives it, you can still enjoy all the thrills and excitement that comes with off-roading in a machine built to accommodate passengers.

This can make UTVs the perfect option for those with a wide range of disabilities, or even a less severe form of mobility impairment. Explore new places and see everything the country has to offer with the right UTV.

Depending on your needs, you might need to make a few adjustments to your side-by-side. Honestly, for most, you probably won’t have to make too many adjustments, but if operating foot pedals is out of the question, you might need to look into installing a trigger, button, joystick, or switch to make driving easier. You can also look into more secure harnesses to replace the seat belts.

There's a compelling concept found in the world of sports: cross-training. An athlete takes up another sport with the idea of improving skills relevant to their main sport. Football players take ballet to become more agile and lighter on their feet, making it easier to avoid tackles. Runners begin swimming to strengthen their muscles in a low-impact setting, making them faster on race day. This practice of cross-training can apply just as well to the world of motorcycle riding!

Your core style of riding may be hitting the highway, but riding a dirt bike can be a great way to build up relevant skills. Below we cover the many ways you can improve your street motorcycle riding skills by riding a dirt bike. If you want more information or want to explore dirt bikes for sale, head over to ATVs and More in Salem, Illinois. 

There's a saying in the motorcycle world: what you learn in a few years of street riding, you can learn in a few months of dirt bike riding. That's because dirt bikes are more agile and easier to control than their street counterparts. Since the vehicle is more responsive, it'll be easier to practice skills such as turning and accelerating. The more you practice basics on a dirt bike, the easier it'll be to master those skills on a street bike.

Beginners can benefit from learning to control motorcycles. But advanced riders can also benefit from this accelerated learning. They can focus on improving their precision and performance, which they can put to use on the highway later.

Sometimes, the best way to learn your limits is to test them. But you don't want to do this on the freeway surrounded by other motorists traveling at top speeds! Instead, gain a better sense of your limits by riding a dirt bike.

After all, dirt bikes are made to withstand crashes (since dirt bikes crash more often) and this results in plenty of built-in safety features. It's also easier to crash on dirt than firm pavement. Plus, you won't be surrounded by other motorists so you won't need to worry as much about hitting someone else. Hop on a dirt bike and play around with speed and turning to better discover your limits, then take your newfound knowledge with you when you ride on the highway.

When you ride a dirt bike, you'll need to stay aware of the terrain. The off-road trails are much more unpredictable than paved streets. There's an increase in obstacles, such as potholes and sudden dips in the road. There are also obstacles you won't find on a paved road, such as a sudden batch of sand or a giant tree root in the middle of the path. Riding a dirt bike gives you a great opportunity to strengthen your awareness skills.

Riding a dirt bike is an incredibly athletic activity. This style of riding involves continually switching from standing to sitting to standing, which builds muscle strength. It also takes more stamina to stay balanced and in control of a dirt bike. As you ride your dirt bike, you'll improve your endurance and be able to enjoy longer city rides.

Ready to get your dirt bike and begin improving your riding skills? Check out the selection at our dealership in Salem, Illinois. If you aren't sure which model best fits your needs, our friendly staff can help. Tell us your budget and experience level, and we can recommend compatible dirt bikes. We proudly serve those in Mount Vernon, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri.