Getting Your Fat Tire Dirt Bike Ready for Riding Season

As the weather warms up and the trails start to dry out, it’s time to dust off those fat tire bikes and get them ready for another season of riding. Whether you’re running a Yamaha TW200, BW200, BW350, or a Honda Fat Cat 200, a little preseason maintenance can make a big difference in reliability and performance down the line.

Start with a Full Inspection

Giving your bike a once over before firing it up and hitting the trails is the best way to ensure no SNAFUs happen when you ride. Check for loose bolts, cracked hoses, worn cables, and anything that might have deteriorated while sitting over the winter. These are OLD machines, so spend the time going over it before that first trail ride. Pay close attention to your chain, sprockets, throttle cable, and brakes, as these are some of the most important components for safe riding.

Should you change your fluids?
Old fluids can cause unnecessary wear and poor performance. Start the season off right by replacing:

• Engine oil
• Brake fluid (if applicable)
• Fuel if it has been sitting in the tank or carburetor

Help your engine breathe better with a new air filter, fuel filter or simply cleaning out your carbs.

Check the Tires and Wheels

Fat tire bikes are known for their wide footprint and excellent traction. Inspect your tires for dry rot, cracking, or worn tread. Also check wheel bearings, seals, and make sure your axle nuts are tight. Proper tire pressure will help your machine handle the way it was designed to.

Electrical System and Spark

40 years is a long time for some of these machines and the technology will have definitely shown its age by now. Checking your spark plugs, ignition coil, rectifiers and ignition components is crucial to keep running STRONG.

Don’t Forget the Controls

Smooth controls make riding much more enjoyable. Lubricate:

• Throttle cable
• Clutch cable
• Brake pivots
• Lever pivots

If any cables feel stiff or frayed, replacing them now will save headaches later if they SNAP.

Parts for These Classics

Keeping classic machines like the Yamaha BW80, BW200, BW350, and Honda Fat Cat 200 on the trails sometimes means tracking down the right replacement parts. Whether you're restoring one or simply maintaining it for the season, having the correct components makes all the difference.

And if your garage has more than just fat tire bikes, we’ve got you covered there too. We also carry parts for machines like the Kawasaki KDX200 and KLX110, helping riders keep both classic and modern trail bikes running strong.

Ready to Ride

A little maintenance before the season starts goes a long way toward preventing breakdowns on the trail. Spend an afternoon going through your bike now, and you’ll spend a lot more time enjoying the ride once the season is in full swing.

Ride safe this season!
 -- The FreedomCycleParts Team