Hello everyone.
Here's the care I give my Honda XR250 BAJA (the Japan-market XR250 / MD30) every time I get back from a ride.
None of it needs any tools, and all four take about 15 to 25 minutes.
The short version
- Oil the chain one link at a time
- Wipe the bugs off the screen
- Wipe the headlights
- Once the tyres have cooled, check and top up the pressures
The photos were taken on 17 May 2026.
| Bike | Honda XR250 BAJA (MD30) |
|---|---|
| Time | About 15 to 25 minutes for all four (chain 5 to 10 min, screen and lights 5 to 10 min, tyre pressures 5 min) |
| Difficulty | Fine for a first-timer |
| Parts replaced | None (oil and cleaners I already have) |
| Tools | Electric tyre inflator (Kijima Smart Air Pump JP01), AZ narrow-access oiler DX, towelling rag |
| Oil and cleaners | A.S.H. GEAR PSE 75W-90 (chain), Plexus (screen and lights) |
| Order | Tyre pressures last, once the tyres have cooled |
1. Oiling the chain
First, the drive chain. It's an EK 520MVX (a sealed chain).
Instead of a spray, I use an AZ (a Japanese brand) narrow-access oiler (DX, soft needle nozzle) and oil it one link at a time.
You can bend the metal nozzle to aim it, so the oil goes exactly where you want and none of it flies onto the wheel or swingarm.
Inside is A.S.H. gear oil (GEAR PSE 75W-90). It's left over from when I rode a two-stroke.
When I've finished, I turn the rear wheel 10 to 15 times to spread the oil.
I explain how I oil the chain step by step in this article.
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How I Lubricate My Motorcycle Chain in 10 Minutes: One Drop in Four Spots per Link
My 10-minute chain lubrication method on a BMW G650GS: a needle-nozzle oiler, leftover gear oil, one drop in each of the four gaps per link, ten turns of the wheel and a light wipe.
2. Bugs on the screen
After a ride, there are always bugs on the screen.
They harden and get harder to remove over time, so I wipe them off the same day.
I hold a towelling rag dampened with water against the dirt to soften it, then wipe it off.
Rubbing scratches the screen, so I try not to rub hard. I finish with Plexus (a plastic cleaner and polish).
3. Headlights
Next, I wipe the BAJA's twin round headlights.
When the lenses are dirty, the lights seem dimmer at night. I polish these with Plexus too.
You may be able to tell from the photo, but I've swapped the headlights for multi-reflector units.
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How to Make XR250 BAJA Headlights Brighter: 5 Ideas and My Multi-Reflector H4 Conversion
Five ways to brighten the dim twin PH8 headlights on a Honda XR250 BAJA, and how I fitted 160 mm multi-reflector units with H4-base 35/35 W bulbs and a home-made PH8-to-H4 adapter harness.
4. Tyre pressures
Last, the tyre pressures. Straight after a ride the tyres are warm and the pressure reads higher than usual. So I wait until the tyres have cooled, which is why I do this last.
When I connect my Kijima Smart Air Pump (a cordless electric pump) to the valve, it shows the current pressure.
It inflates to the pressure I set and stops on its own, so I just connect it and press the button.
I run the BAJA's front at 1.60 kgf/cm² (about 157 kPa); the specified pressure is 1.5 kgf/cm² (150 kPa).
Checking on the day of the ride means you notice early if a tyre is losing air.
What else is worth checking
Once the four jobs are done, it's worth walking once round the bike and checking these points.
- Stones or bits of metal stuck in the tyres
- Oil seeping from the forks or rear shock
- Oil marks under the engine
- Loose bolts, such as on the number plate
It's best to put the cover on only once the engine and silencer have cooled down. Putting it on while they're hot can damage the cover.
Summary
- Oil the chain one link at a time, then turn the rear wheel
- Wipe the screen and lights before the dirt hardens
- Check and top up the tyre pressures last, once the tyres have cooled
I've also written about checking for oil seepage and dirt before heavier maintenance.
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Checking a Motorcycle for Oil Seepage and Dirt: What I Found on My XR250 BAJA and the Cleaners I Use
Washing my Honda XR250 BAJA, I found oil seeping from the base of an oil hose under the engine. What I did about it, mud baked on by the hot frame, a dirty rear linkage and the three cleaners I use, with photos.
