A motorcycle is already an excellent choice if you’re looking for a vehicle that gets better gas mileage than you do in your car. Almost any motorbike will get better gas efficiency than almost any passenger car, unless you’re comparing a supersport track bike and a hybrid smart car.
However, there are several strategies you may apply to increase your motorcycle’s gas mileage if you ride a model of bike that consumes more petrol or you want to save even more money on gas. Here are seven suggestions for increasing motorbike gas efficiency that will help you save some extra money at the pump and lessen your carbon footprint.
1. Avoid using sophisticated techniques and fuel additives.
First, a piece of advice to keep you from being taken advantage of: There are gadgets and fuel additives that claim to increase your gas mileage. Unfortunately, almost few of them offer any discernible advantages. When it comes to gas mileage, a fuel conditioner is a waste of money, although it can be handy if you’re keeping your bike for a while.
Instead, changing your riding behavior, style, and equipment is the most effective approach to increase fuel economy. Fortunately, some of these things are things you should already be doing that will improve your riding safety, so they benefit everyone.
2. Select more direct routes.
Surface streets and dense traffic will always destroy your motorcycle’s petrol mileage, therefore route planning is crucial to maximizing mileage. When feasible, choose freeways over surface streets, and check the traffic before you leave.
Time spent in stop-and-go traffic is detrimental to more than just your gas mileage. Avoid it whenever you can because it’s a terrific way to get rear-ended by an inattentive motorist. It is advised to utilize a motorcycle communication system if you ride in a group so that you can quickly avoid traffic when necessary.
3. Select the ideal motorcycle for your surroundings.
You will undoubtedly use considerably more fuel than necessary if you drag a Honda Gold Wing through your urban area. Consider purchasing a compact, nimble street bike that is designed for effective commuting if the majority of your daily transportation requirements involve short excursions on surface streets. When looking for an urban motorbike, riders should choose the Honda Grom and Kawasaki Versys®-X 300.
4. Make your riding style more fluid
Your motorcycle’s fuel efficiency will suffer with abrupt braking and acceleration. Of course, most of us enjoy accelerating hard down a straightaway, but doing so will use up your petrol far more quickly. Save the blast-offs for the occasions and routes where you can appreciate them fully. Make sure you have mastered the essentials, such as how to utilize the rear brake, if you want to have a smooth ride. Your ride will be safer as a result.
5. Check to see whether your tires are not mounted low.
Keeping your tires filled to the PSI specified by the manufacturer is crucial for increasing motorbike gas mileage. Uneven tire wear, decreased gas consumption, and poor motorcycle control are all effects of underinflated tires. Some riders learn how to ride a motorbike with a passenger by very slightly underinflating the tires, but in that case you should be aware that riding two-up will reduce your gas consumption in any case.
Make it a habit to check your tire pressure as part of your regular motorbike pre-ride checkup because it only takes two minutes. (I assume you conduct a pre-ride inspection.) Both your owner’s manual and (typically) the exterior of your motorcycle’s tires will have the recommended PSI listed.
6. Make thoughtful accessory selections
Many of us enjoy adding cool modifications to our motorcycles, however some of these modifications can reduce your motorcycle’s fuel efficiency. The motorcycle’s overall weight and/or aerodynamic efficiency will be negatively impacted by practically anything. When adding modifications to your motorbike, such as panniers and saddlebags or the powerful exhausts so many of us adore, always weigh the potential impact on fuel efficiency.
7. Maintain the condition of your engine.
Less fuel economy results from an engine that must work more to keep the wheels turning due to poor maintenance. Because of this, it’s essential for each rider to maintain the cleanliness and lubrication of important engine parts like the chain. Utilize premium fuel, and make a commitment to changing your motorcycle’s engine oil according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Conclusion
See our comprehensive guide to motorcycle maintenance to find out what other upkeep your motorcycle requires to be in peak shape.
