Motorcycles give a thrilling ride experience and provide a cost-effective means of transportation with better fuel efficiency than cars.
A bigger motorcycle (above 500cc) gets 50 to 70 MPG (miles per gallon), while a smaller motorcycle (below 125cc) gets 90 to 120 MPG. However, regular maintenance and engine tuning save more on fuel expenditure.
Improving the fuel efficiency of your motorcycle not only helps save money at the pump but also reduces air pollution.
This article will explore six practical ways to enhance your motorcycle’s fuel efficiency, allowing you to go further while using less fuel.
Whether you are a daily commuter or an adventurous rider, these fuel-saving techniques can make a noticeable difference in your motorcycle’s overall efficiency.
So, let’s discover how you can get the most out of every drop of fuel while enjoying a smoother, more economical ride.
How to Make Your Motorcycle More Fuel Efficient
If your motorcycle gets less coverage, these tips will improve your motorcycle’s gas mileage. I have personally tried these and significantly improved the fuel efficiency of my motorcycle.
1. Regular Service and Maintenance
A well-maintained motorcycle is not only more reliable but also more fuel-efficient. Regular service and maintenance are vital in optimizing your motorcycle’s fuel efficiency.
If you’ve skipped any maintenance schedule, this could be one reason your motorcycle gives fewer MPG.
Oil Changes: Regularly changing the engine oil and oil filter is essential for maintaining proper lubrication and reducing friction within the engine.
Fresh, clean oil helps the engine run smoothly and efficiently. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended oil change intervals, and use the appropriate oil grade for your motorcycle.
Air Filter Replacement: The air filter prevents dirt, dust, and debris from entering the inlet manifold, ensuring a clean air supply for combustion. Over time, the air filter gets clogged and restricts the airflow.
Reduced air supply disturbs the air-fuel mixture, making your engine run too rich and consume more fuel.
Replacing the bike’s air filter every 10,000 to 15,000 miles or every 12 months is paramount. The air filter change frequency should be less if you ride in a dusty environment.
Spark Plug Inspection: Spark plugs play a crucial role in the combustion process by igniting the fuel-air mixture.
Carbon fouling on spark plugs can lead to poor sparking, resulting in incomplete combustion and reduced fuel efficiency.
Regularly inspect and clean or replace spark plugs according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
2. Carburetor Tuning
Older motorcycles come with a carburetor that mixes the fuel with incoming air before it enters the combustion chamber.
If your motorcycle has a carburetor, you can manually adjust the fuel supply to maintain the correct air-fuel mixture.
If your motorcycle carburetor is not tuned properly, the engine will run richer and give lower MPG. You should get your carburetor cleaned and tuned by a professional mechanic.
Modern motorcycles don’t have a carburetor but rather a fuel injector with several sensors installed.
The sensors send data to the engine control unit (ECU), and this tiny computer calculates and adjusts the fuel supply for maximum efficiency.
Always inspect and ensure all the sensors are working properly, especially the oxygen sensor installed on the exhaust pipe.
3. Increase Tire Pressure
Maintaining the correct tire pressure is often overlooked but is crucial for maximizing fuel efficiency.
Proper tire pressure ensures riding safety and optimal handling and reduces rolling resistance, directly affecting fuel consumption.
Your tires should have enough air pressure to reduce rolling resistance and maximize fuel mileage.
Generally, your front tire should have 30-32 Psi, and your rear should have 42-45 psi pressure for the best fuel economy.
4. Minimize Idling
One often overlooked aspect of improving fuel efficiency is minimizing idling time. Many motorcycle riders tend to leave their engines running while waiting at traffic lights, during short stops, or even when warming up the engine unnecessarily.
Minimizing idling time can help conserve fuel and improve overall fuel efficiency. Try to minimize engine idling to avoid unnecessary fuel consumption on your motorcycle.
5. Reduce Weight on the Bike
Reducing the weight on your motorcycle can have a positive impact on fuel efficiency. A lighter motorcycle requires less power to accelerate and maintain speed and consumes less fuel.
To reduce the overall weight, remove unnecessary accessories and add-ons on your motorcycle. Replace heavy metal parts with lightweight carbon fiber.
Also, upgrade to lighter aftermarket exhaust systems that can have the dual benefits of reducing weight and improving performance.
6. Improve Your Riding Style
Your riding style and body posture drastically affect the top speed and motorcycle fuel efficiency. High engine RPM, quick acceleration, frequent braking, and wrong riding position can decrease fuel economy.
Always maintain a consistent speed at recommended levels and avoid quick acceleration and frequent braking to get more miles per gallon.
Also, adopting a slightly crouched or tucked riding position helps reduce wind resistance and improves aerodynamics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Just before you go, I have answers to some common questions about improving motorcycle fuel efficiency.
What Speed Gives the Best Fuel Efficiency On Motorcycles?
As a general rule of thumb, fuel efficiency is optimized at moderate and consistent speeds. For most motorcycles, fuel efficiency is typically highest when riding between 45 to 60 miles per hour (mph).
The speed that provides the best fuel efficiency on motorcycles can vary depending on several factors, including the motorcycle model, engine size, riding conditions, and individual riding style.
Which Gear is Best For Highest Fuel Economy?
Riding your motorcycle at constant speed in top gear is always advisable to reduce fuel consumption.
All motorcycles have a different number of gears. However, the lower gear delivers high torque to the wheels due to more teeth, while the top gear gives the highest speed.
Which Gear Consumes More Fuel in Motorcycles?
Generally, lower gears consume more fuel in motorcycles than higher gears. This is because lower gears are designed to provide more power and acceleration, which requires higher engine RPM and fuel consumption.
Happy, conservative riding!
