Improve Your Motorcycle's Gas Mileage with These 10 Tips

The average motorcycle gets 35-40 miles per gallon. Some can even pull off 60mpg or greater, depending on the engine and the fuel type. That's far better than what most cars get. So what's the point in trying to increase your motorcycle's fuel efficiency?

I found this quote on a motorcycle bulletin board. It nicely sums up why motorcycle fuel efficiency is important.

"Saving .2 gal could save a 6 mile walk, and I had plenty of time to contemplate such things."

As you can see, learning tricks to reduce your fuel efficiency can increase your getting-there efficiency. There are also obvious environmental benefits.

Here are some tips...

Contents

Skip the Aggressive Driving
Take Highways When Possible
Keep the Engine Clean
Inflate Those Tires
Get a Lighter Bicycle
Be More Aerodynamic
Minimize Bike Accessories
Use High-Quality Fuel
Minimize Wind Resistance
Consider an Electric Motorcycle

1. Skip the Aggressive Driving

Quick braking and hasty acceleration will lower overall fuel efficiency. Obey the speed limit and keep your speed constant.

2. Take Highways When Possible

Flat stretches of road are much better for fuel efficiency than curvy, hilly, in-city driving. You're also more likely to avoid traffic jams on highways, which are also bad for fuel efficiency.

3. Keep the Engine Clean

Keep your engine clean.

4. Inflate Those Tires

Keep your tires inflated to the correct pressure for your automobile.

5. Get a Lighter Bicycle

If you use your bike primarily in-city, you should consider a lighter bike.

6. Be More Aerodynamic

A full-face helmet is more aerodynamic than other types of helmets. Any other clothing that decreases your aerodynamic should be reconsidered.

7. Minimize Bike Accessories

Any unnecessary bling on your bike is going to decrease fuel efficiency.

8. Use High-Quality Fuel

Using low-quality fuel can cause sludge in your fuel injectors.

9. Minimize Wind Resistance

According to the Car Talk website: Wind resistance increases as a square of the speed at which you're traveling. So, for example, at 70 mph, wind resistance is double what it is at 50 mph (70 squared is almost twice as much as 50 squared). That's murder on your mileage. Keep that in mind while biking.

10. Consider an Electric Motorcycle

Have you ever considered buying an electric motorcycle? If you haven't, it might be something to consider.