How to Get High Gas Mileage on a Motorcycle
Most street legal motorcycles get an average of 35 to 40 miles per gallon, making them popular because they are much more fuel efficient than average consumer cars. Simple steps can go a long way toward increasing your motorcycle's mpg. These steps can include maintenance and improving your driving habits.
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Instructions
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The Driver
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Avoid aggressive driving. Speeding, rapid acceleration and hard braking can lower your bike's mpg by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in town, according to Andrea Glass of WhyBike. Try to maintain a constant speed to prevent wasting fuel energy by speeding up and slowing down again.
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Smooth, straight drives are more efficient routes than hills or winding curves. Choose the most fuel-efficient route. Drive your bike on highways rather than city driving when possible. Flat, straight roads are a more fuel-efficient ride than hills, curves and city driving.
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Combine errands whenever you can. According to WhyBike, multiple short trips starting a cold engine can use twice as much gas as one long, multi-purpose trip with a warmed-up engine.
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Wear a full-face helmet. They are more aerodynamic than other helmets. Don't wear clothing that can cause drag, like fringed or loose jackets or helmets with spikes.
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Know your motorcycle. Motorcycle manufacturers are reluctant to publish mpg figures. By monitoring your gas mileage, you can be aware of fuel-efficiency lowering problems sooner.
The Motorcycle
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Remove accessories like saddlebags, and passenger backrests (sissy bars). Any unnecessary equipment on your motorcycle will cause drag, increase weight and decrease your gas mileage.
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Maintain your motorcycle. This means keeping the engine clean and handling other routine maintenance like oil changes. Use the motor oil recommended by the motorcycle manufacturer. This can improve your fuel efficiency by up to 2 percent, according to WhyBike. If you change your own oil, use oil that is rated "Energy Conserving", because it contains friction-reducing additives.
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Check your tire air pressure. According to WhyBike, your gas mileage can increase by about 3.3 percent if you keep tires inflated properly. This is because it requires more energy and gas for the engine to move an under-inflated tire. Watch tire pressure closely, because over-inflation can cause costly uneven tire wear. Check tire pressure regularly,especially during colder months. Cold weather can decrease air pressure in your tires.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit motorcycle image by Goran Bogicevic from Fotolia.com Having a nice motorcycle trip in the Swiss apls image by macegraphics from Fotolia.com
