Summer Motorcycle Travel: How to Save on Fuel

With longer days and warmer weather, summer is the perfect time to burn some rubber on your motorcycle. Before you start tearing up miles of highways and scenic byways, consider the cost of fuel in the upcoming months with smart travel planning. You certainly don’t want your rides to break the bank, so check out these seven tips on how to save fuel from Cycle Trader.

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Maintain Tires

It’s important to maintain your motorcycle’s tire pressure year-round, but it’s definitely beneficial for keeping fuel costs low right now. Insufficient tire pressure can use more fuel, particularly under-inflated tires that increase rolling resistance and force the engine to work harder and the bike to use more gasoline.

Keep Up with Regular Maintenance

Did you know that  a motorcycle that isn’t properly maintained uses more fuel? Basic maintenance, such as maintaining tire pressure and oil levels and changing the air filter, is not only crucial for the overall health of your bike, but also fuel consumption.

Plan a Fuel-Efficient Route

While riding aimlessly on winding roads can be the most fun and relaxing way to spend time on your motorcycle, it can burn a lot of fuel. When possible, opt for a more fuel-efficient route. These typically aren’t hilly and winding. They also don’t require frequent throttling and braking. Google Maps showcases a fuel-efficient route option when you enter your destination.

Avoid Heavy Acceleration

Once you find that more fuel-efficient route, take care with how you ride. Heavy acceleration can consume a lot of fuel since your engine is performing at a higher level. Instead, bring your bike’s speed up gradually and ride more conservatively. You’ll quickly notice that you’re getting more out of your tank of fuel this way.

Avoid Idling

According to a study from ResearchGate, idling uses between 0.5–0.9 gallons of fuel per hour. Idling for a short time, such as at a stop light, doesn’t consume a lot of fuel. However, idling for a longer period of time can burn a noticeable amount of fuel that you’ll pay for at the pump. If you don’t need the engine to run, turn it off to save fuel and care for the environment.

Avoid Revving the Engine

Similar to idling, you should also avoid revving the engine to save fuel. While the roar of the engine is music to a biker’s ears, it can also increase fuel consumption and shorten your motorcycle’s engine life.

Drop Extra Weight

Motorcycles are heavy enough, and larger bikes use more fuel. Don’t add to this weight and fuel consumption. Before you leave for your ride, check any storage compartments for items that you can remove to reduce your bike’s overall weight.

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Getting the most out of a tank of gas doesn’t have to be difficult. You can make smart decisions that will help you save money as you enjoy your summer on the open road.