How Can I Improve Fuel Economy With My Motorcycle?

You love riding, but the price of fuel can make motorcycle ownership more expensive. While you can’t change the cost of gas, there are things you can do to get the most miles out of your bike. To help you out, we’re sharing seven tips to improve your motorcycle’s fuel economy.

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Plan a Fuel-Efficient Route

There’s nothing wrong with hitting the open road for a leisurely ride. Combat fuel consumption by being strategic about the routes you take when you ride your motorcycle to and from work or school and even running errands. Look for routes with fewer hills and less traffic to avoid frequent acceleration and braking. Free tools like Google Maps can help you find the most fuel-efficient routes to get you where you need to go.

Keep Up with Regular Maintenance

Keeping up with your motorcycle’s regular maintenance is an essential part of ownership. Did you know that this upkeep can also improve your bike’s fuel economy? Tasks like regular oil changes, changing the air filter, and replacing brake pads can help keep your bike in prime condition and give you more miles per gallon in the long run. Be sure to check your motorcycle’s owner’s manual for the types of regular maintenance you need to perform and the frequency.

Maintain Tire Pressure

Maintaining adequate tire pressure is another part of motorcycle maintenance that is also one of the easiest ways to improve your bike’s fuel economy. Low tire pressure can cause your motorcycle to consume more fuel by increasing rolling resistance which forces the engine to use more power. Check your owner’s manual to find the recommended tire pressure and keep an eye out for signs of wear that could indicate a leak in the tire.

Use Smooth Acceleration and Braking

Speed fanatics love going full throttle. While this kind of riding is perfect for a sportbike on the racetrack, you may want to rethink going 0–60 so quickly when you’re doing more casual riding. Fast acceleration causes you to use more fuel. Similarly, harsh braking can increase the amount of fuel you burn on your motorcycle. If you’re looking to improve your motorcycle’s fuel economy, avoid these types of riding practices.

Ride at a Consistent Speed

Maintaining a consistent speed when you drive is a great way to enjoy a smooth, leisurely ride and make the most of your bike’s fuel economy. If you struggle with throttle control, utilize your motorcycle’s cruise control if it’s equipped with this option. This can help you ride at a consistent speed so you aren’t accelerating too much and burning fuel.

Find the RPM Sweet Spot

If you’ve been riding your motorcycle long enough, you might be familiar with the bike’s revolutions per minute (rpm) “sweet spot.” RPM measures how hard your engine is working, and riding at the optimum rpm can help ensure a smoother ride and improve performance and fuel efficiency. This sweet spot can range depending on the type of motorcycle you have. However, for most bikes, this is between 2,000–3,000 rpm.

Use the Right Fuel

Not all fuel is created equally. While it’s tempting to go for the least expensive option at the pump, your bike might need a higher quality. If your motorcycle requires mid-grade or premium gas, filling up with regular quality can affect how your bike runs. Your bike’s owner’s manual will detail the best fuel quality to use.

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By making a few changes to the way you drive and keeping up with regular maintenance, you can save at the pump and get more out of each ride. If fuel economy is on your mind, start by buying a fuel-efficient motorcycle.