Is Your Motorcycle Thirsty? - Guide to Improving Your Motorcycle's Gas Mileage

People choose to ride motorcycles for a variety of reasons, blending passion with practicality. For many, it's about the pure joy of riding—the feeling of freedom and connection to the road. Beyond that, motorcycles are highly functional. They are a great way to beat traffic because their smaller size allows them to navigate crowded city streets and congested highways more easily than cars.

Riding a motorcycle can also be a more affordable alternative to a car. They generally cost less to buy, insure, and maintain. A major part of this cost saving comes from their excellent fuel efficiency. Motorcycles use significantly less gas than most cars, making them a cheaper mode of transportation for daily commuting or long-distance trips.

Because fuel efficiency is such a key advantage of motorcycles, paying close attention to your bike's fuel consumption is crucial. When your motorcycle starts getting poor gas mileage, it's not just a minor inconvenience; it can be a sign of an underlying mechanical issue. A sudden drop in kilometers per liter could indicate a problem with the engine, brakes, or fuel system. Monitoring your fuel consumption helps you catch these issues early, preventing more serious and costly repairs down the road. It ensures that your motorcycle remains a reliable, cost-effective, and enjoyable mode of transportation.

Here are some of the most likely reasons your motorcycle's gas mileage is suffering:

• A "rich" fuel mixture: This means the engine is burning more fuel than it needs, often caused by a dirty air filter, a faulty oxygen sensor, or a carburetor issue.

• Fuel leaks: Even a small leak can significantly impact your mileage. Check for any drips or the smell of gas, particularly around the fuel lines and tank.

• Brakes that are dragging: If your brakes are too tight, they can create constant friction, forcing the engine to work harder to propel the motorcycle forward.

• High-revving: Continuously riding with the engine at high revolutions per minute (RPM) consumes a lot of fuel, especially at lower speeds.

• Riding habits: Frequent stop-and-go traffic in the city burns more gas than cruising at a steady speed on a highway.

While motorcycles are mechanically simpler than cars, they still require proper maintenance to run efficiently. Addressing these potential issues can help you get back to enjoying the fuel savings you expect.

One of the most common reasons a motorcycle gets bad gas mileage is that its engine is running rich. This happens when the engine takes in too much fuel and not enough air, causing it to burn through gas much faster than it should.

If you suspect your bike is running rich, look out for these signs:

• Poor performance: The engine might stutter, backfire, or just feel sluggish.

• Strong gas smell: You might notice a powerful odor of gasoline while the bike is running.

• Fuel from the exhaust: In severe cases, you might even see gas coming out of the exhaust pipe.

• Trouble starting: The engine could get "flooded," making it difficult to start.

Several issues can cause this, including a problem with the carburetor (like a stuck float or throttle needle) or even something as simple as a faulty spark plug.

If your motorcycle's engine isn't running rich but you're still experiencing bad gas mileage, the next thing to check for is a fuel leak. These can be hard to spot because they sometimes only happen while the bike is running.

Gas leaks are common, especially on older motorcycles. They often occur when:

• A fuel line is loose or old and brittle.

• There's a bad gasket in the carburetor.

• Rust has created a small "pinhole" in the gas tank.

To check for a leak, simply start your bike and walk around it before you ride. Look for any drips, puddles, or a strong smell of gas.

There are a few other reasons your motorcycle's fuel economy might be suffering.

1. Tight Brakes While not the most common issue, overly tight brakes can hurt your mileage. If you've recently worked on your brakes and notice a drop in fuel efficiency, it's worth checking them. Brakes that are dragging create resistance, forcing your engine to work harder and burn more fuel. To test this, get your bike up to speed and then let go of the throttle. The bike should coast smoothly without feeling like something is holding it back.

2. High RPMs and Shifting Habits The way you ride also has a big impact on gas mileage. Constantly revving your engine, whether to show off or by shifting gears at a high RPM, will quickly consume more fuel. Try to shift at a lower RPM and ride more gently to see if your mileage improves.

3. City vs. Highway Riding Your riding environment plays a major role. Motorcycles are most fuel-efficient when cruising at a steady speed on a highway (around 50-60 mph). In contrast, frequent starts and stops at traffic lights and stop signs in the city significantly reduce your gas mileage.

Knowing whether or not your motorcycle is getting good gas mileage depends on your understand of what gas mileage your motorcycle should be getting in the first place. The average mileage of the bike varies between 15-18 kmpl. Larger bikes such as touring motorcycles will get lesser gas mileage because they have a lot more heavy equipment on them to make the rider a little more comfortable on their ride.

Besides fixing any mechanical problems, here are a few simple tips to help you get better gas mileage from your motorcycle:

• Perform Regular Maintenance: Routine tasks like changing the oil and checking tire pressure make a big difference. Proper lubrication from fresh oil keeps your engine running efficiently, while correctly inflated tires reduce rolling resistance, which can save you a surprising amount of fuel.

• Use Quality Fuel: While premium gas might seem more expensive at the pump, it can save you money over time. Fuels with additives, can clean your engine and improve its performance, leading to better mileage, but always refer to your owners manual and manufacturers recommendation for these prior.

• Be More Aerodynamic: The less wind resistance you have, the better your fuel economy. Consider removing any unnecessary, bulky accessories from your bike. Even your gear can help; wearing a full-face helmet, for example, can make you more streamlined and reduce drag.

You don't need a complicated formula to know your motorcycle's gas mileage is dropping; you'll likely notice it simply by how often you have to refuel.

However, to get a precise measurement, there's a simple and reliable calculation you can use:

kilometers driven ÷ liters of fuel = kilometers per liter (km/L)

For example, if you rode 200 kilometers since your last fill-up and put 12 liters of gas in the tank, your motorcycle's fuel economy is about 16.6 km/L (200 ÷ 12 = 16.6).

To track this consistently, keep a small notebook or use a smartphone app to record your mileage every time you fill up. This is the best way to spot a decline in your motorcycle's fuel efficiency.