Excessive Fuel Consumption

The inherent fuel economy of a motorcycle is one of the main reasons people prefer the two wheels over cars for their everyday commute. If you’re using a modern 250cc bike, for instance, you will need about 2.8 liters for each kilometer of your ride. And truth be told, there is no single car under the sun that can match this level of fuel economy. So, when your motorbike is consuming more fuel than it should, then it may not be helping you at all, and who does not want to leverage the fuel economy of his machine to save that important dollar here or there? Although there are several factors (both mechanical and non-mechanical) that can cause your motorbike to excessively consume fuel, the good news is that this problem can easily be fixed. The following tips can help you to improve the fuel economy of your motorcycle:

1. Change of Riding Style

Not every trip on your motorbike needs to involve racing from one red light to another. Smooth riding while keeping your RPMs low may just be all you need to improve your machine’s fuel economy. Do downshifts only if it is necessary and don’t unnecessarily rev the engine of your motorcycle. If you can, do multiple errands in as few trips as possible. Multiple short trips mean the engine of your motorbike warms up multiple times, leading to fuel over-consumption.

2. Maintaining Your Bike

Ensuring that your bike runs in top shape is the best thing you can do to prevent high fuel consumption. How can you achieve this? It all starts with maintaining the engine of your motorbike; correct maintenance cycle is important. Poor maintenance reduces the efficiency of the engine, leading to low mileage digits. In particular, you can regularly check things like spark plug gaps and valve seat clearances. Be sure to change the oil at the right time, and the right oil grade is important too. Change fuel and air filters regularly, especially if you’re riding in a dusty environment.

3. Watching Your Weight

Typically, your motorbike is built for two people. Certainly, the engine will be overloaded if you’re carrying more than the recommended number of passengers. Be sure to reduce the cargo as much as possible to keep the weight on the bike within the capacity of the engine. Keep in mind that your own weight can make some difference to fuel economy. So, if you’re overweight, a bit of maintenance to your body may also help.

4. Changing Your Fuel Habits

Although using a higher grade fuel may seem counter-intuitive at first when attempting to save money, it ultimately translates to fuel saving. Lower grade fuel can be a nightmare for the engine and may result in engine knocking, bent valves, and valve pinging.

As a parting shot, bear in mind that leaving your motorbike idling for long also causes fuel over-consumption. Switching off the engine when you’re stuck in traffic signals improves your bike’s fuel economy, and of course, not to mention environmental conservation: GHG emissions are killing us!