How to improve your motorcycle's fuel economy

All production bike engines will have a tested average fuel consumption figure based on its capacity and state of tune, but there are external factors that can affect that result. 

More often than not, manufacturers will look to publish the most economical figure in a bid to attract the cost- or eco-conscious buyer, and while the quoted figures are nearly always very close to when measured in a real-world scenario when the bike is new, there are there are things that can happen as the bike ages and wears that can adversely affect your bike’s fuel consumption. And even if your bike is still relatively new, there are measures you can take and things to be aware of to get the greatest number of kays out of a tank of fuel. 

Realistically, on an individual scale, each of these things would have a very minor impact on fuel consumption. But all of them added up over the ownership period of your motorcycle, combined with the increasing price of fuel, make the following steps worth taking. 

While cheaper fuel might seem like a short-term cost saving measure, the knock-on effects can be expensive and result in increased fuel consumption. Good-quality fuel will burn cleaner and more efficiently in the combustion chamber, where poor-quality fuel may contain impurities, contaminants or unsuitable octane levels that result in incomplete combustion. So, as well as poor performance, your fuel consumption will be affected because the engine must work harder to achieve the same outcomes. Purchase fuel from reliable, well-known brands to ensure consistent quality and maximum efficiencies.

There are a handful of things that can hinder your bike moving as effortlessly across the road surface as it can, and the more effort it needs to move, the harder the engine needs to work, therefore the more fuel it’s going to need. As well as being important for handling, stability and optimal braking, ensuring your tyre pressures are always set to the manufacturer’s recommendations will help to ensure your bike remains fuel efficient. Under-inflated tyres increase the rolling resistance, or the energy required to keep the tyres rolling as they contact the road. A properly inflated tyre maintains its shape and stiffness, rolling efficiently with minimal deformation.

Similarly, a well-maintained chain will have better fuel consumption outcomes than a poorly maintained one. Chains rely on lubrication to minimise friction between the links, rollers and sprockets. Without it, friction increases which causes power-sapping resistance. Tension plays a role here, too. If the chain is too tight, it’s increasing resistance, so a well-maintained drive chain is a must.

The last point to make in terms of resistance is probably the most obvious and that’s aerodynamics. Making yourself, your motorcycle and whatever you may have strapped to your bike as aerodynamically efficient as possible will play a big part in reducing fuel consumption. Speaking of things being strapped to your bike, the weight of such plays a big role in fuel efficiency, too, with more energy required to shift the increased weight. 

A well-maintained engine will use less fuel than a poorly maintained one. Oil changes, spark plug replacement, air filter maintenance and fuel system servicing as per your bike’s servicing schedule will help ensure the efficiency of your engine. Engine oil acts as a lubricant to reduce friction between the moving parts but will break down over time and lose its lubricating properties. And always make sure you use the correct grade or weight of your engine oil. Too light and friction increases, too heavy and the energy requirements increase.

Spark plugs are responsible for combustion, and the cleaner the combustion the more efficient your engine will be. Likewise, clean combustion relies on a precise mixture of air and fuel, and a clean air filter will allow the correct amount of air into the engine, enabling complete combustion and maximum efficiency.

Riding smoothly will go a long way in reducing fuel consumption. Aggressive acceleration will burn fuel faster so ride at a steady pace and use progressive throttle inputs when accelerating. Where you chose to change gears within the rev range will also change the outcome of your fuel usage. Riding in a lower gear at a higher RPM will use more fuel than opting to shift up a gear as soon as practical. Keeping your rpm in the low-to-mid range where possible, and where it’s safe to do so, will help you to get the most amount of kays out of a single tank of fuel.