Improving Your Motorcycle’s Fuel Efficiency

Riding a motorcycle is a fun and rewarding way to get around. It’s much more active than driving a car and a bike is also much smaller, so it’s more fuel-efficient. However, you may be looking to save a little more money on gas with ever-rising gas prices. Fortunately, there are many ways you can get more miles per gallon out of your motorcycle with a little effort on your part.

Track the Numbers

Some people do this with their cars, and you can do it with your bike, too. Track your fuel mileage every time you fill up the tank and see how many miles you get. If you notice a sudden downward trend in your mileage, you may want to take your bike to a mechanic to see if there’s a performance issue that can be addressed. The more data you can track about your gas usage, the better idea you’ll have of what methods of riding and what conditions may impact your mileage.

Adjust How You Ride

Accelerating quickly and stopping suddenly is going to put more wear and tear on your motorcycle in addition to using up more fuel. Try to do slower accelerations and brake well in advance of when you need to stop. Look at traffic conditions ahead so you can adjust your speed accordingly. It’s never wise to go over the speed limit for safety reasons, but going too fast will also use up a lot more fuel.

Change Your Air Filter

You may not remember to change your air filter on your bike as you would in your car. A dirty air filter means that the engine has to work harder to get you going and get your bike up to speed. Make sure that you take a look at the filter and replace it when it’s too dirty.

Check the Tire Pressure

The condition of the tire on your car can impact your fuel usage, and it’s the same story with a motorcycle. Before you ride, use a tire-pressure gauge to check the pressure in both tires and pump them up to the manufacturer’s psi levels as recommended in your owner’s manual. While you’re at it, examine the condition of each tire, as worn-out treads and slow leaks can further reduce efficiency.

Get Rid of Extra Weight

If you’re carrying a lot of extra items on your bike, it’s going to need more fuel to go the same distance. You probably have some emergency supplies on hand, but see if there’s any way that you can reduce these to remove a few pounds. Bring only what you absolutely need on each ride and leave the excess stuff in your garage.

By following these tips, you should see an improvement in your bike’s fuel efficiency. If you need any assistance with motorcycle repairs, feel free to get in touch with us at St. Charles Harley-Davidson®. Our expert mechanics will get your bike up and running in no time. You’ll find us conveniently located in St. Charles, MO, and we welcome all those coming from St. Louis and St. Peters.