Best Riding Tips for Maximizing Your Bike's Mileage

In the two-wheeler world, it is every rider's dream to get the best mileage out of their bike. With fluctuating fuel prices, the savings from better fuel efficiency of your bike can make a big difference over time. Whether commuting daily or enjoying long weekend rides, good riding habits and correct maintenance of your bike will significantly improve its mileage.

In this article, we'll explore some tried and tested practices that help squeeze every last kilometer from each drop of fuel. From clever riding techniques to regular maintenance, these tips will ensure you get the most from your bike while keeping it in top condition.

Now, let's get to it!

Know Your Bike's Mileage Capacity

Before we proceed to best practices, it is very important to know how much mileage your bike is designed to deliver. Each bike model is different, and fuel efficiency ratings vary according to engine size, design, and technology. You can find all the details in your bike's manual or check official manufacturer specifications for expected mileage.

Assume your bicycle's mileage has decreased dramatically below the number it was touted to achieve. Chances are, there is a problem with your riding habits or your maintenance of your bicycle.

Maintain the Right Tire Pressure

Why Tire Pressure Matters

One of the easiest and most effective ways to increase your bike's mileage is by keeping the right pressure in the tires. Under-inflated tires increase rolling resistance, so your engine has to work more to move the bike, which means more fuel consumed.

How to Check and Maintain Tire Pressure

• Check your bike's recommended tire pressure in the owner's manual.
• Use a reliable pressure gauge and check the tire pressure weekly.
• Pumping the tires up to their recommended PSI level for both front and rear tires is essential.
• Checking the cold tire pressure provides an accurate reading.
• The tires run as a better machine in terms of mileage, better handling and longer life of the tire.

Ride Smoothly and Avoid Sudden Acceleration

The Power of Smooth Riding

Aggressive riding with sudden accelerations and sharp braking can considerably reduce your bike's mileage. When accelerating too quickly, the engine uses more fuel to deliver that power burst—similarly, hard braking leads to wasted energy.

How to Ride Smoothly

• Accelerate Gradually: Build up speed slowly and avoid revving the engine unnecessarily.
• Maintain a Steady Speed: Try to maintain a steady speed as much as possible, especially on highways.
• Shift to Higher Gears: Once you gain enough speed, shift to higher gears immediately. Lower gears burn more fuel.
• Anticipate Traffic: Look ahead and try to avoid braking unnecessarily by anticipating slowdowns and stops.

Smooth and consistent riding is the key to maximizing your bike's mileage.

Maintain a Steady Speed on Highways

The Effect of Speed on Mileage

Your bike will get the best fuel efficiency when you are riding at a constant speed. High acceleration or cruising at the high speed increases the usage of fuel.

Tips on Highway Riding

• Optimum Speed Range: Most bikes achieve the best mileage at 50-60 km/h speeds. Avoiding the speeds outside the range will save fuel.
• Avoid Over-speeding: More aerodynamic resistance your bike has to face, as much more fuel the engine consumes.

You can get excellent mileage on long highway rides by maintaining a constant speed.

Lose Unnecessary Weight on Your Bike

How Weight Impacts Mileage

Excess weight reduces the mileage of your bike. The more weight your engine has to pull, the more fuel it consumes.

Easy Ways to Lose Weight

• Clean Your Bike: Get rid of all unnecessary items in your bike's storage.
• Travel Light: Leave them behind if you do not need heavy backpacks or saddle bags.
• Avoid Carrying Extra Passengers: Riding solo will naturally give you better mileage compared to carrying a pillion rider.
• Every extra kilogram can affect your bike's efficiency, so travel light whenever possible.

Regular Engine Maintenance

Importance of a Healthy Engine

Your bike's engine is the heart of its performance. An engine that isn't well-maintained will not run efficiently, and thus, you will be getting poor mileage.

Maintenance Tips for Better Mileage

• Oil Changes: Regularly change the engine oil based on the manufacturer's instructions. Clean oil lowers the friction of the engine and hence increases efficiency.
• Cleaning the Air Filter: An oily air filter restricts air from reaching the engine and thus burns more fuel. Clean or replace it when necessary.
• Check Spark Plugs: Worn-out spark plugs are a common reason for lower combustion efficiency. Replace the spark plugs when necessary.
• Check Engine Tuning: A well-tuned engine delivers optimal performance. Get your bike serviced at regular intervals.

Use the Correct Fuel Type

Fuel Quality and Mileage

Using the correct type of fuel for your bike is crucial for mileage. Some bikes require regular petrol, while others may perform better with premium fuel.

Tips for Choosing Fuel

• Stick to what the manufacturer recommends. It may be indicated in your owner's manual the proper fuel for use.
• Never use low-quality fuel as it can lead to engine deposits and low performance.
• Refuel at trustworthy fuel stations to ensure the quality of the fuel; avoid adulterated fuels. The right fuel assures proper combustion and mileage.

Maintain Your Chain Clean and Lubricated

How the Chain Impacts on Mileage

A dirty, dry, or loose chain increases friction and will make your engine work overtime.

Chain Maintenance Tips

• Clean Regularly: Wash your bike's chain regularly, every 500 kilometres or after riding in dusty, muddy conditions.
• Lubricate: Apply chain lube after cleaning to facilitate smooth running.
• Proper Tension: Ensure that the chain is neither too tight nor too loose. The correct tension range should be noted in the manual.
  

Don't Idle for Too Long

Waste Fuel Idling

Idling your bike for long periods of time wastes fuel. Today's engines burn less fuel when re-started than if it has been idling for long periods of time.

Ways to Avoid Idling

• Turn Off the Engine: You can turn off the engine if you are idling at a stoplight or stuck in a traffic situation for more than 30 seconds.
• Plan Your Route: Take regular routes, so as to avoid short stops.

Warm Up The Engine In the Right Way

Crank and Run Miles

Starting your bike and immediately revving the engine consumes more fuel. Cold engines are less efficient because the oil hasn't appropriately circulated.

Best Practices for Warming Up

• Gentle Warm-Up: Start your bike and idle for 30-60 seconds before riding.
• Avoid High RPMs: For the first few kilometers, ride at a moderate speed and avoid high RPMs.
  

Plan Your Routes and Avoid Traffic

The Impact of Traffic on Mileage

Stop-and-go traffic reduces fuel efficiency because of constant acceleration and braking.

Tips for Route Planning

• Use Navigation Apps: Apps like Google Maps can help avoid traffic congestion.
• Ride During Off-Peak Hours: Schedule your rides during less busy times.
• Choose Shorter Routes: Select routes that have fewer stops and signals.

Monitor Your Riding Habits

Self-Awareness and Improvement

Pay attention to your riding style and see where you can improve. Monitoring habits like acceleration, braking, and gear shifts can help you become a more fuel-efficient rider.

How to Monitor Your Habits

• Mileage Tracking: Keep a mileage log to identify trends and changes.
• Mindful Riding: Focus on smooth and efficient riding every time you hit the road.

Improving your habits leads to long-term fuel efficiency gains.

Conclusion

Maximizing your bike's mileage is a blend of smart riding habits, regular maintenance, and thoughtful planning. You can significantly improve fuel efficiency by maintaining the correct tire pressure, accelerating smoothly, shifting gears properly, and keeping your bike well-maintained. Reducing idling time, carrying less weight, using quality fuel, and maintaining an aerodynamic posture contributes to better mileage.

These best practices save fuel and money and ensure your bike remains in excellent condition for years. Adopting these habits will make every ride more efficient, enjoyable, and eco-friendly. So, gear up, ride smart, and get the most out of your bike!

Also Read: Why Petrol, Diesel, and CNG Engine Offers Different Mileage? —Choosing the Right Variant