Improving Your Motorcycle’s Fuel Efficiency

Past the roaring of the wind and the road, the horizon beckons! Your motorcycle is designed to give you freedom and conquer the road, but you’ll only get as far as the gas in your tank lets you. Add that to the hefty price of gas, and you might be asking yourself, “How can I maximize my riding time without hurting my wallet?” The answer is simple: improve your fuel efficiency.

Every bike has limits, but we here at Peak Powersports have put together some tips to make the most out of every tank of gas. If you want more tips and tricks, or you’re just on the market for a nicer bike, stop on by our store in Sheridan, Wyoming. Our friendly and experienced staff will work with you to find what you need at the prices you want!

Track Your Numbers

Gathering information is an important step in this process. Keep track of your fuel mileage so that you can spot any trends, like a sudden dip in efficiency that might indicate a maintenance issue. A quick trip to the mechanic will get your bike running like new and improve your efficiency significantly. 

Or maybe you tweak your riding style or routes and notice an increase or decrease in how long a tank of gas lasts. Tracking that data will help you get a better picture of how your riding affects your fuel economy. 

Take Care Of Your Air (Filter)

It can get pretty easy to forget to check on your bike’s air filter. Running your motorcycle with a dirty or clogged air filter makes it work harder to get the same work done. This can send your fuel economy plummeting and your gas spending skyrocketing. Keep your air filter as clean as you can and replace it when needed.

Maintain Your Engine

This seems like common sense, but engine problems in your bike can drag your fuel efficiency way down way fast. Be on guard for any odd performance issues, vibrations, or unfamiliar sounds. If you notice something that seems off, take your bike into the shop to get it looked at.

Check Your Tires

This is another easy step to forget. Your tires affect your fuel efficiency more than you may realize. If they’re low on air, they’ll be less capable of holding up the weight of your bike, and the increased contact with the road will increase their resistance to rolling. That will require more and more power for each rotation of your tires, which translates to wasted fuel. Use your pressure gauge and compare your numbers to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

You should also check the tread to make sure it’s not too low. The less tread there is, the less traction your tires will have on the road. Aside from the obvious safety issues, this means your tires might spin more to get you the same distance. It’s the opposite problem as low air pressure but has the same result: wasted fuel.

Stick To Highways

Unless you’re looking for nice nature scenes, highways are better for your fuel economy. You’re better off riding in one straight, largely flat line than tackling hills or winding curves found on local roads. Highways will also lower the number of stops and traffic jams, where idling can eat away at your fuel efficiency. Try to ride in straight, constant lines for the best fuel efficiency possible for your bike.

We hope you found some of these tips helpful! If you notice any service issues, now that you’re tracking your numbers, bring your bike in to Peak Powersports! We provide Buffalo and Sheridan, Wyoming, with all their parts, service, and financing needs. Let us get you what you need today!