For every rider, mileage (fuel efficiency) is one of the most important aspects of owning a motorbike. Higher mileage means lower fuel expenses, reduced maintenance cost, and less harm to the environment. With fuel prices constantly rising, it’s essential to know how to get the most out of every drop of petrol.
In this blog, we’ll share 10 practical tips to improve your bike’s mileage, covering riding habits, maintenance, and technical adjustments that can help you save fuel and money.
Contents
- Adopt the Right Riding Habits
- Get Regular Bike Servicing
- Maintain Correct Tyre Pressure
- Use the Right Engine Oil
- Clean or Replace the Air Filter
- Proper Clutch & Gear Usage
- Choose Good Quality Fuel
- Reduce Extra Weight on Bike
- Smart Riding in Traffic
- Avoid Unnecessary Modifications
1. Adopt the Right Riding Habits
- Smooth Acceleration & Deceleration: Sudden throttle twists and hard braking waste fuel. Ride smoothly to let your engine work efficiently.
- Avoid High RPM: Revving the bike at high RPM unnecessarily consumes extra fuel.
- Maintain Steady Speed: Keeping a consistent speed instead of frequent speeding up and slowing down improves mileage.
2. Get Regular Bike Servicing
- Timely servicing ensures that engine components, spark plugs, and mechanical parts work smoothly.
- A poorly maintained engine consumes more fuel.
- Clean carburetor/fuel injector and lubricated chain can make a noticeable difference in mileage.
3. Maintain Correct Tyre Pressure
- Always keep tyre pressure as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Low tyre pressure increases rolling resistance, which forces the engine to burn more fuel.
- Also, check tyre condition—worn-out or cracked tyres reduce efficiency.
4. Use the Right Engine Oil
- Good quality engine oil reduces friction and helps the engine perform better.
- Change engine oil at recommended intervals.
- Synthetic oils (for suitable bikes) can improve performance and mileage compared to regular oils.
5. Clean or Replace the Air Filter
- A clogged air filter reduces airflow, causing improper fuel-air mixture.
- This leads to incomplete combustion and poor mileage.
- Clean your air filter every 5,000–10,000 km or replace it if required.
6. Proper Clutch & Gear Usage
- Do not ride half-clutch—it increases friction and reduces mileage.
- Shift gears at the right RPM. Riding too long in lower gears makes the engine consume more fuel.
- Higher gears at steady speeds usually give the best mileage.
7. Choose Good Quality Fuel
- Always refill from trusted fuel stations. Adulterated or low-quality petrol damages the engine and reduces mileage.
- Branded fuel with additives can sometimes improve performance and efficiency.
8. Reduce Extra Weight on Bike
- Remove unnecessary luggage, heavy accessories, or add-ons.
- Extra weight means more effort for the engine, which increases fuel consumption.
9. Smart Riding in Traffic
- Anticipate traffic flow: Ride with awareness to avoid frequent braking and acceleration.
- Switch off engine at long traffic signals to save fuel.
- Avoid aggressive riding in stop-and-go conditions.
10. Avoid Unnecessary Modifications
- Oversized tyres, loud exhausts, or heavy accessories may look stylish but reduce efficiency.
- Aerodynamic changes like windshields can increase air drag, leading to lower mileage.
Conclusion
By following these 10 simple yet effective tips, you can improve your bike’s mileage by 5–15%, depending on your riding style and bike condition. Start with one small change today, like checking tyre pressure or cleaning the air filter, and you’ll notice long-term fuel savings.
FAQs
Q1: Does synthetic oil always improve mileage?
Not always. Use it only if recommended for your bike model. Otherwise, high-quality mineral oil works fine.
Q2: How often should I service my bike?
Typically every 5,000–7,500 km or every 6 months, whichever comes first.
Q3: Can these tips apply to electric bikes?
Yes, some tips like tyre pressure, weight reduction, and riding habits also help improve battery range in electric bikes.