Bikes and scooters are a boon for commuters in crowded spaces. These agile vehicles can make their way through clamped spaces and narrow passages rather smoothly.
While bikes are known for better speed and mileage, scooters are lighter, more convenient, and fuel-conscious. Either way, both can be defined as freedom and suave on two wheels, cruising through the roads, uninhibited and carefree.
The skyrocketing fuel prices have gotten commuters wondering how not to burn a hole in their pockets. Irrespective of which bike gives more mileage, certain fuel-saving tips can help you perk up your motorcycle’s fuel economy, no matter the model.
Read on to learn simple and actionable tips on how to increase mileage of bike or scooter.
What is ‘Mileage’ in Bike?
The first thing one enquires about before purchasing a bike, whether first-hand or used, is its mileage. For the uninitiated let us first understand, what is mileage in bike.
Mileage is simply the total distance covered by the bike (in kilometers) divided by the amount of fuel (in liters). For instance, if your two-wheeler covers 300km with 5 liters of petrol, then its mileage is 60 km per liter.
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How to Calculate Mileage of a Bike and Why It’s Important
Bike Mileage Calculator
A bike’s mileage reflects how much money and fuel you get to save. It is also very telling of your bike’s overall health, hence revealing the chances of any existing functional issues. Hence why, you need to know how to calculate mileage of bike. Here is how it is done.
Step 1: Fill the Tank
- To get an accurate reading, empty the fuel to bring the odometer reading to zero. Next up, head to the fuel station and fill the tank to its full capacity.
Step 2: Ride Your Bike
- Set a target distance, say 50 km or 100 km. Take yourself on a bike ride, preferably covering your usual route. Once you reach the destination, note down the odometer reading.
Step 3: Do The Math
- Now that you know the total fuel consumed, simply divide it by the total distance covered, and that should give you the mileage of your bike or scooter.
Mileage: Distance Travelled (in km) ÷ Fuel Consumed (in liters).
Let’s say you have traveled 100 km but used 2 liters of fuel, the mileage of your bike would be 50 km/l.
How to Increase the Mileage of Your Bike or Scooter?
Certain actions and changes help your bike reach its highest potential. Let’s take a look at 21 comprehensive tips on how to improve bike’s mileage.
1. Take Care of Your Bike
- If you want to make the best of your bike, you need to take care of it! To ensure your bike remains in optimal condition, you should either learn to service it yourself or go to a mechanic every year. Improving the mileage involves regularly checking out spark plugs, air filters, and carburetor. With fuel-injected bikes, make sure that the injectors are clean and work.
2. Aerodynamics is the Key
- Improving the aerodynamics of the bike is the key to boosting its efficiency. You could make minor enhancements to your bike such as adding a streamlined windshield. This can reduce the friction from the air during the rides, making commuting quicker and smoother.
3. Maintenance on Schedule
- Regular maintenance is the best way to keep small problems in your motorcycle from becoming big ones. Have the engine tuned up, look over the brakes, and make sure all the fluids, such as the coolant and brake oil are at the proper levels.
4. Avoid Eager Fingers
- Can’t stop yourself from revving too much? For the sake of your beloved bike, stop over-revving. Too much revving and throttle wastes excessive amounts of fuel. Learn to master smooth acceleration and also avoid the sudden use of the clutch and brakes. It strains the engine and subsequently, your fuel economy.
5. Change Engine Oil in Time
- Engine oil lubricates the moving parts of the engine, reducing friction. Old or low-quality oil increases friction, causing the engine to work harder and consume more fuel. Replace the oil as per the manufacturer's recommendation and opt for high-quality synthetic or semi-synthetic oil for better performance.
6. Up Your Riding Game
- Fuel-efficient riding is all about smoothness and consistency. Avoid aggressive riding, as frequent speed changes and sudden braking waste fuel. Instead, maintain the best speed for mileage on the bike and avoid unnecessary stops and starts. Getting a grasp of what is ABS in a bike will help prevent sudden braking, ensuring total control.
7. Opt for Good-Quality Fuel
- Always purchase fuel from reputed petrol stations to ensure it’s free from adulterants. Contaminated or low-quality fuel can damage your engine and result in the lowest mileage bike over time.
8. Ride in the Economy Range
- Most bikes attain their maximum mileage if driven in the economy speed range, usually between 40-60 km/h. High speeds are to be avoided because they make the engine work harder, thereby burning more fuel. Knowing what is BHP in a bike is important to understand its speed capabilities.
9. Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
- Under-inflated tires amp up the bike’s rolling resistance more, which makes it harder to move. On the other hand, over-inflated tires may reduce grip and safety. So maintaining a balanced pressure is recommended to get the best mileage and overall performance.
10. Smooth Gear Transitions
- Shifting gears at the right RPM decreases stress on the engine. If you’re wondering what is rpm in a bike, the answer lies in the name itself- revolutions per minute. It indicates how many times the bike’s engine crankshaft rotates per minute. It tells a lot about the engine’s performance and health.
11. The Bike’s Chain Deserves Care Too
- A well-lubricated and tensioned chain ensures a smooth transfer of power from the engine to the wheels. An unused or loose chain wastes not only fuel but also wastes wear and tear. Grease your chain every 500 km, or as suggested by the manual of your bike.
12. Track Your Fuel Consumption
- Maintaining records of the vehicle’s consumption history is a habit that every bike owner must practice. By logging its consumption history, you can track the performance for a long time. If the mileage in your bike drops drastically, you’ll know something is wrong with it.
13. Align Your Bike Wheels
- When the two wheels of your motorbike are misaligned, they increase drag friction, which forces the bike's engine to work harder and guzzle more fuel. Regular check for wheel alignment ensures smooth motion to ride around smoothly.
14. Avoid Traffic as Much as You Can
- The stop-and-go pattern of the traffic forces you to rev the engine up to a maximum of one minute and then to medium or even low-end range. This significantly cuts down the mileage due to constant acceleration and braking. So plan your rides during non-peak hours and select routes with minimal congestion.
15. Avoid Needless Alterations
- Making alterations to your bike such as wide tires, performance exhausts, or cosmetic additions might be aesthetically pleasing but would cut down on mileage. It is best if you stick to the manufacturer's specifications to maintain its fuel efficiency.
16. Maintain the Right Speed
- Have you ever noticed your mileage automatically drops once you drive faster than 60km/h? This is because riding at too high a speed consumes more fuel because of increased wind resistance. Riding in the recommended speed range, typically 40-60 km/h, is an easy way to achieve better mileage.
17. Do Not Park Directly Under the Sun
- It might sound like a minor caution, be do not take this one lightly. Sunlight causes evaporation of fuel, especially in older bikes that have an open fuel system. So always park your bike in the shade to minimize fuel loss and prevent heat damage to your bike.
18. Start the Engine Slowly
- Do not rev up the engine right after it has been started. Allow it to warm up for a few seconds to ensure proper lubrication, especially in cold weather. This will reduce initial engine strain and increase fuel efficiency.
19. Cut Down on the Extra Weight
- Ridding your bike or scooter of any additional weight in the form of leg guards, luggage carriers, or big seats, can go a long way in enhancing the bike’s mileage. Newer ranges of bikes come with detachable plastic fairings, so they can be removed when there is a need to reduce the weight of the bike.
20. Check for the bike’s CC
- Some parameters like the CC of the bike have a say on its mileage and overall performance. First let us understand, what is CC in a bike. It is known as cubic capacity, and it represents the engine’s size or capacity. It is said that engines up to 100 CC provide the best mileage. Engines from 110 CC to 150 CC also deliver substantial mileage.
21. Turn Off the Engine in Traffic
- Idling in traffic drains fuel like no other, causing unnecessary wastage. This not only burns your pocket but also causes engine damage. So, if you’re stuck in traffic for more than 30 seconds, turn off your engine to save fuel and reduce emissions.
22. Value Fuel Efficiency
- Fuel-efficient bikes are not only economical but also environmentally friendly. Choose one of them to conserve fuel, save money, and reduce your carbon footprint, making it a win-win for you and the planet.
Importance of Fuel Efficiency in Bikes
Mileage directly reflects a motorcycle’s fuel efficiency, which tells us how far it can run on a specific amount of fuel. Essentially, it is a measure of how well a vehicle utilizes fuel. Fuel efficiency is a very important factor in bikes and scooters, too, for the following reasons:
1. Low Ownership Cost:
The more fuel-efficient the bike, the less riders have to spend on petrol. Hence high mileage amounts to a lower cost of ownership.
2. Environmental Benefits
Fuel-efficient bikes need less gas to cover a specific distance. Burning less gas can cut down on emissions, causing lesser air pollution.
3. Longer Travel Distance
Fuel-efficient bikes do not need constant fuel refilling. So you can go on long drives, and take up inter-city bike tours, without making too many pit stops at the fuel station.
4. Efficiency maximization:
Improvements in engine designs have often been performance in bikes. This leads to smoother, more linear throttle response and lesser wear on the engine.
5. Greater resale value:
Fuel-conscious bikes are quite economical as well. This is because, when put on resale, these garner excellent value.
Conclusion:
So, now you know the tips and tricks on how to increase mileage of bike, and these are pretty straightforward. If you switch to consistent maintenance practices, improve on riding habits, do proper checks on the tire pressure, and simply take care of the engine health, your mileage output will save you a lot of money! So start implementing these fuel-saving tips today, and you’ll not only save on the costs but also enjoy a smoother, more sustainable riding experience.
Frequently Asked Questions ( FAQs)
Does the mileage of the bike increase after the first service?
Yes, after getting its first service, your bike or scooter will experience several changes. It might have a spike in mileage, and all functional issues will be resolved. The engine level and the condition of the air filters will also be checked.
What reduces bike mileage?
The lowest mileage of a bike can be caused by factors such as aggressive driving style, lack of maintenance, extra weight on the vehicles, unclean air filters, use of low-quality or adulterated fuels, and many more.
What is bad mileage on a bike?
A low average mileage of a bike with 100-150 CC will be anything less than 45km/l, for a sports bike with 150-250 CC, an average of 35km/l and below will considered poor. For a 100-150 CC scooter, anything below 40km/l is regarded as sub-par.
Which gear consumes more fuel?
The higher the gear, the lesser the fuel consumed. Hence, the first gear consumes a lot of fuel. This is due to a lack of friction between the components of the engine. The fifth gear has lower fuel consumption.
What is the average mileage of a bike per liter?
Some of the popular bike models in India such as Hero Splendor Plus, Bajaj Platina, Hero HF Deluxe, and TVS Raider, all have an average of around 70 kmpl. These are considered convenient and reliable choices for regular traveling.
