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Factors that Affect your Bike’s Fuel Efficiency
December 17, 2008 in Bike Advice Print This Post

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For an Indian biker, achieving the highest possible fuel efficiency for any bike is a constant Aveo Family
endeavour. The answer is to keep learning so that you do not forget the key points. I have 仲町台
already posted some tips for inproving your bike’s mileage. Here are some factors which
affect fuel efficiency. I hope you find it useful. F B F A N P A G E

Aerodynamics: Aerodynamics do not make much of a difference in Indian motorcycles.

However faired bikes like the Karizma do offer a marginally more aerodynamic stance, but
that’s when the rider is firmly tucked in behind the fairing.
S P O N S O R S

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R E C E N T P O S T S

Bajaj Auto Launches

Gadgetry: Aids that draw power from the engine and battery naturally result in more
Exclusive Website for
consumption of fuel. This includes over size horns, additional headlights etc. Oversize and Pulsar Range of Bikes
wider tyres also increase drag and reduce the fuel efficiency. Mahindra Set To Launch
Range Of New
Highway Riding: Lower capacity bikes aren’t capable of high speeds on the highway and Motorcycles
run out of breath over 80kmph, cruise at 60kmph on such bikes. Larger capacity Honda VFR1200F : A
motorcycles are comfortable cruising at 80kmph speeds but ensure that the engine is not Comprehensive
An In-Depth Look at the
stressed which will ensure optimum mileage. Avoid shifting up and down and try to maintain Dual Clutch Transmission
a sate and constant cruising speed in top gear. Do not open the throttle wide open, a part
Honda CB Unicorn
open throttle is the most efficient throttle opening. Plan overtaking moves well in advance Comprehensive Ownersh
so that you don’t have to brake nor accelerate hard to pass vehicles. Reduce speed by Review by Ragavendra
easing off the throttle rather than by using the brakes. Smoothness is the key, in (Part 2)
acceleration, in braking and in maintaining speed which will deliver the best mileage. Suzuki GS150R
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Factors that Affect your Bike’s Fuel Efficiency Page 4 of 8

A R C H I V E S

2010
2009
2008

Weight: Unnecessary accessories like excessively heavy crash guards, enveloping guards
on scooters, oversize horns all add to the weight and consequently reduce fuel efficiency.
On a 100kg bike even a 5kg increase will have an adverse effect on fuel consumption.

Fuel: Always buy fuel in the morning as it is sold by volume and expands during the day
when it gets hot.

Cleanliness: Any leaks will be immediately noticeable on a clean bike and in a roundabout
way will have an effect on the fuel efficiency. Dirt on the chain, in between moving parts etc
will increase drag and consequently lower fuel efficiency.

Octane: Check the owners manual on what quality of petrol your bike requires. Modern
bikes run a very high compression ratio and need high octane fuel (93 octane fuel is
available in the metros) to run without knocking. Octane boosters (recommended on the
Pulsar) also do a good job of controlling knock. However on engines designed to run on 83
octane petrol using higher octane rating petrol or octane boosters will have no effect other
than lightening your wallet. Remember that higher the octane rating higher the price per
litre.

Tanking Up: Do not tank up right to the brim. Not only is there a chance of spillage while
filling up, petrol also expands with heat and can overflow. Filler caps on many bikes do leak
once the rubber seal hardens and cracks. Tank up from busy and well know fuelling
stations where quality and quantity are assured.

Engine Efficiency: Specific output is the most reliable indicator of engine efficiency.
Specific output is defined as the ratio between power and displacement and higher the
specific output in terms of PS/litre the more efficient the engine is. Lower emissions are also
a sign of a more efficient engine. For example an engine designed to meet Euro II norms

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will be more efficient than a Euro I compliant engine. However an efficient engine will not
necessarily translate into better fuel efficiency as it might be powering a heavier motorcycle
and geared more for performance.

Related posts:

1. Types of Petrol and Octane Ratings

2. An Insight Into Petrol – The Liquid Gold
3. Tips for Improving Your Bike’s Mileage
4. Tuning Your Carburetor For Optimal Performance And Fuel Efficiency
5. Fuel Efficiency Tips for the Long Run by Faizan

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10 comments

Anand on December 17, 2008 at 2:02 pm

Hey Deepak…. It would be nice if you would put up the economy speeds of all major
bikes at one place…. It would be useful….

Indian Cars on December 18, 2008 at 1:50 pm

Riding a bike by leaning is not a easy task. I don’t mind compromising on FE for a better
and more comfortable riding position.

bez on December 30, 2008 at 11:07 am

I dont agree for what you have written under the fuel heading there is nothing related with
expansion or contraction or filling in the morning or day time… Who is this writer??? Dont
take the readers for granted!

sunny on May 4, 2009 at 9:46 pm

hey dude. i have pulsar 150 cc. I want to know tips about making good mileage in pulsar.
Hope that you will help me and give me suggestions about making my bike in good
condition.

Mayank on May 12, 2009 at 3:38 am

We cant ignore tyre pressure as far as mileage is concerned..less tyre pressure

decreases fuel efficiency..One should ensure that tyres have optimum tyre pressure..

shahbaaz on June 16, 2009 at 2:50 am

I fully recommend filling your vehicle in the morning….If a person has studied chemical
compoositions and its properties then he will agree to the tips…
You will always get actual amount of petrol for which you are paying…
Specific gravity if anybody remembers….

Madhav on July 9, 2009 at 8:37 am

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Factors that Affect your Bike’s Fuel Efficiency Page 7 of 8

Hi buddy… stats look impressive and i agree to most of the stuff that u say… though i m
not much into biking yet bt what i m curious to know abt is… ” does long stretch with 1 or
2 breaks harm the bike and its mileage or its ok” and does that vary with how often we
drive”. i do have a bike at home which is my brothers and i dont use it much often a
PASSION 2008 model.. bt it drags when i drive abve 60kmph and especially when i drive
for long. suggest me.
suggestion: i was looking comparisions for mileage on your site bt i dint find one. i know
you dont like to publish such controversial stuff bt i m sure a poll for various bikes wud
give a decent number or average so please conduct such poll where people can mark a
vote for their respective bikes and we get to know the mileage on an approximation… plz
reply

rajesh on October 19, 2009 at 6:20 pm

hi….
im useing cbz xtreme. before i used to get good mileage. but now im not able to get good
mileage. can u provide some tips……….

Muddasir on February 22, 2010 at 4:47 pm

Well done brother.

But
I want to know about the internal parts of a carburator like jet etc with picture result.My
Honda CD 70 2004 model that is 70cc only has mileage only 35 KM.How can i increase
it.???
And can cylendrical pressure in the head effect fuel efficiency.
Thanx in advance.
Regards
Muddasir

shubham on August 4, 2010 at 9:12 pm

one lovable post…. that what a blogger should make. thanks for the wonderful post.

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