Improving Your Bike’s Fuel Efficiency

Your motorcycle can help you tear through the asphalt and conquer new roads, but it can take you much farther when you make it more fuel efficient. You have to turn to professionals for a lot of your motorcycle service and repair needs, but this is something you can take care of by yourself. At Cycles of Jacksonville, we like to help our clients keep their bikes in the best shape. That’s why we’ve gathered these tips to help you make your bike more fuel efficient. 

If you need expert bike care, contact the parts and service department at Cycles of Jacksonville and have a chat with one of our trained technicians. If you’re looking for motorcycle maintenance in Orlando or St. Augustine, FL, get in touch with us for further assistance. 

Track the Numbers

Keep an eye on the mileage from the start so you can spot any fluctuations. If it dips suddenly, it could be a sign of a maintenance problem. Visit a mechanic so they can fix whatever the issue is and renew the fuel efficiency. When you track the numbers, you can also see how your riding style affects fuel consumption. Try tweaking your riding habits to see if there are any noticeable changes in consumption. The more data you track, the better picture you will get of how your riding affects your fuel economy.

Air Filter Maintenance

Most people remember to take care of the air filter in their car but they can’t seem to remember to do the same for their motorcycle. If you ride around with a dirty air filter in your bike, it has to work much harder to keep going at the same pace as before. This lowers the fuel economy of your machine. Keeping the air filter clean should be a part of your regular DIY motorcycle maintenance. 

Maintain the Engine

This is an obvious step for improving the fuel efficiency of your motorcycle. Engine problems can quickly drag the fuel economy down. Be wary about any performance issues, vibrations or odd sounds. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, bring your motorcycle in to Cycles of Jacksonville and we’ll whip it into shape for you.

Care for Tires

Make sure your tires are inflated to the recommended levels in your owner’s manual. If tires aren’t properly inflated, it sends the fuel economy plummeting down. Lower pressure makes it hard for the tires to hold the weight of your bike as increased contact with the road increases the resistance to rolling. Get a tire pressure gauge so you can check the tire pressure conveniently during your motorcycle maintenance routine. 

No Excess Weight

The heavier your bike gets, the more energy is required to make it move. A lot of riders keep random unnecessary things in their storage compartments, bringing along anything and everything they could need to ride. Without realizing, they’ve added several pounds of excess weight to the motorcycle. Reduce the amount of items you carry to improve fuel economy. 

Stick to Highways

City riding can eat up a lot of fuel as there are more traffic jams where you idle. Riding in straight, constant lines is much better for the fuel efficiency of your bike. This is why it’s better to ride on highways rather than hit the winding curves found on mountains or other types of roads. 

We hope you find these tips useful. A lot of steps that improve fuel efficiency also are good for your bike overall, so you should take some time to perform these DIY bike maintenance tips. When you need professional motorcycle parts and service help, get in touch with us at Cycles of Jacksonville and one of our trained technicians will gladly help you out. We’re also here for all the bike maintenance and service needs of our friends from Orlando or St. Augustine, FL.