Improving Your Bike's Fuel Efficiency — Part II
Posted by RC Components on Nov 13th 2018
While gas prices aren’t as high as they have been in previous years, nobody wants to pay more than they need to at the pump. We provided you with a few tips that will help you decrease your fuel consumption in a previous post, so be sure to catch up on that information if you haven’t yet read it.
In today’s post, we’ll continue to provide you with tips that will help you improve your bike’s fuel efficiency. When you’ve finished reading, be sure to browse our online store to find a great selection of custom motorcycle parts. We have custom chrome motorcycle wheels, custom exhaust pipes, and so much more!
Maintain Your Tires
Keeping your tires properly inflated is one of the easiest ways to keep your bike efficient. Low air pressure increases the surface area of your tire that is in contact with the road, thus increasing drag on the road by causing your engine to work harder and consume more fuel. Filling your tires up too much, on the other hand, will wear the outside of the tires down and potentially cause them to burst on the road. Check to see what pressure your motorcycle and tire manufacturers recommend and fill your tires accordingly. Now is the perfect time to check up on your tire pressure, as your pressure will generally drop as the weather gets cooler. Be sure that your tires have plenty of tread as well, as winter riding can be treacherous with bald tires.
Slow Down
As motorcycle owners ourselves, we know that there’s nothing quite like gunning the engine as the light turns green. However, quickly accelerating and coming to abrupt stops uses more fuel than slowly making your way from light to light. You won’t have to worry about this tip as much if you’re riding through the countryside or on a long stretch of highway, but it’s something to keep in mind as you ride through the city. In fact, you should always opt to take the highway over city streets if you’re trying to keep your fuel consumption low.
Choose a Lighter Bike
If your bike is your primary mode of transportation, then consider purchasing a bike designed for city riding. Many motorcycle novices purchase a bike without knowing the differences between different models and consequently invest in a heavy bike built for long-distance riding. There’s nothing wrong with choosing a model you really like or purchasing a sturdy bike that can handle the wear and tear of a new rider. That being said, you should consider purchasing a lighter model if your current bike is guzzling gas every time you hit the road. You might find a lighter model you like just as much, and you can always add custom chrome motorcycle wheels and other accessories to make the bike even more appealing.
Keep an eye on our blog page for more motorcycle tips and information in the coming weeks and months. If you’re looking for custom motorcycle parts, then take a look at our online catalog! We have an unparalleled selection of custom chrome motorcycle wheels, and we’ll gladly help you find the perfect part for your bike.