The cost of filling your motorcycle's tank at the pump can quickly burn a hole in your wallet. And when there's less money in your wallet, you won't be able to afford the 'finer' things in life (booze, strippers, etc.). The good news is that most (not all) motorcycles have much better gas mileage than your modern-day car or truck. This is due in part to their reduced weight. The bad news is that gas prices are constantly rising, and if you enjoy riding as much as I do, you'll find yourself filling up a couple times a week.
Before you sell you go listing your motorcycle for sale on Craigslist, you should first check out some of the following ways to make it more fuel efficient. Changing your driving habits or performing some routine maintenance could end up saving you hundreds of dollars in gas per year.
Watch The Gas!
Let's face it, there's no better feeling than punching the gas on your motorcycle once the light turns green. You can sit back and look at the cars lingering behind in your rear view mirror. But there's really no point in mashing the gas if there's another red light just 50 yards down the road. You'll have that warm and fuzzy feeling inside knowing that you are outgunning every other car nearby, but this feeling is soon gone when you're forced to hit up the gas station for the third time in a week.
When you're driving in the thick city traffic, avoid mashing the gas and let your motorcycle 'coast' to a stop. The less you accelerate, the more fuel efficient your motorcycle will become. Of course, you can feel free to max the acceleration once you reach the open highway, but keep it down in the city to save on gas.
Maintenance
Routine maintenance also plays a key role in the fuel efficiency of a motorcycle. Have you checked your tires recently? If they're underinflated with worn-out tread, you are essentially leaving a trail of money in your wake. Keep a tire pressure gauge in your motorcycle storage compartment to check the pressure every couple of days. If it falls beyond the recommend PSI, fill 'er up!
Cleaning your motorcycle's engine can improve its gas mileage. Allowing dirt and road debris to settle down into the mechanical components will hinder its performance, so make sure you clean it on a regular basis.
