Yesterday, the liter of gasoline was paid at an average of 1,755 euros per liter; Today, it registers a new all-time high of 1.802 euros/litre. Experts predict that the worst is yet to come and that, soon, we will pay two euros. So, it is best to take these into account six tips to save fuel with the motorcycle.
The insurer specialized in two-wheeled vehicles AMV has published a study in which it states that, in response to the increase in fuel prices, the use of motorcycles as a means of transport has been reduced by 20% since the beginning of 2022.
“Ignorance or the way of driving causes us to spend more gasoline than we should, and that is, for example, driving efficiently can save us up to 20%,” say the insurer’s experts.
With these tips you can save up to 10 euros each time you fill the deposit
Six tips to save fuel with the motorcycle
1. Efficient driving
The way you drive is a fundamental factor when it comes to saving fuel; It is very important to keep these simple tips in mind:
- One has to avoid giving gas when starting and even more so, when cold, it is preferable to engage the clutch. In this way we will achieve that the motor rotates more freely and requires less consumption
- Wear long marches whenever possible, avoiding low gears, since these imply many more revolutions in the engine and, therefore, a higher consumption.
- Do not make sudden stopsThe ideal is to slow down, whenever possible, downshifting. In addition to extending the life of the brakes, by not giving gas, the injection system will cut off the supply of gasoline and consume less.
- Do not give unnecessary accelerations. Every time we accelerate we must do it smoothly and not stretch the first gear too much, it is better to go up to second quickly and then go up gradually, the accelerations must be gradual. We should never accelerate while we are stopped at a traffic light or a stop.
- Turn off the engine at traffic lights whenever we are going to be stopped for more than 40 seconds.
- Tranquility in the cities. Since the stops are constant, it is a waste of money and gasoline to accelerate a lot to have to stop at a traffic light fifty meters later. Therefore it is better to keep a steady gear while driving.
2. Aerodynamics
The more resistance to the wind we offer, the greater the fuel consumption, so adopting a aerodynamic position on the bike is a good way to save.
On the road, the ideal will be to bring your head, torso and legs closer to the tank, tuck your elbows in and hold the handlebars firmly to have greater control of the front end.
In addition, we should always use a adequate equipment, so that as far as possible we do not oppose much resistance to the wind. Avoid wearing very bulky or loose clothing, it is advisable to wear a good fitted jacket, which in addition to helping us save fuel will protect us in the event of a fall.
3. Take care of the luggage
Also in relation to the previous point, if we are not going to travel, it is best that let’s disassemble the rear trunkthe side cases or the tank bag, since in addition to not being aerodynamic they will also add unnecessary extra weight.
In case of travel it is very important to make a list with the essential luggage, in this way we will not put excess clothes for not having planned it before.
4. Choose roads in good condition and plan the trip
A road in poor condition affects the flow of traffic. If, in addition, one must avoid potholes, cracks or sinkholeswe are more likely to have to slow down, which means more time and money on the road.
In addition, the wheels, tires or suspension may be damaged.
On the other hand, if we plan the trip well It will also allow us to save on fuel, since we will arrive more quickly and safely, every ten minutes that we increase the journey can mean an increase of up to 15% in fuel consumption.
5. Refueling
There are a series of tricks when refueling that can save us:
- Take into account the day that we are going to do it, normally Monday is the best day and of course, always a few days before the long weekends and the start of the holidays.
- Add gasoline early in the morning, which is when the temperature is lowest, since the colder the gasoline is, the more density it will have, as it warms up as the day goes by, it will expand, increasing its volume and therefore, there will be less liquid in a liter.
- When refueling, do not fully squeeze the fuel leversince, the faster it comes out, the greater the percentage of it that turns into steam.
- You don’t have to wait until you’re in reserve to add gasoline, since the less we have in the tank, the greater its evaporation will be as it is more exposed to the heat of the sun and the engine itself.
- Use apps to see what gas stations are the cheapestbut always close to our house or the route we are going to do, it is not worth it to deviate many kilometers and then save only a few cents.
6. Setting up the motorcycle
According to AMV experts a bad maintenance and a poor set-up of the motorcycle can increase fuel costs by 40%. There are three key elements to watch.
The first are the tires. If the pressure is not adequate or they have a defect, the motorcycle will have to make more efforts to work, which will mean more consumption.
The adequate pressure will always be the one recommended by the manufacturer, but as a general rule, large motorcycles must have, always cold, 2.4 – 2.5 Kg/cm2 in front and 2.8 – 2.9 behind and a scooter 2 .1 – 2.2 front and 2.4 – 2.5 rear.
Of course, at all times it is advisable to ride with a little more pressure than less.
The second is the air filter; if it is dirty or in poor condition, it will cause the air to not flow correctly and will “burn” more gasoline than necessary.
The third is the motorcycle chain. A poor adjustment of the chain or having it in poor condition will cause the motorcycle to lose performance, and will cause unnecessary gasoline consumption.
It is advisable to lubricate the chain every 500-1,000 kilometers. To lubricate it, use special spray grease for chains, if possible with Teflon and dustproof. You will also need a thick brush, kerosene, and a rag to remove excess grease and kerosene. After greasing, you have to wait about 30 minutes to get on the bike.
Regarding the tension, the chain should not be too tight or too loose. It is convenient to consult the motorcycle manual to find out the exact degree of tension that the manufacturer recommends.
