Again a recent hike in fuel rates! Perhaps some don’t bother, but majority of them are hitched by this. For the people who really are bothered to get the best mileage, this article is exclusively for you guys. Usually a bike’s mileage from various manufacturer in Indian market varies from 25km/ltr to 100km/ltr.
I own a Hero Honda Karizma R and its fuel consumption is not that justifiable or affordable although it should be acceptable when all the premium aspects of the bike are blended together. I have tried to experiment things so as to get extra miles per liter of petrol and it has worked somehow. So I have decided to share same here on Bikeadvice.in. These tips may seem simple and usual but believe me, it works charm!
At the outset, it is better to mention about engine maintenance. It is a poorly maintained motorcycle that consumes gallons of fuel than needed. Moreover, if the bike’s engine is not maintained well, the money one will need to recover it back will certainly be more than it could have required for regular upkeep costs. Following are the simple tips to maintain a steed properly;
- Make sure the engine oil drain interval is between 2000-2500 kms of city riding or 2500-3000kms for regular highway cruising.
- Invest in some good quality engine oil, you wont regret later.
- Engine tuning in terms of carb adjustment, tappet settings, valve clearance should be done as per the bike’s service manual.
- Chain lubing has to be done on regular intervals
- Clutch cable, pressure plates and brake cables in case of a drum brake set-up and disc pads and disc oil in terms of Disc brakes needs regular checks.
- Further, clean up the spark plugs from carbon deposit and always remember to fill fuel from a a reputed petrol pump as adulterated fuel can damage your engine severely.
All the above said steps except some that needs technical assistance can be done by referring the service manual by ourselves by investing some time and patience.
Tyres: Tyres are always overlooked by people as a show piece and people would love to up-size their tyres for no reason. All that practices will result in loss of power and mileage rather gaining something out of that. Stock tyres are always the best and remember it has undergone severe testing and then implemented on production bikes. Tyre pressure (PSI) if maintained at optimum levels, according to the manual helps in achieving better fuel efficiency. Maintaining the air pressure in tyres that is recommended by the manufacturer ensures less rolling resistance of motorcycle that in turn enures less fuel consumption. On the other side, tyre pressure decreases due to change in climatic conditions. So if you reside at a place like mine, where temperatures fall and rise often, better visit the fuel pump regularly for air pressure checks.
Braking: One more common thing that affects fuel efficiency is brake engagement. This may seem funny to few but a lot of people keep their foot on rear brake pedal while riding. This can be detected by observing rear tail light while the bike is in motion. Thus feels absolutely impossible to observe it by yourself. Concentrating on that will definitely help u lose the habit of engaging the rear brake pedal in motion. If still continued, here’s what happens; Not only brake wears out soon but it affects the fuel efficiency also. That is by consuming more power from engine under braking conditions. Another way of getting rid of that habit is to increase the distance needed to apply brakes after pushing pedal down.
Effects on Throttle: One more thing that I have observed in my bike is that it plays tit for tat with me. I mean when I roll down the accelerator at a sudden on ride resulting in maximum power and speed, the mileage goes on affecting a lot. I experimented the same one day when I just filled my tank with a liter of petrol and went on a ride to boulevard road. I achieved 145km/hr speed. But the bad thing was I had to stop after riding just 18km of roads as petrol was all eaten up. Thanks to my dear friends who helped me out that day. The Same applies to rest of the bikes also. Aggressive biking is fun but extracts many good features from your machine including the fuel and also sudden acceleration and braking demands a lot of wear and tear.
Engine Idling: One more thing is the Engine idling adjustment at stand still. It is the engine idling level adjusted for fuel supply to the engine when the bike is not in gear or simply in neutral. It is a small knob-like lever beneath fuel tank of every bike. The same from my bike is pointed by an arrow under.
This is also to be adjusted as per climatic conditions. Cold areas demand more richer tuning and this can be done by the AFR (Air Fuel Ratio) screw whereas hot areas needs a bit leaner mix. Always maintain the optimum idling at 1000rpm or as recommended by the manual. Also it’s always better keep engine off at signals when have to stay for more than 30 seconds. This application is easy for those who have an electronic starter equiped bikes. If these tips seem beneficial to you and have any doubts, please comment for a query and if are already known to you, then you can help me and other guys out here by writing some new tips under in the comment box.
– Faizan
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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
ive heard filling nitrogen in tires helps fuel efficiency….
A great article by you, Faizan.
And add to it this point too:
“”Cheap doesn’t mean FREE.”" – This is especially for people buying Bajaj/HH/TVS lower end bikes; and then revving it up, thinking that “Anyway, it is cheap” or that “Even my bike is as fast as Pulsar/Apache/R15″. Later they complain, no mileage as per specifications. I think along with “top speed”, the manufacturer must also give “optimum speed” for each vehicle. e.g. 40-50 for Platina…
I once read in mouthshut a Platina owner saying that he runs the vehicle at normal speeds of 60-70 and the bike is not giving mileage. Just think about it. How can this guy expect mileage when all engine parts are already damaged?
So, buyers, please understand your needs and then buy a vehicle. If you want to go ahead in a signal, go for a higher capacity bike, rather than buying a small engine and then stretching it to its limits!!! (and later complaining)
And, guys already who own a machine: respect it, love it and please don’t damage it for your pride. Go in the speeds which are recommended for your model rather than having an unofficial race with every vehicle on the road!
A Platina/Dawn doing 80 is like you doing skipping at the rate of 6 reps per second!! It is going to do more damage than good. Please remember this!!
hey i own pulsar 150 UGIII. Which engine oil is the best for my bike? i ride in city with mild traffic n an average 80 kms/week!
faizan, your article is really damn informative…i owe you maan…well i have a small query…i own a yamaha fz-16, as everyone knows it comes with tubeless tires…but i am forced to regularly check it’s pressure..its lessening out faster than it should!!..help me out!
Love your bike and take care of it, it will take care of you in turn for sure.
yo mate… u’re right… i own a honda dio, and i get a mileage of 58 to 60 kmpl… my friends who own activas and dios keep complaining bout the mileage. I have observed several flaws in their riding.
1. Never suddenly accelerate from standstill- remember these are non geared vehicles and tend to consume fuel directly in prop with the throttle.
2. Use engine brakes- Try to make the full use of the engine brakes, ie, slow down your vehicle just by using your throttle by lowering it. the vehicle starts slowing down and use the brakes only when required(stopping).
3. Change engine oil every 2500 kms, and inflate ur tires at least thrice a week.
4. Use genuine parts and keep your vehicle in the stock condition.
more to continue…..
Siddharth, may be you should check for puctures. My fz 16 also has this problem. I fill it 33ps at 2 weeks regularly and at the end of 1 week it goes down 2-3ps. I was told this is normal and anything above would be due to puncture.
And this article is great. I used to follow some of the above tips and managed to get 52-54 mileage from my fz in the city. Now I rev hard and drive in the 45-60 range and get 47-48kmpl
thanks friends for all your appreciations!
@neel Castrol Active 4T Extra (20W5) is the best oil i have observed. but very hard to find it in market.
Also Castrol GTX 20W50 is good and really affects mileage in positive manner. my friend uses same in pulsar 180(non digital)and he had the same demands as you have. i mean just 10 – 15kms a day in city!
@SIDDHARTH i gues vineeth has already adviced you well. look for punctures at first. and the only thing about tubeless tyres is you have to maintain there air pressure.
best of luck!
Thanks a lot Faizan, I’m sure that these informations will surely provid a great help to me and of course the others also. Your knowledge about bikes is incredible. I know that most of us knew these, but they don’t want to bother these with others. They don’t think that their knowledge can also help the others. But thank God, there are still some good guys like you. I hope you’ll informing us regularly.
Hi.. Great article Faizan… Very educative.. I own an Apache 180.. I used to get very poor mileage.. arnd 25-35 kmpl.. as I used to drive very rashly.. sudden acceleration then braking n all.. but now when cruising in the range of 40-65 kmph I am able to extract 45+ kmpl… including touching speeds of 100+ kmph quite regularly on a daily drives.. Love my bike..
@ maina n nishith tnx friends~
@nishith thats impressive to reatin bikes mileage on avg of 45kmh. that too from a 180cc machine. happy riding bro!
Hi Faizan !!!
I read your article, it was really a good stuff. keep it up buddy !
I am going to buy a bike within 3-4 Days but haven’t made my mind till now… Considering your knowledge about the bikes, there is no one left else that you who can guide me..
So could you plz suggest me some options?.
My criteria is :
Budget – 40,000/- 50,000/-
Mileage should be good
Torque & acceleration should be normal.
Need it for daily commuting.
I am living in Jammu (J&K) can u suggest me the models with prices.
Regards
Anubhav
9797516753
Go for Bajaj Platina…Its really a good option for you. Because its cost 43,000 on road and the mileage is 70/liter…
I believe this message will hlep you out for your need.
@anubhav
discover 100 well suits for ur needs.
@ vinod
Thanks for your advice Vinod
But what do u think of Honda CB Twister???
@ANUBHAV tnx a lot man for your appreciations. first of all i also belong to j&k….
if you are on an outset for buying a new bike, and that too for daily use.
my opinion would be pulsar 135LS. it is a light sports bike which costs about 52k. its havin a 135cc engine with 11.4 nm @ 7500 torque. thats appreciable in this category. style is perfect fr youth and available in two colours, red n black.
mileage is 68.1 km/l certified by ARAI. thats good for daily use. it can even top speed 120kmph. dont let it go just for few xtra Ks.
besides, bajaj platina n discover are also options when capital is much a concern
hope it helps.
best of luck!
Thanks a lot buddy
I will go with your opinion.
by the way what do u think of Honda CB Twister…
only style is what makes honda twister come in list. it has a 109cc engne with max torque 9nm @6000rpm. thats not sufficient for enough displacement on good roads. and moreover its not worth round 50k. you have to pay all money for style n graphics.
you can yourself compare 135ls n twister. 1 more thing. twister comes only in 4transmissions. not good
Very interesting article.
I personally dont know much about spark plugs, chain lubrication etc.
But i have tested mileage with different styles of riding and that makes a huge difference. I have got a lowest of 38 kpl and maximum of 55 kpl in my Yamaha Enticer just by varying the way of riding.(Best is to shift quickly to top gears, avoid braking and hence acceleration most of times – worst is obviously revving hard in lowest gears)
Hi Friends,
Dont use Castrol GTX 20W50 oil in Pulsar or any other two wheeler.
I mean to say Dont use 4-Wheeler Engine Oils in 2-Wheelers.
4-Wheeler Engine oils have more Frictional Components which is not good for Wet Clutch in Two Wheelers. This will lead to Clutch Slippage in 2-Wheelers.
Castrol Activ 4T Xtra is Perfect for Pulsar.
I use it in my Pulsar 180 DTSi UG-3.
Yes its hard to find in market. But worth money.
thanx faizan..
well…im using a honda activa now…its my sisters scooter…i used to get around 47-48 mileage…but after the 2nd service…i am struggling to get 40…why do u think its happening…and yes…the scooter got smoother after the 2nd service…but the mileage went down…and also…im planing to buy a new stunner(drum roll…non Fi)…how should i care for it in the 1st 1000 kms…because all my friends say that its the most decisive time as far as the life of the bike and mileage are concern…and your article was very informative…thank you thanks a lot!!!…gives a message to love your ride
and also…there is a biggg problem…all my friends exchange their bikes and all when we go out together…so i am sure that when i buy a bike they mite ask for mine as well…do you think this will have a lot to do with the bikes performance with regards to mileage…please tell me
Dear Sir,
Kindly compare horizontaly placed engine(like Hero Honda)and vertically placed engine(Honda ,tvs,bajaj bikes).Advantage and disadvantage in detail.
Regards
@faizan
I just want to say thank you brother.
gr8 post….very much informative and helpfull.
My bike is Honda Unicorn purchase in 2008. at the time of 40Km/ltr local riding and 50km/ltr highway riding. But, Last 6 months my bike giving only 30km/ltr. I am using only Honda Engine 20W40 grade Oil only. I think will charge Castrol Active 4T 20W40 grade oil. Please advise may i change new brand oil? will get extra millage.
I owned CBZ xtreme ATFT.it really doing gud job.i can get mileage of 48-52KMPL.i maintains speed of 50-80kmphin city.im going with serviceings on time. as i follow the above tips… i can get this……..
Thanx bro for educating people keep it up.
i am plannig to go for a long drive above 2500km on my suzukigs 150..
is suzukigs150 ideal for a long drive