Improving Your Motorcycle’s Fuel Efficiency

Your motorcycle is the promise of the open road, the opportunity to chase down the horizon, and just a cool way to get around town. But you can only go as far as your fuel tank allows you, and with some bikes that’s not very far at all. To make sure you get as many thrills and miles as you need, we here at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson have put together some tips for improving your bike’s fuel efficiency. If you want to know more, or you’re looking for a new bike altogether, contact our store in Eugene, Oregon, today!

Track Numbers

Keeping good records is a vital part of this process. Track your fuel mileage to spot any trends or dips in efficiency, which may indicate a maintenance issue. Or maybe it just means you tweaked your riding style or routes and that’s affected how long one tank of gas lasts! Tracking the data helps you understand how your riding changes your fuel economy.

Air Filter

Your bike’s air filter is easy to overlook, but you shouldn’t! A dirty or clogged air filter won’t feed your engine the clean air it needs to keep the combustion engine running, forcing it to work harder for the same results. Keep it clean and replace it as often as needed.

Engine Maintenance

Obvious as it may sound, properly caring for your engine is a big part of keeping your fuel efficiency up. Look for any performance changes, vibrations, or unfamiliar sounds. If you notice anything off, take the bike in as soon as possible to get it serviced. 

Tire Health

This is another easy part to forget. If you’ve got improper tire pressure, your tires won’t get the traction they need to work properly, which will negatively impact your fuel efficiency. Check the air pressure with a tire pressure gauge against the numbers in your owner’s manual and adjust them as necessary. 

You should also check your tread and make sure it meets your manual’s recommendations. Tread wears down over time, and when it gets too low your tires can skid or slip, costing you fuel and putting you in danger!

Stick To Highways

The scenic route can be a nice break from routine, but that routine should be highway driving. Riding in a relatively straight, flat line is better for your fuel efficiency, as is minimizing the number of stops and amount of idling. A highway can be stressful or boring, but your bike will thank you.

We hope these tips help you use less fuel and get more riding time! If you have any questions, or you’d like to see the motorcycles we have for sale, contact us at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson. We proudly serve the people of Albany and Corvallis, Oregon—let us serve you today!