How To Calculate & Check The Mileage of A Bike?

Running a bike can be expensive, considering the ever-increasing fuel cost. Therefore, it is extremely important to know how to calculate mileage of bike to ensure you are getting the best out of your investment. Undoubtedly, mileage is one of the biggest concerns when investing in a vehicle. It should cover a sufficient distance per litre of fuel, making it a cost-efficient transportation medium. While you can cover up to 95% of the bike's cost with a two wheeler loan, checking its mileage affects its running cost. 

If you are wondering how to perform a mileage check, here are a few tips and tricks to give you an overview.
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How to Check Mileage of Bike?

Do you want to know how to calculate average of bike? The fundamental formula is the distance travelled divided by the amount of fuel it consumed. For instance, if your motorcycle covers 100 km with 5 litres of petrol, your bike mileage is 20 kmpl (kilometre per litre). Use any of the following methods to do a mileage check using the above formula:

1. Full Tank Method: Reset the meter to zero and fill the fuel tank to its full capacity. Ride the bike for 100 km and note the amount of fuel consumed. Now, use the above formula to calculate the mileage.

2. Bottle Method: Attach a mileage measuring bottle to the bike's carburettor by taping it to the fuel tank or hanging it through the handlebar. Here, the carburettor's fuel pipe attaches to the measuring bottle with 1 litre of fuel. Set the trip meter to zero, run the bike, and note the number of kilometres it runs on 1 litre of fuel. Finally, use the above formula to get the mileage reading.

3. Reserve Filling Method: When the bike turns into the reserve position, mark the odometer reading or reset the meter to zero. Fill the tank with 1 litre of fuel and ride the bike to see when it returns to the reserve position. Use the above formula to calculate the mileage.

The formula behind the mileage calculator is:
Mileage Of Bike Or Car = Distance Traveled / Fuel Consumed
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Factors Affecting Mileage of Bike

Every Indian biker must know how to check bike mileage, as it is one of the most crucial factors determining its running cost. A bike's mileage also indicates the vehicle's overall physical and mechanical condition. Here are a few factors affecting a bike's fuel efficiency:

1. Weight: The bike’s weight largely affects its mileage. Unnecessary accessories like heavy crash guards, oversized horns, enveloping guards, etc., add to the bike’s weight and reduce fuel efficiency.

2. Aerodynamics: Aerodynamics refers to the motion in the air. The more efficiently a bike cuts through the air, the less pressure the engine will take to move the bike ahead. That is why engineered motorcycles with better aerodynamics are faster and more fuel-efficient.

3. Tyres: Wide and oversized tyres boost drag and reduce the bike's fuel efficiency. Moreover, low tyre pressure requires more engine power generation, increasing fuel consumption.

4. Gear Changes: This is one of the biggest factors affecting a motorcycle’s fuel economy. The more frequently you change gears, the more fuel the system will drink. Dragging the bike continuously in higher gears also makes it less fuel-efficient. Hence, always ride the bike in the appropriate gear to optimise fuel consumption.

5. Fuel Quality: Check the bike’s owner manual to see what fuel quality the bike requires. Always use the fuel with the recommended octane number or higher. Besides, always fill fuel from an authorised petrol station. Check the fuel station’s reputation about quantity and quality before heading there.

6. Cleanliness: Any leaks will immediately appear on a clean bike. Dirt between the moving parts or on the chain will increase the drag and reduce the bike’s fuel efficiency. So, always keep the bike clean to immediately notice any leaks, dirt, or other issues.

7. Fuel Level: Avoid filling the fuel tank up to the brim. Apart from leading to spillage, over-filling also leads to overflow when the petrol expands with heat. Even if your bike has filler caps, it may leak if the rubber seal becomes hard and cracks.

8. Heavy Accelerating and Braking: Even if you run a low cc bike, the mileage may considerably decrease if you apply brakes or turn the throttle excessively. If you do much of this, improve your riding technique, apply brakes, and accelerate only when necessary. 

9. Oil Level and Quality: Low oil levels overheat the engine due to a lack of cooling and lubrication, significantly reducing the bike's mileage. Poor quality engine oil also leads to overheating problems. So, always use the right grade oil with the right viscosity levels to let the engine components work properly with less fuel consumption.
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Tips for Maintaining Good Mileage on Your Bike

Wondering how to check bike mileage and improve it? Here are a few proven tips for the same:

1. Get Regular Bike Servicing: Servicing the bike at regular intervals is vital for its mileage. Apart from maintaining the engine's health, it also increases the bike's life expectancy. As the engine health deteriorates, the mileage also decreases. 

2. Tweak the Carburettor Settings: If the bike’s mileage does not improve with regular servicing, consider checking its carburettor settings. Whether it needs a manual or an electronic re-tuning, it will dramatically restore the bike’s performance and increase its mileage.

3. Maintain Optimum Tyre Pressure: The PSI recommendation varies for different bike models. Top up the tyre pressure at each fuel station visit, especially before leaving for a long ride.

4. Good Quality Fuel: Avoid filling your tank with cheap leaded fuels as they may deteriorate your bike engine’s health. Always choose high-quality premium unleaded fuel for the best engine health and high fuel efficiency.

5. Drive Responsibly: Racing through the city roads, driving over potholes, and sudden braking are signs of rash driving. Besides harming your bike, such driving behaviour is also unsafe. Unnecessary braking and acceleration cause serious damage to your engine, decreasing fuel economy.

6. Ride Economically: Always ride the bike at the recommended speed limit. Doing that will ensure safety on roads and improve your bike's mileage. Constantly ride below 40 kmph and avoid sudden acceleration to improve fuel efficiency.

7. Use the Kill Switch: Instead of keeping your bike stagnant on traffic signals, use the kill switch to turn off the engine. It saves fuel, improves engine health, and reduces carbon emissions.

8. Never Park in the Sunlight: Parking in the sun causes fuel evaporation, reducing the bike's mileage. Always find a parking space in the shade to improve the bike mileage.

9. Avoid Changing Parts: Original parts that come installed in the bike are made in sync with its engine performance. Replacing them for modification results in more fuel consumption.

Read Also: How to Increase Your Two-wheeler Mileage?

Conclusion

Although rising fuel costs are not in your hands, you can improve your bike's mileage using the tips mentioned here. Know how to calculate mileage of bike and optimise its performance to get the most out of your vehicle. Fund the bike purchase with a two wheeler loan from Hero FinCorp and maintain it in good condition to keep its running cost within the limit. Use a bike loan calculator to determine your loan requirement and apply online to fund up to 95% of the bike’s purchase.

Frequently Asked Question

1. What is considered good mileage for a bike?

A mileage above 70 kmpl is often considered a good number for a bike. 

2. Can modifications affect the bike's mileage?

Yes, the components pre-installed in the bike are in sync with its engine. Heavy modifications can affect the bike’s mileage.

3. Are fuel additives effective in improving mileage?

Fuel additives are not an essential part of your bike’s performance. If your bike is in good shape otherwise, fuel additives do not benefit it significantly.

4. What role does engine oil quality play in mileage?

Engine oil is crucial in lubricating its parts, preventing damage, and reducing friction. Since it affects the engine performance, it also affects the bike’s gas mileage.

5. Can bike weight affect its mileage?

A heavier bike needs more power for running. The engine consumes more fuel to fulfil the bike’s power requirements, thus affecting its mileage.