Fuel economy is a measure of how far your motorcycle travels on a given amount of fuel - typically expressed in litres per 100km or kilometres per litre. For everyday riders, better fuel efficiency means lower running costs, fewer stops to refuel, and less wear on the engine over time. The good news is that most of the tips below cost nothing at all, and the ones that do require spending pay back quickly through ongoing savings. How We Selected These Fuel-Saving Tips Every tip in this guide was chosen based on real-world impact on fuel consumption, not just theoretical gains. We prioritised changes that are safe, legal, and practical for most riders - whether you commute daily through Sydney traffic or tour on weekends. Where a modification involves cost or mechanical complexity, we say so upfront and recommend professional setup where needed. 10 Practical Ways to Improve Your Motorcycle's Fuel Efficiency Small changes add up. Riders who apply a combination of the habits and maintenance steps below can reasonably expect to improve fuel efficiency by 10 to 20 percent, with some seeing greater gains depending on their current riding style and maintenance history. 1. Keep Your Tyres Properly Inflated Under-inflated tyres create excess rolling resistance - meaning your engine has to work harder to maintain speed. Research consistently shows that correct tyre pressure can improve fuel economy by 5 to 10 percent. Check your tyre pressure against the manufacturer's recommended figures, not the maximum listed on the tyre sidewall. Pressure drops overnight and in cooler weather, so checking before a long ride takes less than two minutes and costs nothing. A basic tyre pressure gauge is inexpensive and worth keeping in your kit. 2. Stay on Top of Regular Maintenance A well-maintained engine runs more efficiently and burns less fuel. Three maintenance tasks have the biggest impact on fuel consumption: Air filter: A clogged air filter restricts airflow to the engine, forcing it to burn more fuel to compensate. Inspect it regularly and replace it when dirty - particularly if you ride in dusty conditions. Spark plugs: Worn or fouled spark plugs cause incomplete combustion, which wastes fuel. Inspect them at the interval specified in your owner's manual and replace them as needed. Engine oil: Using the correct viscosity and grade of oil matters. Incorrect oil increases internal friction, which raises fuel consumption. Change your oil at the recommended intervals and always use the grade specified by the manufacturer. Keeping your chain clean and lubricated every 500 to 800 km also reduces drivetrain friction and contributes to overall efficiency. 3. Develop Smooth Riding Habits Riding style is one of the biggest variables in fuel economy - and it costs nothing to change. Aggressive acceleration and abrupt braking will increase fuel consumption faster than almost any mechanical issue. Practical habits that improve gas mileage include: Rolling on the throttle gently rather than snapping it open Upshifting early to keep engine RPM lower during cruising; aim to keep RPM around 5,000 where the engine runs comfortably Anticipating traffic so you can coast to a stop rather than braking hard Maintaining a steady speed rather than surging and backing off repeatedly Smooth, measured throttle responses make a noticeable difference on every ride. 4. Avoid Unnecessarily High Speeds Fuel consumption rises sharply at high speeds due to increased aerodynamic drag. The relationship is not linear - wind resistance grows with the square of speed, so the faster you ride, the disproportionately more fuel you burn. On the highway, cruising at a moderate, legal speed rather than riding at the top of the speed limit makes a genuine difference over a long ride. This is one of the simplest adjustments a highway tourer can make with zero cost and no mechanical changes. 5. Reduce Aerodynamic Drag Wind resistance is a significant fuel drain, particularly at highway speeds. A few practical ways to reduce drag: Adopt a slightly more tucked riding posture on open roads Use a full-face helmet, which is more aerodynamic than an open-face style Install a windscreen if your motorcycle does not have one; it deflects airflow around the rider and reduces fatigue on long rides Remove bulky luggage or accessories when you are not using them These changes are particularly worthwhile for riders who spend time on the highway rather than in stop-start city traffic. 6. Reduce Unnecessary Weight Every kilogram your engine has to move requires more fuel. Less weight means less work for the engine - which directly improves fuel consumption. Audit what you are carrying. Remove accessories, tools, or gear you do not need for a given ride. If you are replacing parts over time, consider lighter aftermarket options where they make sense; but prioritise safety-critical components and never compromise braking or structural integrity for marginal weight savings. 7. Optimise Your Drivetrain and Gear Ratios Changing your sprocket ratio can alter the RPM your engine runs at highway cruising speeds. A taller gearing setup - achieved with a smaller rear sprocket or a larger front sprocket - can reduce RPM at a given speed, which may lower fuel consumption on long rides. However, this comes with a tradeoff: you will lose some low-speed torque and acceleration. Gear ratio changes also affect your speedometer reading. This is a modification best handled by a qualified mechanic who can assess whether it suits your specific bike and riding use case. 8. Use the Right Fuel and Maintain the Fuel System Always use the octane rating specified in your owner's manual. A common misconception is that higher octane fuel delivers better performance or mileage; it does not, unless your engine is specifically tuned to require it. Using a higher grade than necessary is simply money spent for no benefit. Have your fuel system serviced periodically as part of scheduled maintenance. Fuel injectors can accumulate deposits over time that affect delivery and combustion efficiency. Fuel system cleaner can be added to the tank occasionally, but only as directed by the manufacturer - it is not a substitute for proper servicing. Minimising unnecessary idling also makes a difference. Idling delivers zero kilometres per litre; your engine is consuming fuel while going nowhere. If you are stopped for more than 30 to 40 seconds - at a long traffic light or waiting for someone - turning the engine off is worth the habit. 9. Consider an Electric Motorcycle for Long-Term Efficiency If fuel economy is a priority and you are in the market for a new motorcycle, electric models are worth serious consideration. The energy cost of charging an electric motorcycle for daily use is substantially lower than the equivalent petrol cost - often by a significant margin over a year of commuting. The practical considerations are charging infrastructure and range. Electric motorcycles suit riders who have reliable access to charging at home or at work, and whose daily distances fall within the bike's range. For urban commuters in Sydney, these conditions are increasingly easy to meet. 10. Tech and Accessories That Can Support Fuel Efficiency A few hardware upgrades are worth mentioning with appropriate context: ECU tuning: Remapping the engine control unit can optimise fuelling and ignition timing. Done correctly by a specialist, it can improve efficiency - but it can equally reduce it if done poorly. This is not a DIY job. Low-rolling-resistance tyres: Some tyre compounds are designed to reduce rolling resistance without sacrificing grip. If you are due for new tyres, it is worth asking your dealer which options are available for your model. Stick to maintenance-friendly upgrades and be sceptical of accessories marketed as fuel-saving devices without independent evidence to back the claims. Quick Comparison of the Best Fuel-Saving Measures Measure Cost Best For Tyre pressure checks Free All riders; immediate gains Smooth riding habits Free City commuters Regular maintenance Low to moderate All riders; long-term savings Aerodynamic improvements Low to moderate Highway tourers Weight reduction Free to low All riders Gear ratio changes Moderate Highway-focused riders Electric motorcycle High upfront Long-term efficiency seekers How to Choose the Right Fuel Efficiency Measures Choose Based on Budget Start with the habits and maintenance tasks - they cost little or nothing and deliver real results. Tyre pressure, riding style, and oil changes will give you the best return before you spend anything on modifications. If you are considering paid upgrades, think about payback timelines: a set of tyres that improves efficiency by 5 percent takes time to offset its cost, but regular maintenance prevents costly repairs that hurt your wallet far more. Choose Based on Riding Style City commuters will gain the most from smooth riding habits, minimising idling, and keeping the bike well maintained. Stop-start traffic rewards anticipation and gentle throttle use more than any hardware upgrade. Highway tourers benefit most from aerodynamic improvements - a windscreen, a tucked riding posture, and speed discipline at cruise. Gear ratio optimisation may also be worth exploring for riders who spend most of their time at highway speeds. Choose Based on Maintenance Ability Confident home mechanics can handle tyre pressure checks, air filter replacement, spark plug inspection, and chain maintenance without specialist tools. Oil changes are also straightforward with the right equipment and a service manual. Fuel system servicing, ECU tuning, and sprocket changes are better left to a professional workshop - not because they are impossible, but because doing them incorrectly costs more to fix than the professional service would have cost in the first place. Which Option Is Best for You? If you want quick, no-cost savings: start with tyre pressure and smooth riding habits today. If you want the best long-term fuel efficiency with no ongoing fuel costs: an electric motorcycle is worth researching. If you ride mostly highways and want mechanical gains: gear ratio changes and aerodynamic upgrades are worth discussing with a dealer. If you are happy to accept some performance tradeoffs for better economy: a combination of gearing, tyre, and tuning changes can shift the balance. Local Dealers, Workshops and Motorcycle Options in Sydney Procycles has been helping Sydney riders find the right motorcycle for over 50 years. As a dealer for BMW, Kawasaki, and Yamaha, the team stocks a wide range of models suited to commuters, tourers, and everything in between. The original Hornsby store has long served Sydney's north, while the St Peters location covers the CBD and south through to the Shire. Whether you are looking for a fuel-efficient commuter, an electric model, or just want advice on maintaining what you already ride - call in and talk bikes anytime. Like you, we live to ride. Browse the full Procycles motorcycle range to explore current stock across all riding categories. Final Thoughts on Reducing Fuel Consumption and Getting More Mileage The three actions that will have the most immediate impact on your motorcycle's fuel economy are keeping tyres correctly inflated, developing smooth throttle and braking habits, and staying on top of basic maintenance. These cost little to nothing and deliver consistent results on every ride. Track your fuel consumption over a few tanks after making changes - it is the only reliable way to measure whether a habit or modification is making a real difference. Fill up at the same pump, record your odometer reading, and calculate litres per 100km consistently. Above all, do not sacrifice safety for marginal fuel savings. Worn tyres, poorly maintained brakes, or modifications that affect handling are not worth the economy gains they might offer. Keep the bike in good shape, ride smoothly, and the savings will follow.
