How To Calculate The Mileage of A Bike?

When you choose to use a bike in place of a four-wheeler, it helps you save time on the road and, of course, save on fuel costs. This saving keeps increasing when your bike is a mileage-friendly vehicle, that is, when it gives good runs on petrol. With the knowledge of mileage, whether you ride it every day or some days, it can help save on maintenance and plan fuel expenses accordingly. For this reason, it is highly essential to learn how to calculate the mileage of a bike. Let’s learn what is bike mileage and how to check it.

Read Also: Best Ways to Improve Your Bike Mileage

What is Bike Mileage?

Bike mileage is the range that can be covered by a bike in one litre of petrol, typically expressed in kilometres per litre (kmpl). Good mileage means minimum usage of petrol under the following conditions: the way a person rides, road condition, and how well the vehicle is maintained. To manage your bike expenses in a better way, it is advisable to know how to check bike mileage.

How to Check Mileage of a Bike?

To find out how much petrol your bike burns, you should divide the kilometres covered by the petrol used. If you ride 100 kilometres with 5 litres of petrol, then your bike gives you 20 kilometres per litre (kmpl). Here are 3 simple ways to find out:

Full Tank Method

You should fill your bike’s fuel tank at its full capacity and then reset the trip meter to zero. Ride your bike for 100 km, and then note how much fuel was used. You can use the formula to check mileage.

Bottle Method

In this method, attach a one-litre fuel bottle to your bike's carburettor. Reset your trip meter to zero. Ride your bike until the fuel is used. Check how many kilometres you rode—this is your mileage.

Reserve Filling Method

When your bike hits reserve, note the odometer or reset the trip meter to zero. Add one litre of fuel, ride again until it hits reserve, and then calculate the distance. That is your mileage!

Read Also: Our Top 10 Picks for the Best High Mileage Electric Bikes and Scooters in India

How to Calculate Bike Mileage?

Knowing how to calculate your bike's mileage allows you to monitor your fuel usage and manage your commuting costs. It's just a matter of recording how far your bike goes and how much litres it consumed. Sticking to recording these numbers for every single trip will allow you to have your bike running more efficiently and save you good money.

Here’s the formula to calculate your mileage:

Mileage = Distance Travelled ÷ Fuel Used

How to Calculate the Average Mileage?

To know your bike’s average mileage, use this formula:

Average Mileage = Total Distance Covered (km) ÷ Total Fuel Consumed (litres)

To get accurate results, note the mileage for some weeks across a few tank refills. This will help you know your bike’s actual fuel average.

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Factors Affecting Mileage of Bike

There is no bike-riding person in India who does not want to know how to check bike mileage as it notifies you of the fuel consumption details every time your bike rides. It is all about saving money. It also describes how good the condition of the bike is. Below are the common points that determine the fuel use by a bike:

1. Weight:

The weight of bikes is one of the major aspects determining the fuel consumption of the bike. Heavy items like big crash guards, extra horns, or metal covers added onto the bike make it heavier. Much fuel is needed to move a heavy bike. Thus, the lesser and heavier accessories added, the better the mileage.

2. Aerodynamics:

Aerodynamics is basically the movement of the bike through the air. If the bike's shape has been so designed that it cuts the wind pretty smoothly, the engine does not have to work hard. That is why bikes with a good aerodynamic design would speed up quickly and travel with lesser fuel.

3. Tyre Pressure: 

Wider tyres on a motorbike create more drag, so the bike has to work hard, meaning more work for the bike using petrol. If the tyres lack air, it forces the engine to work harder and taps fuel with greater demand. Always make sure that tyres are in the proper size and well filled with air.

4. Gear Changes:

Just changing the gear sometimes affects the amount of fuel the bike would consume. When you shift gears too often or don't use the right ones for the job, the bike uses too much fuel. Or riding in a high gear when you do not need it makes your bike less fuel efficient. The optimal mileage is affected by riding in the right gear.

5. Fuel Quality:

Refer to the booklet of your bike to find what kind of fuel is needed by it. Always use good quality petrol well within the right octane level. Get your petrol from those pumps that are believed to be honest in quality and quantity. Impure fuel can damage your bike engine and reduce the mileage.

6. Cleanliness:

The bike can be monitored properly if it is cleaner. An unclean engine makes it difficult to pinpoint any oil leaks or other malfunctioning components within it. Dirt in moving parts or on the bike chain causes the bike to become slower and increases fuel use. A bike should always be kept clean to keep it in a good running condition and save petrol.

7. Fuel Level:

Fill the fuel tank a little less, not up to the lid. When petrol warms up, it can expand and spill. Even if your tank has a cap, it can leak if the seal is old or broken. Make sure to leave space in the tank to avoid wastage of petrol.

8. Heavy Accelerating and Braking:

If you use brakes more or accelerate more, your mileage won’t improve even if you ride a small bike. Smooth riding with limited sudden halts and acceleration saves fuel.

9. Oil Level and Quality:

Engine oil keeps the engine cool and helps the parts function smoothly. Low or bad quality oil can heat up the engine, which then requires even more fuel. Good quality oil with the right thickness should be used so that your bike engine stays in good condition and saves on fuel.

10. Engine Condition:

A well-maintained engine ensures much better mileage. An engine that is not in good condition will need more fuel to function. Get your bike checked regularly for engine oil, filters and other parts that require occasional replacement.

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Tips for Maintaining Good Mileage on Your Bike

If you want to improve the mileage of your bike, follow these tips:

1. Go for Regular Servicing:

Timely servicing leads to good mileage while keeping the bike's engine in good condition and increasing its life. If any engine gets weak or dirty, it loses mileage.

2. Make Alterations to the Carburettor Settings:

In case of no improvement in mileage, one possibility is that one must tweak the carburettor; this component controls the mixture of fuel and air flowing into the engine. The more apt the adjustments being made, whether manual or electronic, the better the engine would perform and the more economical it becomes.

3. Keep the Tyre Pressure Optimal:

Every bike has certain recommended parameters of tyre pressure; when a tyre has less air, the bike uses extra fuel to run. Therefore, it is wise to check and fill the air at regular intervals, especially before a long-haul ride.

4. Use Clean Fuel:

Cheap quality petrol should not be used, as it is harmful to the engine and will bring the mileage down. Instead, use the best available unleaded fuel from any petrol pump with a proper reputation for good mileage and engine health.

5. Basic Riding:

Speeding unnecessarily, bouncing off potholes and using the brakes frequently are harmful to the bike engine and, in turn, reduce its efficiency. Rough riding impacts the engine and burns more fuel. Riding safely and smoothly is a wise way to save fuel.

6. Economical Riding:

Safe and steady speed is the best. Keeping within a slow speed of 40 kmph and avoiding sudden accelerations can improve fuel economy and keep you safer on the road.

7. Use the Kill Switch:

When you stop at a red light or sit through a traffic jam, don't let your engine run. Turn it off by using the kill switch. This action is good for petrol, good for engine protection, and good for the atmosphere.

8. Don't Park in the Sun:

Hot sun parking can cause fuel to evaporate. This means losing petrol even when you are not riding your bike. Always park your bike in the shade to save on lost fuel.

9. Avoid Any Changes:

The original parts of a bike are perfectly engineered to fit with the engine. Altering or changing them in any way leads to poor fuel economy. So stick to the original parts for better mileage.

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

Conclusion

While increasing fuel prices is not within your control, there are means to enhance your bike's mileage through the tips provided here. Knowing how to check your bike's mileage and maximising its performance can help you benefit from each ride.

If you're planning to buy a new motorcycle but do not wish to use your savings, a Two-Wheeler Loan from Hero FinCorp can be the ideal solution. Through this loan, you can finance up to 95% of the price of your bike at attractive interest rates and flexible repayment terms. Before applying, you can use the Bike Loan Calculator to calculate your EMIs and choose a tenure that best suits you.

Read Also: List of Top 15 Best Mileage Bikes in India 2025

Frequently Asked Question

1. What is a good mileage for a bike?

A mileage of more than 70 kmpl is generally considered good for a bike.

2. Can a modification influence the mileage of a bike?

Yes, the bike's mileage can be influenced by incompatible modifications.

3. Are fuel additives useful to increase mileage?

Fuel additives are not part of your bike's performance. If otherwise your bike is in good condition, fuel additives do not help it much.

4. What is the role of engine oil quality in mileage?

Engine oil plays a vital role in lubricating its parts, avoiding damage and reducing friction. Since it impacts the engine performance, it also affects the bike's mileage.

5. Can the weight of the bike influence its mileage?

A heavier bike requires more power to run. The engine burns more fuel to meet the power demands of the bike and hence reduces its mileage.

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