Mods & Methods to Increase Fuel Economy

Your motorcycle has more range than it's giving you! Squeeze every last kilometre out with these tips for getting better fuel efficiency.

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[pleaseenteraname]

Legend has it, there was a man who took all the mods and never filled his tank again.

[noughttonomad]

I just sat through a 10 min + video about fuel efficiency. Why? Because it was well made, well structured, interesting and clearly delivered. Nice one mate!

[Real_MisterSir]

Seriously, I think Ryan is the only guy on Earth who could sell me a tank bag with the argument for better fuel efficiency being the main selling point.. I wonder if he realizes his own genius

[naraz]

And finally, lose some weight. Less mass, more efficiency

[TheEliteMango]

I can't understand why this channel doesn't have well over million subscribers, it's flipping brilliant.

[graemecraig]

It may sound kind of stupid, but you're teaching an old dog some new tricks. Your manner of delivery is honest, open, friendly, and non condescending. Well done young feller. After nearly a life time of riding, I find myself watching your shows, applying some of your insights, and get even more enjoyable rides as a result. Well done young sir.

[willmorrell]

Its always a good day when FortNine uploads.

[Vracktal]

I changed the sprockets on my F800GS to +2 front sprocket and -1 rear, sits about 600rpm lower at cruising speed which cuts the vibrations way down. That alone made it worth it, even without being able to get 220 miles out of a tank (non-adventure)!

[jacobrice]

What!!! I ride a KLR. Listen here Joffrey.

I'm not a cheap bastard. I didn't just spend all day hacking foam out of the stock seat to lower the ride height because I didn't want to pay for the appropriate suspension. Ok, well maybe I did. I did B-U-Y the I bought the blade because I didn't want to spend the money on buying the handle as well. AHA, I've got it. I spent my hard earned dollar bills on the staple gun I needed. Then again, I did keep the packaging in perfect condition so I can get a refund when I take it back. Oh god...I'm a cheap, penny-pinching KLR rider. Does anyone have a GS there looking to get rid off? Second hand...cos...you know.

As always, awesome video mate. Except for the KLR crack. *Wanders off grumbling in the cheapest way possible.

[owenanderson]

1) Acceleration Sense: Where possible time your approaches to avoid standing starts.
2) Short-shift: Use more throttle to less RPM before upshifts.
3) Draft: Take advantage of large vehicles close to your desired speed. Leave reaction space but still within the moving eddys for reduced drag benefit.

[nathanielkidd]

Also, for those heavier folks out there, every pound you loose, is a pound less for your bike to haul. Doesn’t matter as much for cars, but it’s a noticeable difference, especially on smaller bikes. Another added bonus is that you’ll be in better shape.

[billhamilton]

One of the best “ cruise control “ devices I have ever used on a motorcycle and I’ve been using them since 1967 is free. An elastic band wrapped on the handle bar between the grip and the right hand switch and front brake lever block clamped to the handle bar. It provides enough friction to prevent the throttle from rolling back on its own even when you take your hand off the grip but yet is easy to roll back the throttle as you would normally when slowing and your wallet hasn’t felt a pinch. When one elastic wears out as they tend to do over time simply replace the elastic that was used to hold a bunch of carrots together from your grocery store. Free. It’s worked for me for over 50 years on a dozen bikes.

[ianm]

Fuel hauler nerd here. You'll note the labels say "*may* contain upto 10% ethanol" it's not for sure and has to be there even if the station buys ethanol free gas since the truck could have delivered e10 previous to that load.

Another note is refineries and fuel terminals typically don't produce an actual "Mid-Grade" gasoline anymore and thus anything sold in between regular and premium is a mix of the two done at the pump. You'll see the fills at a station are colour coded. White is regular, red is premium and yellow is diesel. So if you're at a station with ethanol free premium and you buy 89 you have a 5%(ideally) ethanol content.

You can check pump gas for ethanol by putting a small amount of water in a water bottle and marking the level. Then add gas and shake. Water and gasoline do not mix however ethanol is hygroscopic like brake fluid meaning it absorbs water. When you shake the mixture the water will strip the ethanol from the gas and mix with it. After shaking let it settle and note the water level vs the line.

[daemn]

Setting aside the option of simply riding slower the two biggest factors to fuel efficiency I've found are:
1. Aerodynamic drag of big hard saddle bags (on my Tiger 800 or my dad's R1200gs we're talking 45mpg with, versus versus 55mpg without).
2. Limit acceleration and braking. That doesn't mean riding slowly, but simply carrying more speed into and through turns, to avoid having to brake hard into them and having to accelerate hard out of them. Staying in a higher gear helps here as well (lower revs, less acceleration out of turns).

We may scoff at the idea of caring about fuel efficiency on a motorcycle, but who here hasn't found themselves a long way from a gas station, say 250 miles into a tank of gas, wondering if you're going to make it.

[kleinbottled]

I care about MPG, more for range than savings.

[ChrisR]

Ryan, This video has now become very relevant at today's petrol prices!!!🤬🤬

Cheers!

[dmosier]

You want to lose major weight off your motorcycle? Switch to a lithium iron phosphate battery. I saved 10 full pounds compared to the OEM. 10 POUNDS! And it is a more powerful battery.

[frangobird]

Cheap bastards... KLR owners.

Really Ryan?! You better hope that I never run into you in Vancouver. Cause if I do... I'll have to stop and tell you how awesome the channel is and how I'm a huge fan.

[vercos]

Excellent vid, I am a KLR owner and I didnt even mind your dig at our overall cheapness...to us its a badge of honour :), but seriously really enjoyed your well organised and structured content. Your delivery as always was excellent as well.

[robertveronese]

I was riding back home to Vegas from Portland on a CB300R I just bought. When I saw a sign saying next gas 163 miles, my bike holds 2.6 gallons. I slowed to 55mph, filled up at the first station 2.4 gallons. I saw a air filter test and KandN filter let 12 times as much dirt by as paper does. My engine is more important than a little gas savings. I would recommend adding one tooth to your drive sprocket, better for your chain too!