create your own

Hypermile your motorcycle up to 179 MPG: No snake oil, no scams!

98
rate or flag this page

By Hal Licino

The hypermiling techniques discussed in: Riding Your Bike For Maximum MPG can be implemented by any rider to obtain an immediate 20 to 40% increase in fuel economy. However in these desperate times when a trip to the gas station can cost more than a week's groceries, some motorcyclists may want to wring even more miles from each mind- and wallet-numbingly expensive gallon.

Extreme hypermiling involves applying techniques which are much more radical than the typical common sense "conventional wisdom" tips to increase fuel mileage. However, these extreme hypermiling processes can return a remarkable increase in fuel economy.

Here are the top five extreme hypermiling procedures that any motorcyclist anywhere can apply to skyrocket your MPG. These techniques are effective with all motorcycles, from the weeniest 125cc commuter single cylinder to the most powerful 2 litre V-twin. When you consider that these techniques can squeeze 179 MPG from a motorcycle (not a scooter, but a real motorcycle), and even up to 113 MPG from a modern 750 like a Honda Shadow Aero they are definitely worth considering!

179 MPG... that's about $30 in gas even with today's prices to get from New York City to Miami!!!

Important! All of these have significant if not outright compromising safety considerations and may even be illegal in some jurisdictions. They should not be implemented without clear and comprehensive understanding of the severe ramifications.

1) Adjust your carburetor's throttle lever so that it can only open up to half of its normal travel. This will limit your maximum revs and acceleration. Remember that you won't have the power to do all the things you easily do now, like pass on the highway!

2) Change your handlebars to clipons. I hate those blasted low bars that make me feel like I'm caught halfway in a pushup, but lowering your arm position will drop your body down to the tank of the bike and considerably decrease your bike's overall aerodynamic drag.

3) Cover your radiator. On watercooled motorcycles, you can cover the radiator with a piece of cardboard to keep your engine warmer and thus more efficient. Not a good idea to seal it hermetically with duct tape, nor is it a wise choice for stop and go rush hour commuting in August in Phoenix.

Now onto the two extreme hypermiling techniques which provide by far the greatest MPG advantage while at the same time providing by far the greatest chance that you'll end up as a hood ornament on an SUV.

4) Use the kill switch. Unlike automobile drivers, we motorcyclists have an easily accessible kill switch. You can hit that kill switch when coasting and especially downhills, then while holding the clutch in and in an appropriate gear, turn the kill switch back on, release the clutch and restart the engine without using the starter. It is a procedure that when well rehearsed can be smooth and safe, and when it is done without due care and skill can cause you to flip your bike. Also note that in some motorcycles, you will lose braking power if your engine is off.

5) Draft. This can kill you deader than almost any other hypermiling technique, but anyone who has ridden behind an 18 wheeler on the highway will testify that the "draft air zone" which is created by the wake of the truck can extend back well over 100 feet. If you don't get distracted and your life insurance policy is paid up, this technique can drastically increase your highway MPG.

Should you implement at least some of these techniques and manage to not be turned into a splat mark on the asphalt, you could legitimately expect these MPG ratings from the Top 50 MPG Popular Motorcycles:

  • Lifan 200 Sport : from 135 to 179 MPG
  • Yamaha TW200 : from 121 to 160 MPG
  • Honda 125 Varadero : from 119 to 158 MPG
  • Honda 200 Twinstar : from 119 to 158 MPG
  • Honda XL185 : from 119 to 158 MPG
  • Honda XL250S : from 116 to 153 MPG
  • Kawasaki Ninja EX250R : from 116 to 153 MPG
  • Yamaha Virago 250 : from 114 to 151 MPG
  • Honda Nighthawk 250 : from 113 to 149 MPG
  • Yamaha 125 Virago : from 111 to 147 MPG
  • Hyosung GV250 : from 109 to 145 MPG
  • Honda XL500 : from 105 to 138 MPG
  • BMW F650GS : from 101 to 134 MPG
  • Suzuki Intruder VL125 : from 100 to 132 MPG
  • Yamaha XV535 Virago : from 100 to 132 MPG
  • Buell Blast : from 98 to 130 MPG
  • Honda CMX 250 : from 97 to 128 MPG
  • Kawasaki Ninja 500R : from 95 to 126 MPG
  • Yamaha YZF600R : from 95 to 126 MPG
  • Yamaha XJ550 Seca : from 93 to 124 MPG
  • Honda Shadow VLX : from 92 to 121 MPG
  • Kawasaki KZ550 : from 89 to 117 MPG
  • Suzuki LS650 Savage : from 89 to 117 MPG
  • Suzuki GS425 : from 87 to 115 MPG
  • Suzuki S50 Boulevard : from 87 to 115 MPG
  • Suzuki V-Strom DL650 : from 87 to 115 MPG
  • Honda Shadow Aero : from 85 to 113 MPG
  • Suzuki Marauder 250 : from 85 to 113 MPG
  • Honda CB350 : from 84 to 111 MPG
  • Honda CX500 : from 84 to 111 MPG
  • Yamaha XJ900 Seca : from 84 to 111 MPG
  • Yamaha XS650 : from 84 to 111 MPG
  • Kawasaki GPX250 : from 82 to 109 MPG
  • Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic : from 82 to 109 MPG
  • Suzuki C90 Boulevard : from 82 to 109 MPG
  • Suzuki GS500 : from 82 to 109 MPG
  • BMW R850R : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Honda CB400T Hawk : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Honda CX500C : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Honda V30 Magna : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Kawasaki 125 Eliminator : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Kawasaki 454 LTD : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Kawasaki EN500 Vulcan : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Kawasaki KLR650 : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Kawasaki Vulcan 1500 : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Suzuki C50 Boulevard : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Suzuki Katana GSX 750 : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Suzuki S83 Boulevard : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Yamaha FJ600 : from 81 to 107 MPG
  • Yamaha FZ6 : from 81 to 107 MPG

However, you may find that you'd be happy maybe cutting back on your riding, or scrimping on groceries, as some of those extreme hypermiling procedures can present a clear and present danger to your continued health and longevity! Be careful out there. Remember that saving money on fuel isn't going to be worth much if you're dead!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Check out Hal's latest Hubs:

http://hubpages.com/profile/Hal+Licino

Also don't miss Hal's many other Motorcycling Hubs!

Comments

RSS for comments on this Hub

two.wheel.riot profile image

two.wheel.riot  says:
15 months ago

sounds dangerous and i'm also pretty skeptical.

Hal Licino profile image

Hal Licino  says:
15 months ago

#4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece.

rethansmith profile image

rethansmith  says:
15 months ago

I definitely appreciated the fact that you pointed out that some techniques were very dangerous. I heard some of these on the radio the other day and the person made not mention of the danger involved.

Great Hub!

Hal Licino profile image

Hal Licino  says:
15 months ago

Oh yeah... drafting and killswitching can killswitch you real dead. I do it all the time, but that's because:

1) I have several decades of riding/racing experience

2) I am an immortal and can only be killed if my head is cut off with a sword. :)

Hal Licino profile image

Hal Licino  says:
15 months ago

#4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece.

Do you think I've made that clear enough? No? Ok...

#4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece. #4 and #5 in inexperienced hands can be extremely dangerous. I think I made that clear in the piece...

Roadster  says:
10 months ago

How freaking stupid, all of these are rediculous ideas and should not be attempted.

1, half the throttle and forget about getting on the highway

2. Sitting upright puts more drag on the bike and many cruisers have windshields.

3. Cover your radiator and fry your engine

4. Using the kill switch may save you gas but you'll spend that on repairing the ignition system.

5. Drafting, sure, make sure you can't see whats coming like all the idiots who tailgate and end up in the 10 to 100 car pileups on the highway. On a bike rearending a semi at 70 mph, you won't remember a thing.

Hal Licino profile image

Hal Licino  says:
10 months ago

1) Most motorcycles have the power to gently accelerate to highway speeds. Remember this was written at the time when gas was heading to a zillion dollars a gallon.

2) Windshields do nothing but increase drag coefficient!

3) In most cool to cold weather conditions following my instructions will help, not harm, the engine.

4) Use of the kill switch will not damage the ignition system unless horribly abused.

5) If a rider is exquisitely skilled, sober, and aware, drafting can be conducted with a measure of safety.

PowerSportOil  says:
8 months ago

Hypermiling on a motorcycle is tricky and I think you can use it if you are in the wide open spaces.  On a trip I did out west I tried to keep low to avoid drag but I was going very subtley uphill towards the continental divide and into the wind and on my return trip there was a noticeable improvement in milage.  I'm glad you did not mention high tire inflation as with many auto hyper-milers.  This is disaster on a bike. 

Using sythetic oil can also make a bit of a difference in milage. It can be very important if you cover your radiator as mentioned because synthetic oil has a much higher 'cooking' temperature. Dino oil cooks (loses viscosity) when going over 235 F. You will surely reach that temperature if you are covering your rad.

Hal Licino profile image

Hal Licino  says:
8 months ago

Thanks for your input!

Rahul  says:
7 months ago

now these hyper bikes are super bikes...more power than super bikes.

Hal Licino profile image

Hal Licino  says:
7 months ago

Lots more! :)

Heavy bikes  says:
3 months ago

latest Honda XL500 BMW F650GS

Hal Licino profile image

Hal Licino  says:
3 months ago

And your point is???

Submit a Comment

Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.


optional


  • No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked
  • Comments are not for promoting your hubs or other sites

working