Why does my motorcycle consume more in winter?

You get the impression that your the motorcycle consumes more in winter ? Rest assured, this is not an experience! The motorcycle usually consumes more energy during the winter. Its usual consumption can increase by 5–20%. And you can do anything to reduce that, but you will find that the colder it gets, the more voracious your two-wheeler will be.

Why does a motorcycle consume more in winter? How to reduce this consumption? We will tell you everything.

Why does a motorcycle consume more in winter?

You should be aware of the following: driving style is not the only parameter that affects fuel consumption. Weather conditions can also have an effect. This is due to the fact that they change many parameters, which would make driving easier by the summer. But what in cold weather makes the bike redouble its efforts to be efficient. What are its criteria?

Increase in air density

When it's cold, there are many more molecules in the air. Thus, they increase mass and, naturally, density.

When air density increases, this has two consequences: first, the aerodynamic drag is more important. In other words, the bike will exert more effort at the same speed. Therefore, it automatically consumes more fuel.

Secondly, the fuel also becomes denser. When the butterflies open properly, the amount of fuel injected will be greater.

Lower tire pressure

When it's cold tire pressure is reduced from 0.1 to 0.2 bar environment. While this decline is not really significant, it has serious consequences on the road. At the same speed, this can lead to increased and increased friction, loss of power and, as a result, increased fuel consumption.

To fix this, remember to check your tire pressures regularly. After that, do not be afraid to pump them with an additional pressure of 0.1 to 0.2 bar to compensate for the inevitable pressure loss.

Extended engine warm-up time

When it's cold cold engine... And unlike the hot season, when it heats up in seconds, it heats up much longer in winter.

Therefore, it will take time to reach operating temperature. And, unfortunately, this time, when it has to work empty, the fuel has already been used up. And this is without taking into account downtime and restarts, which will only increase this consumption.

Heating accessories

Cold. To make driving more comfortable, you can wear heated accessories - this is normal. And since the cold can make your fingers very numb, buying heated grips and gloves can be a great solution.

However, you should know that using heated accessories can increase fuel consumption in a significant way. These accessories consume electricity. However, the latter is powered by a generator, which is in turn powered by an engine. Therefore, they make the engine work even harder. Therefore, it is normal for your motorcycle to consume more.

My motorcycle uses more fuel in winter, what should I do?

An increase in consumption in winter is inevitable. But there is something you can do to minimize this phenomenon and thus avoid overconsumption.

Does your motorcycle consume more in winter? Here are the steps to avoid

To consume less Avoid Using Too Much Startup Force... You must give the engine time to warm up properly. You should know this, when you open the throttle fully, you increase the flow by about ten liters. And this is when the engine is idling.

Similarly, also do not leave the first hundred meters on the wheel hats... True, the engine is hot. But we also need to give the machine time to discover its momentum. Without this, he will exert more effort and therefore consume more to compensate.

Avoid driving too fast... Since the motorcycle provides more power to travel at the same speed, you must drive slower in winter to limit fuel consumption. And always try to maintain a stable speed. If you do not stay first and try to drive at 40 km / h, you will consume very little.

Does your motorcycle consume more in winter? Do not neglect service

As you can imagine, your motorcycle is demanding in winter. She is in much more pain, so she needs a lot more attention.

First check tire pressure... Don't be afraid to pump them up too much to compensate for the inevitable loss of pressure. Also check their condition and if you feel they are too worn out, do not hesitate to replace them.

Also think about check oil viscosity... If it is too viscous, it can cause a loss of power and lead to excessive fuel consumption. Finally, to avoid increasing the density of the air / fuel mixture, be sure to synchronize the cylinders.

Does your motorcycle consume more in winter? Think about wintering

Despite everything, the rise in consumption in winter remains inevitable. You can take all the necessary precautions. You will be able to limit this increase, but you will not be able to avoid it. Because the colder it gets, the more your bike will suffer. And this will have a direct impact on fuel consumption.

This explains why most motorcyclists choose to store their two wheels. in the garage in winter.