People are trading 4 wheels for 2 and getting their motorcycles out sooner this spring than in past years due to high gas prices in Massachusetts. In this blog, we tackle how much riding a motorcycle can actually save you in gas expenses and the specific dangers of riding in early spring in Massachusetts.
How Much Do You Save In Gas By Riding Your Motorcycle?
Motorcycles are more fuel-efficient than cars and are actually among the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the roads in Massachusetts. Interestingly, motorcycles can be about twice as fuel-efficient as cars.
The average commuter motorcycle can get about 60 miles per gallon. The fuel economy in the United States for all vehicles averages around 25 miles per gallon. This makes motorcycles twice as fuel-efficient as cars on average.
That means motorcyclists will spend about half as much on gas as a person who drives a car.
What Makes Motorcycles More Fuel-Efficient than Cars?:
- Smaller frames
- Engines don’t need to work as hard
- Consumes less fuel once moving
The main reason motorcycles are so efficient is their size. You can also do several things to increase your motorcycle’s gas mileage.
9 Ways to Increase Motorcycle Fuel-Efficiency:
- Don’t Drive Aggressively
- Breaking and accelerating quickly can lessen overall fuel efficiency.
- Take Highways When Possible
- Curvy roads, city roads, and roads with hills will consume more gas than long stretches of flat roads.
- Keep Your Bike’s Engine Clean
- This will help your bike run optimally.
- Inflate Tires Properly
- Proper tire inflation is a key part of the puzzle to good gas mileage.
- Get a Lighter Bike
- If gas consumption is a concern, a lighter bike is a great option, especially if you live in a major city.
- Be Aerodynamic
- One piece of equipment that can help you be more aerodynamic is a full-face helmet. There are also particular types of clothing that you can buy that are specially designed to increase your aerodynamics.
- P.S. Massachusetts State Law also requires all motorcyclists to wear helmets.
- Minimize Bike Accessories
- The lighter your bike overall, the more miles you will get for every gallon of gas. The more weight your bike carries, the more it will increase your gas consumption.
- Use High-Quality Fuel
- This helps your bike run optimally and will help prevent sludge from building up in your fuel injectors, which can happen with lower-quality fuel.
- Minimize Wind Resistance
- Wind resistance increases exponentially with your speed. If you’re biking at 70mph, the wind resistance is about double what the wind resistance is when you bike at 50mph. It turns out traveling the speed limit could save your life and your wallet.
In addition to saving money on gas, you can also typically save money on purchasing a bike, insurance, maintenance, and other costs compared to buying and maintaining a car.
How To Ride Your Motorcycle Safely In Early Spring in Massachusetts
We all know the joy that riding brings, whether commuting or taking your bike for a joy ride. As personal injury lawyers, however, we are also acutely aware of the risks involved in riding in Massachusetts – especially in this late-winter, early-spring season.
April is here, and as much as we’d all love to think that means the snowy season is over… we all know Mother Nature loves to throw us one more snowstorm in April before she departs.
Our advice for late-winter riding boils down to this:
- If roads are dry and it’s just cold: ride on, but make sure you stay warm.
- If roads are icy, wet, covered in snow, or the forecast calls for these weather conditions during the day: keep the bike in the garage.
Winter Motorcycle Gear to Stay Warm
- Gloves
- Heated Grips
- Wool Socks
- Boots
- Winter-ready helmet
- Ski-mask
- Layers
- Heated gear
- Waterproof gear
- Find a full list with links here!
Spring Riding Checklist: How to Get Your Motorcycle Ready
Massachusetts’ state guidelines recommend you do a complete check of your motorcycle before each ride. The checks can help you spot any mechanical problems or issues which could put you in a dangerous position while riding.
This is especially important after your motorcycle has sat unused for a long winter.
Here is what you need to make sure you look for:
- Tire Wear:
- One of the first things you should check are your tires. They may not be in the best shape after sitting all winter. You will want to look for cracking along the tire's sidewalls and any flared edges or cupping on the tread.
- Tire Pressure:
- If your tires are in good condition, the next step is to ensure you have the proper tire pressure. This is especially important because colder temperatures cause tire pressure to drop.
- Check Oil & Fluids
- Check on your oil and fluid levels. It’s never a bad idea to go ahead and change your oil at the beginning of the season to help protect your bike’s motor.
- Check Your Battery:
- Unless your bike battery was connected to a trickle charger throughout the winter, you might need to replace it for the new riding season.
- Check all your Lights
- Make sure your headlight and brake lights are still working well.
- Basic Safety Check:
- Check your controls and mirrors and windshield to make sure everything looks good and nothing is cracked.
- Check your Gear:
- Check out your helmet, gloves, and glasses to ensure your safety gear is still in good condition.
For an even more comprehensive pre-ride checklist, check out our Massachusetts Motorcycle Riding Safety Checklist blog.
Injured In A Motorcycle Accident In Massachusetts? Our Boston-Based Injury Attorney Offers Free Consults
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident anywhere in Massachusetts, Spada Law Group’s injury attorneys can work to protect your legal rights. We have offices in Chelsea, Peabody, and Worcester, but we proudly serve the entire state and can meet with you remotely from the comfort of your own home. Contact us for a free consultation so we can learn more about your case and see how we can help you get the recovery you deserve after your accident.
