Know your mileage

Divide the distance travelled by the fuel consumed to get your bike's mileage in kmpl. For example, if your bike covered 300 km on 5 litres of petrol, the mileage is 300 ÷ 5 = 60 kmpl. To measure this accurately, use the full-tank method: fill the tank to the brim, reset the trip meter, ride at least 150–200 km, then refill and note the fuel used. The mileage figure you calculate will reflect your actual real-world riding conditions, which is typically lower than the ARAI-claimed figure tested under controlled conditions.

Divide 1 by your bike's mileage in kmpl to find the petrol consumption per kilometre. A bike with 50 kmpl mileage consumes 0.02 litres (20 ml) of petrol per km. At a fuel price of ₹105 per litre, this equals approximately ₹2.10 per km in fuel cost. Lower mileage bikes consume proportionally more — a bike with 30 kmpl uses 0.033 litres (33 ml) per km.

40 kmpl is moderate mileage for a commuter bike in India and is considered acceptable for 125cc–150cc bikes used in city traffic. Standard 100cc–125cc commuter bikes are ARAI-rated above 60 kmpl, though real-world city riding typically delivers 45–55 kmpl for this segment. 40 kmpl in dense city conditions with frequent stops is a normal real-world figure for 125cc bikes. Performance bikes in the 200cc–300cc segment typically return 25–35 kmpl, and premium motorcycles above 300cc deliver 15–25 kmpl. If your commuter bike is returning 40 kmpl where it previously delivered 55 kmpl, it may indicate a maintenance issue such as a clogged air filter, under-inflated tyres, or degraded engine oil.

To calculate the distance your bike covers on exactly 1 litre of fuel, note your odometer reading, add precisely 1 litre of petrol to a near-empty tank, ride until the fuel runs out, and record the distance covered. This direct method eliminates errors from tank volume variations. Alternatively, if you know your bike's overall mileage from the full-tank method, that figure already represents the km per litre — a bike with 55 kmpl mileage travels 55 km on 1 litre of fuel.

The 20 ethanol rule refers to India's E20 fuel policy, under which petrol is blended with 20% ethanol and 80% petrol. The Government of India mandated nationwide E20 adoption by 2025 as part of its National Policy on Biofuels, with the goal of reducing crude oil imports, cutting carbon emissions, and supporting the agriculture sector. Following a government amendment to petrol standards in July 2025, pure petrol (E0) was phased out from standard fuel specifications and E20 has become the default fuel at most retail stations across India. E20 has a lower energy density than pure petrol — approximately 7% lower per litre — which means bikes not specifically designed for E20 may see a mileage reduction of 2–8%. Two-wheelers manufactured from April 2023 onwards are designed to be E20-compatible with minimal mileage impact. If your bike was manufactured before 2023, consult your manufacturer or owner's manual regarding E20 compatibility before using higher ethanol blends regularly.

A good mileage for a commuter bike in the 100cc–125cc segment is 55–70 kmpl under real-world riding conditions. ARAI-certified figures for this segment range from 60 to 83 kmpl under test conditions. Mid-range bikes in the 150cc–200cc segment typically deliver 40–55 kmpl. Performance bikes above 300cc usually return 15–30 kmpl. Scooters in the 110cc–125cc segment generally achieve 40–55 kmpl. Real-world mileage is typically 10–20% lower than ARAI figures due to traffic, road conditions, and rider behaviour.

Maintain smooth, steady riding at 45–60 kmph on open roads and avoid hard acceleration or sudden braking. Keep tyres inflated to the manufacturer's recommended pressure — even a 5 psi drop can reduce mileage by up to 5%. Service your bike at regular intervals or as per the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, paying particular attention to the air filter, spark plugs, and engine oil grade. Avoid carrying unnecessary weight, as every additional 10 kg reduces mileage by approximately 1–2%. Use the correct fuel grade and, if your bike is E20-compatible, ensure you are not using a fuel blend your engine is not calibrated for.