I've gone through a few bike magazines searching for methods to calculate a motorbike's mileage but the methods I've come across are not satisfactory. So I've come up with a new simple method which gives results with a greater accuracy.
The method applies only to those vehicles which have separate 'mains' and 'reserve' for their fuel tank. Having a trip meter, although not essential, is convenient. The vehicle should be running on main supply and also the fuel tap should point towards 'ON' position.
Method:
1. Whenever the vehicle comes in reserve, note the reading of the odometer or alternatively, set the trip meter to zero. (It is obvious that the fuel tap will have to be positioned towards 'RES' or reserve position.)
2. Before the fuel tank runs empty, refuel the bike and note the amount of fuel that goes in the tank. Take special care that the amount of fuel should be enough so that the vehicle runs in mains again. Also take care that the fuel tap is again set to 'ON' position.
3. When the bike comes in reserve again, note the reading of the odometer again (or of the trip meter if you set it to zero in step 1).
Calculation:
The calculation can be better understood with the help of a example:
For example the initial reading of the odometer was 3110.8 km (at this point you may set the trip meter to 0.0) and for example the amount of fuel with which the bike has been filled with is 5.0 lt. Now, if the bike comes in reserve again at the odometer reading of 3393.5 km (the trip meter reading should be 282.7 km), the mileage is calculated by the formula:
Distance travelled since the last reserve / amount of fuel filled
In this example:
Distance travelled since the last reserve = (3393.5-3110.8=) 282.7 km
Amount of fuel filled = 5.0 lt.
Hence mileage of the bike = (282.7 / 5.0 =) 56.54 km/l.
