⛽ What’s Causing Your Royal Enfield Bike’s Low Mileage? Troubleshooting Guide

⛽ What’s Causing Your Royal Enfield Bike’s Low Mileage? Troubleshooting Guide

You love the roar of your Royal Enfield — but when the fuel gauge keeps dropping too fast, it’s a buzzkill. Whether you ride a Classic 350, Meteor 350, Hunter, or the mighty Interceptor 650, low mileage can be frustrating and expensive.

Let’s break down the top causes of poor fuel economy — and show you how to fix them for better performance.

⚠️ Expected Mileage vs Real-World Average

Model Ideal Mileage (KM/L) Common Real Avg (KM/L)
Classic 350 Reborn 35–38 28–32
Meteor 350 35–40 30–34
Interceptor 650 22–25 18–22
Hunter 350 38–42 32–36

If you're getting much less than these averages — time to inspect your bike!

🔍 1. Poor Riding Habits

  • Revving too high or unnecessary throttle twisting

  • Sudden acceleration and braking

  • Riding in lower gears for longer durations

✅ Fix:

  • Ride smoothly, shift up early, avoid riding in traffic-heavy zones

  • Maintain speeds between 40–60 KM/H in city conditions

🛠️ 2. Incorrect Tyre Pressure

  • Low tyre pressure = more rolling resistance = poor mileage

  • Overinflation also reduces grip and causes premature wear

✅ Fix:

  • Check and maintain the recommended PSI (usually 32–34 front / 36 rear)

  • Do it weekly — especially before highway rides

🧪 3. Dirty or Clogged Air Filter

  • Clogged filter restricts airflow = rich fuel-air mixture = lower efficiency

  • Especially common in dusty riding environments like rural roads

✅ Fix:

🧰 4. Old or Improper Spark Plug

  • A worn-out or carbon-fouled spark plug fails to burn fuel completely

  • Can reduce mileage by up to 10–15%

✅ Fix:

  • Replace every 10,000–12,000 KM or if performance drops

  • Use NGK or Bosch OEM-spec plugs
    🔗 Browse Spark Plugs

💧 5. Chain Not Cleaned or Lubed

  • A dirty, dry chain causes drag and robs power

  • Worsens pickup and strains the engine, reducing mileage

✅ Fix:

🛢️ 6. Poor Quality or Mixed Fuel

  • Adulterated petrol = incomplete combustion

  • Especially risky with roadside or remote fuel stations

✅ Fix:

  • Fill only from trusted fuel pumps

  • Add a fuel system cleaner once every 2–3 months

⚙️ 7. Overloaded or Accessory-Heavy Bike

  • Too many heavy add-ons = increased engine strain

  • Top boxes, crash guards, fog lights, and saddle bags all add drag

✅ Fix:

  • Trim unnecessary weight for daily use

  • For touring, tune riding style to compensate

🔩 8. Faulty Fuel Injector or Carb Tuning

  • For EFI bikes: a clogged injector or faulty sensor reduces atomization

  • For carbureted bikes: improper jetting or idle setting causes wastage

✅ Fix:

  • EFI bikes: get injector cleaned every 15,000 KM

  • Carb bikes: tune idle RPM and air-fuel screw properly

🧠 Summary Checklist to Improve Royal Enfield Mileage

  • ✅ Smooth throttle control

  • ✅ Maintain correct tyre pressure

  • ✅ Clean chain and air filter regularly

  • ✅ Avoid overload and over-accessorizing

  • ✅ Use trusted petrol pumps only

  • ✅ Replace spark plug on time

Poor mileage isn’t just bad for your wallet — it’s a signal your bike needs attention.
🛠️ Find all the right spare parts to restore your Royal Enfield’s fuel economy.
👉 Shop Genuine RE Spares at underthehood.co.in

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