The Best Way to Save on Gas is....
The rise in gas prices does not seem to be letting up anytime soon, so many people are searching for ways to save money on fuel. If you think you have exhausted all of your options, we have one big tip that you may not have considered…
It is no secret that gas prices have seen a major increase over the last couple of years, and they just keep getting even higher. In fact, in even as little a time frame as one month, gas prices increased 48 cents, raising the national average to approximately $4.58 per gallon. Coming across a gas station anywhere in the country with prices under $4 is almost unheard of nowadays, and that can really wreak havoc on your wallet if you are someone who drives frequently and/or drives long distances.
Regardless of the actual reasons behind this radical jump in gas prices, it is a problem that people all over the U.S. are facing, and struggling with. Some states have recently even seen large increases of over 25 cents in their average prices. This issue doesn’t seem to be backing down anytime soon, so the most reasonable thing for people to do right now is figure out the best options for saving money on gas.
Sure, there are a few obvious things that come to mind, such as planning ahead and scheduling your day to include certain things, so you don’t have to drive back and forth. For example, if you have a meeting or appointment set and the location is close to a few other places where you may need to run errands, do all of that on the same day. This saves gas and time, so it’s a smart move in general.
Alternatively, you can absolutely save money on gas just by avoiding driving as much as possible. If you need to go somewhere that is within walking distance, then forget vehicle transportation altogether and just take a walk or ride a bicycle. It’s better for you to get the fresh air anyway. In situations where the destination is further than walking distance, use public transportation, if that is an option for you, and of course, ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft are available in pretty much every city.
Additional ways to save money on gas include downloading certain mobile apps that give you real time comparisons of local gas stations, or signing up for gas rewards programs that offer money back if you sign up for emails or text messages or link a bank account. Many gas station companies offer these programs to their customers, and there are also grocery store rewards programs and even specific credit card companies that offer points or cash back when you spend money on fuel. Speaking of grocery stores, some of the larger membership-based grocery retail chains, such as Costco, have their own gas pumps reserved only for their members. These gas stations typically do offer lower gas prices than other non-exclusive pumps.
It can also be very beneficial to simply be more conscious about how you are driving. Pay attention to how hard you hit the accelerator and the brakes. When you quickly speed up or suddenly slam on the brakes, the engine is forced to exert more energy and that uses up gas.
Try not to idle too long with the engine on either, as this also uses up gas. Newer car models are equipped with fuel-saving features like engines that stop after the car is standing still for a certain amount of time, which helps. However, that is not the case for all vehicle models, so if your car does not have this feature, just try to avoid situations where your car may be idle for longer than normal, like keeping the engine on while waiting outside your friend’s house to pick them up.
As always, make sure to keep your engine and tires properly maintained. This can really help improve your vehicle’s gas mileage. It’s also ideal to keep your car light in weight, meaning don’t pack extra stuff inside of it or on top of it on a regular basis. Extra weight results in extra power needed to get going, and that means extra gas used.
Believe it or not, in many states, the actual day of the week you choose to get gas can have an effect on the final price at the pump. In 2021, studies showed Friday as being the cheapest day of the week to get gas, but in the previous three years, Monday was always consistently the cheapest. 2021 studies also showed that the middle of the week is consistently worse than Monday or Friday. Using an app such as GasBuddy to stay up to date on statistics like this can very likely help you save a few bucks here and there.
These money-saving tricks are all well and good, and we appreciate and utilize them ourselves, but the team at NBT Clothing has an even better tip for you. Our biggest piece of advice for saving money on gas? Ride a motorcycle!
Despite cars being the most popular mode of transportation, it’s becoming more of a hassle to drive them due to these rising fuel costs, so motorcycles and even electric scooters have become increasingly accepted as an everyday means of transportation for those who are licensed to ride.
Motorcycles have a big advantage when it comes to mileage. The average commuter motorcycle is able to get at least 60 miles per gallon (mpg), and sometimes even more, compared to a car. Even hybrid cars only reach around 50 mpg. It’s really all about efficiency. That mileage difference is big, but the real money saver is the difference in cost between purchasing a motorcycle with high mileage capability, versus purchasing a hybrid car with lower mileage. A new motorcycle is going to be much less expensive than a new hybrid, or any new car in general. Even a used bike, which comes in at even cheaper, will still be reliable in getting better mileage.
So, when you choose to ride a motorcycle versus driving a car, you are not only saving money on gas because your bike is able to get more miles to the gallon than a car, but you’re also saving money on the actual purchase of a vehicle. This goes even further than just the purchase, since insurance and maintenance are typically cheaper for motorcycles, as well.
Also, it’s pretty obvious that a motorcycle is much smaller and weighs less than a typical car. This allows the motorcycles to move easier, with much more speed and much less force, and fuel, required to handle it.
Just as there are ways to help preserve gas while driving a car there are ways to preserve gas while riding a motorcycle… and guess what? There is not much of a difference between the two. Fuel is fuel, and you need to take care of your vehicle, whether that be a car or a bike, for it to continue operating smoothly, safely, and sufficiently. This is the most important part: taking care of the vehicle.
Proper maintenance can prolong the life of your motorcycle for years to come, not only to keep it working at its best, but also looking at its best. Be mindful of the kind of fuel you use when filling up. Poor quality fuel can cause issues for your engine, such as clogging up the fuel injector site. Additionally, make it a habit to regularly check your tire pressure. If it’s not set at the recommended PSI, the tires won’t move as well as they should be and that forces the bike to use more fuel to keep going. Don’t neglect regular maintenance checks at the auto shop for things like oil changes, engine cleaning, filter replacements and other necessary upkeep that keep the engine functioning proficiently.
Just like with cars, it is never good for fuel consumption when you speed up or slow down too quickly. We know, we know… it is a lot of fun to ride at high speeds down the highway and feel the adrenaline rush through you as fast as the wind blows past… But that is not the smartest thing to do if the ultimate goal is to conserve your fuel and limit the money you are spending on that fuel — and well, it’s also not always the safest either.
The best way to save gas and improve mileage while driving is to maintain a constant speed, while obeying the speed limits, being careful not to rev the engine too much or come to a quick halt when stopping. The easiest way to do this is by taking the highway instead of back or city roads that might have steep hills, curves, and lots of stop-and-go areas and/or traffic. Highways have consistent speed limits for long stretches of road, allowing you to easily continue along at a smart pace without traffic lights or unexpected environmental elements interrupting your smooth ride.
Weight plays a large role in fuel efficiency as well. As we mentioned already when discussing gas saving tips for cars, less weight equals less fuel needed. Motorcycles already weigh less and are smaller than cars and SUVs, so any added weight will certainly affect how it rides. You might have some pretty cool motorcycle accessories connected to your bike, but if fuel conservation is important to you, you might want to give these attachments a second thought and determine if the extra weight is really that necessary.
Weight is not limited to tangible items, however. Weight can also come from outside elements such as wind. Riding during strong wind can add extra resistance to the bike, increasing the need for extra fuel.
If there is anyone who understands the importance of fuel efficiency, it’s us at NBT Clothing. We love riding the open road for the thrill and exhilaration as much as we can, but we also like jumping on our bikes for simple tasks like going to grab lunch with a friend, driving to the gym, or running a few errands around town. Fuel efficiency is crucial for us to be able to continue enjoying the ride, without it feeling like a burden when we have to spend major bucks on gas more often than we would like.
Not all bikes are created equal though. Some motorcycles have better fuel efficiency than others, so it’s important to always do your research when looking for the best one to buy. We found this list of the best fuel-efficient motorcycles on the market right now and thought it would be a great resource to share with all of our NBT Clothing fans and customers, whether you are ready to trade in your current bike for a new one, or maybe you are purchasing a bike for the very first time.
Some of the motorcycles covered include the Honda miniMOTO series, the Yamaha Bolt R-Spec, the Honda NC700X/NC750X, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, and the Ducati Panigale V2, all of which boast noteworthy mileage. We highly recommend checking out this article for all of the specs and details for over 10 different motorcycles that will have you riding in fuel-efficient style, wherever the road may take you.
Of course, NBT Clothing doesn’t just want you to ride in fuel-efficient style; we want you to ride in safety-efficient style as well. Our collection of motorcycle gear is equal parts protective, comfortable and fashionable, all at the same time. We offer items such as aramid reinforced jackets and riding pants in a variety of colors with removable CE-approved armor in the knee and hip area, and stylish yet practical vests. It’s the motorcycle clothing that blends fashion with functionality; it’s Style & Safety Redefined™.
Here’s one more detail that makes NBT Clothing the top choice for motorcycle riders… Remember when we mentioned how weight has an effect on fuel efficiency? That weight can come from clothing too! NBT Clothing is known for its lightweight and breathable materials that keep riders feeling secure and comfortable without being bogged down with heavy or restrictive clothing, and in turn, that keeps the bike from having any extra weight as well.
Now that you know that riding a motorcycle can ultimately help you save gas and save money in the long run, you must have a little extra pocket cash for some new motorcycle gear…right? Right! Shop for all of your protective motorcycle clothing at NBTClothing.com and get ready to ride in style, in gear that has been expertly crafted for riders, wherever and whenever they ride, no matter what their experience. It’s clothing that has been Built for the Journey and the Destination™.
