Topic Approved and Moved to Pit Stop: General Biking Discussions.

I don't think anyone has verified this. But I have seen one thing for sure: grippier tyres decrease the performance of a bike. And physics wise, they should affect mileage too. As opposed to it, I think riding in rains means lesser grip and this should reduce tyre drag and give good mileage.

Again, this is just a hypothesis based on my understanding of physics and it maybe wrong too. Would love to know what members think of this...

Absolutely same logic came to my mind while seeing the Question.
Would surely like to see some proven facts.

It must be affecting mileage too, If the performance is get affected, but this difference would be very small and too short, I don't think it really can affect mileage measurable result in daily city riding..., But it affect the braking...

I am confused about it, that mileage will go increase or dicrease, can you clear my confusion, As my thought is if there is power or emission loss, it will decrease the mileage....

Some kinds of power losses result in lesser mileage. True.

BUT, where is the power loss while riding in rain? Maybe some minor change in the AFR but no other change, right? Grip is a major factor that's affected while riding in the rain. And if that reduces, mileage should increase due to less resistance.

Anyways, let's see what others say to this...

see as per me, when it rains the tyre faces a bit more resistance than the usual dry climate riding. This would definately lead to the resistance, but if its going to make a change in the mileage, that also drastically I doubt it... if you regularly keep a look on the mileage then one may notice it or else I dont think there would be any big change in the mileage of the motorcycle.

Also tyre air pressure is one of the factors to affect the mileage of the motorcycle

Yes it does. But this factor is negligible and depends on the depth of water wading, the shape of groove on tyre to remove water, the tyre compound and the speed.
At much higher speed the tyre looses contact with ground and runs on thin layer of water film, which is called hydroplaning and is naturally seen in cars and trucks, its dangerous as you loose total contact with ground and your wheel actually rotates a little more than what is actually needed which means more rotation but then since its not in contact, its like running bike on stand, so talking about mileage in such condtions. Hmmm, its not actually possible to measure those accurately nor will it differ much.

Well, with more water on road, tyre keep working out by draining it (more resistance & no aquaplanning) so mileage should decrease. One can also see loss of power or braking kinda effect if he/she goes through water puddle at a constant given speed with constant throttle; here rpm & speed both drops.
But given the fact about the low traction conditions, mileage should increase because of lesser tyre drag.
But again if one is always spinning the tyre more than the vehicle speed mileage is going to decrease. Because actual distance covered is less than the distance covered by tyre (and also burning extra fuel for that)
Another thing is about engine temperature, it will take longer to warm up > lower mileage
overheating engines will show more mileage.
Changes in Operating temp > (low mileage?? I guess)
engine will suck in low temp air with moisture > increase in power & mileage.
For all these factors (and of course many more) we have to set up a full fledged experiment.
But one thing is sure, unless your ride/travel is extra ordinary or abnormal, mileage change is negligible.
P.s. Another mileage deciding criteria is how one rides its bike on wet.. Like slow & smooth acceleration & de-acceleration and using minimal braking for staying safe on wet road can increase mileage.

Today morning, it was actually raining in Ajmer and I was reminded of this topic. What I noticed was:

1. I couldn't ride confidently due to lesser grip, had to slow down and speed up again quite a lot. This was not my normal riding. And the slush, mud, etc were not making matters easier. The muddy areas were like.. "Sticky!" and it was hard commuting for some part of the commute.
Had one wheelspin too, while accelerating very slightly. I think it was cowdung or something...

2. Then I reached the outer part of the city on my way to college. Here it was better. I could maintain around 50-60 kmph but slowing down around the sweeping corners, which on other days could've been handled with a slight lean @ 60 kmph itself.


And yes, I couldn't have gained better mileage today than drier days.... Rain, I think, is practically bad for mileage, contrary to my theoritical post above.

I think the best scenario for mileage would be: A cool but dry road, riding around 50-60 kmph (talking about 150cc+ bikes) with minimal throttle change.

infact i guess we should get more mileage in rainy seasons..because moslty we ride sanely in this seasons!! No more ripping as a feeling of skid anytime anywhere!! + poor visibility while riding due to rain, which keeps us at 40-50kmph only, so i think we should get better average!!

I am assuming the road i use daily it has water clogging at some areas and road are wet but not clogged so that it effects my bike speed or braking, But still as a precuation riding it at 40-60kmph only. My R15 V1 tyres has better grips till now once went for 100kmph too, while raining! No skid feelings, but this is foolishness to try to check the grip!!!

i guess Fuel Economy will decrease due to the fact that we have to change gears very often during rainy season and at some parts we have to ride the bike in lower gears ...

No idea about FE but engine'll be more smoother in rainy season.

I m just thinking aloud. Rain means lower ambient temperature of air but also higher moisture content. Which inturn means the combustion byproducts having higher amount of steam, which translates into more heat loss due to the moisture content thereby adversely affecting performance and mileage.

As opined, I m just thinking aloud... may be grossly wrong

Couldnt agree more