FUEL economy - how much do Singapore drivers know about it?

A recent Shell-sponsored survey found that drivers here are among the least aware of fuel economy, compared to drivers from 10other countries polled.

However, the same survey also found that drivers in Singapore are "hungry for advice" on fuel economy, but do not know where to find it.

Are Singapore bikers any different from the 310 Singapore drivers interviewed for the survey?

Some think not.

One motorcycle journalist wanted to show that even on a big bike, you can practise fuel economy depending on how you pilot the beast.

On 14 Jul, Mr Poh Yu Seung, 37, left Singapore on a 1,584cc Harley-Davidson RoadKing.

He wanted to see how far a full tank - roughly 19 litres - could take him on Malaysia's North-South highway.

PETROL-GUZZLING US BIKE?

Said Mr Poh: "Riders have the notion that Japanese bikes are the only fuel-efficient machines.

"Anything European or American, particularly if it's a big-capacity motorcycle, is regarded as a guzzler.

"When we tallied the results of my ride, I was surprised - I had managed to cover 502km on 18.9 litres of petrol. I thought I would be able to hit only 450km on a full tank."

Mr Poh took up the challenge out of curiosity, after noticing that his wife - who rides the same bike as he does, a 650cc Honda Transalp - always ran out of petrol first on their rides together.

Said Mr Poh: "It made me wonder whether it was our riding styles that contributed to the difference.

"I think I have a gentler throttle hand compared to my wife. When I ride, I don't usually crack the throttle open."

With support from Harley-Davidson and petrol sponsorship from Caltex, he set off from the Gelang Patah Rest area in Johor, after his fuel tank had been sealed and signed by witnesses.

A chase car trailed 50m behind the rider in case Mr Poh ran into problems. The ride was a little different from his usual touring sessions because he rode at about 80kmh to maximise fuel efficiency.

"Other vehicles were passing by me at 110kmh. Even small bikes were overtaking me," he said.

"But riding at 80kmh doesn't make you visually tired. I wasn't sleepy because the scene on the road was always different."

On his six hour, 45-minute long journey, Mr Poh made two stops, one for a toilet break and another for a quick lunch.

Some 40km outside Ipoh, Mr Poh's fuel tank went dry.

The 2007 Harley-Davidson Road King had clocked 502km - an average of 26.5km to a litre of petrol.

That's similar to the mileage you would get on any modern-day 200cc four-stroke motorcycle, which achieve between 25km and 35km to a litre of petrol.

And the result is exceptionally good considering that the Road King is almost 1,600cc of heavy metal.

On his return trip to Singapore, Mr Poh averaged 13km to the litre when he cruised on the Harley at 110kmh.

Added Mr Poh: "Perhaps what helped is the fact that the Harley is fuel-injected and has a sixth gear which behaves like an overdrive. Besides, I was ultra-gentle with the throttle."

Riding in the best fuel-efficient way may be difficult in Singapore because of our stop-go traffic conditions, but there are still things you can do that will take you further on the same amount of petrol.