I hope this topic hasnt been run into the ground. I hear from different people that some only get 32-38 mpg riding the speed limit and others get 38-44mpg riding 10 over the limit...I decided to keep closer track of my fuel usage and miles traveled .
My last tank 212 miles and it only took 4.2 gallons to fill the tank and my average hwy speed was 76mph " heavy wrist syndrome"....
Anyone else get about the same mileage when riding the interstate?
This topic has been discussed a bit, I remember posting a question as well. Gas mileage does vary widely. For example with my stock 04, I was averaging around 180 before my last bar would start to blink. I have pushed it to 200 on numerous occasions. Put remember I have been reving hard ever since I bought the bike.
Now with the minor upgrades I have, I only get around 165 on the tank before the light blinks. Kinda sucks, but hey its worth the fun factor.
g_unit, Aug 28 2006, 10:22 AM This topic has been discussed a bit, I remember posting a question as well. Gas mileage does vary widely. For example with my stock 04, I was averaging around 180 before my last bar would start to blink. I have pushed it to 200 on numerous occasions. Put remember I have been reving hard ever since I bought the bike.
Now with the minor upgrades I have, I only get around 165 on the tank before the light blinks. Kinda sucks, but hey its worth the fun factor.
I have some mods, M4 exhaust, Givi wind screen, heli bars...I have never averaged less than 40mpg , no matter how hard i ride it.. I wanted to see what the vfr would handle at speed so I got on I-57 south at MT.vernon,ILL and opened her up and never let the speedo get 140mph until I was within 1 mile of the JC/Herrin off ramp.....
Nailer45, Aug 28 2006, 11:18 AM I hope this topic hasnt been run into the ground. I hear from different people that some only get 32-38 mpg riding the speed limit and others get 38-44mpg riding 10 over the limit...I decided to keep closer track of my fuel usage and miles traveled .
My last tank 212 miles and it only took 4.2 gallons to fill the tank and my average hwy speed was 76mph " heavy wrist syndrome"....
Anyone else get about the same mileage when riding the interstate?
On my last trip, the very last tank of gas, I did 270 miles with .4 of a gallon left in the tank = 49 mpg. I only did this once. The reason for that, I believe, was the Vtec rarely got engaged: long sweeping 6th gear corners most of the way, and I didn't feel like speeding (too much) on the straights. On average, I do 42 mpg, and if I "play" in the twisties, then it drops dramatically to 35 mpg or lower. BTW, unless there is a cop in sight, I always ride above the posted speed limit on highways.
40- 45 mpg. i have been playing a lot and speeding with the radar detector. i bet if i did the limit and didnt go quick from the lights i could do better.
da9b20, Aug 28 2006, 12:57 PM what octane does the 5th gen use? i have been putting in 93 and just read something about 86?
I tried 93 a couple times, seems to me the bike runs better on 86 which is the recommended. So, why pay more for gas when bike runs better on the cheap stuff... no complaints here. I usually get about 40mpg but i'm pretty light on the throttle too. Hit a couple 250 tanks when on highway before. thats about my best.
Last time I checked my mileage I was at 178 when she started to blink and I filled the tank up. Took me 4.2 gallons, so it was right around 42 mpg. That is my commute to work riding though, so it is tamer than I would when I ride out in the corners. I pretty much always ride slightly above the speed limit, and usually in traffic around here (Detroit area) that means you are going with everyone else. If I am trying to get through traffic, I might bring her up a bit faster in some situations. I also do not run high octane gas in her any more. 89 octane is fine. I found that when I was running 93, I got crappier gas mileage than with 89, and she just didn't seem to run the same. I should ask Cozye if his map was done with 89, cause she sure seems to like it.
My highest gas mileage on a tank recently was right around 230 miles to the tank, and I used 5.2 gallons to fill her back up. That was two up riding the whole time too. I tend to not ride anywhere near as hard two up as I do by myself.
My 1999 VFR800 gats between 45 - 48 mpg no matter how I ride. It only goes down, when I don't have enough air in the tires.
I use the 89 octane. Jeff (above) is right. Lower octane has better milage. The lower octane gas ignites more violently. The higher octane stabilizes the gas so the engine doesn't pre-ignite the gas at high compression. VFR's are not running really high compression. Using higher octane is wasting money and slower! -Jim
My last tank 212 miles and it only took 4.2 gallons to fill the tank and my average hwy speed was 76mph " heavy wrist syndrome"....
Anyone else get about the same mileage when riding the interstate? [/quote] I can get 40-43 if keep it at or near 75 (not very often). If I'm up around 90 the mileage drops to about 35-37. Originally it was 30-32 and I whined to the dealer but they wouldn't pop for a TB sync. That service was performed at 16k and the economy improved.
I'm surprised at the mileages posted in this thread. I get at least 325 miles range on a tank, when doing slab. I travel at least 80, with blasts to well over 100 mph. At least 45 mpg, always, without fail. Around town I don't track it, as riding patterns vary so widely from tank to tank when used in the city it's just not meaningful for comparison purposes.
It is not a good idea to buy mid-grade...ever. Fuel is hydrophilic. The new EPA mandated tanks minimize water absorption but once the fuel makes it out of the storage tank and sits in the lines, it absorbs humidity in the air. Next time when filling up, check the pump odometers (total gallons pumped)...most gallons pumped will be regular, followed by premium, with mid grade a distant third. The mid grade sits around much longer and absorbs water, making it a very poor choice for any internal combustion engine...they run on ignitable gasoline, not water. Mid grade is an extremely poor choice in cold weather as it promotes fuel line freeze, regardless of formulation changes...the refiner can only account for so much moisture in the fuel.
The bike is designed for 87...unless an aftermarket tuner such as a PowerCommander is being used, and only then if more timing is dialed in. Stock, use 87 octane and use the money you save for something else more useful.
I might try the 87 and see how she runs. I have run her on 87 before though, and I like her better with 89, biggrin.gif I know that after I put on the power commander and one tooth down up front my mileage dropped. That will happen though when you take out that really lean fuel map that Honda uses stock.
chris2992, Aug 28 2006, 02:20 PM Round here we don't even have 87 as a choice anymore. It is 89-91-93.
OK, the same logic still applies...91 octane is the midgrade and 89 is the lower grade. Your VFR is designed to run very well on lower octane fuels.
Is fuel oxygenated around St Louis? Why the different octane numbers? It's all relative anyway, the numbers are just an average and whatever number you choose is diluted somewhat by whatever fuel was remaining in the hose from the previous customer...especially if they used a different octane rating than what you chose...
JoeAsheville, Aug 28 2006, 11:10 AM I'm surprised at the milages posted in this thread. I get at least 325 miles range on a tank, when doing slab. I travel at least 80, with blasts to well over 100 mph. At least 45 mpg, always, without fail. Around town I don't track it, as riding patterns vary so widely from tank to tank when used in the city it's just not meaningful for comparison purposes.
325 miles?! huh.gif That's at least 59 mpg (325 divided by 5.5)! How are you getting that kind of mileage?
MFP-2241, Aug 28 2006, 02:35 PM 325 miles?! huh.gif That's at least 59 mpg (325 divided by 5.5)! How are you getting that kind of mileage?
Don't know dude...but it's there. I reset my odo every time I fill the tank, and I see 325 regularly, one time I hit 349 and was on fumes and scared I would get stranded. No, I don't have a gray market import that measures in km biggrin.gif I also don't vary speed constantly, 100mph blasts are about .1% of the total riding time.
Tank capacity is advertised at 5.55. I fill the tank to brimming, to where even the breather hole is submerged. If folks just fill to where the nozzle shuts off that might be an issue...I go to great pains to put as much fuel as I can in the tank, to the point of filling on the centerstand. I cover a lot of ground when slabbing and I don't want to stop for much of anything.
Hey, I'm only getting roughly 5-7 more mpg than Jimbolaya wink.gif
JoeAsheville, Aug 28 2006, 11:37 AM Don't know dude...but it's there. I reset my odo every time I fill the tank, and I see 325 regularly, one time I hit 349. No, I don't have a gray market import that measures in km biggrin.gif
Lately, I have been getting 130 to 135 miles before the fuel light comes on. Then again, the last five trips I have made (other than riding to work today) have been from my house to the Crossroads gas station at the Gap and back home (with the exception of the Skyway being included last week). biggrin.gif About 3/4 of the total trip is spent above 6K on the rev-o-meter. wheel.gif That really cuts into the mileage. I guess VTEC would be of no help there.
Edit: I have never gotten more than 186 miles on a tank. I have found this out the hard way.
I'm amazed that people get milage per gallon in the 40's. That's great. I'm on average around 34mpg. I do live in high elevation and travel throughout high elevation living in the mountains of Montana. Also the highway speed limit is 75, I go between 82-90mph on a regular basis while on the interstate. In town I never speed and that is my primary use for this bike 25-35mph. I've always used 91 octaine, sounds like the lower octaine is the way to go. Thanks for some riders input!
MFP-2241, Aug 28 2006, 02:49 PM Hmm, are you running different size sprokets?
100% stock in the gearing department. 43t rear, stock tune, non-california bike. I do have a K&N filter and a 2Bros header with slip-on, but I wouldn't expect those items to make that much of a difference.
I bought the bike from a fellow in Charlotte who worked R&D for Mobil...[scratches head] I wouldn't think that I got a mileage test mule???
A similar 2000 VFR I owned back in 2002-2003 wasn't all that different from what I remember. I see a lot of VTEC folks replying in this thread, so it seems from this limited population comparison that the VTEC folks are just not getting the mileage that the non-VTEC folks are.
Ford had an engine with 4 valves that only engaged the extra two intake ports through IMRC as far back as 10 years ago. Fuel mileages improved when they did away with it in 1998, and one reason was because people either hated the transition and would ride around above 4000 RPM, or loved the transition and would run it harder just to feel the kick in their pants. I have a strong feeling that is part of what we're seeing here too.
JoeAsheville, Aug 28 2006, 01:34 PM OK, the same logic still applies...91 octane is the midgrade and 89 is the lower grade. Your VFR is designed to run very well on lower octane fuels.
Is fuel oxygenated in Chi-town? Why the different octane numbers? It's all relative anyway, the numbers are just an average and whatever number you choose is diluted somewhat by whatever fuel was remaining in the hose from the previous customer...especially if they used a different octane rating than what you chose...
Not near Chi, about 10 minutes from St. Louis. Don't know why we have the different numbers here, but it is mainly all of So. Ill.
Also, most of the stations around here have 3 different handles for each grade. I refuse to go to stations that only have one hose.
MFP-2241, Aug 28 2006, 01:49 PM Hmm, are you running different size sprokets?
Yeah. That's insane! Do you ride in a tuck all the time? I've never seen anyone get 50-anything mpg on a VFR. I just assumed your 325 was a typo. Have you verified the distance traveled with a GPS or anything? The best I've ever seen on the trip meter was 240. Whatever you're doing, please share, because I'd love to get that kind of mileage on my 5th gen.
I have a 2000 with a micron pipe and pilot roads and I got exactly 50 mpg going up highway 101 from LA to SF. That was going 65-75 keeping up with traffic.
Lowest I have gotten is 41 mpg around town commuting to work on surface streets.
THis weekend I went from Atlanta to Columbia SC to help a relative build a shop. I had my wife with me and we had soft saddle bags and a tank bag. I have just over 12k on my 2001. It has a K&N but feels like it needs a starter valve synch. Because I was two up I was riding more sedately.
We took GA Hwy 16 from our house in PTC over to just short of August and then had about 70 miles of slab. I stayed between 5-6k excedpt for a few bursts up to 7-8 for passing on the two lane. This is between (indicated) 70-85 with a few blasts up to an indicated 105-110.
I get at least 250 from a tank (before the last bars starts flashing) and usually closer to 270. It is a little less than I was getting before I installed the Givi Touring screen.
I have a BMC filter and want to synch the starter valves soon. When I synch the valves I have new Iridium plugs for it.
If I didn't want to stay above 50mpg I would prolly drop to a 6th gen front sprocket.
LandShark, Aug 28 2006, 12:19 PM Yeah. That's insane! Do you ride in a tuck all the time? I've never seen anyone get 50-anything mpg on a VFR. I just assumed your 325 was a typo. Have you verified the distance traveled with a GPS or anything? The best I've ever seen on the trip meter was 240. Whatever you're doing, please share, because I'd love to get that kind of mileage on my 5th gen.
Actually, I can get between 50-52 mpg if I'm just cruising down the highway around 60 mph. cool.gif
After reading JoeAsheville's reply, I'm thinking it is possible to squeeze 300 miles out of a tank. If you keep the speed down to a reasonable level, stuff as much gasoline as possible into the tank, you could make it to 300 no problems. fing02.gif
38 on a stock 05 vtech. Doesn't seem to matter whether it's on the freeway or on the crest. The four or five times I've checked it it's been right about 38. The little read blinky bar starts irratating me at about 170 miles I typically ignore it and make three trips to work with the way home on the third day a little paranoic with that stupid red bar blinking at me.
After reading JoeAsheville's reply, I'm thinking it is possible to squeeze 300 miles out of a tank. If you keep the speed down to a reasonable level, stuff as much gasoline as possible into the tank, you could make it to 300 no problems. fing02.gif
i agree, just had an "almost ran out" experience 220 miles, and there was almost nothing left in the tank. that included some short heavy throttle passes and 70+ miles/hour stretches for 1/2 to an hour at a time.
bone straight roads, and a nice easy 55-60 mph on the highway i bet it could be done. i'd want to do it where you're close to a gas station when you run out - VFRs are much heavier to push on the interstate. goofy.gif
Well, I'm going to give this a try. I won't drive like an old lady (Joe did say 80 mph on the highway), and I'll put as much gas in it as it can possibly stand. If I get anywhere near 300, I'll probably pass out. So, if this is my last post, you'll know how I did.
doug5551, Aug 28 2006, 03:35 PM I have a 2000 with a micron pipe and pilot roads and I got exactly 50 mpg going up highway 101 from LA to SF. That was going 65-75 keeping up with traffic.
Lowest I have gotten is 41 mpg around town commuting to work on surface streets.
...and there you have it folks. 50+ mpg is not uncommon with the 98-01 models. Who knew you could have your cake and eat it too.
I don't do anything spectacular, I just use the same fuel saving techniques anybody else would...don't vary speed much unless absolutely necessary, keep tires properly inflated and the engine in an excellent state of tune, clean/inspect wheel bearings and brakes regularly to avoid drag.
Many of the fuel saving techniques maintenance wise will also extend your performance envelope (who wants to ride a bike with worn bearings and dragging brakes?) so there's no reason not to do it.
LandShark, Aug 28 2006, 06:23 PM Well, I'm going to give this a try. I won't drive like an old lady (Joe did say 80 mph on the highway), and I'll put as much gas in it as it can possibly stand. If I get anywhere near 300, I'll probably pass out. So, if this is my last post, you'll know how I did.
We have confidence in you LandShark biggrin.gif
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 18 Oct 2006