Hey everyone. I am going on a 3500 mile trip starting November 2nd. I am trying to get everything sorted out with myself, gear, and the bike. I noticed I am only getting 130-140 miles to a tank. I am filling it 4.8-5.0 gallons. this equals 28 miles per gallon. I weigh 150lbs wet and I am very easy with my right hand.... Does this see right to you? It doesn't seem right to me...
Bike has 17k, no pipe, no K&N, with fresh fluids and air filter...Tires are brand new and properly inflated...
I was going to try the following:
1. Put seafoam in the tank.
2. Change/check spark plugs
3. Change/check fuel filter
4. Figure out how to load a default fuel map.... maybe the previous owner messed with the fuel map.....plugs may tell me...
Any words of wisdom for me?
Thanks.
SJP
What is your coolant temperature when riding? If it is not getting about 170 your thermostat is probably stuck open which causes horrible gas mileage as the engine is not up to temp.
+1.gif to jeremy
do you have a pciii? you mentioned maps, so i assume so. i get the same mileage. that is with me being 250lbs and running nothing but twisties. it definitely sounds like you have an issue.
Add Seafoam to the tank, start it up run it until it dies, it will die because the Seafoam breaks all the carbon loose and fouls the plugs. Now, change the plugs. I did this to my bike a few months ago and it improved drastically.
Forgot to mention that. Its consistenly 180-190 when riding, fans kick on at 220 when stopped at a light. Warms up quickly...
turtlecreek, I do not have a power commander... I think what you are getting at is there is only the default map if I do not have a power commander...Right?..sorry, I dont know much about fuel maps.. I ride mixed roads, but as I said I'm very easy on the gas, especially recently as I have been watching the gas consumption closely...
Gap Trash, yea thats what i was thinking about doing, maybe I'll have the same luck as you...
btw, brakes are not dragging, and front axle is properly torqued...chain is lubed....
turtlecreek, Oct 14 2007, 08:22 PM +1.gif to jeremy
do you have a pciii? you mentioned maps, so i assume so. i get the same mileage. that is with me being 250lbs and running nothing but twisties. it definitely sounds like you have an issue.
Well, if you would quit eating at Bea's four times a week..... goofy.gif
I know...payback is heck... rolleyes.gif
On the bad mileage, might take it out and just run it really hard for a full day. I find that when I putz around (not very often), then open her up for a bit, it runs a lot better. No rocket science here. FWIW.
Thanks Bent, Believe me once I cross into Virgina I will be riding the sheeet outta that red thing. Its just that I will be very far from home (No. GA) and I will be alone, 50% more range could mean the difference between a good trip and a bad trip. You with me?
Peto, Oct 14 2007, 06:24 PMForgot to mention that. Its consistenly 180-190 when riding, fans kick on at 220 when stopped at a light. Warms up quickly...
your temps are in the ball park. the vfr will run hot when you kick it up past 7K, the 220 range is not unusual. as far as 25 mpg, i get about 40 running hard and 45-55 in touring but i have 32K on mine. the vfr mileage goes up at 20K, then better at 25-30K. after 20K mine went from 35 to 40-45....the cleaning out the system will probably be a good idea.
you should get 35-40 at your mileage.
vegasvfr, you sure about that? I have never heard of anything like that...seems a little odd.
Yes, clean the injectors - seafoam or whatever. You should probably go back and double check your work on the airfilter too. Put the bike on the center stand and lift the front wheel - confirm it spins freely as well as the rear. There is no way to reprogram the standard map, unless your using a PC2 type device. Have you noticed smoke at all?
Thanks for the reply HS,
Zero smoke. Runs very well except for the gas consumption.
I just put new tires on last weekend. I was very careful about torquing the front wheel. It spins well, not sure about freely, it spins like the back a few rotations then stops.. not like a rollerblade wheel thats for sure...
I put the airfilter in so it sits in the groove all the way around, and then replace the airbox lid.... not really much to it...
Sync'd the starter valves too...
Ok, many of you are suggesting it, I am definitly going to give the seafoam a shot. Just seemed strange with so few miles... but I guess one run with old gas could have caused it. I'll buy plugs too, they're cheap enough, besides book says every 8k so I'm twice past due...
No one has mentioned fuel filter...
Hey Peto...
Pretty low mile'er you have. I see you've put a few fast ones on.
Has it always ran this thirsty? Any sprocket changes?
Vee-Ef-Ar, Good question. Just bought bike in April with 10k and it had a bad rectifier. The trip meter would reset before I could ever check mileage. Now that it is fixed I notice it. Bike is Stock.
Peto, Oct 15 2007, 05:48 AMVee-Ef-Ar, Good question. Just bought bike in April with 10k and it had a bad rectifier. The trip meter would reset before I could ever check mileage. Now that it is fixed I notice it. Bike is Stock.
Hey! Peto. i am new to this site. I have read your problem with the gas consumption. I have 2000 VFR 800 Fi with only 7 k miles bought it at the beginning of the summer. The gas consumption on mine is worse than yours. I have been working to come up with a solution for the last month but no luck. I get around 100 miles per tank which is around 19-21 miles per gallon. THe bike might be out of sych'd but should not give that much of a problem. Any luck with yours and or have any suggestions for me? THank you in advance.
Bman, I just picked up some seafoam. I also ordered 4 new spark plugs. This weekend I will ride down to my garge with my tools and see how it goes. I am going to pour some in the tank run it pour some more in run it. Get some high octane gas, run it some more. More high octane gas to dillute whats left of the seafoam. Then switch the plugs. Ill try to run through a tank asap and get the result posted here for you.
I have a 2001 that I purchased new and my bike has always averaged about 54 miles to the gallon the bike now has 28,000 miles on it. I do replace the plugs and air filter acording to hondas specs.
Newport Jim, Oct 15 2007, 08:50 PMI have a 2001 that I purchased new and my bike has always averaged about 54 miles to the gallon the bike now has 28,000 miles on it. I do replace the plugs and air filter acording to hondas specs.
Hey! Jim. everytime I hear what kind of mileage people get out of their bike, i just want o roll my bike down into a lake. I get only 110 miles per tank if I am lucky and that is mix-riding. Where do all the gas go? Three gallons just disappear everytime I fill the tank. The bike is running great, temp is fine, all filters are changed to K&N, everything else is updated, and I don't smell or see any linkage.
Looking forward to hear from Peto.
Man, some of the mileage you guys are getting SUK, mine has always been between 40- 46 range, and I don't take it all that easy on the bike.
be careful to dilute the seafoam..you don't want to run it straight through the fuel system. High-octane fuel will also do no better, so save money by not buying it (Higher octane fuels help reduce preignition, which the VFR doesn't have an issue with).
I am guessing that your fuel system is simply dirty. Fuel Filter should have no ill effect on fuel mileage. Do the seafoam as directed on the can for an F.I. cleaning. Check your 02 sensors as well....O2 sensors are tattle tales that tend to read rich when bad. You might try bypassing them with the correct resistor as others have done.
Tightwad,
If I'm not mistaken, the 98-99 models don't have catalytic converters and therefore no O2 sensors.
Peto,
I just bought a 98 and got 30 mpg on the first tank of gas I ran through it. I had added Techron to that tank of gas. I have added Seafoam to the current tank at a rate of 1 oz/gal. I too have checked the spark plugs and thermostat. Bike is completely stock.
I found a link to this thread while trying to solve my problem. I will try this if the Seafoam doesn't improve my mileage. How To thread " [url="
http://www.bikersoracle.com/vfr/forum/showthread.php?t=76563 "] " on the UK VFR site on Pair valve clean.
I can usually get about 370 to 400 km to a tank on my 99. It has 37kilometers on it. The only time the mileage sucks is when the air temp outside dips below 50.
Tightwad, as Tgorman has said, the 98-99 has no o2 sensors. Also, I did not mean run higher octane from now on, I just meant while using the seamfoam. I always use 87.
Tgorman, thanks for the link, I have already removed the entire PAIR system, so it is not my reed valves sticking. I used JB Weld on ground down covers, and a high strength plastic filler on the airbox. Please post your results here too. Myself, and...ummm..Bman are very interested in knowing.
Regardless, I will use seafoam at 1oz/gal as per the back of can. I will also replace the plugs. I hope it helps.
-Steve
Verdict is in. dry.gif
I ran 5 ounces of seafoam through a full tank two times. Can't even hit 31 mpg. I will be swapping out the plugs this weekend. Maybe they will be fouled....
Anybody have any other ideas? Maybe the valves? Fuel filter?
Peto, Oct 24 2007, 11:09 PMVerdict is in. dry.gif
I ran 5 ounces of seafoam through a full tank two times. Can't even hit 31 mpg. I will be swapping out the plugs this weekend. Maybe they will be fouled....
Anybody have any other ideas? Maybe the valves? Fuel filter?
I think that the fuel filter might be a problem. If it's clogged then the bike is sucking more fuel and working harder, so the mileage drops. I get around 220 miles from a full tank on my y2k and I have a heavy throttle hand.
PB fing02.gif
Have you checked the enrichment lever to make sure that the cable is not sticking? I would think that it could make a difference on your mileage.
Newport Jim, I will assume by enrichment lever you mean the choke or fast idle lever, if so, it is not sticking. In fact I just adjusted it a few days ago to 'grab' earlier.
Pawnbroker, I was thinking the same thing, but I dont know for sure and they are a PIA to change plus 50 bucks, not-to-mention no one else ever changes theirs... But I am running out of ideas here...I'm blinking at 120 miles and need over 5 gallons at 150 miles. Again, I've been easy on the gas and I'm a lightweight.
Did you pull the plugs and check them after running the Seafoam? Have you tried disconnecting the battery to reset the ECU? (Grasping at straws here..)
My '99 gets about 38-40 in town and up to 45 cruising on the highway, w/ 50K miles and I ride it gently. It's always gotten that mileage. I don't know how anyone gets over 50mpg, any tricks you find would be good.
Off to a honda shop with you then.
:-)
The most I've ever got out of my '99 is 350km, with only about 500ml of guzzoline left in the tank.
Usual amount is 300 while commuting, 270 while tootling...
I think as long as your bike fires up cold, and runs without a miss, your plugs should be ok.
Given your last thread about the odometer resetting {which no one has ever seen before} I can't help but think your problems might be more severe.
ECU cooked {running on backup mode}?
Hole in the tank?
Aftermarket fuel pump giving you more fuel than needed?
Someone hand me a straw too.
vfrgreg: I will never bring my bike to a honda shop. I dont even like bringing my wheels there with new rubber for a swap.
AB-Oz: You are getting 20% more mileage than me.
Vee-Ef-Ar: Good memory, I am glad someone is paying attention! About the plugs, I think so too, but they were cheap, way past due to be changed, and I am running out of other ideas.
- No hole in tank because I get same mileage wether it takes me two hours to go through tank or two weeks.
- If I had an aftermarket fuel pump giving more fuel, wouldn't my spark plugs reveal that RICH condition? Be a dark color or something? I'm not super experienced in this area.
- ECU....that is a good point, I never thought of that...Anyway to test it, or ensure it is not running on 'backup' mode?
I will do plugs today. I hit the road in one week, regardless (We don't care about no stinking mileage). comp13.gif
If I had an aftermarket fuel pump giving more fuel, wouldn't my spark plugs reveal that RICH condition? Be a dark color or something? I'm not super experienced in this area))))
Did ya know one 1'16th of a turn on a fuel screw can loose 2mpg, with 4 cyclinders thats 8 to 10 mpg, and you wouldnt be able to tell on a spark plug read.
I know the bike is FI but just pointing out even a slight change can eat fuel easily.
if the o2 sensors are disconnected I d reconnect them , I assume no power commander
spud786: I am not sure what fuel screws you are talking about. On a carb'd bike? You mentioned a slight change can affect mileage, a slight change of what? My bike is a 99 and does not have any o2 sensors(see above). You do not have to 'assume' anything about a power commander, I do not have one (see above).
Just a quick update for those interested.
I have returned from my epic adventure. 3500 miles in November, solo... decent for my third trip (first on the VFR)... first time on some great roads too...entire BRP, dragon, cherohala, wolf, NC/GA129, NC/GA28, war woman, 421, NC/VA/KY80...touched down a few times....home safe...lot a riding years left...all's good.... fing02.gif
Highlight of the trip: At a gas station near Blairsville, GA. It was 5:30am, 26 degrees, and dark as night out, some elderly guy walks up to me, peeks at my liscense plate, and says "You got more guts than god." wink.gif
Anyway, whether it was the plugs, the seafoam, or both... Maybe just getting her out of short, stop and go, commuter mode and just riding. In 3500 miles I averaged about 37 mpg. My best was 41 mpg and actually hit 190 just as she started blinking. Could have easily broke 200 on that tank. I was fully loaded with 30+ lbs of gear.
I'm totally satisfied
Appreciate the help everyone.
Peto, Nov 15 2007, 06:20 PMAnyway, whether it was the plugs, the seafoam, or both... Maybe just getting her out of short, stop and go, commuter mode and just riding. In 3500 miles I averaged about 37 mpg. My best was 41 mpg and actually hit 190 just as she started blinking. Could have easily broke 200 on that tank. I was fully loaded with 30+ lbs of gear.
I'm totally satisfied
Appreciate the help everyone.
I just saw this thread and it sounds like you've got things largely solved. I did have one thought, though. Did you buy the bike used? If so, could a previous owner have bumped up the pressure on the fuel pressure regulator? It's a pretty common mod for those not wanting to spring for a PowerCommander, done by compressing the balance spring in it and thus raising the pressure at which it diverts fuel. The result is a higher fuel pressure at the injectors and a correspondingly richer mixture across the entire rpm range. As I run a PCII and a stock FPR, I don't know how much that might drop your fuel consumption. Maybe Magellan or someone else running a modded FPR could help us out here. FWIW, my '00 gets around 38-45 mpg in normal (socially acceptable) riding, but can get down in the 20's when I'm having my periodic wrist troubles.
Anyway, good luck and hopefully your mileage will continue to be good.
If your speeds were generally below 80 mph then you got poor mileage. Should be well above 40 mpg.
Peto, Nov 15 2007, 09:20 PMJust a quick update for those interested.
I have returned from my epic adventure. 3500 miles in November, solo... decent for my third trip (first on the VFR)... first time on some great roads too...entire BRP, dragon, cherohala, wolf, NC/GA129, NC/GA28, war woman, 421, NC/VA/KY80...touched down a few times....home safe...lot a riding years left...all's good.... fing02.gif
Highlight of the trip: At a gas station near Blairsville, GA. It was 5:30am, 26 degrees, and dark as night out, some elderly guy walks up to me, peeks at my liscense plate, and says "You got more guts than god." wink.gif
Anyway, whether it was the plugs, the seafoam, or both... Maybe just getting her out of short, stop and go, commuter mode and just riding. In 3500 miles I averaged about 37 mpg. My best was 41 mpg and actually hit 190 just as she started blinking. Could have easily broke 200 on that tank. I was fully loaded with 30+ lbs of gear.
I'm totally satisfied
Appreciate the help everyone.
End of thread · 38 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 12 Feb 2008