Has your riding style changed? Have you noticed a drop in mpg(kpg)? Just ask yourself some of these basic questions to see if this has started due to your riding style or if it's something that you've noticed lately without having changed anything.
Have you changed anything on your bike, PC/etc,?
[image: View Post]Monk, on 24 April 2012 - 08:53 AM, said:
Has your riding style changed? Have you noticed a drop in mpg(kpg)? Just ask yourself some of these basic questions to see if this has started due to your riding style or if it's something that you've noticed lately without having changed anything.
Have you changed anything on your bike, PC/etc,?
This is a "new to me" bike and it's been doing this since I got it. I haven't changed anything that would affect fuel economy. I'm getting a Power Commander V though.
I was averaging ~190 mi per tank, but it dropped to ~175 mi after I put in the PCV. I do a lot of miles in traffic, so I'm not sure if that has a good chunk to do with my low mpg. Before the PCV I could sometimes push it to 200 per tank, but that was with the last gas level meter bar flashing for a while. I want to do some longer trips without a lot of traffic and then see what I get out of a tank.
That being said, the PCV has definitely improved the overall throttle response, I would not go back to stock unless things got extremely worse!
Average speed and traffic levels impact mileage greatly. So does fuel. I finally learned my lesson and only use regular unleaded (87 octane, (R+M)/2). My mileage was worse on premium unleaded (91-92 octane), and 10% ethanol (89 octane). I only get 175 miles or 280 KM on in-town commuting, but get between 200-220 miles (320-350km) touring, depending on highway speeds. Note: Nebraska's main interstate has a posted speed limit of 75 mph, or 120 kph. That tends to pull me down closer to 200 miles per tank. Loafing on 2 lane highways improves my gas mileage, but limits my fun.
I get about 275 km (170 miles) to a tank and down to the last bar on the fuel gauge - sometimes it starts to flash, but not always. That said, whenever I fill up, it is usually around 16 liters (4.25 gallons).
Has anybody ever filled up and put in anything close to the rated 22 liters (5.8 gallons)?
I always feel that I should be able to get another 50 km (30 miles) out of a tank but I don't want to push it too much and run out of gas.
[image: View Post]voiceoffire, on 24 April 2012 - 10:22 AM, said:
I get about 275 km (170 miles) to a tank and down to the last bar on the fuel gauge - sometimes it starts to flash, but not always. That said, whenever I fill up, it is usually around 16 liters (4.25 gallons).
Has anybody ever filled up and put in anything close to the rated 22 liters (5.8 gallons)?
I always feel that I should be able to get another 50 km (30 miles) out of a tank but I don't want to push it too much and run out of gas. I've had it down low, and you can get another gal when it starts flashing, just how many miles will depend on you.
I get about 275 km (170 miles) to a tank and down to the last bar on the fuel gauge - sometimes it starts to flash, but not always. That said, whenever I fill up, it is usually around 16 liters (4.25 gallons).
Has anybody ever filled up and put in anything close to the rated 22 liters (5.8 gallons)?
I always feel that I should be able to get another 50 km (30 miles) out of a tank but I don't want to push it too much and run out of gas.
So maybe I'm no far off with 220-250KM, since I ride with the throttle open a lot.
I just checked one of my receipts and got 19.5L in her (5.15 gallons). But I normally fill right to the top and sometimes go over a few drops.
I also have problems and questions regarding fuel consumption. I can't make it take less than 7 liters/ 100 km ; solo riding or with passenger, the extra urban fuel consumption isn't lower than that. Touring speed is usually around 130 km/h.
Urban consumption is around 10-11 liters / 100 km. I am not a sport rider. I really ride in medium rpm without fast accelerations.
I am concerned because my fuel consumption parameters aren't even close to the declared ones (34 to 43 mpg).
I made no modification to the motorcycle. What should i check, verify?
So maybe I'm no far off with 220-250KM, since I ride with the throttle open a lot.
I am right there with you on the range. I attribute my numbers to, well, my numbers (not a small guy), my Power Commander (I think it costs me 5-10%) and my enjoyment of acceleration.
So maybe I'm no far off with 220-250KM, since I ride with the throttle open a lot.
I am right there with you on the range. I attribute my numbers to, well, my numbers (not a small guy), my Power Commander (I think it costs me 5-10%) and my enjoyment of acceleration.
I also have problems and questions regarding fuel consumption. I can't make it take less than 7 liters/ 100 km ; solo riding or with passenger, the extra urban fuel consumption isn't lower than that. Touring speed is usually around 130 km/h. Urban consumption is around 10-11 liters / 100 km. I am not a sport rider. I really ride in medium rpm without fast accelerations. I am concerned because my fuel consumption parameters aren't even close to the declared ones (34 to 43 mpg). I made no modification to the motorcycle. What should i check, verify?
My bike was the same - 2002 model VFR and I couldn't bring it down below 7 litres/100 km except in rare circumstances. I now have a 2006 ECU on the bike and I'm getting under 6 litres/100km average.
I'm getting 200-250KM with my VFR800, but some are getting 300KM+. I'm a sprinted rider, so that could be why I'm not getting decent fuel economy.
How about you guys?
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The easiest question, are you coming up to temp and staying there? above 170 degrees Thats the main reason a stock bike gets poor mpg
I ride two different types of terrain , tight track and fast track, theres up to about 5 mpg difference between the two. The reason fast track gets better fuel milege than Tight track, cause the speeds are higher and less slowing and acclerating., But generally worse is about 37 mpg and best about 43 mpg . If your riding in city traffic expect about 35 mpg.
But before you get a pcommander, realize you'll get even less mpg
I also have problems and questions regarding fuel consumption. I can't make it take less than 7 liters/ 100 km ; solo riding or with passenger, the extra urban fuel consumption isn't lower than that. Touring speed is usually around 130 km/h. Urban consumption is around 10-11 liters / 100 km. I am not a sport rider. I really ride in medium rpm without fast accelerations. I am concerned because my fuel consumption parameters aren't even close to the declared ones (34 to 43 mpg). I made no modification to the motorcycle. What should i check, verify?
My bike was the same - 2002 model VFR and I couldn't bring it down below 7 litres/100 km except in rare circumstances. I now have a 2006 ECU on the bike and I'm getting under 6 litres/100km average.
I also have problems and questions regarding fuel consumption. I can't make it take less than 7 liters/ 100 km ; solo riding or with passenger, the extra urban fuel consumption isn't lower than that. Touring speed is usually around 130 km/h. Urban consumption is around 10-11 liters / 100 km. I am not a sport rider. I really ride in medium rpm without fast accelerations. I am concerned because my fuel consumption parameters aren't even close to the declared ones (34 to 43 mpg). I made no modification to the motorcycle. What should i check, verify?
My bike was the same - 2002 model VFR and I couldn't bring it down below 7 litres/100 km except in rare circumstances. I now have a 2006 ECU on the bike and I'm getting under 6 litres/100km average.
I'm getting 200-250KM with my VFR800, but some are getting 300KM+. I'm a sprinted rider, so that could be why I'm not getting decent fuel economy.
How about you guys?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
The easiest question, are you coming up to temp and staying there? above 170 degrees Thats the main reason a stock bike gets poor mpg
I ride two different types of terrain , tight track and fast track, theres up to about 5 mpg difference between the two. The reason fast track gets better fuel milege than Tight track, cause the speeds are higher and less slowing and acclerating., But generally worse is about 37 mpg and best about 43 mpg . If your riding in city traffic expect about 35 mpg.
But before you get a pcommander, realize you'll get even less mpg
As for engine temp, I'm not 100% on that, and will monitor more close now, but I do know that when I return from a spirited ride the rad fan is on.
That leads me to the next question. If when I stop and the radiator fan is on, should I want for it to cool the engine down a bit and wait for the fan to go off before turning off the engine?
IIRC, on the 2004 I used to get about 44-48 mpg slabbing it and as low as 35 mpg once or twice when riding too dang hard in the twisties. The majority of the time I was around 40-45. I suspect the 2008 model will have similar numbers in similar situations.
My experience the temp falls faster after you turn the motor off, than waiting on the fan.
I calculated your 280kms, equals 173 miles. if thats where you getting a low fuel warning thats about right, but you have about 30 to 40 miles in reserve.
sunday I road a tank 202 miles and only held 4.75 gallon on fill up, so even though I was on empty warning, I still had about a gallon left
My experience the temp falls faster after you turn the motor off, than waiting on the fan.
I calculated your 280kms, equals 173 miles. if thats where you getting a low fuel warning thats about right, but you have about 30 to 40 miles in reserve.
sunday I road a tank 202 miles and only held 4.75 gallon on fill up, so even though I was on empty warning, I still had about a gallon left
Yea, I just turn the bike off when I stop, even if the fan in on.
I've been able to get 300kms+ out of my 09. I do mostly highway driving, using 91 octane. Have you ever put a little fuel injector cleaner through it. I often put a touch in the odd tank. Don't know if it makes a difference but I also use synthetic oil...One other thing to keep in mind especially in Canada is that most fuel companies add gas line antifreeze to the fuel calling it wintergas. Being that its still early in the season, you may still be getting some of this winter gas at your gas station until its all used up. I know my truck gets terrible fuel mileage on the winter gas. Just saying.
I calculated your 280kms, equals 173 miles. if thats where you getting a low fuel warning thats about right, but you have about 30 to 40 miles in reserve.
This is my experience too with my 2006. On my longest ride to date, from north of San Antonio, Texas to Vancouver, B.C., (more slab than I would have liked due to time constraints), I managed 47 mpg. In city driving, definitely under 40 mpg. There is quite a bit of juice left once the last bar on the fuel gauge starts flashing. I figure it's close to a gallon, so safely 30 miles and maybe 40 as Spud suggests. I've never run out (yet), but I have had to squint pretty hard to see gas in the bottom of the tank :tour: . That said, the most gas I've put in was a hair over five gallons. I usually don't start looking for gas until the last bar starts flashing--unless I'm in the toolies and might not find a gas station within that 30-40 miles. Note: By all accounts, the Power Commander will reduce your mileage. I don't have one since I seem to have one of the 6th gens that's fairly smooth at small throttle openings and the VTEC transition (revised in 2006) is also smooth. I think digitallyhip described it as turning on a vibrator :goofy: -- that and a lot of induction/exhaust music accompanied by a serious kick in the pants.
WIth my very low speed commute to work (urban no freeway) my 06 is consistently averaging about 29mpg using premium (91octane). +1 on the engine temp causing poor initial mileage, my engine temp does not reach normal operating temp until I am about 2/5 of the way to work.
I've been able to get 300kms+ out of my 09. I do mostly highway driving, using 91 octane. Have you ever put a little fuel injector cleaner through it. I often put a touch in the odd tank. Don't know if it makes a difference but I also use synthetic oil...One other thing to keep in mind especially in Canada is that most fuel companies add gas line antifreeze to the fuel calling it wintergas. Being that its still early in the season, you may still be getting some of this winter gas at your gas station until its all used up. I know my truck gets terrible fuel mileage on the winter gas. Just saying.
I use 87 octane from mainly one gas station, so maybe. I have used a bit of the Lucas fuel infection cleaner, maybe I should put more in to really clean her out. I'm not sure, but using Lucas should be equal to high Octane fuel? Or maybe I should try and few tanks of the high octane.
I have run the tank dry. Bone dry. In the middle of nowhere. In the middle of the night. (Long Story). A local family rescued me, let me pitch my tent in their farm yard, then filled my tank in the morning. It took 5.55 gal. Exactly what the manual stated. (Sorry this is on a 5th gen). My final bar on the gas guage starts blinking with 4.5 gal. gone - one gallon left. I always use 87 octane.
I've been able to get 300kms+ out of my 09. I do mostly highway driving, using 91 octane. Have you ever put a little fuel injector cleaner through it. I often put a touch in the odd tank. Don't know if it makes a difference but I also use synthetic oil...One other thing to keep in mind especially in Canada is that most fuel companies add gas line antifreeze to the fuel calling it wintergas. Being that its still early in the season, you may still be getting some of this winter gas at your gas station until its all used up. I know my truck gets terrible fuel mileage on the winter gas. Just saying.
I use 87 octane from mainly one gas station, so maybe. I have used a bit of the Lucas fuel infection cleaner, maybe I should put more in to really clean her out. I'm not sure, but using Lucas should be equal to high Octane fuel? Or maybe I should try and few tanks of the high octane.
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IIRC, higher octane fuel has less stored energy. The greater HP output associated with it has to do with being able to run it under higher compression without detonation. If your bike isn't detonating, there's no reason to run the higher octane.
I just got back from a ride and the temperature was above 180 degrees Fahrenheit, so can't be thermostat? Maybe the Lucas I'm adding is making her to lean and burning more. I can't see how but, I'll try without for the next few tanks and see.
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