Hi Bill.
Something else just came to mind that could have an effect on my mileage. I have two fairly big panniers mounted on the bike that I seldom take off. I would suspect that they would contribute considerable drag. Particularly at higher speeds. If they weren't so handy, I'd take them off for a while to see the difference. On the otherhand, if I needed them and they weren't there, I wouldn't be thinking about gas mileage would I?
Don
Bill Watson wrote:
Don,
The bike has stock jetting, 16T front sprocket, tire pressure in the 30's, and I do run a hotter thermostat. But most of it is the riding cycle. I'm agressive when I need to be but time my traffic lights, don't sit around and warm up the bike, etc. And I ride an honest 55-65 mph (60-70 indicated) most all of the time. I'm rarely doing 80 mph... but am not going 45 on the freeway either.
To be fair, I probably have the "perfect commute" for mileage. The bike is started while coasting down my driveway (this eliminates the first gear 'clunk'), then ridden about a half mile to a street that has the lights timed for 40 mph for 5 miles, then on to the freeway where it is run 55-65 mph for the next 12 miles, then a short city stint to work. If the traffic thickens I move to the carpool lane and still hold 55-65 mph. I time lights in town and rarely even put my foot on the ground on the 19 mile commute. That has to be worth a lot. When I bought an '89 KLR for a buddy, my first tank on his bike returned 65 mpg as well, so I'd argue it's mostly the driver and duty cycle.
Speed is a huge player as others have pointed out. Just to see what would happen on my own bike, I burned one entire tank riding like everyone was in my way - left lane, tailgating, 70-85 mph, missing lights in town. That tank returned 49 mpg. If someone richens the carb, lets the bike warm-up while they're still donning riding gear, plays stoplight GT, then I'll bet I could push this down into the high 30's.
Bill
Don S wrote:
That is phenomenal mileage. You gotta be shutting the engine off going down hill or something. Maybe you got a small nuke under the seat.
I'm on reserve at 350 KMs. That's only 217 miles. And, I thought I was doing good. On the highway, I usually average 60 to 65 mph.
Don
Bill Watson wrote:
You mean I'm supposed to RIDE this thing? I thought I was supposed to push it around like a skateboard !
Since new, I've had only 4 tankfulls get less than 60 mpg... I'm disappointed if I hit reserve under 300 mi. Usually happens around 325 mi.
BW
Don S wrote:
I think he's carrying the freaking bike!
Don
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I Found I10 to be nuts, and 610 even worse when you get down
around 6 flags.
Oh and do me a huge favour go to los cucos get me a chicken stuffed deep
fried avocado flash freeze that sucker and fedex it to me .... I'll show
you my tits!
Cheers,
Matt