bad petcock or carb?

[tjtacke]

I purchased a 2005 A19 in October. During the break-in I typically got low 50's to low 60's for fuel economy (miles/gallon). After the 500 mile service mileage diminished. I currently have 2400 miles on the bike. Everything about the bike is better now than new........shifting, engine noise, ride, EXECEPT the fuel mileage. I am now in the mid-30's to low 40's. I understand that my right hand may have a lot to do with it since I am now riding much faster than during break-in but come on, this mileage sucks. I bought the bike to satisfy my desire to have another bike. The last one was an '82 FXR that ran about 90 horses and 50 mpg all the time. I sold it before every pin-head wanted a Harley. Also the KLR seemed to be a great value, had a great financing plan, I have a great dealer here in Yuma, and the bike has a reputation of being dependable, low cost, and fun. I primarily ride it to commute to work; about 120 miles R/T down I-8. I cruise between 75-80. So, what do I do? I know, slow down, but really.........what can be done to increase my mileage. I ride the KLR that weighs half as much as the Harley at similar speed with almost half the mileage. Insidentally, I am 6'4", 240 lbs, so the KLR is one of the few bikes that I actually fit on without feeling like a "perched bird". Is there a carberator adjustment or change that I can benifit from? What about sprockets? Ignition? Thanks in advance for your input.

[Jon Till]

My first thought is maybe the dealer adjusted the carb mixture. Jon...

[West Hovland]

Did they adjust the valves, carb, over oil the air filter? Make sure both wheels turn freely. I routinely get 50-60 outta my A15. West

----- Original Message ----- From: tjtacke To: DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.comDSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, April 22, 2005 5:34 PM Subject: [DSN_KLR650] Fuel Economy I purchased a 2005 A19 in October. During the break-in I typically got low 50's to low 60's for fuel economy (miles/gallon). After the 500 mile service mileage diminished. I currently have 2400 miles on the bike. Everything about the bike is better now than new........shifting, engine noise, ride, EXECEPT the fuel mileage. I am now in the mid-30's to low 40's. I understand that my right hand may have a lot to do with it since I am now riding much faster than during break-in but come on, this mileage sucks. I bought the bike to satisfy my desire to have another bike. The last one was an '82 FXR that ran about 90 horses and 50 mpg all the time. I sold it before every pin-head wanted a Harley. Also the KLR seemed to be a great value, had a great financing plan, I have a great dealer here in Yuma, and the bike has a reputation of being dependable, low cost, and fun. I primarily ride it to commute to work; about 120 miles R/T down I-8. I cruise between 75-80. So, what do I do? I know, slow down, but really.........what can be done to increase my mileage. I ride the KLR that weighs half as much as the Harley at similar speed with almost half the mileage. Insidentally, I am 6'4", 240 lbs, so the KLR is one of the few bikes that I actually fit on without feeling like a "perched bird". Is there a carberator adjustment or change that I can benifit from? What about sprockets? Ignition? Thanks in advance for your input. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jud Jones]

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "tjtacke" wrote:

> > I purchased a 2005 A19 in October. During the break-in I typically > got low 50's to low 60's for fuel economy (miles/gallon). After the > 500 mile service mileage diminished. > > I currently have 2400 miles on the bike. Everything about the bike is > better now than new........shifting, engine noise, ride, EXECEPT the > fuel mileage. I am now in the mid-30's to low 40's. I understand that > my right hand may have a lot to do with it since I am now riding much > faster than during break-in but come on, this mileage sucks. > > I bought the bike to satisfy my desire to have another bike. The last > one was an '82 FXR that ran about 90 horses and 50 mpg all the time. > I sold it before every pin-head wanted a Harley. Also the KLR seemed > to be a great value, had a great financing plan, I have a great > dealer here in Yuma, and the bike has a reputation of being > dependable, low cost, and fun. I primarily ride it to commute to > work; about 120 miles R/T down I-8. I cruise between 75-80. > > So, what do I do? I know, slow down, but really.........what can be > done to increase my mileage. I ride the KLR that weighs half as much > as the Harley at similar speed with almost half the mileage. > Insidentally, I am 6'4", 240 lbs, so the KLR is one of the few bikes > that I actually fit on without feeling like a "perched bird". Is > there a carberator adjustment or change that I can benifit from? What > about sprockets? Ignition? > > Thanks in advance for your input.

Obviously your bike came away from the dealer with something awry. Before you take it back and give him a chance to address it under warranty, check to see that it's not something stupid, like a mouse nesting in the airbox, or a fuel leak. My mileage went way up once I replaced the cracked fuel line. Gas was weeping down the back side of the hose; I could smell it, but couldn't see it until I felt wet back there and pulled the line for a closer look.

[Guillaume McDowell]

I find that at 75-80 miles an hour, my mileage sucks, too. Try a 16t sprocket. -realpolitiklr

On 4/22/05, Jud Jones wrote: > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "tjtacke" wrote: > > > > I purchased a 2005 A19 in October. During the break-in I typically > > got low 50's to low 60's for fuel economy (miles/gallon). After the > > 500 mile service mileage diminished. > > > > I currently have 2400 miles on the bike. Everything about the bike is > > better now than new........shifting, engine noise, ride, EXECEPT the > > fuel mileage. I am now in the mid-30's to low 40's. I understand that > > my right hand may have a lot to do with it since I am now riding much > > faster than during break-in but come on, this mileage sucks. > > > > I bought the bike to satisfy my desire to have another bike. The last > > one was an '82 FXR that ran about 90 horses and 50 mpg all the time. > > I sold it before every pin-head wanted a Harley. Also the KLR seemed > > to be a great value, had a great financing plan, I have a great > > dealer here in Yuma, and the bike has a reputation of being > > dependable, low cost, and fun. I primarily ride it to commute to > > work; about 120 miles R/T down I-8. I cruise between 75-80. > > > > So, what do I do? I know, slow down, but really.........what can be > > done to increase my mileage. I ride the KLR that weighs half as much > > as the Harley at similar speed with almost half the mileage. > > Insidentally, I am 6'4", 240 lbs, so the KLR is one of the few bikes > > that I actually fit on without feeling like a "perched bird". Is > > there a carberator adjustment or change that I can benifit from? What > > about sprockets? Ignition? > > > > Thanks in advance for your input. > > Obviously your bike came away from the dealer with something awry. Before you take it > back and give him a chance to address it under warranty, check to see that it's not > something stupid, like a mouse nesting in the airbox, or a fuel leak. > > My mileage went way up once I replaced the cracked fuel line. Gas was weeping down the > back side of the hose; I could smell it, but couldn't see it until I felt wet back there and > pulled the line for a closer look. > > > Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > >

[Erik]

since i hear he retired, does anyone know if an equivalent of jake's nuts are available? it'd be nice to be able to relatively easily swap between sprocket sizes. erik

> I find that at 75-80 miles an hour, my mileage sucks, too. Try a 16t > sprocket. > -realpolitiklr > > On 4/22/05, Jud Jones wrote: >> >> >> --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "tjtacke" wrote: >>> >>> I purchased a 2005 A19 in October. During the break-in I typically >>> got low 50's to low 60's for fuel economy (miles/gallon). After the >>> 500 mile service mileage diminished. >>> >>> I currently have 2400 miles on the bike. Everything about the bike is >>> better now than new........shifting, engine noise, ride, EXECEPT the >>> fuel mileage. I am now in the mid-30's to low 40's. I understand that >>> my right hand may have a lot to do with it since I am now riding much >>> faster than during break-in but come on, this mileage sucks. >>> >>> I bought the bike to satisfy my desire to have another bike. The last >>> one was an '82 FXR that ran about 90 horses and 50 mpg all the time. >>> I sold it before every pin-head wanted a Harley. Also the KLR seemed >>> to be a great value, had a great financing plan, I have a great >>> dealer here in Yuma, and the bike has a reputation of being >>> dependable, low cost, and fun. I primarily ride it to commute to >>> work; about 120 miles R/T down I-8. I cruise between 75-80. >>> >>> So, what do I do? I know, slow down, but really.........what can be >>> done to increase my mileage. I ride the KLR that weighs half as much >>> as the Harley at similar speed with almost half the mileage. >>> Insidentally, I am 6'4", 240 lbs, so the KLR is one of the few bikes >>> that I actually fit on without feeling like a "perched bird". Is >>> there a carberator adjustment or change that I can benifit from? What >>> about sprockets? Ignition? >>> >>> Thanks in advance for your input. >> >> Obviously your bike came away from the dealer with something awry. Before you take it >> back and give him a chance to address it under warranty, check to see that it's not >> something stupid, like a mouse nesting in the airbox, or a fuel leak. >> >> My mileage went way up once I replaced the cracked fuel line. Gas was weeping down the >> back side of the hose; I could smell it, but couldn't see it until I felt wet back there and >> pulled the line for a closer look. >> >> >> Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html >> List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com >> List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> > > > Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

[Jud Jones]

A 16t will make no difference to fuel economy. Slowing down will. I may have been too hasty in suggesting something was wrong with his bike. But the drop in fuel economy seems like a lot. My bike does no better than high 40's, occasionally 50 mpg when ridden veny gently. At 75-80 (gps) the mileage suffers, of course; it drops to the low 40s, only dipping into the 30's once, when I ran a tank of gas through it at 75 into a strong headwind, wih full touring luggage. Mileage in the 30s suggests that something is wrong on a bike that can get 55-60mpg.

--- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, Guillaume McDowell wrote: > I find that at 75-80 miles an hour, my mileage sucks, too. Try a 16t > sprocket. > -realpolitiklr > > On 4/22/05, Jud Jones wrote: > > > > > > --- In DSN_KLR650@yahoogroups.com, "tjtacke" wrote: > > > > > > I purchased a 2005 A19 in October. During the break-in I typically > > > got low 50's to low 60's for fuel economy (miles/gallon). After the > > > 500 mile service mileage diminished. > > > > > > I currently have 2400 miles on the bike. Everything about the bike is > > > better now than new........shifting, engine noise, ride, EXECEPT the > > > fuel mileage. I am now in the mid-30's to low 40's. I understand that > > > my right hand may have a lot to do with it since I am now riding much > > > faster than during break-in but come on, this mileage sucks. > > > > > > I bought the bike to satisfy my desire to have another bike. The last > > > one was an '82 FXR that ran about 90 horses and 50 mpg all the time. > > > I sold it before every pin-head wanted a Harley. Also the KLR seemed > > > to be a great value, had a great financing plan, I have a great > > > dealer here in Yuma, and the bike has a reputation of being > > > dependable, low cost, and fun. I primarily ride it to commute to > > > work; about 120 miles R/T down I-8. I cruise between 75-80. > > > > > > So, what do I do? I know, slow down, but really.........what can be > > > done to increase my mileage. I ride the KLR that weighs half as much > > > as the Harley at similar speed with almost half the mileage. > > > Insidentally, I am 6'4", 240 lbs, so the KLR is one of the few bikes > > > that I actually fit on without feeling like a "perched bird". Is > > > there a carberator adjustment or change that I can benifit from? What > > > about sprockets? Ignition? > > > > > > Thanks in advance for your input. > > > > Obviously your bike came away from the dealer with something awry. Before you take it > > back and give him a chance to address it under warranty, check to see that it's not > > something stupid, like a mouse nesting in the airbox, or a fuel leak. > > > > My mileage went way up once I replaced the cracked fuel line. Gas was weeping down the > > back side of the hose; I could smell it, but couldn't see it until I felt wet back there and > > pulled the line for a closer look. > > > > > > Archive Quicksearch at: http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/klr650_data_search.html > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at: www.dualsportnews.com > > List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > >

[Eric L. Green]

On Sun, 24 Apr 2005, Jud Jones wrote:

> mpg when ridden veny gently. At 75-80 (gps) the mileage suffers, of > course; it drops to the low 40s, only dipping into the 30's once, when I > ran a tank of gas through it at 75 into a strong headwind, wih full > touring luggage. Mileage in the 30s suggests that something is wrong on > a bike that can get 55-60mpg.

I have never, ever, gotten over 50mpg. Are you using Imperial (Canadian or English) gallons rather than American gallons? Also, gas mileage suffers at high altitude. I once had a Ford Aspire ("it aspires to be a car") that would get 30mpg in the city at sea level, 35mpg on the highway at sea level. Once I took it a couple thousand feet above sea level, I lost 5mpg off both. Nowdays I usually average in the low 40's in a mix of surface street and high speed freeway driving. The bike runs strong, the plug looks good, I get the top speed I'm supposed to get, etc., it's just that my right hand comes on too strong . But yes, it is possible to get mileage in the 30's if you are running the bike flat-out at high altitudes with luggage. The KLR just doesn't like that, it'll do it, but it lets you know. -E

[xt535]

I have gotten as high as 65mpg, and generally average 60+mpg. The lowest I've had was 55mpg, once! I'm in Pa, and elevation is below 2K' for the most part. Mr Moose didn't believe the mileage numbers some guys reported until he rode in to NOAB last spring. Once he got out of Ca with their crap, so called gasoline, his mileage improved cosniderably. Certainly, mileage is going to be related to the throttle hand. Shifting at lower revs and running at lower speeds will help. I DON'T ride highways if possible, and generally exceed the posted limits by 10mph or more....running 60-65mph indicated nets me 60- 62mpg with 89 octane. I have a tall windscreen, low front fender, and Supertrapp IDS exhaust. The only carb mod I've made was to adjust the pilot mix screw out an additional turn. I'm running a Twinair filter, had IRC GP1s until they were worn out, and now have Pirelli MT90 S/Ts. BTW, The IRCs gave up very little on the street, and were much better in dirt and gravel. Eric Stevens Mechanicsburg, Pa A7

> > I have never, ever, gotten over 50mpg. Are you using Imperial

(Canadian or

> English) gallons rather than American gallons? Also, gas mileage

suffers

> at high altitude. I once had a Ford Aspire ("it aspires to be a

car") that

> would get 30mpg in the city at sea level, 35mpg on the highway at

sea

> level. Once I took it a couple thousand feet above sea level, I

lost 5mpg

> off both. > > Nowdays I usually average in the low 40's in a mix of surface

street and

> high speed freeway driving. The bike runs strong, the plug looks

good, I

> get the top speed I'm supposed to get, etc., it's just that my

right hand

> comes on too strong . But yes, it is possible to get mileage in

the

> 30's if you are running the bike flat-out at high altitudes with

luggage.

> The KLR just doesn't like that, it'll do it, but it lets you know. > > -E

[Bill Watson]

I'm matching Eric Stevens' mileage almost exactly as well. 61-65 mpg every tank, commuting to work daily.. hitting reserve between 295 and 315 miles. Phoenix AZ, 1100 feet above sea level. Stock jetting, stock muffler, 16 tooth front sprocket. Yep, I must be riding like a Grandma. Mileage in the 30's does seem quite out of line, considering a 2500 pound Integra gets 30+ mpg at 75 mph. Eric G, interesting we've had opposite experiences with elevation. Whenever I spend a few weeks in Colorado at 5K-14K elevation, I always get a little better mileage. I figured even though the carb runs a little richer, the wind drag (the major power requirement on a bike) is down 30% plus, and it's really obvious on the asphalt. Bill Watson ------------------------------ From: "xt535" Subject: Re: Fuel Economy I have gotten as high as 65mpg, and generally average 60+mpg. The lowest I've had was 55mpg, once! I'm in Pa, and elevation is below 2K' for the most part. Certainly, mileage is going to be related to the throttle hand. Shifting at lower revs and running at lower speeds will help. I DON'T ride highways if possible, and generally exceed the posted limits by 10mph or more....running 60-65mph indicated nets me 60- 62mpg with 89 octane. Eric Stevens Mechanicsburg, Pa A7

> > I have never, ever, gotten over 50mpg. Are you using Imperial

(Canadian or

> English) gallons rather than American gallons? Also, gas mileage

suffers

> at high altitude. > > -E

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