Fuel economy...again

bykemike · 02:42 PM

I have always been concerned about range on this bike..I get a fuel light usually about 135 or so. This weekend I rode a two hundred mile return trip and made an effort to drive in a manner to save fuel and the results were impressive (if not fun)
I didn't get a fuel light until 173 miles. I was tooling along about 50ish most of the ride in 6th gear..revs in the low threes. I was being careful not to lug it but it is nice to know if you are in an empty area you can increase your range by a little modified driving technique.

Mike

smallj · 05-06-2008, 05:03 AM

I usually can get 150 miles out of a tank before the light comes on when I am commuting to work on the interstate. When I hit the twisties, my mileage goes down a bit but I have never ridden less than 175 miles out of a tank and never ridden more than 210 miles.

bykemike · 05-06-2008, 07:16 AM

That 175 figure is helpfull, did it stop at 210?

Mike

jduke · 05-06-2008, 07:27 AM

I've seen 202 on my bike. The light came on before 160. It didn't take the 4.7 gallons the tank is supposed to hold. I've drilled the neck and removed the cannister so I can fill it till it starts running out the vent hose, then jump on and take off.

signit98 · 05-06-2008, 08:23 AM

I get about 180 something out of the 11 and about 190 something from the 12... have not tried the GS yet...

Interesting to know though... when ridden HARD (like at the track yesterday when the rev-limiter was my friend) you still get some 30 mpg out of the 12... the 11 was a little less thirsty at the track... about 33 mpg

When just coasting on the 12, I have seen 204 miles on the 12 and stopped with the computer telling me that I had some 12 miles to go... average speed was 65 to 70 mph on that one!

signit98 · 05-06-2008, 08:23 AM

I get about 180 something out of the 11 and about 190 something from the 12... have not tried the GS yet...

Interesting to know though... when ridden HARD (like at the track yesterday when the rev-limiter was my friend) you still get some 30 mpg out of the 12... the 11 was a little less thirsty at the track... about 33 mpg

When just coasting on the 12, I have seen 204 miles on the 12 and stopped with the computer telling me that I had some 12 miles to go... average speed was 65 to 70 mph on that one!

PFFOG · 05-06-2008, 02:55 PM

Saw 209 a couple of weeks ago, but a lot of it was on wet roads/rain, so a very light throttle hand. I was getting worried, but could not find a station a little earlier,

I was alone so no one to go get some if I ran out. But then again when I have run out in the past, I have found most people have a gallon or two for their lawn mowers, and usually will take cash for enough to get to a station.

smallj · 05-07-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bykemike

That 175 figure is helpfull, did it stop at 210?

Mike

The Bike did not stop but I had about 5 miles left on my "Miles to go Meter" and didn't fancy pushing it.

Guest24 · 05-07-2008, 01:41 PM

I'm working on a 1 gal extended range tank that is housed in the right system case with a transfer pump that you switch on after 50 miles on the full tank. it will plug into the pigtail on the charger cable. Fully vented to the outside and a QD for the transfer hose.

justsayyes · 05-07-2008, 02:24 PM

In mixed riding of 50/50 'tween highways and in-town I'm only getting about 35 mpg. That seems low to me. The last time I filled up I put in 3.5 gallons with 120 showing on the odometer. That extrapolates to 165 miles per tank (assuming a 4.7g tank). And I'm a slow rider. Any suggestions?

markjenn · 05-07-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsayyes

In mixed riding of 50/50 'tween highways and in-town I'm only getting about 35 mpg. That seems low to me. The last time I filled up I put in 3.5 gallons with 120 showing on the odometer. That extrapolates to 165 miles per tank (assuming a 4.7g tank). And I'm a slow rider. Any suggestions?

On the low side of normal, but a lot of us are in the same ballpark. If I'm really pushing, I'll show a fuel light at 105-110, although 125-135 is more the norm. But I've never gotten more than 40 mpg on my stock 99 R1100S. (Never droned down the freeway at 60 mph for a tank either.)

- Mark

SergioK · 05-07-2008, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justsayyes

In mixed riding of 50/50 'tween highways and in-town I'm only getting about 35 mpg. That seems low to me. The last time I filled up I put in 3.5 gallons with 120 showing on the odometer. That extrapolates to 165 miles per tank (assuming a 4.7g tank). And I'm a slow rider. Any suggestions?

Check to see if someone pulled the CCP.

justsayyes · 05-08-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SergioK

Check to see if someone pulled the CCP.

Aren't they the guys that built RoboCop? Anyway, I keep the revs at 4k regardless of the speed unless I'm in a big hurry. So on the hgwy I'm typically at 80mph. I'll look into that CCP thing...

smallj · 05-09-2008, 05:01 AM

My fuel economy is greatly assisted by the fact that I am 5'4" and 130lbs, but 35 MPG sounds low no matter how you ride.