Fuel Milage/Grade?

[Mike H.]

Hi all,
I am getting ready to purchase a new '99
R1100S. I was curious as to what kind of realistic gas milage I can expect? Also, is it at all possible to run a lower grade than 91 octane without harm to the engine? Since gas prices are going through the roof, I'd really like to know.

Thanks!!

Mike

[LarryP]

This is a joke, right? You are concerned about the fuel mileage on $15,600 discretionary expense? I don't think so.

Anyway, take a look at the "actual tank capacity" thread. (For what it is worth, I get 31, unless I short shift and keep to a higher gear than normal, when I can make it up to 35. Premium is required.)

[Mike H.]

Not a joke, and also not a discretionary purchase, as I commute over 1,000 miles a week! I need somewhat reasonable milage on all my vehicles!! (Anyone want to buy a V12 Jag?) I did read all the posts on Actual tank capacity - after I posted this question.

Thanks,

Mike

[Bob Hancock]

Unlike my RT which allowed mid-grade fuel, the higher compression ratio of the "S" requires high grade. Not worth the risk IMO. Fuel mileage...I usually get between 38 and 42. Since I ride fairly hard and others get substantially less, I suspect that each bike is a bit different. If I were doing a 1000 miles/week commute I'd still have the RT. Very comfortable and the fairing can't be beat for year round wx protection.
This FWIW,
Bob

[SteveB]

You guys must be riding HARD... I usually get around 40-45 MPG. Yes, I use the highest grade gasoline because that's what the German Engineers at BMW "SAID" to use -- I may be "adventuresome" but in some things, I'll defer to the "experts.

In spite of all the bad press about the R1100S' small tank capacity, when I ride with a friend who has a K1200, he generally needs to fill up as often as I... Besides, who can ride a tank-full without a head call?

[Leolardo]

Cruising (60-70 mph) I get nearly 50mpg.Some of you guys must be dancing on the rev limiter on a regular basis.My K bike gets decent mileage until I cane the Sh%!outa the poor machine.Proper valve adjustments with proper throttle body synchs will improve performance and mileage.And after market exhausts,Remus, Staintune,etc. will affect mileage.

[moose]

I typically get between 35 and 40 mpg, and use Mobil 93 octane. My bike only has 1400 miles, so this may change with time. Riding is a mix of city, high-speed highway, and twisties when I can find them.

[DavidSoine]

Ditto moose's performance. I make a point to cheer anytime I hit 40 mpg.

My experience is, of course, that tank capacity is not a problem...the posterior is the limiting factor.

-ds

[graham carr]

I commute in London every day and only manage 32 mpg on my 1100s but its only done 2700 miles and may improve once bedded in.
The license plate is always sooty and so maybe it runs rich. from chats to other owners, these machines are never bought for ecomomy. My ZZR110 did 45 mpg under similar conditions

[Conrad (RAD) Sudduth]

Hi folks

I just finished a 3,000 mile ride around the south west, fully loaded hard bags, tank bag with hours on end of 80 –90 mph and got a low of 41.5 mpg and a high of 47.5mpg. One week earlier I got 33 mpg!, riding easy with no load. why? I got a little sloppy when I synchronized my throttle bodies and my mpg plummeted. They were in sync with each other but I had both adjusting screws adjusted out to far. I set both back in, readjusted each side and I was back to my customary 40+ mpg. One other note was an increased vibration in my pegs and bars when they were out of adjustment. I am currently using a Motion Pro carb stix but I am going to spring for the Twin Max for my next adjustment.

I love Death Valley
Rad

[DavidSoine]

Speaking of throttle body syc, anyone know the "baseline" setting for the idle bypass screws? (i.e. half a turn?)

TIA

-ds

[Conrad (RAD) Sudduth]

ds

The BMW manual does not specify so I checked with the head mechanic at my local shop and he said start at 1 full turn out.

Rad

[rallybob]

MIKE H., 1000 miles a week? Buy a chevy sprint man, the cost of tires for your S is more of a killer than the gas. You bought a 15,000.00 toy, not a commuter.

[EDWARD SIMONIS]

My s has now got 26000 kms on the clock and is getting about 50 mpg. In Australia we use premium unleaded about 97 octane. Anything less and it pings like mad, this gives about 300 kms per tank in safety. Bike is running better and better with more use.

[Andrew Williams]

I just got back from a 7,000 km, 11 day run up the centre of Australia and kept a record of the fuel figures. Bear in mind that this was almost all, about 5,500 kms, high speed stuff - 150 to 180 kph. and we often couldn't get premium unleaded which undoubtedly had a detrimental effect on economy. Worst figure was 10.25 km/lt, which was 200 kph for 50 minutes, (which was bloody hard work!) and the best was 18.56 km/lt which was freeway cruising at 120 to 130 kph. for a trip average of 14.6 km/lt. My tank has been enlarged to 23 litres, which was very handy. It was with panniers and a Staintune fitted and the R11 used about a litre of synthetic. I was travelling with a ZZR1100 and he averaged 13.76 km/lt.

[andreas]

Just a question Andrew. How did you enlarge
your tank to 23 litres? really sounds great!

[markjenn]

My mileage tends to be low-40's at best and low-30's at worst. If I'm really hammering in the hills, I can get it below 35. Steady 70-mph crusiing on the freeway will do about 42. (All US gallons, 92-pump octane.)

- Mark

[Andrew Houlberg]

I have a '00 R1100S and live at 7500ft, and use premium 80% of time. My BMW mechanic says it's good to run different from time to time due to different characteristics of the fuel (?).

I get 43MPG and go through Bridgestone 014 in about 4000miles, so riding is pirited but shifting at lower RPM. Enjoy it, it's a great bike, but I would use an RT for 1000mile commutes, you do lean forward a bunch which is great on curves, but not too interesting for long freeway stretches.

I just bought a GS 1200 '08, aka " electric sofa", and it would make for a great bike for long riding, hard to get tired on it, especially the 21 position electronic suspension

[signit98]

Dude, what's up with you digging out all these post from the early stone age?

[AZ-Twin]

Ralf,

This board is like a book, you start reading at the beginning.