She's a Piggy Piggy!

[ranadrew]

OK guys, got to level with y'all. My ride is only getting 31 mpg to/from work (half neighborhood/ half freeway). 2003 R1100S. Yes, I like to employ the torque from standing start. Yes, the tires are inflated. I weigh a bit under 200lbs. No bags, no brakes dragging.

Is this normal or is there some other reason she's a petrol Piggy Piggy?

All comments and wise cracks are welcome.

thanx Kids!

[roger albert]

all stock?

[RIQUE]

Are you saying your bike is slow or guzzling too much gas. If you ride like a bat out of hell fuel mileage is not going to be great. If you're riding like a sissy and getting bad mileage you need to address some maintenance issues. e.i, clean fuel injectors, adjust valves, maybe check compression, change fuel filter (thats lots of fun).

[ckcarr]

Due to the vagueness of the information it sounds about right to me.

In the high desert and mountains, primarily riding in 6th, you can get 45 - 50 mpg

Everywhere else, anything is possible.

[ranadrew]

all stock. sea level, mid 40's (degrees F). seems like poor mileage. my R1150GSA gets as much as 40mpg but I don't ride it as aggressively. thanks for the comments, guys.

[Guest24]

I've been known to whack the throttle at little bit; but, I still get around 40 mpg. My tank is drilled for top-off, so from full tank to reserve light is about 155 miles. Check your air filter, tire inflation, valve clearances and TB balance. Oh yeah, make sure the "Greenies" aren't forcing you to feed your bike that 15% ethanol crap. It really does a number on the mpg.

[rad]

I was getting in the very low 30's all of a sudden a few years ago. It took me forever to track down the cause. My TPS was way off because I had kicked the TPS box, with my boot, moving the setting, one time getting on my bike in my crowded little garage. I re-set it and all was good again.

Other things that can do it besides what has been mentioned; bad O2 sensor, a failing stick coil if that 03' is a dual spark, and even forgetting to put the nipple caps back on the TB’s after syncing (don’t ask) will do it.

[RBMann]

Originally Posted by ranadrew

all stock. sea level, mid 40's (degrees F). seems like poor mileage. my R1150GSA gets as much as 40mpg but I don't ride it as aggressively. thanks for the comments, guys.

I commute into Seattle with about 50% freeway, by mileage. 31MPG is about normal for me and has been for 10 years. Leaving a signal I like to get the clutch fully engaged then roll into the throttle hard until the speed limit then just short shift up. Makes some space around the bike without doing anything illegal. I also get upper 40s and low 50s out on trips. Stock 2000 S with a Power Commander USB.

[ranadrew]

A lot of great leads here. Thanks guys. I think there is a fair amount of ethanol here in WA state (Nail 24). The valves sound good, but they are next maintenance action. TB's were done recently with no noticeable effects... were not particularly far out of balance either for that matter. RBMann, I think I have a very similar riding style to that you explained, plus our machines are drinking at the same watering hole. Air filter was done recently. O2 sensor is a maybe. I guess where guys are leaning with some of these ideas is that I am running rich... but the spark plugs that I replaced did not indicate so. Nevertheless, lots of food for thought and thanks to you all for ringing in with some ideas that I can pursue.

[ranadrew]

Gotta admit my ignorance here... TPS = ? throttle position stop? I'm clueless or just plain brain dead this Friday evening.

[wiggledbits]

Originally Posted by ranadrew

Gotta admit my ignorance here... TPS = ? throttle position stop? I'm clueless or just plain brain dead this Friday evening.

Throttle Position Sensor = TPS

[ranadrew]

thx Wiggled.

[wiggledbits]

Ranadrew,
Where in the PacNW are you?

[SergioK]

Has the cat code plug been pulled? Mine was like that so I made a jumper and it went back up to 40+mpg.

[Paulaner]

Originally Posted by SergioK

Has the cat code plug been pulled? Mine was like that so I made a jumper and it went back up to 40+mpg.

Sergio please expound. I've been seeing low 30s since I put on the Z-technic. Runs great but was getting 40s before!

[wiggledbits]

Originally Posted by SergioK

Has the cat code plug been pulled? Mine was like that so I made a jumper and it went back up to 40+mpg.

Yes please do expand on that.

[flatbutt]

33 to 35 on my commute. 50 - 55 open road touring. And it's a DONKEY...not a PIGGY.;-)

[JonyRR]

The CCP (Cat Code Plug) selects particular maps for different versions of the motronic 2.4 CPU.

IF the plug is removed, replaced with a different one or the jumper mod many have done (I have one of the 6 way switches) that can make a huge difference.

a careful '0=0' tps calibration, along with cleaning the BBS (big brass screw, the analog to an idle air control motor) then a careful TB synch, along with ensuring no air leaks and a correct state of tune, to include a fresh 02 sensor, is where you should start.

To be frank, there's a huge amount of things to verify and get correct before you can baseline this intelligently.

My highly modified 1100 goes way better than stock and never fails to get less than 40+ no matter how hard it's flogged...something about accurate A\F ratios all across the range of throttle opening and RPM...

[lht]

Get it on a exhaust analyzer and you will know what is going on right away.

[ranadrew]

you guys ROCK! Thanks for all the help and ideas.

Seattle area Wiggles, but we are coming your way next weekend as the wife picked up the crazy notion a year or so ago that she was going back to Eugene to run the full marathon. I will be supporting from the sidelines in a lawn chair with symmetric L/R beer holders : )