400 miles on it since new- Break-in question

[Don B]

Hello All,

I now have a paltry 400 miles and just filled up for the 2nd time. I guess I am disappointed with the fuel economy to date. The first tank was 38mpg and the 2nd tank was 40mpg. I haven't exactly been thrashing yet, all break-in at or below 5000 rpm. Is this normal? Just seems low to me as my R1150RS always got high 40s, even with cruise at 100mph.

Thanks

Don

 

[ionbeam]

My gas mileage gradually climbed over the first 3k miles. Give it a chance! There is also tank to tank fill variances, you will need several tanks to start to get a good picture of true mileage. Probably half the owners are getting 44 mpg or better. Time to go empty the tank one mile at a time

 

[kaitsdad]

Don B, it will get better following your first service at 600 mi. And watch your tire pressure - the bike is very sensitive to even slightly low tire pressure.

 

[FJRski]

38 to 40? You're doing good!;-)

I got 32 to 35 on the first 2 tanks (was wicking it a bit, & I liked it).

Has increased ~5mpg at the 600 mile mark.

 

[ron melton]

Don, I have 5500 miles on my 05, & went 255/247 miles on tanks of regular last weekend. Average speed about 75-80. First tank i went 21 miles on th flashing reserve bar , second tank i went 28 miles on th flashin bar. When i put th bike on th side stand ( second tank) with th motor runnin at th pump before fillin up, th motor sputtered & ran outta gas. I wuz tryin ta see how far you can run on reserve ( flashin bar) so i kept th speed well above average. I think in ah pinch you can do 40 miles on th flashin reserve bar by lowering yer speed to 70mph or so.

 

[radman]

With the header, a PCIII set fat, a monster CeeBailey +4+4 thats up most of the time, and a life long appreciation for arm lengthening, I see 35-38 mpg steadily outta Frank. Bone stock he could manage but 41 average at our 800' elevation. I do, however, immensely enjoy lofting the wheel alongside any Priuses I come across, which work mightily to equal that figure

 

[markjenn]

You do need to give it some time and the mileage your getting is in the normal range to begin with. And let's be reasonable - no motorcycle gets 48 mpg at 100 mph.

- Mark

 

[jjsC6]

You do need to give it some time and the mileage your getting is in the normal range to begin with. And let's be reasonable - no motorcycle gets 48 mpg at 100 mph.
- Mark

I've now got about 1,000 miles on mine (I picked it up Wednesday!). I think my worst tankful has been in the mid 43's, and my best at 47. And I can assure you mine has been ridden pretty hard the last couple of tankfuls. The one I got 47, I was cruising between 70 and 80 on the interstate most of the time.

 

[flienlow]

38 to 40? You're doing good!;-) I got 32 to 35 on the first 2 tanks (was wicking it a bit, & I liked it).

Has increased ~5mpg at the 600 mile mark.

I agree, for some reason I cannot seem to get past 34.7 miles per gallon. I have 700 miles on it. Is it still to early for the good mileage to start showing up? I was really hoping for 40mpg.

 

[FJRMGM]

you are using Regular grade gas - right?

Using anything higher than Regular causes the mileage to be lower.

 

[dpleogs]

you are using Regular grade gas - right?
Using anything higher than Regular causes the mileage to be lower.

I have a little over 500 miles on my bike. Its been averaging 41 to 42 MPG according to the bike anyway. This is freeway riding 70 to 80 MPH with the occasional blast to 100 MPH or so. If I ride it hard, cracking the throttle to wheelie etc it goes down to 34-35 MPG. Hoping for a little better after the first service.

 

[Spridal]

you are using Regular grade gas - right?
Using anything higher than Regular causes the mileage to be lower.

Do you mean I should not be using premium (91) octane? What octane are you using?

 

[SkooterG]

you are using Regular grade gas - right?

Using anything higher than Regular causes the mileage to be lower.

Do you mean I should not be using premium (91) octane? What octane are you using?

Why are you using premium?

FJR manual states to use minimum of 86 octane unless you experience detonation (pinging) which would then require a higher octane.

I disagree with FJRMGM that premium or high octane gasoline will result in lower fuel mileage, but it is completely unnecessary unless experiencing detonation.

I have a little over 500 miles on my bike. Its been averaging 41 to 42 MPG according to the bike anyway. This is freeway riding 70 to 80 MPH with the occasional blast to 100 MPH or so. If I ride it hard, cracking the throttle to wheelie etc it goes down to 34-35 MPG. Hoping for a little better after the first service.

I don't think its going to get any better. You are getting close to the gas mileage you should be getting with the type of riding you describe. For better, you need to be going slower, or at high altitude.

And don't forget folks, that crap People's Republik of Kali gas will lower mileage by a few mpg.

Oh, and welcome to the forum dpleogs. You have now been assimilated.

 

[twowheelnut]

What the Feds say about octane.

 

[Spridal]

you are using Regular grade gas - right?

Using anything higher than Regular causes the mileage to be lower.

Do you mean I should not be using premium (91) octane? What octane are you using?

Why are you using premium?

FJR manual states to use minimum of 86 octane unless you experience detonation (pinging) which would then require a higher octane.

I disagree with FJRMGM that premium or high octane gasoline will result in lower fuel mileage, but it is completely unnecessary unless experiencing detonation.

I have a little over 500 miles on my bike. Its been averaging 41 to 42 MPG according to the bike anyway. This is freeway riding 70 to 80 MPH with the occasional blast to 100 MPH or so. If I ride it hard, cracking the throttle to wheelie etc it goes down to 34-35 MPG. Hoping for a little better after the first service.

I don't think its going to get any better. You are getting close to the gas mileage you should be getting with the type of riding you describe. For better, you need to be going slower, or at high altitude.

And don't forget folks, that crap People's Republik of Kali gas will lower mileage by a few mpg.

Oh, and welcome to the forum dpleogs. You have now been assimilated.

I guess that's what I get for listening to the dealer

 

[Scab]

On my '05, I average about 44, haulin' about 80-85 everywhere I go. When straight out on the super-slab, I got 49.

Currently have 11,400

 

[HondaCBX6]

42-43MPG 30,000 miles, PCIII USB, 42/42psi

High 51

low 32

John

 

[designeraccd]

Gee, here I was getting "happier" that my '06 is getting CLOSER to 40mpg with every tankful-a bit over 1100 miles on her now. The non stop rain for the past week has shot her mileage towards infinity! OTOH, my engine let's say has no danger of getting carboned up from to low throttle "settings"....LOL! DFO

 

[Geezer]

I got close to 50 mpg the first month on my '05. Once I felt that the engine was adequately broken in my mileage started going down in direct relation to my use of the throttle. I stopped even thinking about MPG and only think about grins per mile.

Your mileage will vary according to you riding style, length of your average ride, hills vs flat, weight carried on the bike, bags on or off, top trunk, pillion, tire pressure, and other stuff I can't think of.

I was going to add the type of oil you use as a joke but then this would become an oil thread and be relegated to that other place. So I won't mention oil.