Suffering gas mileage..

[megofast]

So for about my first 600 miles on the bike I had an average mpg of around 45-46. Since then my mileage seems to have dropped heavily. Now perhaps it is because I am not babying the bike anymore since it is well out of break-in period... but even so, now I am getting about 36 mpg average.

Is that normal? Or is it the average 80-100 mph head winds I seem to be suffering from? Seriously though, my driving is mixed, but it's not THAT different from the first 600 miles really, not so different that I should see such a sharp drop.

Thoughts?

 

[HotRodZilla]

Of course, it totally depends on your riding style, but I ride relatively fast and the lowest I've ever gotten was about 39mpg (according to my bike's trip computer). If I'm riding with a group and taking it easy, I get about 46. Average is about 41-42 most of the time. Good luck.

 

[FJRocket]

Thoughts?

You're handle suggests the problem. unk:

Getting under 40 mpg riding in a "spirited" fashion is normal.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Thoughts?

You're handle suggests the problem. unk:

Getting under 40 mpg riding in a "spirited" fashion is normal.

I agree...

Touring mode - mid 40s (no pciii) 4-5k rpm

Sporttouring mode - below 40 5-8k rpm

EDIT: I have my windshield down all the way 99/100

 

[artistonFJR]

I just did a quick run to Wendover, NV (from Salt Lake City), averaging about 95mph, and was quite happy with my 38.6 mpg. There were occasions to run her up to the 120mark, and only about five miles out of 260 at less than 80mph. I got her so I could ride like the wind (and it does) and not to worry about the gas she sips (I don't... and she does). But if you notice a dramatic difference and your style/routine hasn't changed it might be worth keeping a log, then taking the bike in to get a look.

Have you named her yet? Mine is "The PeePee Tickler".

Makes the wife laugh when she hears that...

C

 

[Scab]

And heavy winds will take a toll.

 

[megofast]

Hmm... but see I keep my rpms 4k or below about 80% of the time. That's why this confuses me. Yes, I like to make fast starts and pass umm "spiritedly" haha but most of the time I would be in 'touring mode'

There is some traffic since I commute, but that shouldn't be too bad. Not 36 mpg I would think.

 

[Fred W]

Have you named her yet? Mine is "The PeePee Tickler".

TMI...

 

[Grumpy]

Mileage is always lower in the winter when the windshield is up. Mileage is better in the summer when the windshield is down.......at least that's what happens for me.

 

[Ignacio]

Is that normal?

Covered many, many times in this area before. In fact, it's part of the NEPRT FAQ.

 

[Fred W]

Hmm... but see I keep my rpms 4k or below about 80% of the time. That's why this confuses me. Yes, I like to make fast starts and pass umm "spiritedly" haha but most of the time I would be in 'touring mode'
There is some traffic since I commute, but that shouldn't be too bad. Not 36 mpg I would think.

Don't forget, there are different fuel formulations winter and summer in many areas. Mileage suffers as you increase the ethanol content.

 

[JasonB]

New 08 model feature: 15% reduction in fuel economy! Should have got an 07

 

[El Toro Joe]

it's the shitty winter gas

 

[megofast]

Well the reason I ask is because my bike is generally a little funny. I looked through the NEPRT FAQ and there are a few quirks about mine I noticed. For instance, I get the "F trip" and blinking bar with 2 gallons left. That seems a little excessive for a reserve doesnt it? Also when I get to <4 gallons in the tank my gague tends to bounce between blinking and 2 bars and haven't really found a solid correlation between speed/position and that yet- only that when I let it sit for a little while with 2 bars, I come back and get on, turn it on, and it is blinking for low fuel. Then it raises back up again, drops, raises... you get the idea.. until finally its down to about the 2 gallon and actually sticks around 1 bar/blinking.

 

[odot]

Have you done a full tank burn? A trip where ya know exactly how many miles it is? Then refuel and recalculate?

 

[megofast]

Have you done a full tank burn? A trip where ya know exactly how many miles it is? Then refuel and recalculate?

I havent done a FULL tank burn (as in down to almost nothing?) the lowest Ive got is 1 gallon remaining. But every time I run it down till the F-trip has about 20 miles on it and I usually fill with about 4.5 gallons.

 

[FJRBluesman]

My mpg varied depending on speed etc. Some trips were high 40's. I got consitantly 40mpg commuting to work, until I put on my big screen, "V-Stream windshield". Dropped to about 36mpg.

 

[feejer222]

it's the shitty winter gas

Fuel consumption will increase in the cold weather. There is more air about so the bikes computer will pump in more gas to compensate.

 

[Violione]

I have found that whilst riding in the winter with the windshield fully extended and encountering stiff head winds; the consumption of beer and bratwurst will produce a good quantity of methane gas that once expelled, offsets the head wind and fully extended wind shield; thereby giving a null drag vector, allowing my FJR to achieve 42 farts per mile. :drinks: