Is this normal??
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Is this normal??
I've had my VTR for a couple of months now, and kept gas slips since I bought it. Have searched and read everything I could find RE mileage, so I knew what to expect. But its even worse than I could've expected. In 10 fill ups, my gas light has come on, on average, at the 83 mile mark!! (the lowest was 78, highest was 86) I usually looked for a gas station and filled it asap, and I put in usually between 3.1 and 3.3 gallons. (Once, I went to 100 miles, it took 3.5gal)
This mileage is mostly cruising around town, some twisty backroads, very little highway, and zero crazy redline antics!! Mostly shifting around 3-5k, and prob 50% of the riding two-up (REAL easy miles there, shift at 2500ish) What gives?
This mileage is mostly cruising around town, some twisty backroads, very little highway, and zero crazy redline antics!! Mostly shifting around 3-5k, and prob 50% of the riding two-up (REAL easy miles there, shift at 2500ish) What gives?
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SuperSport
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 809
From: North Wales, PA
around town and twisties are what eat gas up the most. if you were just highway driving you would get better mileage. my hawk hardly ever gets to stretch its legs either, and my mileage is about the same. I did make it to 96 miles once though so I know it can be done.
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MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
So I see on one of the boards that there is a club or group headed to Big Bend. Do you run like hell for an hour and then stop for fuel and refreshments? I would think that would make for a very long day.
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Originally Posted by Hawkrider
You're runnin' a little rich. Jet kit installed yet?
Thats kind of what I was thinking.. . yes the bike has a jardine high mount, factory jet kit and k&n..
And yes, that mileage was with stock gearing.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Rapid City, SD
YOu should definitely get 100 mi before the light comes on.....Here are my last 4 tanks.
1.) 100 mi trip through badlands...avg speed 95-120 with top speed bursts 32mpg
2.) aggressive canyon carving 5-8 k rpm 110 light came on 34mpg
3.) Wife as pillion same canyon as #2 looking at fall colors 130 before light came on 3-4 k rpm except for one 35 mi stretch on interstate doing 85mph.---40mpg
4.) around town commuting 110 mi before light--34 mpg.
I can't think of any situation where I could get lower than 30-32 mpg, so as others said I would get the carbs looked at.
1.) 100 mi trip through badlands...avg speed 95-120 with top speed bursts 32mpg
2.) aggressive canyon carving 5-8 k rpm 110 light came on 34mpg
3.) Wife as pillion same canyon as #2 looking at fall colors 130 before light came on 3-4 k rpm except for one 35 mi stretch on interstate doing 85mph.---40mpg
4.) around town commuting 110 mi before light--34 mpg.
I can't think of any situation where I could get lower than 30-32 mpg, so as others said I would get the carbs looked at.
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SuperSport
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Joined: May 2005
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From: North Wales, PA
Originally Posted by J.J.
that the answer I was hoping NOT to hear...
well we are similar. I also have a jet kit and aftermarket pipes. I know the carbs are jetted a bit richer than stock for the pipes. understand that if I ignored the light I could probably get more than 100 miles but I always gas up around 75-85. I live in a suburb of chicago, and its nothing but light to light traffic all the way to work and back every day. there is no more gas consuming way to drive. go find a highway (alone) open it up and find a destination 50 miles away. ride there, ride back, keep the rpm's down and see what you get.
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SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,864
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Did anyone notice his comments about gallons used? He's only using 3-3.5 of the 4.2 in the tank! The light is supposed to come on when there is .75 gallons left (the 'reserve'), but his is obviously not. That's how my light works because the sensor in the tank must have gotten tweaked when I installed in my new tank. Here's what I do - when the light comes on I know I've got more that a gallon left. I just add 25 miles to my trip odo reading and make a mental note. I've had the light on for days at a time. The light normally comes on at 90-100 miles and I fill up around 120. Mine will take about 3.5-3.75 gallons to fill, if I do it when the light first comes on it's only about 3 gallons, sometimes less.
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Superstock
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 474
From: Merritt,MI.
I also regularly get 115-130 miles out of a tank but I ride with the light on for a while. I figure if the light comes on with .75 gollons that should be about thirty miles.But man does it suck to run out of gas out here in the middle of no-where with no cell-phone service!!!
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Thanks for all the answers guys. I'm definitely getting the carbs checked. 16k service coming pretty soon anyway...
Anyhow, since I posted this thread, I went to 15/43, and have pretty much given up caring about my mileage. (Odo's off anyhow) Havent even kept the slips. Having way too much fun using the whole rev range now!
Anyhow, since I posted this thread, I went to 15/43, and have pretty much given up caring about my mileage. (Odo's off anyhow) Havent even kept the slips. Having way too much fun using the whole rev range now!
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Squid
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16
I filler up every 70 to 80 miles. The light will come on at around 85 miles. I also have a jet kit and 2Bro exhausts. I think the mileage is so bad cause of my smoke screen mechanism. I can floor it and no one can see me from behind because of the black smoke...she's runnin' rich. Although, I can't seem to activate the smoke screen without turning on the afterburner. 
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