oops
 

Just added the miles off the map.
MPG was not that good :(
Looks like I forgot to reset trip odo
OOPS !

Wow, that is amazing, I only sniffed 120 on the odo and ran out of gas! :evil: '98 doesn't have fuel gauges. :cry:

Sooooo...what didja really get??

OK, I'm lost. What are you guys referring to? Someone thought they were getting 50mpg or some such? :-)

Thought I got 56MPG but looks like I forgot to reset the Odo.
Estimate now was the usual 100ish on a tank (33-35)
This is embarrassing :(

(hangs head in shame)

No worries! I routinely get 25mpg when riding. :(

Re: oops
 

Since we're talking about gas mileage, how much worse will it get with a jet kit?
The last bike I had with a jet kit was a 1200 Bandit and the gas mileage went from 40 mpg to 36 mpg, but the improvement in performance was dramatic.

I got 125 miles before I ran out of gas and usually around 100 miles before the RLOD comes on.

Going to a larger tank has truly transformed my SuperHawk. Words simply can't describe the relief and peace of mind it has provided on some rides.

Woodman,

Of course riding conditions and riding style great contribute to MPG so comparing figures is usually an apples to oranges affair but....

I have a dyno-jet stage 1 jet kit and typically get anywhere from 32-38 with the lower values being the norm. 70mph on the highway can net me around 40 and nearly 200 miles per tank! Real world: I can't go that slow for that long of time/distance on a VTR!!! :-)

Re: oops
 

I have to go with Superbling, the large fuel tank is truly the way to go.
My low fuel light came on at 132 miles this morning and I have verified that I can go another 50 and still have a tenth or two left.
On my bike, being naked, it looks a bit large but on a standard VTR it seems to fit right in visually.
I'll gladly share info on the conversion and I'm sure that Superbling will too.
Kai Ju

Kai Ju and Superbling,

What would you estimate the total cost and total manhours needed to install and perfect your new tanks?

Re: oops
 

Hi there Superbling,
I'll let you go first on that one :wink:

In all seriousness, it is a bit of a job going my way since I not only mounted the tank but also shortended my seat and raised it to meet the tank.
By the time it's all said and done, now that I know how to do it, I figure about a day's worth of work, if you have everything you need at the ready.
You will have to modify the underside of the tank to clear the airbox lid, cut a hole in the airbox lid to clear the fuel sender, fabricate a block off plate for the fuel pump hole that also becomes your fuel valve mount, shorten the seat about 3/8" and raise it with spacer blocks about 1", fabricate the rear tank mount and have the tools to do all of the above.
The rewards are worth it though......more range and more leg room due to the raised seat height.

Kai Ju

Re: oops
 

Hey, I'm just Joe Average in the skills/abilities when it comes to things like this. It's that I'm just not afraid to try! :shock: :lol:

The biggest job for me was making the plate by hand with nothing more than a vice, hacksaw, and bench grinder so that took the most time. I first made a template out of stiff plastic and then a prototype out of very thin steel. I'd say this was an entire day.

Forming the tank to the airbox was a matter of an hour or so as I used a small sledge (yup) and a block of soft wood to pound the underside of the tank. I cradle the tank in a large blanket laid in the grass.

Getting the seat right took quite some time but I went slowly with it as I didn't really know which direction to go: mod the stock seat, mod my VTR corbin, or try something else. I ended up doing all three! :lol: The stock seat fit without any mods even though it's a tad too long. I had the rear of the tank high enough that it slid under it. I just didn't like the way it looked or felt (hence the corbin).

I've settled on using a VTEC VFR seat which only required relocating the latch catch and forming a front mounting tab on the subframe. This was much easier than it sounds. It doesn't match the rear cowl perfectly but it's damn close. I made fake CF trim tabs to fill in the void on each side. See pic.

Bottom line: if I can do this anyone can; just need a little workspace.

Re: oops
 

I'm confused. Does the 2005 SHawk have a different camshaft or something? I never get less than 42mpg and got as high as 48mpg. Generally I get 45mpg at 80mph highway.

Re: oops
 

My guess is it's because of your elevation in Denver (5000 feet or so)
Takes less gas to run cause there's less air (leaner)
You probably have smaller main jets installed (high altitude carb kit)

Re: oops
 

I always figured that had something to do with it. I'm at about 4200' and get about 40, and wondered at first what the squak about milage was all about.