What am I doing RIGHT?!
05-12-2014, 12:03 PM
#1
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Camp Hill, PA
Posts: 86
What am I doing RIGHT?!
So we all bitch and moan about our gas mileage, but my last few fillups have averaged 34.4, 35.1, 34.8, and 35.3 miles per gallon. What the hell? Where did my 28 mpg go?
It's not my riding style, if anything it's been slightly more aggressive as it's still early in the season and I'm feeling froggy. Same tire as last year and running the same 89 octane fuel from the same Sunoco station. What gives? I want my bad gas mileage back!
Figured we all needed a little chuckle today - In reality, seeing over 35 mpg made me do a happy dance in the gas station parking lot!
It's not my riding style, if anything it's been slightly more aggressive as it's still early in the season and I'm feeling froggy. Same tire as last year and running the same 89 octane fuel from the same Sunoco station. What gives? I want my bad gas mileage back!
Figured we all needed a little chuckle today - In reality, seeing over 35 mpg made me do a happy dance in the gas station parking lot!
05-12-2014, 01:32 PM
#3
Senior Member
Back Marker
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 236
I have gotten 42mpg in the hills riding "The Pace" around Lake Berryessa area. Speed was constant for the most part, very little brakes. Just focusing on corner entry and drive out. Rolling back on the throttle to set entry speed for next corner, but not shutting it off completely.
Relying on engine brakes a lot the fuel economy goes to the *******.
Relying on engine brakes a lot the fuel economy goes to the *******.
05-12-2014, 02:51 PM
#6
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Seattle
Posts: 250
I wish I knew... if my mileage gets any lower, it'll be single-digit!
The last time I filled up, the RROD came on at 58 miles, and it took right at 4 gallons to fill it. To be fair, that was all start-and-stop miles, I only work 4 miles from home and there are probably a 10-12 stoplights and stop signs in that short 4 miles.
Plus I aspire to be a Harley rider someday when I grow up and can afford a "real" bike, just so I'll finally "get it".
As a result, I practice blipping the throttle constantly at any stoplights.
The last time I filled up, the RROD came on at 58 miles, and it took right at 4 gallons to fill it. To be fair, that was all start-and-stop miles, I only work 4 miles from home and there are probably a 10-12 stoplights and stop signs in that short 4 miles.
Plus I aspire to be a Harley rider someday when I grow up and can afford a "real" bike, just so I'll finally "get it".
As a result, I practice blipping the throttle constantly at any stoplights.
05-12-2014, 03:12 PM
#8
Amateur Hour, Every Hour
Squid
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Oakland, CA
Posts: 95
I wish I knew... if my mileage gets any lower, it'll be single-digit!
The last time I filled up, the RROD came on at 58 miles, and it took right at 4 gallons to fill it. To be fair, that was all start-and-stop miles, I only work 4 miles from home and there are probably a 10-12 stoplights and stop signs in that short 4 miles.
Plus I aspire to be a Harley rider someday when I grow up and can afford a "real" bike, just so I'll finally "get it".
As a result, I practice blipping the throttle constantly at any stoplights.
The last time I filled up, the RROD came on at 58 miles, and it took right at 4 gallons to fill it. To be fair, that was all start-and-stop miles, I only work 4 miles from home and there are probably a 10-12 stoplights and stop signs in that short 4 miles.
Plus I aspire to be a Harley rider someday when I grow up and can afford a "real" bike, just so I'll finally "get it".
As a result, I practice blipping the throttle constantly at any stoplights.
I get into triple digits on every ride to work in the morning and wonder why I get such garbage MPG (don't worry it's a lightly used straightaway at 6:30am)
05-12-2014, 04:22 PM
#9
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: May 2012
Location: UK
Posts: 397
So we all bitch and moan about our gas mileage, but my last few fillups have averaged 34.4, 35.1, 34.8, and 35.3 miles per gallon. What the hell? Where did my 28 mpg go?
These bikes are weird when it comes to fuel consumption...there really is no logic to it. Sometimes the faster I go, the better my economy. Go figure.
(:-})
05-12-2014, 07:04 PM
#10
Senior Member
SuperBike
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Bisbee, AZ
Posts: 1,873
I have had similar milage increases. I my case I attribute the mileage increase to better throttle control. The longer I have owned the bike and more to the point the more often I ride, the smoother I am with the right hand.
05-13-2014, 01:16 AM
#11
Senior Member
SuperSport
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 972
Did a bunch of miles Sunday; interstate drone got just over 47mpg @ 70mph. NC hills 100mph in some areas 43.**mpg. No traffic. Tight and hard on the throttle gets 38.**. Never have checked tps. I've been very happy with mpgs and this bike overall.
05-13-2014, 05:40 AM
#12
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Camp Hill, PA
Posts: 86
ok, so I'm gathering that my fuel mileage increade is one of 3 reasons...
1) Gas got better - it should since they charge me more.
2) My math sucks - this is possible.
3) Less blipping - not a possibility with the # of bridges I go under and the Danmoto cans - they make me giggle.
Not sure what's going on, but I'm not complaining. If it were 1-2 miles per gallon it wouldn't strike me as too strange...but it's more than a 6 mile per gallon increase which is AWESOME!
1) Gas got better - it should since they charge me more.
2) My math sucks - this is possible.
3) Less blipping - not a possibility with the # of bridges I go under and the Danmoto cans - they make me giggle.
Not sure what's going on, but I'm not complaining. If it were 1-2 miles per gallon it wouldn't strike me as too strange...but it's more than a 6 mile per gallon increase which is AWESOME!
On the other hand, I HATE the range of my smallish tank capacity. 
05-15-2014, 04:44 AM
#15
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Camp Hill, PA
Posts: 86
05-15-2014, 05:44 AM
#16
Stiff Member
Back Marker
Join Date: May 2010
Location: whiteford,md
Posts: 150
Your mpg's are still low. I average 40 which seems like the norm for most Superhawks. Hell, I get 35 mpg's with the vmax and it's almost 300 lbs. heavier than the Superhawk and has two extra pistons + 200cc's more. Tim
05-15-2014, 06:59 AM
#17
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Camp Hill, PA
Posts: 86
I'n happy with 35 given the modifications and frequency that I see near redline.
05-19-2014, 01:05 PM
#18
Junior Member
Squid
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Monticello, MN
Posts: 19
Harley Davidson: An effective way to convert gasoline to noise without producing horsepower.
05-27-2014, 09:44 AM
#19
Member
Squid
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Camp Hill, PA
Posts: 86
Soooo 'Hawk had the 8k service done Saturday -- plugs, chain adjusted, throttle adjusted, carbs checked, oil change, blah blah -- then took him out Sunday for a spirited cruise. That tank got 40.6 mpg!!
05-27-2014, 03:19 PM
#20
Senior Member
Back Marker
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 187
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