Fuel mileage?

[Bill O]

ok after the 130 mile ride I checked it and it was at 34MPG. and this was at the 75 -80 range
Did another ride today with some friends speed was kept at around 55-65 @ 160 miles this time it got 44MPG, so the moral to the story 65 seems to be the magic number.
So guessin its not far off

Concur with your findings......Once you get over 70, you gas mileage decreases accordingly. Best set of carbs I ever rebuilt got consistantly 50 mpg. My own (rebuilt) carbs would get close to that, but I also pulled various trailers. Towing heavy would bring me down to the mid 30's. I even got down to the upper 20's in adverse conditions while towing. But, cruising at over the 70's will bring your MPG down fer sure!

I've learn to ride in the comfort zone of 65 to 70 and also enjoy the MPG. But riding with others who like to carve canyons and scrape pegs or go from horizon to horizon as fast as they can brings my MPG down quick.. Oh My, I'm starting to ramble. You get the idea.....

Bill O

[Scott-(Altoona, PA)]

Something else I've found is the octane used. Many will say it doesn't matter and I will agree, these bikes will run on just about any fuel you can buy legally anywhere but while doing my spring cleaning two years ago (every spring I remove all plastic and clean the underside and covered areas) I took the time to read the factory labels on the fuel tank and noticed that it mentioned 91 octane. So I entertained the idea for a while and started to test mileage. After running the tank nearly empty I filled with 91 and again with 93, the cost per tank can vary from $1.00 to $2.00+ more but the mileage received definitely was increased as well. The cost verses gain equaled out to be about the same so it's really a matter of choice in my opinion.
Just some food for thought, make sure you try to stay consistent with the octane rating you use and try to keep it under 70 MPH.
The fun is well worth the MPG-loss on some days I'll agree!!!!!!

[kjsett]

Something else I've found is the octane used. Many will say it doesn't matter and I will agree, these bikes will run on just about any fuel you can buy legally anywhere but while doing my spring cleaning two years ago (every spring I remove all plastic and clean the underside and covered areas) I took the time to read the factory labels on the fuel tank and noticed that it mentioned 91 octane. So I entertained the idea for a while and started to test mileage. After running the tank nearly empty I filled with 91 and again with 93, the cost per tank can vary from $1.00 to $2.00+ more but the mileage received definitely was increased as well. The cost verses gain equaled out to be about the same so it's really a matter of choice in my opinion.
Just some food for thought, make sure you try to stay consistent with the octane rating you use and try to keep it under 70 MPH.
The fun is well worth the MPG-loss on some days I'll agree!!!!!!

My bike's mileage prefers Mid grade (price compromise) of 87 to 89 (higher altitudes like Colorado the octane can drop to 85 for regular). If i get fuel at Costco I get the premium there (89 to 91 again altitude varying). My son's V-4 Yamaha would run on Regular, but saw a marked increase when I filled his tank with premium.
I had a '80 Suzuki inline-twin that would develop a hickup on the highway running regular. Premium fixed that (was almost brand new at the time).
Enjoy.
Ken

[crash33]

Ive often wondered about using higher octane in the bikes, but have always wondered with the small amount of gas we fill up with are we really getting the higher octane product, after all most fill up with regular fuel and it seems to me that the amount of fuel left in the lines of the gas pump would negate the amount of the "good stuff" we are paying for.

[kjsett]

Ive often wondered about using higher octane in the bikes, but have always wondered with the small amount of gas we fill up with are we really getting the higher octane product, after all most fill up with regular fuel and it seems to me that the amount of fuel left in the lines of the gas pump would negate the amount of the "good stuff" we are paying for.

You know, I had never thought of that. Odd's are that it would be maybe up to a gallon in the line between the valve in the pump and the valve in the handle. Maybe less. Hoses aren't as long as they used to be, but a good bet would be half to one gallon (never have worked on a pump, but have seen them apart).
As a V-twin is more susceptible, maybe try to avoid putting in less than 2 gallons so it averages out.
Course you could look at it as another way that the "BIG OIL" are getting into our pockets, but it probably helps keep the cost per machine down. Used to be, there was a hose for each fuel type, but it has been awhile since I saw one like that. Maybe a good thing that the "diesel" hose is still separate.
I use Gas Buddy on my computer (preplanning) and on my smart phone to find prices and mid-grade where possible. Since most trips we just fill both bikes at the same time, I put in mid-grade for her VN800 and then put the same in mine. I have used regular without a problem, but it seemed to not be as responsive (probably my imagination). Since I have a Costco card, I use their Premium (with members discount) when they aren't out of my way (nice to baby the old girl occasionally). I find it only slightly more than mid-grade in the same area.
Especially traveling, I dose her with Seafoam during (if long enough) and after I get back (generally once a month or every 4-5 fills). Came back from a trip a year ago and a week later took her to work and she started back fired a couple of times when coming off throttle. Dosed her with Sea Foam and no more problem.
That's my story - what's yours???????
Thanks for listening,
Ken
PS. She doesn't get much down time. Here in Phoenix, unless I have to haul stuff, or, the temps get down in the 40's and i don't have time to layer up more, I ride year round. Course, when it get's above 110F I have to consider time and distance for health reasons (heat stroke or exhaustion is nothing to take lightly, and in the streets at a light the temps can exceed 120F easily).

[forplay]

Thinking about the last comment I wonder about where the fuel in the pump is switched. Truly are we getting what we pay for. If your pumping 4 gallons of fuel and you select a higher grade and the 1st gallon is of a lower grade thats a 25% difference. That's not chicken feed at these prices.

[richardb, austin]

crash, the only time I maintain 75-80 for long distance is when I'm on I10 west of Junction, tx. Ordinarily I get 42mpg. but @ maintained hi speed I get 38ish especially westbound on I10 w a headwind - but I still beat my HD bud. my trailer pulls me down to 38 also

[deepseaalan-4]

Royal Purple full synthetic shaft gear oil- Castrol full synthetic 10-40 motorcycle engine oil- stock air filter- front tire 38 psi- rear tire 40 psi-91 octane- 68-75 mph I am getting 47 mpg

[grumpin]

Interesting, never thought of how much is in the hose and where the valve is. We have a station in town that has non-ethanol premium ($$) and it is a separate tank and pump.

[kjsett]

Interesting, never thought of how much is in the hose and where the valve is. We have a station in town that has non-ethanol premium ($$) and it is a separate tank and pump.

I stopped for gas for my wife's car at Costco's gas station and talked to the attendant. Now not scientific, but after the discussion, our best guess is about a gallon is in the line. We guessed this from the length of the hose and where the valve is located in the pump. He did agree that this could be an issue, but of course nothing he could do about it.
Now I have to admit, that seems slightly unethical, but the cost of a pump with 3 separate pumps, meters, valves, hoses and handles would be considerably higher than the combined unit - thus contributing to overall higher prices for the gas. Normally not an issue for a car/pickup driver as they are usually dealing with greater than 10 gallons (they would probably just shrug after muttering something about "Big Oil"). I guess if I routinely fill at a station with separate hoses that is competively priced, it would be maybe worth it. But I will have to look around for such. But as the XII doesn't mind regular and premium at Costco competes with others Midgrade gas I will probably continue doing it there.
Now when my wife and I travel, I will just be sure to put gas in mine first as her V-twin does complain about regular gas (at least I think it does).
Just my humble opinion, doubt I will be able to change it.
Ken