Gas Mileage...

[Sharkey]

A question to those who claim ethanol is so bad and hurts gas mileage;

Explain why I consistently get 40 mpg with my 2000 I/S when I run below 3000 rpm. ???  I have always used ethanol...if it is available...since the day it was new.  Ask Blackdog, he seen it every time we gassed up on the way to Copper Harbor and back, 40 mpg.  Bike is bone stock.  I haven't yet touched any o-rings or vacuum lines on top of the motor....yet.

Oh....my '97 Std always get's 37 mpg and it get the same gas.  It is desmogged.

Ethanol contains less energy per gallon that gasoline measured in BTUs

Gasoline (base)[2] 1 US gallon 114,000 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (conventional, summer)[2] 0.996 US gallon * 114,500 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (conventional, winter)[2] 1.013 US gallon * 112,500 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (reformulated gasoline, ethanol)[2] 1.019 US gallon * 111,836 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (reformulated gasoline, ETBE)[2] 1.019 US gallon * 111,811 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (reformulated gasoline, MTBE)[2] 1.020 US gallon * 111,745 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (10% MBTE)[3] 1.02 US gallon 112,000 BTU/gallon
Gasoline (regular unleaded)[4] 1 US gallon 114,100 BTU/gallon

Ethanol fuel (E100)[4] 1.500 US gallons 76,100 BTU/gallon

[Chrisj CMA]

I filled up yesterday with the same gas as usual (ethanol) and I was surprised that I got exactly 37mpg.  During the useage of that tank I rode a mixture of steady 70mph and in town max 45mph stop and go.  aboout 50/50 steady and stop n go. I have a standard with a Honda shield.   I used to ALWAYS get 37mpg but whenever they put the booze in the gas I went down to the low thirties......so I dunno, maybe the colder temps help....maybe thats why theres differences otherwise not accounted for....temp and humidity may have more effect than we thought...........bike is running so good, who cares what gas mileage really........

[Mikey]

I think it's pretty safe to say that most of the people that buy a Valk do so knowing that it's not going to set any records for gas mileage. With 6 carbs, I'm glad mine gets what it does, especially since right now I'm running an undersized tire.