old grouch
Member
Posts: 387
If it aint broke, don't fix it!
Colorado Springs, CO
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« on: May 23, 2010, 07:10:36 AM » |
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??? Just got back from an 1800 mile 5 day riding trip with some friends from out of state. One of the bikes is a 2000 tourer. He lives in Wichita, KS. At home he gets 34-36 mpg. For the second year in a row, when he is riding up here in the high altitude, his mpg is 40-43. We all rode together and verified the miles traveled and the fuel used, so I know the numbers are accurate. How come that? And if you know the answer, how can I get mine to do that?
Stan
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 Don't float thru life, MAKE WAVES! 09/11/01 NEVER FORGET! |
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Joe Hummer
Member
Posts: 1645
VRCC #25677 VRCC Missouri State Representative
Arnold, MO
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« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2010, 07:34:41 AM » |
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I would say that his bike is set up too rich for Kansas and is more set up for the higher CO elevations.
Joe
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1999 Valkyrie Interstate
You pay for the whole bike, why not use it Jerry Motorman Palladino
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Pete
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« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2010, 08:56:32 AM » |
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Sure would be nice to see a plug reading during one of those 40-43 MPG tanks. I would suspect lean and clean.
I consistently can get 40 MPG riding carefully at altitudes ranging between 700' and 2500', so the 40 is not a great surprise.
As for why if might get better at altitude? Must be tuned for that altitude, whether intentional or accidental, and for the cruise speed used.
If yours will not get that, lean it out, being careful to not get to lean and cause problems.
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9Ball
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« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2010, 09:17:37 AM » |
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I always seemed to get better mileage riding in Colorado when I lived outside Denver. Riding the twisties through the 10K passes (Monarch and Wolf Creek) sometimes got high 40's, as much as 48 mpg average.
Use the lowest octane available when riding at these altitudes.....my bike really liked the 85 octane at altitude and ran well. They tend to run out of steam fast above 11,000 feet though, such as Trail Ridge Road, Mt. Evans, Leadville or Eisenhower Tunnel areas.
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VRCC #6897, Joined May, 2000
1999 Standard
2007 Rocket 3
2005 VTX 1300S
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Jabba
Member
Posts: 3563
VRCCDS0197
Greenwood Indiana
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« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2010, 02:02:11 PM » |
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Wow. I only get about 27 or so on my 2002 standard.
Jabba
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fudgie
Member
Posts: 10613
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2010, 04:20:28 PM » |
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Wow. I only get about 27 or so on my 2002 standard.
Jabba
Slow down.  |
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 Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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Gryphon Rider
Member
Posts: 5227
2000 Tourer
Calgary, Alberta
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« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2010, 04:35:50 PM » |
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No mystery to me. When I lived in a small town and put on 90% highway miles I got about 42 MPG with my Saturn. When driving through the mountains to Kamloops and back, I got 50-51 MPG. Around home I drove 100-120 km/h. In BC I was forced to drive 70-90 km/h, and occasionally 100-110. The slower speeds that mountain driving requires lead to better fuel mileage. What you burn extra going up, you save going down, assuming your vehicle is not under-powered for the load.
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