47.9 mpg on a Valk

[Momz]

I've been checking my mileage for quite some time now,....well since Bike Week 2011.

I am currently averageing 47.9 mpg for every fill up. That is a full tank untill I run untill I must go to reserve!

Those that know me also know that I don't baby my bike. I ride it like I stole it!

Anyone up for a mileage challenge at IZXI?

[97ValkSteve]

I think someone's odometer is a bit off perhaps.   

[MacDragon]

Either that ... or Timothy Leary is his best friend...

[WylieGibbs]

You are either a liar or poor at mathmatics.

DW

[Momz]

I ride with quite a number of other Valk riders and my 98 has consistantly gone well over 200 miles before I need to switch to reserve. Most of the others get nervous after 125 miles, but I tell them all "lets fill up before we roll and don't worry about not finding feul". I figure that with the limits of the reserve, I can always find gas (it may not be cheap gas, but I will gladly pay just to show that it can be done).

235 miles/ 4.9 gallons = 47.9 mpg

To quantify,...my 2K I/S does not get that kind of mpg though.  

[ricoman]

And I can do the hundred meters in 4.1 sec.
Something is bad wrong with your math or you never get above 1500 rpm.
Or, if you have stumbled on to a magic mileage maker-share it with all, I'd like to use it on my car and truck.

[flcjr]

I think we should ban all mpg threads from the website so we can quit arguing about it. Willow please help. Those of us who ride our valks know the mileage and it is not great but the smiles are. Please do not expect us to believe your valk gets  47mpg ,only if you drive 45mph. I challenge you too ride with me and keep up (I have never gotten a ticket on a bike and I don't do anything stupid) if you prove me wrong I will buy dinner,drinks and your fuel round trip to get here. I am lucky to get over 30mpg.

[Momz]

ricoman,

Come to IZXI, I'll bring both Valks.

But I'll be riding my 98, cause gas isn't cheap.  
And maybe you can keep up in the hills and twisties.

I won't make that claim with my I/S.

[designer]

Back when I had my VTX1800 we all talked about mpg, and the range. We finally closed the issue by having anyone with high mpg to use a GPS to verify mileage.  We found that some bikes odometer were off, as well as mph.  although, you would really have to have a odometer off so much at 47 it would be noticeable.

[BigAl]

This is a old trick, Your buddies are secretly putting gas in your bike when you go to the Can.

Or the thing is running so lean it could burn a piston.

Or you have your frame filled with fuel, just like Junior Johnson used to do in Nascar.

At 70 miles an hour, it just ain't gonna get 47.9 mpg.

Unless it is modified heavily.

If I am not right why not share your secret so we too can benefit.

That is the least you can do for us after posting that incredible #.

Thanks

Rock on Gas mileage King.

AL

[Hoser]

I've been above 40mpg a few times,  It's amazing what shifting early and staying below the speed limit can do.  It don't happen often, though, at least not for me.  Good for you!     Hoser

[Rams]

Well, now I'm interested to see exactly what I do get for mpg.  Never really worried about it, I just start looking for a gas station when the trip odometer hits 100 miles for that tank.  Now, I want to know.  I normally ride within 5 mph of the posted speed limit but I have a problem in how I get to that speed.  I'm kind of addicted to that tunnel vision you get under hard acceleration. 

Anyway, I think I'll take a little trip and see just where my 02 standard skunk is at.  I'm betting on high thirties but we shall see.

[rodeo1]

mine has always gotten a rock solid 28 to 30 mpg, about what my mustang gt gets. i was talking to my bro the other night and he told me his 03 gets 36 to 38 mpg -- huh ? so i tell him what mine gets and he scolds me a llittle and tells me if ididn't ride like a 16 year old on a crotch rocket i would get better mileage. so, just to prove him wrong, i hooked up the kwik kamp and ran 75 miles out and back at exacly 65 mph. 31 mpg pulling the camper, crap ! i just hate it when he is right.

i left delta utah one cold april morning headed to colo. it was still dark when i left and that farm country is full of deer, so i ran around 45 mph for around 100 miles. whe i filled up i had gotten 50 mpg, but was so bored i couldn't stand it -- never did that crap again !!!

[Mr. Nuts]

Reminds me of the old movie "Pete & Tillie" where Walter Matthau and his kid kept sneaking over to his neighbor's car and adding gas. Poor guy was bragging to everyone that he was up to 87 mpg or something while everyone just figured he was nuts. Eventually they decided to reverse the process and sneak over and take gas out every night. He went wild then! Always wanted to do that...and it sounds like someone else must have watched the movie too.

[Bama Red]

I consistently get 36-38 mpg driving 5-7 mph over the limit. If I really tempt the radar units, my mileage drops to 'bout 32 mpg.

[Jabba]

I filled up this AM.

105 miles... 3.2 gallons.  32.8 MPG.  I'd call that a pretty good tank... for me.   

I'll NEVER call a guy a liar...   But I sure wanna know how the heck it happened.

Jabba

[solo1]

In 13 years of ownership of my '97 standard, I averaged 32 mpg.  The highest single tank was 38 mpg.  The speedo and odometer were checked using interstate mile markers.   Aside from my thumpers that I've owned, the best mileage bike was my ST1100 and it averaged out at about 45mpg.

I find 47 mpg extremely hard to believe for a Valk but I supposed anything is possible.  Like Big Al said, it might be running extremely lean to get that.

Reminds me of the time that I had a 55 VW Beetle, it got 40 mpg when Beetles were getting about 32 mpg.  Found out that it had a hole in the intake manifold.  Beetles weren't known for power so I couldn't tell the difference.

[bassman]

Is it remotely POSSIBLE, that when doing all of those great mods to the Ratbike, a smaller front wheel was installed giving more revs per revolution, causing the odometer to turn faster and giving a higher miles travelled reading?  I'm certainly no mechanic - just kinda thinking out loud.....

[csj]

Odometer out 'o wack could be confirmed by having all the
other riders on momz outings, zero their odometers at
the same time, and compare at end of trip.

I've never gotten more than 34 mpg.

[designer]

someone needs to take there GPS and reset the trip counter.  If they change the setting to WASP it will give them a turn by turn average.  then everyone check there Odometer.  My valk constantly runs 2mph slower then speedo.  My dodge Truck runs 2mph faster.  When Mazda brought the Miata out they intentionally set the speedo to read 7mph faster then the car for customer satisfaction.  These is variation in every speedo/odometer whether its designed that way or not.

[Chippy01]

I think he's working on kilometres per gallon.
My standard usually averages out at 40 miles per Imperial gallon...

[hubcapsc]

If I am not right why not share your secret so we too can benefit.

I believe him because, well, he's momz, but I figure his bike must be in some
kind of quantum state, and if he tries to figure out how it is doing it, it won't
be doing it anymore  ...

-Mike

[BigAl]

Quantum State .

Yeah that's it.

Obama says we have 57 states, so that is how he knows that,,,,, he is in a Quantum State.

AL

[old2soon]

My experience only-no one elses. If i baby it-take off easy and DO NOT exceed 60 m p h indicated the best i've done with my i/s is like 35-36 m p g. Driving like i usually do-like i stole it-i'm looking right at the 30 32 m p g range. I said before i DID NOT purchase this m/c for fuel mileage. A way better rule of thumb be SMILES per mile. Don't know fer sure how many of them i get-but trust me-it's a lot. I had a 73 chevy suburban with a 454 in it. When i first got it i was lucky to get 6 to 8 m p g. After lots of bucks(ask my first wife) and about 2 years i worked that up to 11 to 13 m p g. Never did replace the quadra suck. RIDE SAFE.

[CASABROKER]

No one should own a valk if gas mileage is an issue.  Who wants to keep it under 3k can we say 



 BORING!!!

[TearlessTom]

Nothing wrong with the math.

Maybe someone snuck a Canadian odometer in on it though.

Seriously though I have gotten 52-53 on several back to back tanks.

I was always in the mountains behind the better half and her hog and down hill half the time but I still got it.

I always get better mpg when we ride together.   potato...potato...potato...

[hubcapsc]

I went the speed limit on the BRP for a tank full last year. I went to reserve around 130/135... never made it that far
before... my friends have quizzed me, and it turns out I probably run in 4th when a lot of people are running in 5th... that
doesn't help mileage 

-Mike "5th gets better mileage... 4th feels better"

[Momz]

bassman,

Of course you know that there are mucho mods to my 98, but I have always used OEM size tire (currently Avon Cobras).

The real secret is lighten it as much as possible, tune it for TORQUE, max tire pressure, get it into 5th and ride it briskly in ther curves but don't take the E-ways (they will tempt you to exceed 3K).

[Tropic traveler]

I would be tempted to call BS on the 47.9 mpg claim except for one little experience I had with my Valk & the wife's Spirit 750. A couple years back on a trip to the Keys we had a unreal mpg leg of the trip. From Naples to Dade Corners thru the Everglades my THIRSTY '97 got an honest 41 mpg, & Kim's SS750 got a scooter like 71{!!}mpg.   Would have called BS on my own claim if I hadn't seen myself. Filled both tanks up to the brim both times. US41, aka the Tamiami Trail, is flat as a pancake, devoid of traffic lights & very beautiful to ride, 50-55 mph the whole way.
Soooo.... I think that a lightened, leaned out Valk ridden VERY conservatively COULD hit a crazy mpg number like 47. But unless you have a very good reason to ride like that, why the heck would you want to???

This is how the bikes were packed on that ride.  

[Mr Whiskey]

Bought the 2KI/S last June & rode it home from exit 5 on 81 in W. Virginia to Knoxville Tn. on the original 10 yr old tires packin the O'l 2 up (Yes I KNOW I'm a dummy). 451 miles driveway to driveway at 90 mph+ & got 17 mpg. Thought oh no, how will I ever feed this monster.
Mounted an ME 880 and General UHP car tire first thing.
I average 28 to 31 mpg round town (and I figure my consumption EVERY time I fill) and CAN hit 41 or 42 mpg crusin' in the mountains.
Was surprised it was that much better pullin down hills but I figure it's a combination of carbs were set in a higher & cooler climate and I'm not light on the throttle when ridin solo local.
30 mpg's not bad IMHO and I'll never see 40 mpg again after I get the trailer hook'd up this weekend (prob never see 30 mpg again).
Couldn't care less. You should see the bugs in my teeth, hahahahahahaha. Speed cost money, how fast can you afford to go?
Peace, Whiskey.

[designer]

Nothing wrong with the math.

Maybe someone snuck a Canadian odometer in on it though.

Seriously though I have gotten 52-53 on several back to back tanks.

I was always in the mountains behind the better half and her hog and down hill half the time but I still got it.

I always get better mpg when we ride together.   potato...potato...potato...

Interesting thought... 235/1.6=147/4.9=30mpg

The odometers are probably made at the same location. Wouldn't that be the ultimate Gag!

I once knew a caddy that had a bolt suspended between two rubber bands between the window and bottom of the door panel. When the window was up it would rattle against the door.  When the window was down it didn't make any noise. Drove him crazy til he figured it out.

[Tundra]

I would be tempted to call BS on the 47.9 mpg claim except for one little experience I had with my Valk & the wife's Spirit 750. A couple years back on a trip to the Keys we had a unreal mpg leg of the trip. From Naples to Dade Corners thru the Everglades my THIRSTY '97 got an honest 41 mpg, & Kim's SS750 got a scooter like 71{!!}mpg.   Would have called BS on my own claim if I hadn't seen myself. Filled both tanks up to the brim both times. US41, aka the Tamiami Trail, is flat as a pancake, devoid of traffic lights & very beautiful to ride, 50-55 mph the whole way.
Soooo.... I think that a lightened, leaned out Valk ridden VERY conservatively COULD hit a crazy mpg number like 47. But unless you have a very good reason to ride like that, why the heck would you want to???

This is how the bikes were packed on that ride.  

Eddie,
    The Keys are "South" of you...so that means you had to be riding downhill the whole way. You probably had one of those Ocala Tailwinds pushing you along too. 

[Paxton]

My 2000 Valk has 36K miles. My longest / first ride was 270 miles all highway... average speed was 70 mph. Got 30 mpg.  ???

Around town I ride it between 25-35 MPH. In the freeways I ride at 60-65 mph.
Never hard take offs, seldom do I twist the throttle over what's necessary to get her moving... 

Still gets 'round 30 mpg. My Supercharged Miata requires high octane. It gives me 28 MPG on the highway, 25 MPG 'round the city... 
Must confess that 25 MPG @ 135 MPH in a Miata it isn't bad! 

[Tropic traveler]

I would be tempted to call BS on the 47.9 mpg claim except for one little experience I had with my Valk & the wife's Spirit 750. A couple years back on a trip to the Keys we had a unreal mpg leg of the trip. From Naples to Dade Corners thru the Everglades my THIRSTY '97 got an honest 41 mpg, & Kim's SS750 got a scooter like 71{!!}mpg.   Would have called BS on my own claim if I hadn't seen myself. Filled both tanks up to the brim both times. US41, aka the Tamiami Trail, is flat as a pancake, devoid of traffic lights & very beautiful to ride, 50-55 mph the whole way.
Soooo.... I think that a lightened, leaned out Valk ridden VERY conservatively COULD hit a crazy mpg number like 47. But unless you have a very good reason to ride like that, why the heck would you want to???

This is how the bikes were packed on that ride.  

Eddie,
    The Keys are "South" of you...so that means you had to be riding downhill the whole way. You probably had one of those Ocala Tailwinds pushing you along too. 

 
Actually Doug we were riding mostly east when we got the great fuel mileage. After slogging down the Tamiami along the west coast through all the traffic, the Everglades portion was pure joy!

[Rams]

Well, now I'm interested to see exactly what I do get for mpg.  Never really worried about it, I just start looking for a gas station when the trip odometer hits 100 miles for that tank.  Now, I want to know.  I normally ride within 5 mph of the posted speed limit but I have a problem in how I get to that speed.  I'm kind of addicted to that tunnel vision you get under hard acceleration. 

Anyway, I think I'll take a little trip and see just where my 02 standard skunk is at.  I'm betting on high thirties but we shall see.

Quoted myself because I said I'd check it out and report back on my 02 Standard Valk's fuel mileage.   It took a while and I'm sorry about that but, here's what I got. 

The trip I and another new Valk owner took was 118 miles +/- 3/10ths of a mile between the two girls trip odometers.  I got 39.89 miles per gallon, the other Valk got 38.23mpg.   My guess is I did slightly better because I was in the lead most of the time and he played catch up several times.  Our route was a mixture of small towns, two lane and four lane roads.  We rode within 5 mph of the posted speed limit (on the high side)    and made a couple of drink restrooms stops.  The speed limits ranged from short distances in 35 mph zones, quite a few 55 mph stretches and a couple of interstate 70 mph stretches.  As I said, we were always a +3 to +7 mph above the posted speed limit.  May not be a scientific method but, it satisfied my curiosity and I do believe that given the right circumstances, 47 mpg is attainable but, not at excessive highway speeds.  At least on my Valk. 

[Valker]

Momz, don't let the naysayers get to you. I've gotten 53mpg out of my 98 Tourer on several tanks in the mountains of NM and CO. BRP top to bottom got me 47 on one tank and 49 on another two up. Mostly around here is 30-32 mpg, but I usually indicate 77-82mph.
They called me a liar also, but it's MY experience, not theirs. The Valk has never beat my scooter or my 250 Ninja on similar rides though.

[MacDragon]

I'm right there at around 31 mpg with the Valk and 50 mpg with my Ace.   The Ace is just a 750, but with lots of extras... fender rails crash bars, windshield and lowers, Hardbags w/ steel Easybrackets, Wolo horn, lightbar,  Driver backrest, etc.  Actually surprised it is getting 50 mpg where others are getting a hair less with not as much extra weight.  (Shadow forum)  I did, however, change the rear sprocket out to a 38 tooth -vs- the 41 tooth OEM.  Lower RPMs at the highway speeds.

[ValkFlyer]

I've been checking my mileage for quite some time now,....well since Bike Week 2011.

I am currently averageing 47.9 mpg for every fill up. That is a full tank untill I run untill I must go to reserve!

Those that know me also know that I don't baby my bike. I ride it like I stole it!

Anyone up for a mileage challenge at IZXI?

A great way to get everyone involved in a thread...........but someone is in dream land

[alph]

he's probably got a smaller tire up front, making it spin more times around then the correct size tire, putting more miles on the odometer, so, i would suggest that you get a GPS and check your miles on your cycle verses the miles on the GPS, i'd bet your speed is messed up also.

just a guess.

i'm not sayinig 47mpg is impossible, just not likely. 

[Valker]

I thought of all the issues with the speedo and odo. When I figured mileage on the BRP, I used the official length of the Parkway divided by fuel purchased. I filled up right before getting on the Skyline Drive and filled up right after getting off in NC. I only purchased gas on or next to the Parkway.
You folks who are trying your best to badmouth the folks and/or the practices of those who get higher mileage, what's your beef?