Poor Gas Mileage

[desanshe]

Good Morning Everyone
I have heard about you folks as a source of excellent information..Here goes.  I have a 1999 Valkyrie Interstate (The Windtalker).  Last season I had a certified mechanic go over the carbs, replaced the plugs etc and they said that all was well.  I really made an error at this point also.  I bought a K&N filter and replaced my old one. One thing that I didn"t do is oil the filter prior to installing My mileage seemed to go down sat this point but as we were just going short jumps and didn't really notice.

When I started the riding season this year, my mileage was down and when I realized that I had not oiled my new filter.  Cleaned it up and oiled expecting my mileage to increase, but not so.

I don't have any other Valk riders close by that I can talk with so cannot find any additional info.  Anyway I am presently getting  31 MPG.  I feel that this is way down from what it should be

If there is anyone out there that can tell me what I can expect for mileage and I mine is low, please point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance
Roger

[John U.]

Hey Roger, welcome to the VRCC,
31 does seem a bit low, the biggest factor is the right wrist of course. You didn't say if you bought the bike new or "pre-owned". The slow jets may have been replaced with 38s (this is commonly done to reduce clogging due to ethanol, stock is 35). If they have been and the mechanic adjusted the pilot screws to the 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 out from lightly seated (as called for with the stock slow jets), the bike will be running rich and mileage will suffer.
Intake tube O-rings, the upper and lower band clamps on the rubber carb boots which connect the intake tubes to the carbs, and vacume lines can all cause vacume leaks which can affect mileage as well as how well the bike runs. So can a dirty air filter but we can rule that out, though an over oiled K&N can do it as well.
Tire pressure can also reduce mpg a bit, so can a larger windshield.
Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

[PharmBoy]

I also welcome you to the VRCC.  There are many members here with a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Valkyrie problems.  Most everyone here is eager & willing to help in any way that they can.  As for the K&N filter.  It comes oiled and ready to install.  Some here use the pre-filter and some do not.  My instructions said not to oil the pre-filter and I do have mine installed.  My '99 I/S gets from a low of 30 mpg (a lot of town driving or heavy handed on the road) to 36.75 mpg (all on the road and less than 3K rpm).  I have 38 slow jets and the pilots are set at 1.75 turns out from lightly closed.  The exhaust are stock except for shortened piggies.  I did install a 4 degree timing wheel, but could not really tell that it made any difference in performance or gas mileage.  There are a lot of things to check on when trying to improve gas mileage as have already been stated here.  I now am running a 205/65 car tire on the rear, which is somewhat larger in circumference than the stock motorcycle tire.  It may help a little on mpg, but I installed it primarily to cut down on engine rpm at highway speeds.  What is important to me is that my bike starts easily, idles smoothly, and runs smoothly with plenty of power when called upon.  It should also slow down without any popping, spittering, or sputtering.  The best tuned Valkyrie won't make very much difference in what is left in your pocket at the end of a long day's ride.  Also, some bikes just get better mpg than others do, even when both seem to run equally smooth, and I for one, could not tell you exactly why, other than the right hand plays a major role in it...JTL

[RLD]

99 I/S, K&N filter, 6 degree trigger wheel (premium fuel), Synthetic lubricants, tire pressures on the high side, keep the rpm's below 3000, stock jetting, 40 mpg consistently.

[Daniel Meyer]

I tend to get 30 consistently...but I do use all that juice she has...

It's all in the wrist!

[fudgie]

I get 32ish. I think i always have also.    I rechecked last week and got 32 mpg. 75 mph, 2 up, loaded bags.

[alph]

the best i ever got was 36, last i checked was 33, on average about 32.  to me that's normal, or is it?

what is a normal MPG on a Valk?

[franco6]

i mostly ride two-up.  w. a new oe. air filter i get 28-31. all synthethic . i m gonna try colder plugs and maybe slowdown a bit. we ll see!

[timk519]

Mileage drops like a stone above 3K RPM, so mid / low 30's isn't too bad.

I've gotten > 40, but that was by only doing 45 - 50 MPH.

[Michael K (Az.)]

31 down to maybe 28. Over 3k it drops. front 42psi rear44 psi. Lotsa downshifting and wrist action. Keep in mind it's a 6 cyl. no 2 jugs here.

[R J]

Good Morning Everyone
I have heard about you folks as a source of excellent information..Here goes.  I have a 1999 Valkyrie Interstate (The Windtalker).  Last season I had a certified mechanic go over the carbs, replaced the plugs etc and they said that all was well.  I really made an error at this point also.  I bought a K&N filter and replaced my old one. One thing that I didn"t do is oil the filter prior to installing My mileage seemed to go down sat this point but as we were just going short jumps and didn't really notice.

When I started the riding season this year, my mileage was down and when I realized that I had not oiled my new filter.  Cleaned it up and oiled expecting my mileage to increase, but not so.

I don't have any other Valk riders close by that I can talk with so cannot find any additional info.  Anyway I am presently getting  31 MPG.  I feel that this is way down from what it should be

If there is anyone out there that can tell me what I can expect for mileage and I mine is low, please point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance
Roger

If you bought this bike for gas mileage, you done screwed up... The Phat Lady was no built for gas mileage...................

Best I have ever gotten is 42 and I was following a bunch of Harley's on a Poker Run, hardly got over 40 MPH.

Worst I got was like 19 in SD against a head wind about 90 per and pulling a trailer.

[Udo]

I always get ~40...but, from time to time, i´m passed by bycicle´s....

[cutter]

99' I/S, 163000+ miles, no mods, Cobra pipes and average 32. Got as low as 24 loaded down with a head wind running 75 and as high as 40 putt'n around the Tx hill country. Like Daniel said, I do use all the juice she has.

[stude31]

Welcome to the VRCC.  This site will give you much much more information about your valk and how it works and how to diagnose and fix your problem than what any honda mechanic would be willing to share with you.  I am 31 yrs old and have taken auto mechanic classes in school and tinkered with dad since I was crawling.  But....   I never worked on a motorcycle before and this was my very first street bike that I bought three years ago.  I too own a 99 black Valkyrie I/S.  I have since learned to change my own tires, build a sub frame to jack up my bike w/ a motorcycle jack, removed drive shaft, flushed brake and clutch fluid, serviced starter switch, altenator, starter, removed and serviced driveshaft, drained and replace final drive oil, and... with met a great guy on the this board that I finally got to meet in person a few months back and with his help we installed electronic cruise control, synched carbs, installed slow jets, adjusted valves and installed a luggage rack.... 

Roger, I enjoy working on this fine machine as much as I enjoy riding her on the road.  It is an amazing piece of work and these folks on here (as mentioned) are more than willing to help and encourage you to identify and walk you through fixing your bike.  We come in all shape and sizes, and we all have our own opinions and thoughts and we don't mind sharing them with each other....  I hope to see more posts from you as time goes on and don't ever hesitate to post even if you think it is a dumb question.. .We all have them and we all like to answer them cause at one time or another we had to ask it too

Roger check around you might have a vrcc member around you and you just didn't know it     heck if your close to kansas I'll come see you!! 

joe.

[sandy]

First: Where do you live? Some one here might be able to help you. I had to fix a friend's interstate that a Honda dealer had "fixed". They screwed up the carbs so bad that he was belching black smoke. He had to switch to reserve at 150 miles. My first trip into the carbs was an eyebal adjust. My second trip was after the owner replaced the vacuum lines and then I made better adjustments after knowing the results from the first. He now goes 200 miles before reserve kicks in. No more exhaust smells at idle. I'm in Mesa, AZ.

[Spirited-6]

Just filled up today @ $2.49.9 gal.   135 miles, 3.707 gal.= 36 MPG. 98 Tourer with 20,000 miles running 880`s 41 front, 42 back. Speeds under 70, mostly 55 MPH. I have gotten 41 MPG but I don`t know how.   ???

[hardhead]

Like everyone else has told you, it's all in how you ride as far as gas milage.  My Tourer has gotten as high as 40 while riding slow and easy and as low as 26mpg at 85 to 90 cruise speeds.  I really do'nt understand why there is so much variation.  I had a GoldWing Interstate before the Valkyrie and it always got 40 to 42 no matter how I rode it. 

[timk519]

I really do'nt understand why there is so much variation.  I had a GoldWing Interstate before the Valkyrie and it always got 40 to 42 no matter how I rode it. 

I'd guess it's a carb'd vs FI system.

[hardhead]

The Wing was an 1100 cc 4 cylinder, carbureted and of course it had a lot less power than the Valk but it would cruise at 85/90 mph and get 40mpg or better doing it.

[ssober]

I just took a trip to arkansas and running 80 on the turnpike I got 24.  I seem to be doing better once I slowed down.  As far as I know the carbs are unmolested but I am not sure.  The guy I bought the bike from said to reset the trip and at 125 miles you better be looking for gas. 

My bike is a 98 tourer and has been desmogged, piggies cut and baffles drilled.  Where should the carbs be set?

The previous owner said he never touched the carbs in the 25000 miles he rode it.

[GreenLantern57]

Wow, I think I need to spend some time on tune-up.  The Valk I bought in Feb is only averaging 23-25 around town. Not much better on the highway.  Big screen and six-pack exhaust.

Guess I will start with the small stuff first. Plugs, air filter, oil change.  Without pulling covers, do not know if it has trigger wheel nor if the carbs were re-jetted after putting the 2brothers pipes on...  OH the joy of 3rd or more ownership.  The guy I bought from barely put on 5k in 2 years.  Said he did all his own maintainence. Well, I have a nice weekend coming up! Would rather be riding,  but Saturday is travel day to see grand-nephew graduate HS.

[Bone]

GreenLantern57,  I rode through Amarillo last week. Make sure ALL of your chokes are functioning. They can be difficult to push make sure they are going to the off position. That is low mileage for around town driving.

Just did a 4300 mile trip on my 98 Tourer and was getting 30 ish mpg at 80 mph. My normal mileage is 33 to 36 mpg.

[Valker]

There are at least two members of the VRCC that are in Amarillo. Those two of us will be teaching the MSF class the first weekend in June. Stop by Amarillo College's West Campus if you'd like to visit.

[GreenLantern57]

Bone, I will check the chokes!

Thanks Valker, it there a good time to come out and visit? You don't happen to be a member of the Southern Cruisers too?  Rode down to Muleshoe with one.

[Valker]

Bone, I will check the chokes!

Thanks Valker, it there a good time to come out and visit? You don't happen to be a member of the Southern Cruisers too?  Rode down to Muleshoe with one.

I used to ride with the Southern Cruisers, but I work most weekends so never got to go. A good time would be anytime after about 11:00 Saturday or anytime on Sunday. You might have to wait until a break (about every hour) to visit though.

[GreenLantern57]

Valker, I will try and remember to come by this coming weekend.

[GreenLantern57]

GreenLantern57,  I rode through Amarillo last week. Make sure ALL of your chokes are functioning. They can be difficult to push make sure they are going to the off position. That is low mileage for around town driving.

Just did a 4300 mile trip on my 98 Tourer and was getting 30 ish mpg at 80 mph. My normal mileage is 33 to 36 mpg.

Got rained on yesterday, so when I went to clean the spots off the bike, I looked at the chokes. 
One of the choke slides on the right side was out of the slot. So choke cage was being held away from normal position. One carb never closed and the other 2 carbs were never fully open.  Thanks for the recommendation. 

Checked both sides and had to find a replacement hold-down screw for the right side. Wonder if the carbs were "adjusted" with the chokes messed up?  Runs nice, but I wonder.  The sparkplugs looked fine, the 2 being choked did not look like burning lean. Matter of fact, all 3 on the right looked exactly the same.

Hope this does not qualify as a thread-jacking. Hope this helps others too!