New to me 98 Tourer fuel question

[..]

Has ben desmogged.

Starts when cold on full choke and 2nd push on the starter.

Feels quicker than my previous 98. 

Fuel consumption around 30mpg

Can I do better than this without being too easy on the throttle? 

The bike runs like a runaway diesel train from about 2,750 rpm in 3rd, 4th and 5th to 6,000 rpm. This is not a regular occurrence but the bike is new to me.   

[Jack B]

My 98 Tourer also got about 30 MPG and felt fast. I raced a 97 Tourer and it was a even race.

[8Track]

My 99 Standard was consistently returning 36mpg with vacuum leaks and out of sync carbs.

I've just fixed all those issues and she is pulling much harder and smoother now. I expect a better fuel economy number next time I refill the tank.

[bassman]

Checked ur tire pressure lately?  Really had a negative impact on my 98 when the pressure dropped....really liked 40-42 front and 42-44 rear.  Your experiences may differ....

[..]

Checked ur tire pressure lately?  Really had a negative impact on my 98 when the pressure dropped....really liked 40-42 front and 42-44 rear.  Your experiences may differ....

Yep 42 front and car tire rear at 28.

[Bighead]

Paul my 97 gets from 27 to 35 according to the right wrist action. Been the same since new. So I would say you are on track.

[Bone]

I've put over 100k on my 98 Tourer.  87 octane, bias (38) front and CT(35) rear.  I get 34-36 mpg local but hwy speeds drops it to 30.
Ran out of gas once in NM running 80mph into the wind. Think I figured 15-17 mpg.

[sandy]

I have a '98 Tourer and consistently get 36-38 MPG. I'd look at the needles and check the pilot screw settings.

[..]

Paul my 97 gets from 27 to 35 according to the right wrist action. Been the same since new. So I would say you are on track.

That's what I thought.

My old 98 got about the same but didn't feel as "strong" as this bike.

If it's about right I don't want to mess with it.

There's a lot of gas and brake on the twisty back roads in the mountains of the SE. 

[Bighead]

 
My 97 is waaay stronger than my 99 IS.

[Patrick]

What kind of fuel mileage did you get before ?

It seems that has a lot to do with the right wrist, but, if its different than the other bike then there may be a problem.

I'm not sure why but I get 40+ and I'm not that easy/slow of a rider.

[..]

What kind of fuel mileage did you get before ?

It seems that has a lot to do with the right wrist, but, if its different than the other bike then there may be a problem.

I'm not sure why but I get 40+ and I'm not that easy/slow of a rider.

With previous 98 bike about 28-30.

This 98 bike about 30.

[Gryphon]

Both of my bikes have been '98 Standards.  First one had a Clearview and this one has a batwing. Both have gotten between 28-31 as an average.  Admittedly, they spend the majority of their time at or around 3k rpm and my shifts are often in the 35-38k range when I'm playing with the V-twin crowd.  Speed limits in around here or 65 and 70 so I see no need to ride any slower except for my occasional trip to Iowa where the 2 lanes are still 55 in my area.

Since yours is a Tourer, I expect it to be close to the same configuration as my Standards with bags and windshields. Yours just came that way form the factory, mine were changed later.

My mileage dropped a bit going to Inzane.  I enjoyed the "posted" 80 mph speed limit a bit too much and my mileage paid the cost. Two up, head wind and blatantly ignoring the speed limit will drop your mileage significantly.  In the 90's, it's a thirsty beast and I was sure glad I bought the belly tank before the trip. Surprisingly I didn't pass many people at that speed.  Must be a normal thing in that area. 

[Patrick]

What kind of fuel mileage did you get before ?

It seems that has a lot to do with the right wrist, but, if its different than the other bike then there may be a problem.

I'm not sure why but I get 40+ and I'm not that easy/slow of a rider.

With previous 98 bike about 28-30.

This 98 bike about 30.

Then I guess it sounds about right considering your riding style.

I'm thinking there may be some things to consider,
Where are the pilots set ?
When was the bike made ?  It has been said that all '98s have Ca. camshafts. I didn't know enough to look when the valve covers were off, but, if thats true I'm wondering if early '98s may have had 49 state camshafts. I don't have the ambition to take a cover off and look, mine is an early 98.
Have the intakes been polished ?  Its been reported that that doesn't make any difference, and, I can't say I felt any. But I've always gotten good fuel mileage.
I've also wondered about carburetors. The '97s had different needles and maybe some early '98s do to.

[Steve-L]

I always got between 142 to 148 from fill-up to reserve on my stock except Mark-T pipes and a K&N Airfilter. Like clockwork it would start sputtering in there. Never bothered with the mileage, but whatever 142 is in gallons, that's what I got.

[bassman]

Got any extra or heavy "stuff" in those saddlebags ?

Don't know squat about car tires but could you add more air in the rear and still achieve a satisfactory ride?

[..]

Got any extra or heavy "stuff" in those saddlebags ?

Don't know squat about car tires but could you add more air in the rear and still achieve a satisfactory ride?

Got extra heavy stuff sitting on the seat  

More pressure in the rear tire leads to the center wearing prematurely.

Right now for a CT it handles ok-ish. Too square a profile.

[Tfrank59]

Well you got a lot of responses on this and I read through many of them but didn't see if anybody mentioned altitude, which has a big effect on mileage with carbureted engines (this is often debated, and may well be here in response to this post ). What altitude do you live and operate your girl at?  Here in Western Washington I'm more or less at sea level to 500 above, and my mileage is poorer here than at higher elevations (this discussion came up in the forum I'm on for my other bike).  Because our bikes are carburated, jetting makes the difference.  Btw, for my 98 tourer I am happy with 30 mpg all around, and again partly because I live at low altitude.  All other things being equal, guys in Colorado would do better on Mpg.

[..]

Well you got a lot of responses on this and I read through many of them but didn't see if anybody mentioned altitude, which has a big effect on mileage with carbureted engines (this is often debated, and may well be here in response to this post ). What altitude do you live and operate your girl at?  Here in Western Washington I'm more or less at sea level to 500 above, and my mileage is poorer here than at higher elevations (this discussion came up in the forum I'm on for my other bike).  Because our bikes are carburated, jetting makes the difference.  Btw, for my 98 tourer I am happy with 30 mpg all around, and again partly because I live at low altitude.  All other things being equal, guys in Colorado would do better on Mpg.

800 feet above sea level