Fuel mileage..

[cheeseman1969]

This summer I have or am on two tours. Back in June did a tour of WY, ID, MT,SD and back home to NE. Pulled a trailer. Did no more than 65 and got 20-24 mpg per tank. Nothing better than that unless is was down a mountain then got 28 one fill up.
 Now I came out to Las Vegas (still here for a work Conf). No trailer, rode 70-75 most of the way, 24-28 the whole way. When I dropped down to 65 the last day getting here, 28-32 per tank. My bike is loaded with two saddle bags and two dry bags on top of those. I have a saddleman bag on the passager seat. Not heavy on the throttle at all. Rear tire is has less than 1500 miles on it and the front is less than 3k. New final drive too.
  This does not sound right at all. Something is going on. To add, I am wondering as when I lean the bike 10+ degree left or right, I get a vibration. Slight but do notice in the handlebars and foot rests. I think that is the brakes. I have EBC brake pads but thinking about changing as not that excited about them.

[Fazer]

Cheese--you didn't mention tire pressure.  Most run at 40-42 in both front and rear.  Sure makes a difference in handling--don't know about MPG but I would try it.  I get 35 on mine and riding to Inzane two years ago at around 55-60 was up to 42.

I'm sure you will get lots of suggestions.

[cheeseman1969]

I check it before I left and had them on 40 psi. I have not checked it since 3 days ago. Yes slap my hand. LOL.. ON my other trip, they both where 39-41 the whole way. NOTE: Just looked at this. The last 200 miles to LV is downhill from like 5K ft to 2k Ft or so.. I rode 50 miles on that at 50 mph and still only got 33. A couple of years ago I rode Yellowstone that is 45 mph adn got 42.

[Pete]

Vibration - sounds like tire wear patterning. Lightly run you hand over the tire and you should feel it even if you cannot see it. If so increase or decrease air to try and even out wear.

[cheeseman1969]

I will look at that. First time I have heard of this. I had heard of cupping but not the whole "term". Had to do a google search on what it is. My rear is a dunlop and under 1k so better not be that. My front is under 3k and if so, I would not expect it till later. But that is me trying to think the problem and I have been know to be wrong. My wife tells me all the time. LOL

[gordonv]

First, if you are running a MC tire, then you should look at it's sidewall and read what the max tire pressure should be, and make your tire the same.

If you have a CT, then the sidewall is the max pressure, and what you lower it to is what makes you happy in your ridding style.

As for your mpg on your trips. I was getting close to 40 mpg on my IS, less then 75 MPH and passenger most of the time. Same ride/speed, but pulling my trailer, figure about 100 # added weight than just the trailer. Was getting 25 mpg, even ran out of gas.

[cheeseman1969]

That is what I am headed out to look at is the max and what mine is right now. On the trailer I expected that low but I maybe have an extra 200 lbs of gear on her and was still 25-28. That is not in line with most people.

[Firefighter]

I ride solo, if I keep her straight and steady at 3000 rpm and no head wind I get 34 or 35 mpg. 2000 IS.

[cheeseman1969]

Ok update.. Front has 9K on it. Just looked up the records. It is a Dunlop E3. It has a define "cupping" going on. It pressure is at 40 which is what it was three days ago. The rear is a Dunlop D251 and has what seems like the start of cupping as there is two "ridges on each side. I can't see it but when I feel it, it is there. The rear has just short of 2k on it and is at 39 psi. It was 40 when I left. Both tires are rate a max of 41. The front I understand as most mc tires last 12-15k. So she is starting to go. The rear has me a little bit pissed. I did not get to choose these tires as that was the only thing availible when I replaced them. I was on the road far away from home. I had a car tire on the rear and now wish I had it back.

[sandy]

The California bikes and all the '98s have milder cams which improve emissions and MPGs. My '98 CA bike got 37+ all the time. My current '97 gets 32.5 most of the time.

[cheeseman1969]

AAAHHHHHH Sandy.. that is why the difference..

[da prez]

  If I keep my rpm below 3200 I get around 42 mpg. Pulling a trailer ,I go to 35 mpg. When we went to Ashville , my trailed weighed just shy of 800 lbs. I was averaging 32. I have gotten 45 0n flatland by keeping the rpm in the 3200 range. Go beyond that and it drinks fuel. I had atticrat do a set of carbs for me and I de-smogged the bike and went thru it to be sure everything is set right. All factors must be checked. I never assume something is right. I always go back to basics and recheck , not assume.

                                                da prez

[cheeseman1969]

Yes on the RPM, 3k and under is alot better. Over that, it drinks. I am saving money to have atticat work on mine too. Just need to the money first.

[..]

Champiro VP 1 for your next rear tire. 36psi

Mine is at 10,500 miles and it has been used around the Appalachian Mountains.

I reckon another 3 to 4 thousand out of it. A Shinko would last me about 8,000.

[cheeseman1969]

On the rear going back to a Dark Side, Auston taxi tire. Loved it. As close to a MC tire that I have ever ridden. Front not sure what to get but will need something by next spring. I see a big package under the tree for me this year at Xmas time. LOL

[kodiakfisher]

They're 5 main variables in fuel mileage.
One the right wrist/speed
Two how strong wind is at your back or front
Three the tune of your motorcycle - carb syncing matters
Four weight you are traveling at
Five ethanol free fuel....

Travel @65mph with a 20mph wind in your face, with a two up fully loaded, ethanol fuel with a poorly tuned bike you could get around 22.
Travel @65mph with a 20mph tailwind, one up empty, ethanol free gas, with a nicely tuned bike and you will get around 40.

As an example I was in Yellowstone riding beartooth pass with my Girlfriend on the back. Mostly 55 or slower, non ethanol gas and I consider my bike perfectly tuned (even the valves have been adjusted) carb sync is perfect, I use the digi sync. I got 41.8mpg.

On the way from Boise, ID same weight in saddle bags (no GF dropped her at airport) running 75-80mph into a strong headwind I got 24.8mpg and almost ran out of fuel. Same motorcycle only two days later. Only difference is speed, wind and gas.

Hope this helps,

Kodiakfisher

[Leathel]

You mentioned a Vibe on leaning, When was the last time the wheel bearings were done, or checked?

When the last rear was changed was the correct procedure followed for correct alignment of the rear?

 are the plugs looking the right color?

(I only skim read the rest so apologize if this has been covered)

[cheeseman1969]

KodiakFisher - Yeah I see that kind of thing all the time too. Also I would put in there, traveling up hill. NE where I live 1200 Ft, Denver 5000+. Always less mileage going towards Denver. But I was not seeing the increase on the other side of the Rockies when I came down so wondering.
Leathel - I just checked wheel bears before I left and changed out my Final Drive as when they changed out the tire after a flat in Idaho, they did not do the right way. I thought I would check it once I got home, yeah, worned. I have keep both parts and have in my bag just in case broke down somewhere to least get me home. Plugs are coming due after this trip to check on.

[Bighead]

Hell if I got 9k out of a tire front or rear Inwouldnnbitch about Gas mileage I am on a trip now
And barely getting 30 mpg. Just smile fill up and keep Riding.

[old2soon]

When we-da prez and Tommy Tailgate and myself-went to West Virginia to I-16 Ross and I were pulling trailers loaded with dang near all his "stuff" he had fer sale. We only had what brakes were on our Phatt Ghurls. Going East loaded I was in that mid 20s range or so. Coming back West all I had in the trailer wuz my chit.  High 20s as we were on the slab trying to make time. We wanted to and did make a Sand Box Veterans Memorial Ride the next day. Can't recall zackly but one of the Michigan Inzanes I was up at my Brothers place in Illinois and on my way home-no trailer-just before I got on I-55 south I fueled up. Walked er up to triple digits-fer anyone throws a decimal in there-115  120 indicated and wuz able to hold it there for awhile. Got out of the left lane for one 18 wheeler that was running faster then I was. I'm on an I/S and hit reserve at a wee bit less than 119 miles. When I fueled and did the math I was a bit over 19 M P G. After THAT I ran a bit more on the sedate side 75  80 M P H. Like any hot rod with multiple carbs or serious injection and valve timing ya wanna Play ya gotz ta PAY. I've NEVER gotten into the 40s for M P G. BUT-I did NOT buy her fer M P G but I bought her for S P G AND I gitz lotsa those-Smiles Per Gallon!  RIDE SAFE.

[Big Bear]

I have seen as low as 24mpg going 85mph sustained into the wind and 42mpg near MT Rushmore at Inzane on the slow winding roads there.  Keep it under 70 and I am usually at 35-36mpg on the highway running 87octane 10% ethanol.

The first thing I noticed after I bought my 99 Interstate and put new Avon Cobra tires on it was a vibration when leaning.  I attributed it to the tire pattern.  I now have about 18K on the front Avon, on my second rear after about 12K on the first rear.  The center of the tire is mostly smooth almost no tread, but as you lean over, there are more and wider tread patterns that go from center to outside of tread, and I think this is what is creating the vibration you feel.  I still feel it when I ride now.