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Old 06-06-2008, 05:02 PM   #1 (permalink)
What makes you say that?
 
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Default B12 fuel economy

I did the math for almost every fillup on a recent trip down south. I was pleasantly surprised to see an average of 45 mpg when cruising at 70-75, and a high of almost 49 when on back roads (say 55-65 mph). The worst I saw was 42, and that only happened once.

Perhaps the most startling thing of all was that ethanol blends (E10) didn't seem to have any detrimental effect whatsoever.

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Old 06-06-2008, 10:43 PM   #2 (permalink)
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What I do is write down my distance on every fuel receipt and plot the numbers in here:
Attached Files
File Type: zip Mileage Meter.zip (3.8 KB, 34 views)
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Old 06-07-2008, 09:07 AM   #3 (permalink)
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I was curious, not obsessive.
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Old 06-07-2008, 06:48 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Since changing my sprockets (front and rear) to smaller teeth counts, I get excellent acceleration, but it made my gas mileage worse. Im at about 41 miles per gallon, premium.
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Old 06-07-2008, 08:42 PM   #5 (permalink)
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Why premium? You might actually do better on 87.
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Old 06-07-2008, 11:25 PM   #6 (permalink)
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I thought all motorcycle engines benefit from premium, with them all being high compression etc. Are you saying I could run 87 with no ill effects?

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Old 06-08-2008, 11:53 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Anville View Post
I thought all motorcycle engines benefit from premium, with them all being high compression etc. Are you saying I could run 87 with no ill effects?
RTFM!
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Old 06-08-2008, 12:46 PM   #8 (permalink)
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Yes, that's what I'm saying. Lumping all "motorcycle" engines together is plain silly. They're really not that different from car engines anymore, and each has its own design characteristics that either call for higher octane fuel (I reject the term "premium") or they don't. Yours doesn't.
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Old 06-28-2008, 10:34 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Just got my 08 Bandit ABS yesterday. The tank was pretty low and I wanted to go riding before getting back to the house. I asked the salesman what type of gas it took, premium or regular. He said premium. When I started reading the manual today and saw regular was recommended I was a little ticked that he didn't know what he was talking about. Absolutely love the bike!!!!
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Old 06-28-2008, 10:42 PM   #10 (permalink)
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I'm impressed this kind of bike gets this kind of mileage; especially since by way of comparison the c50/m50 don't get any better mileage with a smaller engine.
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Old 06-28-2008, 11:16 PM   #11 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by biggstic View Post
Just got my 08 Bandit ABS yesterday. The tank was pretty low and I wanted to go riding before getting back to the house. I asked the salesman what type of gas it took, premium or regular. He said premium. When I started reading the manual today and saw regular was recommended I was a little ticked that he didn't know what he was talking about. Absolutely love the bike!!!!
He musta meant "premium 87". Welcome to M-J.
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Old 07-01-2008, 04:39 PM   #12 (permalink)
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My sales guy said that too. I think they just don't know the difference between the different ways to rate octane.

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Old 08-13-2008, 09:31 PM   #13 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by omegajim View Post
I'm impressed this kind of bike gets this kind of mileage; especially since by way of comparison the c50/m50 don't get any better mileage with a smaller engine.
I routinely get high 40's on my M50 when I keep her at highway speeds.
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Old 08-13-2008, 10:17 PM   #14 (permalink)
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he's just jealous that i got 60mpg and averaged 55mpg one time when riding with him...
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Old 09-11-2008, 09:07 PM   #15 (permalink)
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Guys, I must be doing something wrong. I am getting no better than 30mpg. I would be thrilled with 40. Where should I begin? I am not a mechanic but love to learn. I am actually getting together with a friend who is a mechanic this weekend to start learning. I have changed the air filter already and will be doing an oil change while working on a few other things. What would you recommend we concentrate on?

Thanks in advance.
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Old 09-11-2008, 09:12 PM   #16 (permalink)
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Please fill out the following form:

Model year:
Local climate:
Local terrain:
Average riding speed:
Riding style (casual/brisk/aggressive):
Typical shift rpm:
Motorcycle age (miles/years):
Modifications:
Tire pressure:
Oil weight:
Fuel octane rating:
Rider weight:
Wheel bearing condition:
Brake caliper condition:
Luggage/accessories installed:
General maintenance history:

As you can see, the list of possible variables is long. You'll have to get us started.
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Old 09-11-2008, 09:19 PM   #17 (permalink)
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Model year:2004
Local climate:Hot, sunny, and humid in South Mississippi
Local terrain:mostly flat road
Average riding speed:60-70
Riding style (casual/brisk/aggressive): casual for the sunday drives, brisk getting to work - 5 miles away
Typical shift rpm:2500-3000
Motorcycle age (miles/years):about 10k
Modifications: none by me
Tire pressure:40
Oil weight: 50 (based on your recommendation about 18 months ago
Fuel octane rating:90+
Rider weight:170
Wheel bearing condition:UNK
Brake caliper condition:UNK
Luggage/accessories installed:none
General maintenance history:stopped riding for awhile so it sat up for about 6 months. I only get to ride about 100 miles per week usually. i have changed the plugs and the oil. That's about it. I don't get to ride long distances due to time constraints AND the fact that I have to plan my gas stops since I can get 120 miles or so before I need to look to gas up again!

Thanks again for your help.

Kevin
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Old 09-12-2008, 06:10 AM   #18 (permalink)
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Model year: 2007
Local climate: Northeast: riding temps are generally 40's to 80's
Local terrain: Slightly above sea level with moderate changes in elevation
Average riding speed: 60
Riding style (casual/brisk/aggressive): brisk
Typical shift rpm: 3K - 5K
Motorcycle age (miles/years): 1 year / 6500 miles
Modifications: Holeshot Stage 1
Tire pressure: 36 / 42
Oil weight: 10W-40
Fuel octane rating: 87
Rider weight: 175
Wheel bearing condition: Excellent
Brake caliper condition: Excellent
Luggage/accessories installed: OEM top case and side cases
General maintenance history: Perfect

MPG varies from 42-50 MPG and mostly effected by my right wrist more than anything else, including laden weight. I'm on a tour through PA right now, loaded down fairly well and getting 47 MPG through the hills with a "spirited" riding style. Very, very pleased with this bike's fuel economy.

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Old 09-12-2008, 07:04 AM   #19 (permalink)
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Kevin, four items catch my eye. First, why 90+ octane? It's widely known that some engines actually make less power with higher octane fuels. Try 87 for a while.

Then, check your wheel bearings and calipers with simple spin tests. If either drag your wheels to sudden stop, you've found your problem.

Finally, run a dose of Seafoam or some similar product through the fuel (per label instructions). You may have some varnish from storage. It doesn't matter that you don't ride much during a typical week (I don't, either), but that six month break lets the carb fuel dry into a nice yellow crust.

Ken: Stop showing off.
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Old 09-12-2008, 11:21 AM   #20 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Clint View Post
Ken: Stop showing off.
Aw shucks, it's hard not to with this bike!
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