B12 fuel economy - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

**Clint** · 06-06-2008, 05:02 PM

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.

Buckshot · 06-06-2008, 10:43 PM

What I do is write down my distance on every fuel receipt and plot the numbers in here:

**Clint** · 06-07-2008, 09:07 AM

I was curious, not obsessive.

Anville · 06-07-2008, 06:48 PM

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.

**Clint** · 06-07-2008, 08:42 PM

Why premium? You might actually do better on 87.

Anville · 06-07-2008, 11:25 PM

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?

Easy Rider · 06-08-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anville

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!

**Clint** · 06-08-2008, 12:46 PM

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.

biggstic · 06-28-2008, 10:34 PM

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!!!!

omegajim · 06-28-2008, 10:42 PM

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.

**Clint** · 06-28-2008, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biggstic

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.

Barbarian · 07-01-2008, 04:39 PM

My sales guy said that too. I think they just don't know the difference between the different ways to rate octane.

digitalbroccoli · 08-13-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omegajim

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.

tricker · 08-13-2008, 10:17 PM

he's just jealous that i got 60mpg and averaged 55mpg one time when riding with him...

kjh4eyes · 09-11-2008, 09:07 PM

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.

**Clint** · 09-11-2008, 09:12 PM

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.

kjh4eyes · 09-11-2008, 09:19 PM

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

KenBandit · 09-12-2008, 06:10 AM

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.

**Clint** · 09-12-2008, 07:04 AM

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.

KenBandit · 09-12-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint

Ken: Stop showing off.

Aw shucks, it's hard not to with this bike!

06-28-2008, 10:42 PM	#10 (permalink)
omegajim M-J.Com Lifetime Achievement Award Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 1980 Yamaha XS850 Location: Washington County, WI Posts: 6,070	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. __________________ "FREE TIBET!"* With purchase of one Tibet of equal or greater value.

07-01-2008, 04:39 PM	#12 (permalink)
Barbarian Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 2006 Suzuki Bandit 650S w/ABS Location: Montreal Posts: 299	My sales guy said that too. I think they just don't know the difference between the different ways to rate octane. __________________ See ABS in action complete with plummy voiceover.

08-13-2008, 10:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
tricker Top Gear ! Full Throttle! Joined: May 2007 Bike: 2004 kawasaki zzr 600 Location: rochester, minnesota Posts: 5,224	he's just jealous that i got 60mpg and averaged 55mpg one time when riding with him... __________________ If anyone needs me... just PM me

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06-07-2008, 06:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
Anville Seat Tester Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 1997 Suzuki Bandit 1200cc Location: Houston Posts: 72	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.

06-07-2008, 11:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Anville Seat Tester Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 1997 Suzuki Bandit 1200cc Location: Houston Posts: 72	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?

06-28-2008, 10:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
biggstic Newbie Joined: Jun 2008 Bike: 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250 ABS Posts: 10	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!!!!

09-11-2008, 09:07 PM	#15 (permalink)
kjh4eyes Newbie Joined: Aug 2006 Bike: Suzuki Bandit 1200S Location: South Mississippi Posts: 11	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.

09-11-2008, 09:19 PM	#17 (permalink)
kjh4eyes Newbie Joined: Aug 2006 Bike: Suzuki Bandit 1200S Location: South Mississippi Posts: 11	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

09-12-2008, 06:10 AM	#18 (permalink)
KenBandit Where Am I ? Joined: Aug 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Bandit 1250SA Location: New York Posts: 49	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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