Did search, but lets talk mpg

[italian biker]

Hi all,
I get roughly 43 mpg on my M50. I don't ride hard. It's the same after my mods and dynotune. I feel I'm shifting at the right times, but without a tach, I go by feeling and noise of the engine, and never let it ring out. I've heard of M50's as low as mine, then some up to 56 mpg, even with guys much heavier then I'am.
I can't imagine a 13 mpg difference just because I'm shifting wrong. What all are you guys/gals getting, and any explanation as to why mine would be worse then others? Could it be my odemeter, or everyone elses odemter could be wrong. Always used premium, accept for one time, I used 87 octane, and lost about 4 to 5 mpg.

[Clint]

First, that one experience isn't adequate to make you pay for "premium" fuel. I'd give 87 another try. At $.30 per gallon, it's worth the second chance.

RPM, throttle opening, and tire pressure are the some of the controllable factors. Uncontrollable factors include weather, traffic speed, number of lights/stop signs, etc. The 50+ numbers you hear are almost certainly low-speed highway crusing (55-65 mph).

[landkrshr]

I usually average 48-50 mpg. I run about 60-65 mph on highway. If I get on interstate and run 75-80, I probably get around low 40. I never checked, but ran out of gas 30 miles before I expected to riding at fast highway speed. If we had a sixth gear, this would help. I don't have a tach, and don't need one, but they turn high rpm at fast highway speeds. I only run regular gas. The book calls for it, and at these prices, who wouldn't. I do run quality gas from a name brand station. Usually less water/dirt problems with the name brands.

[05HDRAM]

I never really checked my mileage, I just know I get an average of 140 miles on a tank before the light comes on.

[bootsie]

And then once the light comes on how many miles can you go before empty?

[boooya]

I get roughly 43 mpg on my M50.

Thats about what im getting 40-45 mpg.

[italian biker]

Originally Posted by bootsie

And then once the light comes on how many miles can you go before empty?

I've not yet chanced letting it run that low. I've had it come on and turned right into a gas station 10 seconds later. It's usually aroud 3 to 3.2 gallons that I put back in, That's what I'm basing my averages on. The trip meter, is usaully at 129 to 132 when the light comes on.

[bootsie]

so my education says you should probably get about 40 miles once the light comes on?

[dagolfguy]

I get about 55mpg most of the time. I'm not a small person (230lbs), and I ride a mixture of highway and suburban. I don't ride terribly hard, but I certainly don't baby it either. For what its worth, I have a windshield and I switched to synthetic oil when the bike had a few hundred miles on it. Other than that, it is stock.

[The Pope]

I'm getting in the upper 40's to low 50's. I'm around the same size as dagolfguy. With a mix on highway & secondary road driving. My low fuel light comes on around the 170 mile mark and it usualy takes 3.5 gal to top off the tank. So that's 48.5 mpg and all of this is on 87 octane.

[italian biker]

Originally Posted by dagolfguy

I get about 55mpg most of the time. I'm not a small person (230lbs), and I ride a mixture of highway and suburban. I don't ride terribly hard, but I certainly don't baby it either. For what its worth, I have a windshield and I switched to synthetic oil when the bike had a few hundred miles on it. Other than that, it is stock.

My riding is like yours, and I'm around 192. I just wonder what could account for so many variations from so many people. I'm not stock any more, but there was not change for the negative after pipes and air intake. Since it's winter time, I've not had it out yet. At what speeds are all of your shift intervals. I did follow what the manual said for a few tanks, and had no change. Also, using the suggested shift sequence, it feels like the engine is struggling a little bit at each upshift as it's too soon to shift.

[Don M50limited]

My mileage varies greatly depending on the type of riding and how "spirited" I'm riding. I've gotten as low as 37 mainly around town having much fun with the throttle. On all day cruises I've gotten as good as 52 mpg. I have never once went through a tank just mellow cruising to see just how good of mileage I can really get.....no commuting/long distance highway miles.

[daddyo]

I always use 87 octane weigh 220 and get high 40s to low 50s.I don't ride the freeway a lot but more sence installing a windshield. The windshield seams to have increased my mpg a little. My M is stock and I always keep a good eye on tire press.

[1badbaker]

My past two tanks have gotten me 46 and 47 mpg respectively. I generally ride to and from work, which are some country roads, at around 70mph. I don't usually take it over 75 and I don't have to much stop n go in-town stuff. Always have used good 'ol 87 in the tank.

My low fuel light usually comes on around the 150mi mark and I have taken it 30mi with the light blinking before refueling. I don't have an owner's manual, but are there two sets of low fuel blinks? One for when you are low and when for when you are on reserve? I've only seen one type of blink on mine, I usually am putting 3.5gal or so in when I refill, so there's another 0.5gal in there before hitting reserve.

[cyclesinct]

Originally Posted by 1badbaker

I've only seen one type of blink on mine, I usually am putting 3.5gal or so in when I refill, so there's another 0.5gal in there before hitting reserve.

I believe there is only one light for the low fuel indicator and one blinking speed. But I don't believe their is any type of reserve. So I don't think you have 0.5 gals to go before the reserve, you have 0.5 gals to go before you completely run out of gas and the bike dies. That is why there is a low gas indicator instead of a petcock with a reserve setting. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe there is any type of "reserve" on the M50.

[NateFarish]

Originally Posted by bootsie

so my education says you should probably get about 40 miles once the light comes on?

when the light is blinking thats just a warning, then it will go solid after about 20 more miles then i'd say you have about 10 to 20 before going bone dry but it is not good for any vehicle to go bone dry. just like in cars and trucks, your fuel is what keeps the fuel pump cool. that is why its in the tank and not on the exterior with a hose going into the take. so i wouldnt let it get too empty or you will cut down on the life of your fuel pump which usually run around 300 -600 bucks.

[Clint]

That's a good point, Nate, but I think the pump is adequately cooled by the fuel flowing through it. As long as you don't rune it totally dry, there shouldn't be an issue.

[SnowMan29]

Don't forget that road type probably plays a big part in mileage as well. I don't mean highway/suburban but instead mean that some folks would have pretty flat and straight rides while others might have ones full of twists and hills. That could easily mean the difference between 45mpg and 55mpg.

[italian biker]

Originally Posted by SnowMan29

Don't forget that road type probably plays a big part in mileage as well. I don't mean highway/suburban but instead mean that some folks would have pretty flat and straight rides while others might have ones full of twists and hills. That could easily mean the difference between 45mpg and 55mpg.

Unfortunately, I'm a complete flatlander from N.W. Ohio. So, I should have a little better then a rider in the hills. How do you think down shifting could affect it. It just seems to me that I possibly have a defective engine in my bike.

[digitalbroccoli]

Another item to keep in mind when talking about MPG's.

The mulroney sticker on cars are plus or minus 3-5 mpg. so one Ford Fusion that's rated at 30 mpg might get 27, and another might get 35. There are so many factors (most of which have been mentioned in this thread already) such as weather, road condition, relation to sea level, humidity, etc, etc, ad nauseum.

No 2 cars, bikes, trains or plains use the same amount of fuel.

45 miles per gallon isn't bad, or defective.