Interesting comments about the mid-grade gasoline. Mine says minimum 89 AKI on the gas filler cap, but the manual says premium. I know we have a rather high compression ratio, so I don't think premium will hurt anything, but I may fill up the next tank with 89 and see how it goes.
Spookymonster wrote:
Unfortunately for me, my flaky fuel light means I can't take my mind off my mileage; when my odometer goes past 120, I can never tell if it's malfunctioning, or I'm just getting great fuel economy....
Yes, mine's flaky too.
I seem to be getting roughly 40 mpg, give or take a few. My commute is a mix of some stop and go and some highway riding at high speeds.
I just checked the mileage on my `03 RR this morning. I'm gettting just over 40 mpg with mostly freeway driving. Not too bad. On average, I think, the highway time is probably 2/3 of the fuel used. The other is the usual shopping center urban driving. During REAL highway driving, I think it's near 50 mpg.
I don't get caught in the rain, I ride in it on purpose.
adg44 wrote:Isn't that pretty bad? Or is this average? I wasn't even pushing the bike much.
I was expecting closer to 45 MPG.
I'm running premium as recommended.
- Anthony
WHO recommended "premium"? My Rockster's recommended octane is 89. . . I get around 44-46 mpg.
Depends on what all you've got hanging off your bike. Handguards, crash bars, windscreen (or none). . . I discovered that my low fuel light came on about 8-9 miles earlier when I had HANDGUARDS on. Went right back to the usual low fuel mileage once I removed them.
In 04', perhaps other years, the R model had two different available sixth gear ratios, a low sport ratio that is the same used on the Rockster, and an high ratio. I'm not certain what the exact ratios are, however on my short ratio transmission, in sixth gear at 70 MPH, I'm spinning at about 4 K RPM's. I think on the high ratio, 4 K RPM's equals closer to 80 MPH. That should make a noticeable difference in fuel economy.
One other thing to ask about fuel milage is whether running with system cases makes a noticeable impact on fuel mileage. I usually run with mine on just in case I'm asked to pick up a gallon of milk on the way home from work.
I have an '04 with 13k and just spent the weekend with a combination of back raods and highway and averaged 47 mpg. I just tried the last three tanks with 89 octane (the sticker on my tank says that I should be using premium, which I usually do). I read a recent post about using a lower octane and it would start better. It usually takes 3 to 4 tries with the fast idle lever up for her to finally run. I now find with 89 octane that she starts on the 1st or 2nd try--I'm much happier.
adg44 wrote:Isn't that pretty bad? Or is this average? I wasn't even pushing the bike much.
I was expecting closer to 45 MPG.
I'm running premium as recommended.
- Anthony
WHO recommended "premium"? My Rockster's recommended octane is 89. . . I get around 44-46 mpg.
P
Ah. The manual. Okay. Having worked in the print industry. I KNOW how far the separation is/can be between creating and edition an owners manual and the actual production/use needs of a machine (or anything else). Consider also that the manual was created in Europe, yes?
I've always gone with what the sticker on the tank said, "89 octane." I've used 87 once or twice. When the mid-grade was out at my regular station.
Lion_Lady wrote:
Consider also that the manual was created in Europe, yes?
Yes, but this is the NA version, and it says AKI, not RON for octane ratings. Premium is still the same in Europe and NA, just the measurement is different.
I've always gone with what the sticker on the tank said, "89 octane." I've used 87 once or twice. When the mid-grade was out at my regular station.
My sticker says "Min 89" so between that, and the manual saying premium (91+), that makes me think I should put in premium.
Considering it's still hot out, and we have a higher chance of pinging, the higher octane/slower burning fuel should help.
I'm surprised at the talk of getting 50+ mpg. I've got 10200 miles on my '04 Rockster and the best I've managed is about 46 doing a full tank at 75mph. I usually get mileage in the low- to mid-30s doing totally urban riding. It's not racing around either, I tend to ride in traffic for maximum fuel efficiency, but it never really gets better than about 35. That's all on 89 octane only, didn't see much point in putting higher octane juice in unless I was actually worried about the compression ratio.
Anyone have any records for bad gas mileage? I spent one tank caning it everywhere right after I bought the thing and I think I managed to get about 90 miles on 3.8 gallons...
I do pretty much the same commute in north side traffic (lincoln square down to michigan ave. I definitely drive the bike like a stole it!
Also, I am larger than the average bear. So I still get 33-36mph in the city. I have got close to 48-49 on road trips with the touring screen, givi 52n trunk, and standard system cases.
I'm getting 40 mph on my `03 with the touring windshield. I evidently have the high 6th gear because I also observe about 82 mph at 4000 rpm. I run 75 almost always except at night when it's more like 80. I have right at 20,000 miles on it. I have never gotten over 50, but I probably have never tried very hard either.
Brem, does your Rockster have the lower 6th gear ? That might explain the difference.
I don't get caught in the rain, I ride in it on purpose.
Airman wrote:
Brem, does your Rockster have the lower 6th gear ? That might explain the difference.
I have had both the high and the low 6th, and there has been no noticable difference in milage between the two. I actually may get better milage with the lower 6th, since I use it a lot more than just on the highway.
Jeff (lifer #289)
'17 F800GSA
'04 R1150R
There ain't no education in the second kick of a mule!
It definitely has the lower 6th gear- turns around 4K rpm at 75mph. baltm604's experience is pretty similar to mine, sounds like. The main factor must be just the short journeys and the constant clutch-slipping in traffic. Interesting to hear that there's no particular mileage difference between the high- and low-geared versions. I find that the bike is quite a bit smoother at 4K rpm than it is at 3500, plus there isn't quite enough roll-on torque to be had in 6th if you're not already up over 4K. If the mileage is the same it seems like a pretty clear win for the lower 6th gear. What's the supposed advantage of the taller one?
I just filled up again. This time I put in about 5 ounces of Techron Complete prior to fill up.
I went 168.6 miles on 4.56 gallons of gas, which is about 37 MPG. A slight increase over the last time, but this tank had about a 40 mile highway trip.
We'll see the next tank... I changed the engine oil, tanny oil, and FD oil today too.
The synthetic oil should help with gas mileage. I'd be happy if I can average 40MPG.
I rode to Lynchburg from Staunton Va today to get a new rear tire mounted. All 4 lane highway running avg 60 to 65 mph with an occasional spurt to 75 or so. I topped the tank prior to leaving and filled again when I got home----202 miles later and 3.7 gal = 54.59 mpg. I run 93 octane, typically Shell or BP.
My bike is an '03 with 38,000 miles with the touring shield and system cases.
I nearly always get this kind of milage with similar running. If in town or mostly so then it drops under 40. I have gotten as high as 56 with full cases and my wife on the back running the Blue Ridge Parkway at 45 to 50 mph.
Having followed this thread and others, I went for a very spirited ride today. I followed twisty roads through West Virginia, watched my tach kept it between 4500 and 6000 most of the time, 3.8 gal and 130 miles 34.2 mpg. Coming home I took the slab 6th gear 3400 and filled it up, 2.9 gal and 140 miles 42.2mpg. It depends how you ride for fuel economy. BTW I live in the boondocks so I can't speak to riding in traffic, except for the occasional tractor!
One other thing that did make a significant difference on fuel economy was changing out my air filter. I changed it at 20k miles, and should have a bit earlier. I had several butterflies in there, and my milage improved 3-5 mpg.
Jeff (lifer #289)
'17 F800GSA
'04 R1150R
There ain't no education in the second kick of a mule!
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