fuel mileage decrease

[rpoppen]

I've owned my '07 R1200R for one year and consistently got 48-50+ mpg under all sorts of driving from commute to cross country trips. On a recent tank of gas, it returned 40 mpg. I thought it might be related to the 89 octane I'd used in a pinch. The next tank at 93 octane returned 42 mpg. I've not changed riding routes or style. Bike mileage is 15K.
Any ideas on what might be going on?
Thanks.

[lewellen]

I've owned my '07 R1200R for one year and consistently got 48-50+ mpg under all sorts of driving from commute to cross country trips. On a recent tank of gas, it returned 40 mpg. I thought it might be related to the 89 octane I'd used in a pinch. The next tank at 93 octane returned 42 mpg. I've not changed riding routes or style. Bike mileage is 15K.
Any ideas on what might be going on?
Thanks.

No, but my '08 model (bought in October '07) has had the mileage steadily decreasing since I bought it, from around 45 - 50 highway and ~45 around town, to around 33-35 around town now and maybe 40 on the highway if I'm lucky.

Some of it is probably my riding style - I use the bike mostly for commuting - and CA is notorious for having poor gasoline; but still.

Best,

- Lewellen

[Tom B]

Dirty air filter?
throttle sync?
fouled plugs?
low tire pressure?
new windshield?
excess friction (e.g., wheel bearings, brakes dragging, etc.)?
massive weight gain? ; }

FWIW, my '07, during the 2,000 miles I've ridden since December, is consistently averaging 43 mpg tank after tank on CA 91 octane. No slab, all suburban/country roads, mostly in 1st-4th gear with lots of shifting, acceleration and deceleration. I suspect (hope) that I would see better mileage on cross-country trips or trips with lots of constant speed cruising, but I figure that for stop'n'go commuting and somewhat spirited 2-lane riding, 43 is about as good as it gets.

It does sound like something about your bike has changed if your riding hasn't . . .

[hjsbmw]

I've owned my '07 R1200R for one year and consistently got 48-50+ mpg under all sorts of driving from commute to cross country trips. On a recent tank of gas, it returned 40 mpg. I thought it might be related to the 89 octane I'd used in a pinch. The next tank at 93 octane returned 42 mpg. I've not changed riding routes or style. Bike mileage is 15K.
Any ideas on what might be going on?
Thanks.

That's a 16% drop. Annoying but within limits of plausibility. Do your valves need adjusting? Was the ambient temperature lower than usually? A combination of these plus what's been mentioned might get you a drop in that ballpark. Does your engine sound and idle as you remember it from the days of higher mpg? That would give additional clues regarding needed maintenance.

[tinytrains]

Type of riding can mean a lot to mileage.

Sunday mornings in Malibu, I get 50 mpg.

Commuting to my Orange County office, 24 miles each way, half street, half 91 frwy. 43 mpg.

Commuting to my local office, 3 miles each way, 32 mpg

Always burning California premium 91.

Scott

[red baron]

Winter gas, ethalon besides wind condition etc will influence mileage. In my case my 08 r1200r will get MPG in the 45/50 range only in higher altitute and with ethalon free gas and driving in the 55 - 60 mph range. Otherwise without ethalon 42 to 45. With ethalon 39/42 MPG. In both cases driving in the 70/80 MPH range. Above that MPG will drop below 40 mpg

[redwing]

My mpg started at 51 or 52. Then the 600 mile tune up came and the mpg dropped to 47. My area has been taken over by ethanol so another drop to 42. And I got my foot in it when I can.???
Last Friday I got my 6000 mile tuneup. I asked the dealer about the falling mpg. The dealer said other riders had complained about the same reduction in mpg. He (service mgr) said he thought the factory settings were different than the maintenance settings perscribed by BMW. A 20 percent fall.
Perhaps I should go on a diet.

Robert

[deilenberger]

For me - anything over 40MPG is good. When I first got the bike I was easily able to get 50MPG, especially when in break-in mode (max RPM 4k..) When I do my annual "long ride" (2-3,000 miles) I can average 45-55 MPG. Commuting back and forth to work (lots of lights, slow speeds, sprints, etc) - 42-45 MPG, and having fun on the few twistie roads NJ has - 42MPG is good.

Really a case of YMMV..