 Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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OP
Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
I’ve taken three trips since Tuesday that total about 1,400 miles. On each of these trips I’ve experimented with different riding styles to see what happens to my MPG. I usually average about 40 mpg with the Memphis Fats, the extended lowers and my pudgy self. I tried 80-85 MPH on the slab, 37-38 MPG over about 130 miles. I tried 55-60 MPH on back country blacktops with few stops and almost no traffic, 45-46 over 140+ miles. I tried tucking right up on the back of a semi running 75 MPH for over 120 miles, 52 MPG! (This was in the rain too) Mostly I took the back roads and enjoyed the scenery but I forced myself to stick to my experiments just to see what would happen. “But officer, this is a scientific experiment!†
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,017
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,017 |
Your gas mileage drops off when you accelerate past 25 or 30 mph, so essentially, the slower you ride, the higher mpg you'll achieve. There's some highest mileage competitions when they'll only hit 25, kill the engine, and glide till 5 mph, and do it all over again. Doing this you can easily surpass 100 mpg in a car.
Mark
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
Erwin mentioned MPGs the other day, so I checked mine again. 47+ MPG twice in a row when averaging around 40 to 50 MPH on secondary roads. Both fuel fill-ups done with bike on center, and tank filled up slightly past the filler neck. As others have suggested, I've been keeping the RPMs at around 3500 to 4000, and noticed a significant (3 to 5 MPG) increase in performance and MPG after opening the last two exhaust baffles a might wider. Hope I'm not too lean now.
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 33
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 33 |
Funny thing on Myth Busters (TV SHOW)they did a show on fuel mileage when the where behind a Semi thier mileage improved 20-40% depending how close to the back of truck 200Ft to 50FT
Steve (I rather be riding my Triumph)
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
There's a lot of churn where the air comes back together behind the trailer. Useless fact #913 - Most of the problems with truck aerodynamics are right there behind the trailer. There's no good way to put the air back together without a device that would greatly hinder the offloading and backing up processes.
Not to sound like a wet blanket, but I never cared for that zone too much, in the event a 4 foot length of "flying alligator" (recap) comes loose, it could sting a little bit. I've seen those flying recaps push 3" angle iron, 2 inch fender mounting pipe, and light boxes around like they're made of balsa wood.
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
In my last two mileage tests: first, 130 miles of highway riding and not too aggressive plus 30 miles in town=47.5mpg; second, all in town and hot rodding whenever there was a clear stretch (oh, my, wasn't that fun!) and the end result 38.5mpg. There's merit to the expression "you reap what you sow," isn't there?
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,753
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,753 |
iy mileage is different ALL the time. does not matter tho as ii am haveing a blast no matter what
Frank
(Former)05 BA tbike pipes, ai removed, Freak, mikuni hsr 42's, 904, ported/polished head, 1mm oversized valves
NOW-2010 silver and black tbird
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,877 |
With a carbeurated bike, your mileage is completely dependant on your right hand. It's all about throttle position, remember? 
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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 Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
Quote:
I tried tucking right up on the back of a semi running 75 MPH for over 120 miles, 52 MPG! (This was in the rain too)
 BEWARE THE ROAD GATOR!
That truck can run over something the size of your motorcycle and keep going. You won't even have time to cuss before whatever pops out from under the truck hits you.
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
With a carbeurated bike, your mileage is completely dependant on your right hand. It's all about throttle position, remember?
My point exactly 
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 265
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 265 |
Quote:
With a carbeurated bike, your mileage is completely dependant on your right hand. It's all about throttle position, remember?
Soooo....
What gas milage would I get at 3/4 throttle?
How WOT?
How about.....
Wendell
"Reality is for people who lack Imagination"
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,152 |
Quote:
... I tried 80-85 MPH on the slab, 37-38 MPG ... I tried 55-60 MPH on back country blacktops with few stops and almost no traffic, 45-46 ... tucking right up on the back of a semi running 75 MPH for over 120 miles, 52 MPG!
my highway mileage is usually 47-48 mpg (5L/100km)at 65 mph which is pretty consistent with your result.
I certainly appreciate your diligence in running the truck experiment but when I want to save a buck and a quarter I ... umm, I... ahh, I dunno but I don't tailgate a truck!
Last edited by Bill; 07/02/2007 7:15 PM.
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
With a carbeurated bike, your mileage is completely dependant on your right hand. It's all about throttle position, remember?
Now Benny, aerodynamics plays a big role here.
While riding mostly twisties, rarely exceeding 50 mph, but running near the red line I get about 50 mpg. On the slab, running a consistent 4500 rpm, I get 40.
Of course, averaging the WOT and closed throttle positions may yield a result that shows 1/2 throttle overall.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
Quote:
BEWARE THE ROAD GATOR!
Yup.
There's a reason they got that name.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 525
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 525 |
I ride 25 miles each way to work, 3/4th on the slab at 70-75. Throw in a couple of short trips to the store and a bit of leisurely evening driving and I am consistantly between 43 and 47. On the weekends though, if I am having fun with the thottle it dips to @40.
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690 |
I have 2 '05 Americas...(Well, one is the wife's) and they both get about the same,,,we put in the same amount of gas when we ride together, but the speedometers are about 6 mph different....hmmmm, she still has stock tires, and I dunlops all around....
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 225
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 225 |
I saw an 18 wheeler run over a scooter today. Not a pretty sight. The man and the scooter were all wadded up like so much used trash.
Yes! I am a Redneck. Any Problems?
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 525
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 525 |
Just as a follow up, I am using the original front sprocket. I believe that is 17 tooth on a 05 America. If anyone out there has changed to an 18 or 19 tooth front sprocket, how has that affected your mileage?
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641 |
I amnot here to impress you-all with dynamics/protocol/theries concerning fuel savings/milage.I drove an 18 wheeler for 43 years and retired augaust 2005.I have seen damage caused by failed recap(blown tire)..it has dented underside of trailer,torn off my gaurds,torn off mud flap bracket holders,flung rubber and broken windshields,etc.NO WAY DO I FOLLOW WITHIN 100 YARDS OF TRUCK!!
life is good..I am retired..sold my America in 2008,bought a Rocket and sold that in 3/2013 and now own a new Triumph Bonneville T-100
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641 |
Having retired from truck driving(43 years teamster with more than adequate pension),I have seen and experienced enough tire failures and subsequent equipment damage to know that to ride along side or to follow within 100 yards of truck is to ride irresponsible.pay another dollar to compensate your fuel loss and safety gain.I just returned from road trip 550 miles roundtrip and average 51.6 mpg...here at home with normal stop and go42 mpg.On trip I rode 65-70..seem to be the sweet spot for my america..handled great and only battling cross winds did I wish to be a little heaver..slowing down to 55-60 helped at those times.Ride safe and stay away from trucks!!
life is good..I am retired..sold my America in 2008,bought a Rocket and sold that in 3/2013 and now own a new Triumph Bonneville T-100
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,164 Likes: 1 |
The sweet spot on my bike is 4500 RPM (around an indicated 75 MPH). Yesterday between here and Seattle I averaged 54 MPG. I define the sweet spot as the area I get for best efficiency, best power, and still have plenty of instant roll on power.
Soren
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Re: Your Mileage May Vary
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
Quote:
Just as a follow up, I am using the original front sprocket. I believe that is 17 tooth on a 05 America. If anyone out there has changed to an 18 or 19 tooth front sprocket, how has that affected your mileage?
Going up a tooth would net you better highway mileage at a given mph. BUT, you might twist the throttle a teeny bit more around town. To me, going to the 18 didn't make any significant change except the slight gain on highway mileage only. My average has been about the same.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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