Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Mileage/Range

Just curious. I've had my America for about 3 weeks now, and put on 1000 miles... What kind of range and mileage are you getting?

Today at about 140 miles, I ran out of gas and had to switch to reserve. When I stopped to fill I was only able to get 2.7 gallons in. Doesn't the '07 America tank have a 4.4 gallon capacity tank? I'm very careful about resetting my trip meter when I fill up. And I always fill to the lip, (not overfilling, etc.)

At 2.7 gallons, the 140 miles equates to 51mpg - NOT BAD!! I'm happy about that. But with roughly a 1 gallon reserve, I'd expect my range to be *at least* another 30-50 miles further without needing to switch over to reserve.

Any thoughts?

Quote:

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At 2.7 gallons, the 140 miles equates to 151mpg - NOT BAD!!

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You mean 51 mpg don't you?

The reserve is approx. 1 gal of fuel.

LOL! Yeah, a little ambitious wasn't I???? Fixed it!

If the reserve is 1 gallon, then I shouldn't run out of gas and only be able to put in 2.7 gallons, should be more like 3.4 gallons... that's a 3/4 of a gallon difference! I feel like I should be able to see that in the bike's range, and not having to switch over the petcock to reserve at 140.... I'd expect more like 160-170.

I don't think I've ever put more than 3.5 gals in the tank even after running on reserve for quite a while.
I know they list 4.4 gals as capacity but maybe because the tank is slanted upward in front we never get to use that space.

Most of the time I use 100 miles on my odometer to start looking for a fill-up.

I think the reserve on the original tanks is .9 gallon and the total capacity is 4.4. I usually run until I have to switch to reserve. This happens around 120+ miles. Less if all city stop and go, more if all highway.

TonyG - you are probably right that it's not practical (without overfilling), but I'd sure like to fill right after "reserve" and see 3.5 gallons going in... LOL!

i have to switch to reserve at about 140 miles every time.i usually fill up after switching to reserve and i can always get a hair over 3.5 gallons in there.i did run the bike completely out of gas once,i was able to get 4.1 gallons and some change in the tank but that was after my buddy brought me a can of gas and i put some in to actually make it to the gas station,so i would say 4.4 is pretty close.oh i've also seen fuel capacity listed at 4.39 gallons on the spec sheet at some websites,but that's just splitting hairs

I own the 09. It has a 5.2gallon tank.. I can go 175 mile or more before the red reserve light comes on... It took 3.5 gallons or so... I get from 50/54 mpg. By the way guys.................. Do I have a fuel line shut off/reserve lever????????? I have a fuel pump, I'm betting I don't have a valve to shut off..... Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. V.

I've got an 04 - 790 - and I get between 44 (tailwind stuff) and 36 mpg's consistently. 120 miles or so on the clock is when the bike starts the coughing / gagging noises. My average is around 39.

Wow!

I guess I have a problem with my America '07 !

At 130kms (81 miles) the bike starts coughing and I start looking for a gas station.

Running everything stock besides long TORs...

That can't be good... must have some thirsty gremlins in there.

Jeff, different countries use vastly different formula's for gasoline.
Could it be that your country's gas mixture is the cause of low mileage figures?
Just thinking out loud here.....when I ride aggresively my mpg numbers go way down too.

Hi Tony,

I do not know about the gas mixture over here (other than it's 95 something!).

I don't think I ride aggressively, but I don't have a speedo to confirm this. I am coming from a sportier ride, but I do not feel like I am pushing the America so much, because I enjoy riding at an easy pace when I am on the Triumph.

looking over my notes, the farthest I went on a tank this summer was 265 km(166 miles). That included 48 km(30 miles) on reserve. I put in 15 Litres(3.9us gal). Figured on that fillup only that would be 5.7L/100km or 42 miles/US gallon, 53 miles/imperial gallon.

I seem to recall doing slightly better than that one warm mississippi evening but I also remember the tune from deliverance playing in the background as I poked along back roads at 30mph in top gear looking for an open station.

I must be doing something right - I hit reserve around 160 mi. and made 52 mpg on my last tankful. It's an 05 SM w/ a 19 tooth front sprocket, only turns 3500 rpm @ 70 mph but sounds real happy!

Hi Jeff, once you start fiddling with your machine you begin the process of non return. Welocome to your nightmare. Just kidding. You haven't given a lot of info to go on but if you look hard enough and just read everything you can in the performance section, you'll pick it up cos it's all been said before several times.

I know it's frustrating and you probably just want it fixed now but all I've read here is you have long tors. Have you changed the jets or done any other mod or should I know that already?

You mention 95 which could be the octane rating which I generally use in Aus and it seems to give me good figures. For instance I've just come back from a 3 day ride after re-jetting post a dyno where I was rich and whilst I haven't done another dyno to check, my 05 SM is running probably better now than ever before. I also disconnected the tps which hasn't harmed anything either.

So now all I have to do is make sure I'm not running lean, but I think I might getting pretty close as on average I'm now getting 5.3 Litres per 100 or 19 k's per 100k's or 44.38 mpg US or 53.3 mpg UK.

Very tidy numbers indeed.

My point is it's taken me lots of time and money to get to this place but I've enjoyed every minute and there are still heaps of plans in the pipeline. Just love tinkering when you can get a good result and the same will happen with you if you just keep reading and asking questions.

Hi Jeff,

are you saying you are only getting 130 k's before reserve? If so you definitely have a problem and being rich your first stop is probably 125 jets to start with and whilst your at it have a look at you air filter and pull off the top restrictor thingo to help your machine breath better and replace the paper element for a re-usable uni filter.

Just these few things will make a huge difference and will not harm your machine, but of course, once you start fiddling (pipes and then the rest if you so desire) with your machine you begin the process of non return. So welocome to your nightmare.

I would really suggest you just start reading everything you can in the performance section, you'll pick it up cos it's all been said before many times.

You mention 95 which could be the octane rating which I generally use in Aus and it seems to give me good figures.

For instance I've just come back from a 3 day ride after re-jetting post a dyno where I was rich and whilst I haven't done another dyno to check, my 05 SM is running probably better now than ever before. I also disconnected the tps which hasn't harmed anything either.

So now all I have to do is make sure I'm not running lean, but I think I might getting pretty close now as on average I'm now getting 5.3 Litres per 100 or 19 k's per 100k's or 44.38 mpg US or 53.3 mpg UK.

Very tidy numbers indeed.

My point is it's taken me lots of time and money to get to this place but I've enjoyed every minute and there are still heaps of plans in the pipeline. Just love tinkering when you can get a good result and the same will happen with you if you just keep reading and asking questions.

what oct.rateing on the gas? I'm geting 40 miles to gal. on and 02 America with reg. 87 oct., just today.Rudyr

Riding two up I hit reserve at 100 mi. Solo been to 160 w/o hitting it, but I dunno how consistent I was with filling. We only rode 2 up 2x.

Befor TORS and rejetting my 08 would get 140 miles befor reserve , now Im getting 159 miles same station same gas 89 oct . What a differnce a little tuning will do

I have a 2001 BA with D&D Pipes, AI removed, Uni Filter, and a Jet Kit. I run 89 octane gas and get 40 MPG to and from work and 47 MPG on long distance trips running around 75 MPH.

Hi Jeff,
How do you find riding over in Taiwan buddy?

Am I being a bit primitive and ignorant in thinking the roads aren't up to scratch etc???

I'd say I would be otherwise you'd probably be riding a BMW GS or something hey?

Great you have plans to improve your bike's performance but imho I think 135 mains may be a bit ambitious initially until you can provide some more breathing space so to speak.

For instance, I use 135 mains and 42 pilots myself and whilst I haven't done a dyno yet for these settings, I was rich in my last dyno using 145 mains and 45 pilots, and considering I have virtually the straight through Staintune pipes
(btw, I had long tors originally) with a straight through rstrictor (not baffle but an easily removable part that just minimises the pipe's gases exit diameter), this in itself would imho make my speedie breathe better just by itself.

Then add the K&N pods hanging off the freak and you get some real O2 freedom.

In saying this, all our bikes are different in their own way and even if you were rich, that’s much safer than running lean. You’re definitely on the right track with the Uni or K&N filter too and 135 mains and 42 pilots do sound pretty good using them.

There is probably someone who may disagree with me on my comments but being an inexact science and that’s even after a dyno, I find a combination of a dyno with the air fuel ratio, colour of plugs and fuel consumption (beside the formance factor) will give you a pretty good picture of how accurate you are.

Btw, if your rear pads are rubbing I would have thought that would make a big difference on your range. Also, if your bike does have the warped disc as you say, I’m almost certain this will be replaced under warranty. Certainly, if your local dealer plays hard ball don’t argue just walk out and talk to us about it. Agro will just make the thing worse and as a group I’ve found the advice here invaluable to how much my bike costs to run.

One last thing, I know not everyone is a fan of the freak as a means of increasing a bikes breathing capacity but in my experience it was whilst initially quite expensive, not only reduced the ongoing costs (so would a drop in for that matter) the improvements were quite profound and that didn't take into the consideration the tone your bike makes when sucking air. Sweet .

Each to their own of course and whatever you decide on, you’ll be happy regardless. The same goes for pipes and again, I’m different to many of my fellow riders but my not being too impressed with my bike being too loud after installing Specialty Spares pipes, I found the staintune pipes easily my most impressive add on, balancing looks, performance and tone.


Unfortunately for me LOL, louder pipes spoilt MY overall riding experience. Anyway, difference is in these days

Anyway, hopes this helps and maybe someone else can chime in to help you make some informed decisions from other's experiences.

Cheers and ride safe

ps: If you were wondering about the length of this post. I learnt to type morse code back in the 70's hence I can go on a bit.

Just trying to help

19 tooth front spocket.50 miles round trip to work. every three days I fill'er up with 150 to 160 miles showing, w/o hitting reserve. consistantly get 50 to 51 MPG. (07) long tors jetted per dyno, and windshield, lowers and bags.

I finally hit reserve on the first tank this morning. I was starting to wonder - my manual, and most sites say I have a 4.4 gal tank. I did not hit reserve until 192 miles - I was thinking with a .9 gal reserve I was at about 55 mpg!

Then I put 4.6 gallons into it (filled to lip only, but on the side stand). At 202.5 miles, that's a about 44.5 mpg.

Kind of deflating, really. I knew I wouldn't get the 87 to 91 mpg I've been getting on the VStar 250. Oh, well. I expect it to pick up some as I become mroe and more used to the bike and its powerbands, etc.