Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge 160 Miles To Reserve

I had to go to Seattle today. Looked at the weather along the road (Portland, Chehalis and Seattle). It was a little chilly (between 45 and 55) along the route, but no rain. I bundled up and took the bike. I filled up in Beaverton and reset the trip meter. Having never switched to reserve while riding, I wanted to see exactly how long I could go. I switched to reserve at exactly 160 miles. Now if I remember right (someone please correct me if I am wrong), from fill to reserve it is 3.2 gallons. If that is right, that works out to be 50 mpg. Most of the trip, I was running at 5000 rpm (4th gear, indicated 80mph). When I get gas on the return trip I will be able to figure out mileage more accurately.

Soren

Hey Soren
I've had high 150's to reserve before now.
Usually around the 120-130's though, I like to rev a bit ya see
I have had 99 to reserve once one extremely windy ride on the motorway - throtle wound round to the stop and only just clocking 80mph.

I usually start thinking about fuel stops at around 110 miles.

I start feeling the urge to refuel around 135 miles into a full tank. Once I've done with my beer, I usually stop into a gas station to fill the bike up with some gas, too.

Quote:

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...I was running at 5000 rpm ( 4th gear , indicated 80mph).

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You've got to be running at least an 18 tooth sprocket on that one.

Yes, I love having that 18 tooth sprocket.

Soren

i can hit 99 mph on my very accurate speedo in 4th with the stock sprocket on a 2002 tba. i usually hit reserve right around 135, but i drive it like it stolen!

Latest roadtrip was 178 to reserve a couple of times. Routinely over 150. That was easy highway miles. Around town it's usually 125-135 to reserve.

I guess I was wondering why you were running in 4th instead of 5th...I run an 18T sprocket as well, and love it on the highway, but I always run in top gear and can still cruise up to 150-170 (90-100) easily if I want, although I usually cruise at 120-130...

Hey Soren, not that it makes a huge difference, but to reserve is 3.48 (I always just call it 3.5) gallons, not 3.2... Still 45.98mpg, or a thrifty 5.7 cents/mile... Now if I can get my company to pay me the 34.5 cents per mile just for commuting to/from work....

I was really surprized this past weekend when I took my wife out for a ride. About 300 miles with her on the back and I got close to 50 mpg! Normally I get between 35 and 40 when I'm rideing alone. While I was bragging about my mpg, she was screaming about her a$$. Some people just don't see it...I mean the mpg.

The great reserve/mileage/performance experiment continues...

Before heading out of Seattle I got gas. The trip meter read 175 miles. I got 3.8 gallons of gas. So that s 46 mpg. (I did make sure to take it off of reserve)

Riding home, I was running (depending on traffic) between 4000 and 4500 rpm (4500 rpm, 5th gear a little but more than in indicated 85 mph if I remember right) . Got home, the trip meter reads 178.5 miles and still havent switched to reserve.

I'll get gas in the morning and figure out my mileage. I have a feeling I'll have to switch to reserve on the way to the gas station.

I am thinking that (for my bike) the best mileage/performance running RPMs is 4500 RPM.

Soren

I just got my 06 TBA two weeks ago and the dealer told me 120 miles before you will need to go to reserve. I went on a RAT ride and filled her up before we left and re-set the trip meter and sure enough right at 120 miles it started coughing and I had to switch to the reserve. I think as I break her in and get a little smoother on startup she will get up there.

John

The more you ride, the more power you will get, the better the motor will run and you will get better mileage too.

Soren

the best i have made is 191 miles to reserve....no snorkel 18 tooth front sprocket, unipod filter, running 93 octane....i can no longer find 93 running 91 seems to kill a little mpg..and im pretty sure the tank is 3.5 gallons to reserve..

Post deleted by Grump

The great reserve/mileage/performance experiment is going to have to go on hold for a day. I have to take the car to work today (ICK!!).

Soren

i get a pretty consistant 50mpg so that sounds right

Wow. Y'all make me feel bad -- at this point with the new jets (140) i'm lucky to get 120... then again, I ride like a lunatic.



--Jaeger

You're not alone Jaeger, I always run until I have to switch to reserve and that's usually been around 120. BUT, I realized lately that I've been filling up to the inner collar with the bike leaning on the kick stand. If I sit and level the bike, it takes another 1/2 gallon without being overfilled. That 1/2 gal. should push it up to near 140 like a lot of others report. I'll know on my next fill up.

I think the best I’ve ever gotten on the highway traveling around 65mph was about 147 before hitting the reserve. If I’m cruising around 80 it drops to the upper 120’s. Around town it’s more like 130 before I need to make the switch to reserve.

I got gas this morning. The trip meter was at exactly 180 miles. It took 3.47 gallons. So ony my return trip, I managed to get 51.8 mpg.

I have decided for sure that the optimal balance of performance/mileage is trying to run at a fairly consistant 4500 rpms.

Soren

I think I must have a sick trumpet. I usually fill up at 100mi (before reserve) and the mileage has been 33mpg. I know I ride with a heavy hand and it is all stop-n-go traffic, but that sounds pretty low for a stock bike. (cali model)

Your bike is fine Brian. When I ride in town and am heavy on the throttle, I get about 32-35MPG. I also get over 45MPG if I baby it on the open road. It's all about the throttle!

There sure are a lot of variables brought up here on this subject. Of course different mods, different elevations, weather, lay-of-the-land, riding style, just to mention a few.

I never fill up on the side stand - always holding the bike up straight, from the saddle. I hate having to get off and go inside - I just gas and go. "Wiggling" the bike a bit moves some air out and does let a little more gas in. Fill it too full when hot and it will spit it back out a vent tube, if you let it sit after filling. I'm not sure that would happen if you hit the road after a good "top off", but it is kind of difficult to monitor....

Somebody mentioned it on another thread, but a Pingle petcock might make a difference - and how far it may be threaded up into the tank might affect the reserve level. Do we really know?

I think a point Soren is trying to make is that he feels his set-up may be more efficient at 4500 rpm, at a givin speed range, even though he might reduce engine rpm if he were to upshift into 5th gear. Maybe he's riding through some elevation changes (mountains?), that may not be a factor for some of us flatlanders, and he may be onto something.

Other factors of course will be modified or other non-stock exhaust, jet sizes, air intakes, etc., which could all affect performance, and therefore mpg.

Just like everything else around here - we all GO OUR OWN WAY - and trying to compare miles to reserve is probably like comparing seat comfort, or windshield effectiveness, when we all vary in height and weight, and the type of helmet (or not) that we wear.

I have hit reserve up into the high 170s before, and also hit it in the lower 130s, and sometimes even lower. I think I get better economy running 80 mph in a hot sun than I do at night. Heat expansion in the black fuel tank? Who knows!

Shareing our differences certainly gives all a bit more fat to chew on, though. That's why we love coming here!

Same here Keith. My mileage is all over the 'chart'. Shoot, I even went to reserve at about 100 miles once!

It was the lag leg home from the GA Rally 05 and I was doing a consistent 85 - 95 with a few well over 100! I wanted HOME...

Today, I did almost 300 miles and using fuel receipts, I figure I was getting close to 47 MPG.

Im getting about 27 mpg on my Rz350....i realize its a 2 stroke...but its only a 350...

I just went on reserve at 97.4 miles. That's something like 26 mpg. I tried to behave, but
but the new 16" JCW's just sound too good. If there's a cure for my condition, don't tell me, I prefer to remain addicted. Maybe that's what happens when you drive a newborn baby home from the hospital in a Chrysler Hemi.

Okay, I finally got in some extended highway miles and my mileage is still bad. I don't understand it, no stop-n-go,
just a steady 6000 RPM in fifth and I only got 33mpg. Oh well, its cheaper than psychotherapy.

I rode two up today(Me=265lbs Wife=150lbs), so 415lbs, through the hills & plenty of stops and averaged 40.4mpg.
I have an 18 tooth sprocket.

Hmmm, maybe it is all about weight afterall.

went to reserve at 133 miles yesterday. i was hoping for a little more--just because. it's about average for me.
still got 42.5 mpg though and a wonderful morning of riding.

Hey Mert. I got the package you sent on Friday. I think the part will work out great. I forgot to save your e-mail, so I just posted where you might look. Thanks again, Paul

Oh just for the posts sake, I never have gotten more then 134 miles before reserve. But then again I have never measured straight highway mileage. Mine is mostly city.

On a steady 70mph ish run I can get to around 145 before flicking on to reserve...

Yesterday was running late to meet Adey and Paul and so was going at bit to fast....and hard....and reserve at 118 and in the fast lane of the motorway. Scared the $hit out of me.
On the way round the countryside - got to 140 and hadn't hit reserve before I filled up...

Round town - around 120. A lot of stop/start riding.

154 ON THE FIRST TANK, 168 ON THE SECOND TANK. 2006 SPEEDMASTER. BACK ON A BIKE AFTER 20 SOME YEAR. MY HAVE THINGS CHANGED, SOME GOOD, SOME NOT SO GOOD!!!

It is kinda scary running out when you're on an interstate or going fast. You always wonder what the freaks wrong with the bike. That's one reason why as a general rule, I fill up with around 100 miles on the trip odometer although I have pushed the limit from time to time.

In general, if I get less than 150 miles before having to switch to reserve, I'm disappointed. If I get over 160 (as I have done this morning) I am a happy camper. When I fill up, I have the bike on the side-stand with the front wheel pointing straight forward rather than to the left; I think this raises the angle ever so slightly so I can fill up.

If I do some two up riding, I am happy with 150. However, I prefer to ride alone and normally drive at between 50-60 mph (I guess). When doing a trip to my dealers on the interstate, I tram along at 70 mph (or a little more) for 40 miles, which drops my 150 to maybe 140-145.

The bike is now three-years old and seems to have "settled down."

Siggy

Around 145 usually, mix of in-town, highway and country roads. Me and my gear (helmet, boots, leather, work stuff) probably tip in at 260+.

I commute most days 89 km return trip city traffic and get around 250k's(155mls) before reserve.
I also find I get better mileage with different fuels