Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods MPG survey

In these recent days of skyrocketing fuel prices I thought I'd do a little survey. I know fuel mileage has been discussed before but what I wanted to do was to find out what setup you're running and what your average MPG is. I really miss the performace guide from the old forum so let's post the info like this:

My setup
MPG: 37-38
Pipes: Epco Long 48"
Airbox: Stock - no holes, stock snorkel, paper filter
AI: Removed
Jets: 130 main/45 pilot
Plugs: Stock spark plugs
Carbs: Stock Keihin CVK
Needles: Stock - no shims
Drive: Chain - Stock (16T front/42T rear)
Other: California Emissions removed
Elevation: ~350 ft above sea level

Hwy: 53
Commuting (in town): 45
Pipes: Fishtails
Airbox: snorkel removed
AI: removed
Jets: stock
Plugs: stock
Carbs: stock, never adjusted
Needles: stock
Drive: 18 front / 42 Rear
Elevation: 0 - 1000 ft

I think a lot of mileage has to do with how you ride. What rpms do you try to maintain, do you go up and down a lot of steep hills, do you take off from a stop at full throttle, etc, etc. I am sure there are many other factors involved. On the highway, I usually cruise between 4000 and 4500 RPM, usually shifting just before 5000 and usually not going below 3500 RPM. In town (or commuter hwy traffic), I dont shift as much, I am usually maintaining a slightly higher rpm range.

Soren

Mileage varies so much for me I quit worrying about it, but it's never less than 40-45 mpg. I can get over 50 mpg at times, so as I said, I quit worrying about it. 120-140 miles I look for a gas station.

Hi Greg,

Like the others, my mileage depends on how aggressively I am driving. The worst I ever had was switching to reserve at 110 miles but I was running 90+ the whole way and even more when passing. If I did more highway miles, I would change my sprocket to an 18T.

Casual riding gets me close to 50 and for your information, here's my setup:

MPG: varies
Pipes: Epco 42" slash
Airbox: gone; Freaked with pre-filters
AI: Removed
Jets: 160 main/42 pilot
Plugs: Stock spark plugs
Carbs: Stock Keihin CVK
Needles: TBS
Drive: Chain - Stock (17T front/42T rear)
Other: N/A
Elevation: ~2 ft above sea level

I can't believe the mpg some of you say you're getting. I would be happy with 40 for sure. I guess you girls don't like spirited riding eeh?
I can tell by the mpg who really rides their bikes.

30-35 mpg
150 mains (recent, down from 160)
42 pilots
904cc
Freak
no airbox
QPD belt
really happy right hand

As stated though, I just jetted down from 160s to 150 and am taking a 600+ mile trip in a few hours, so it should be a little better.

MPG: 31 or 32 Street, 38 Highway
Pipes: Decibel Reverse Megaphone Pipes (English and Loud!!)
Airbox: gone; Freaked with pre-filters
AI: Removed
Jets: 115 Main Fuel / 230 Main Air / 55 Slow Jet
Plugs: Stock spark plugs
Carbs: Keihin 35mm CRS RoundSlide carburetors
Needles: CRS 5183, 3 notches down
Drive: Chain - Stock X-Ring (16T front/44T rear)
Other: Stage I Equivalent Cams
Elevation: 10 or so ft above sea level

The thing's a blast and will wake the dead when I sink the throttle over 4000 RPM.

My setup
MPG: 35-38
Pipes: Cheap JCW sweat looking, loud turnouts
Airbox: Stock - no holes, snorkel removed, UNI filter
AI: Removed
Jets: 130 main/45 pilot
Plugs: Stock spark plugs
Carbs: Stock Keihin CVK
Needles: Stock - no shims
Drive: Chain - (18T front/42T rear)
Elevation: What ever this ever so flat part of the country is (Chicago)

MPG 40 to 44
Pipes CheapJCW 32" turnouts also
Freak w AI out
stock needles one shim, 42 pilots with 160 jets
18 th
Big Bore
Cams
Plan to use truxton needles and 150s soon. then try the dyno. This Speedy beast has serious torque and hauls a$$.

MPG: 45-52
PIPES: Stock
AIR BOX: Stock
AI: Removed
JETS: 130 Main/45 Pilot
PLUGS: Stock
CARBS: Stock/No mods except jets
DRIVE: 18t front sprocket
ELEVATION: Higest 2400 ft., Lowest 0, Mean 500 ft.

I tried SS longs and also Triumph tapered off-road mufflers, and my milage dropped a little bit, about 43-48 MPG. Not sure if that had to do with the pipes or the jet change. Maybe both. I changed back to the stock pipes in early spring this year, but left the larger jets in. I check milage regularly, and consistantly get within the above listed. I have noticed only marginal gain in everyday use milage since I changed to the 18t sprocket. I have got as much as 53 MPG on long highway runs.

Greg,
Here's my setup:

MPG: 36.35mpg at last night fill-up
Pipes: Sceptres
Airbox: Stock - no holes, stock snorkel, paper filter
AI: Removed
Jets: 122 mains/48 pilots
Plugs: Stock spark plugs
Carbs: Stock Keihin CVKs
Needles: Stock - no shims
Drive: Chain - Stock (17T front/42T rear)
Other: Ride two-up most of the time
Elevation: ~4 ft above sea level

But who looks at mpg? When 100 rolls on the trip odo, I've got 60 miles before I push. Usually at 130 miles I'll switch to reserve (have to). Never have run out of gas while on reserve, so can't say for certain that 60 per above is correct. This recent mpg was all mostly tooling along river roads at 25 to 35 mph in second or third.

Off-the-shelf Epcos
No snorkles
No AI
136 mains
48 pilots
stock sprockets
45 - 55 mpg. (us gallons)

04 Speedmaster.
Gearing: stock
AI out.
TOR pipes.
Snorkel out.
Uni filter.
I run it up to 7000, then bang a gear. Repeat.
110 to 120 miles and I'm into my reserve.
I ride highways, engine tach between 5 and 5400 RPM in top gear. How fast? Who know's with the speedo error.

Steve

I usually get about 35-40 MPG around town and on short (40-50 miles) weekend rides around the county. I guess I like hearing the sound of my Staintunes.

Here's my details:
MPG: 35-40
Pipes: Staintunes
Airbox: main snorkel removed
AI: Removed
Jets: Jeez, wish I knew. The nearest Triumph dealer synced the carbs recently and everyting was cool, I guess. Shoulda asked for details.
Plugs: those iridium plugs that Brent sells
Carbs: Stock Keihin CVK
Needles: Stock - no shims (I think?)
Drive: Chain - Stock (16T front/42T rear)
Other: California Emissions removed
Elevation: ~1200 ft above sea level

04 TBA - 38 to 40 MPG
Specialty Spares pipes
18T sprocket
AI removed
CVK's -135 Mains, 42 Pilots
Uni Filter- Snorkle removed
Windshield
Stock Plugs and tires

04 TBA - 43mpg highway, about 38 city
Gutted standard pipes
130 mains, standard pilots
snorkle truncated
AI gone
18T sprocket
roadster windshield
elevation 13 ft

Matt

45 to 50 for me. depends where i am more then how hard i ride.

Frank

Mid-40's something when running subsidized petrol; possibly higher if I could find the unsubsidized juice.

05 America
mpg 53--60 (riding 2 up)
Thunderbike exhaust
pilots open 4 turns
18 tooth front sprocket
stock airbox
everything else stock
mostly 55 mph on highway never over 60
ride like old man that I am

Jerry

05 America
mpg 38-43
Specialty Spares long slash cuts
AI removed
Snorkle stock
128 main / 45 pilots
Sprockets stock (17 front / 42 rear)
<50 feet above sea level
summer screen

When all original the mileage was more like 43-48 about 5 mpg better than now. What would removing my snorkel do? I was told that going to a 18T front sprocket would drop rpms about 500 and increase mileage because of higher gearing. I may try it eventually. I've wished I had a higher gear at hwy. speeds above 60. Has anyone noticed any real negatives going from the stock 17 to 18? The bike had a noticeable increase in power after rejeting the carbs and changing the pipes, not to mention sounding a hell of a lot better.

Bob

02 America
MPG: 41-43 mpg, an occasional dip into 38's and a few longer trips around 45 mpg
Specialty Spares Long Cannons
18 tooth sprocket
Roadster Windscreen
2 up riding 90% of the time, no touring, primarily around town stuff
132.5 Main/45 Pilot/3.25 turns out A/F screws
Prior to pipes/rejetting I used to get 45 mpg on a regular basis. Complained to a bike tech, he reminded me I put in larger jets, right? What did I expect. In reading bike tests, I'm surprised at the number of bikes that average in the 30's. My Honda Accord Sedan, automatic, has averaged 32.5 MPG since new. Now that is amazing!

03 speedmaster
35-51 mpg
freaked
160 mains
45 pilots
Highly modified stock pipes at present
epoc's sometimes
17 tooth a present
higher mileage with 18t and longer rides at a nice easy pace
My milage always seems to suffer when riding with friends. I don't know why.

jango,
I just got back from an 800 mile ride with the 150 mains and the mileage went up to 40-45 mpg.

Update:
No changes from above other than solo run at speed this morning. Morman Ranch Loop 104 miles at mpg = 39.46. That's more like it...

Stopped off at dealership. Looked at the Trumps and noticed the new T-100 paint scheme, Nice. Black tank with white and gold.

I went on a 200 mile ride & was tickled to see 50 mpg. I was riding with some slow ppl so I was indicating 60-65 mph for most of the ride. If I ride by myself I usually get 40-43 mpg. Here is my set up.
04 speedy, 17T, ai out, tbs needles, SS's
unifilter & modified air box, no snorkle
142 mains, 42 pilot

MPG: avg 46; range 39-48
pipes: Triumph SOR
airbox: stock
AI: still in
jets: dealer changed when SOR's installed; he couldn't tell me what is in there, said it is whatever comes with the pipes
plugs: stock
carbs: stock
needles: stock
drive: chain, 18-T front, 42-T back
elevation: 2-40; we call freeway overpasses high elevation in Houston

90%+ of my riding is commuting on HOV, 60-70 mph typical.
I usually run 3500+ rpm in traffic so I can move if needed.

Did 650 mile round trip recently, Triumph summer screen, one up, light pack. All freeway, 70-72 mph most of it, 4200 rpm avg, avg 47 mpg.

--
Gary

addendum to my post:
04 Speedmaster

Maybe the MPG should be adjusted to the incorrect instruments. Those numbers I listed were straight from gas tickets and what the reading was when I filled up. My speedometer is reading 9% high, so should the MPG be increased the same 9%? That would put the avg at 50 mpg.

--
Gary

Gary, if your speedo/odometer is reading 9% high and you're using it to calculate the mileage, you need to DECREASE your mpg estimate by 9%. That would make your 46 avg. a hair under 42.

Bob

I figured if the speedo says 80 and actual speed is 72, then the wheel revolution counting unit is adding extra revolutions for actual distance travelled. So then I have to back off the number I'm reading on the odometer to get the real distance travelled...

Dammit! I thought I was doing so good out there. I'm gonna move to Missouri -- I'm confused, somebody show me.

Thanks, Bob, but don't tell my wife I'm closer to her Durango.

I never took the time to figure out the MPG but I do know that I usualy get about 123 miles before I hit the reserve. One time on my way to Idaho I was driving into a strong headwind and my speed-O said 110 with me and my wife riding I got 80 miles and needed reserve.

'02 America
CR-II Carbs - 115 Mains not sure about the pilot but the screw is out 2 turns
AI-Removal
K&N Air Filters - Airbox Removal
Straight Pipe

6000 ft above sea

That's pretty good to see 110 on the speedo, two-up though. Those CRS carbs do great for the top end! If you haven't looked at them, I'd guess that your Slow Jets are either 60 or 58. Mine were 60 from the dealers, and have gone down to 55.

My setup - 2004 America
MPG: 41-43 (highway and city combined)
Pipes: Specialty Spares Long Cannons
AI: Removed
Sprocket: 18t
Memphis windshield
Everything else is stock.
Elevation ~500ft

I'll add my .02 worth since I haven't posted in a while (long while).

MPG: 40-44
Pipes: Bubs Slash cuts
Air Box: Snorkel removed, stock paper element
AI: Removed
Jets: Whatever came with the pipes, they were installed at the dealer before I picked up the bike.
Plugs: Stock
Carbs: Stock
Needles: TBS no shim
Drivetrain: Stock chain and sprockets
Elevation:~800ft above sea level

220 km/tank, without using the reserve.

I'm now slightly worried about my fuel consumption
I get between 37 and 57 mpg, but thats on a UK gallon which we all know is 0.83 of a US gallon.

I'm currenty running a stock bike. The 37mpg refers to my commute to work with is done at 85-90 (with blasts up too 100)for 30 odd miles and then town riding for the remaining 4 or 5

If I have the Mrs or one of the kids on the back then I tend to get the 57mpg or so.

TOR Longs
AI Removed
Snorkel Removed, Airbox/Filter modified
A/F Screws 3 turns out
All else stock
3-4.5K Avg. RPM
Minimal time at Highway speed, thus no sprocket change.

45-48MP(US)G

after a few conversions from km to mpg I'm getting 48mpg.

my setup
modified stock pipes
air injection removed
snorkels removed
airbox mod
45 pilots
125 mains

I'm still hanging in around 38-40 mpg. The only time I see the 40 is after some hwy. riding. I also am debating changing the stock 17T for a 18T, but a little worried about starting off in 1st 2 up. Got plenty of torque everywhere but dead start 2 up. I got about 5 mpg better at all stock but the bike didn't run or sound as good.

2005 America
Specialty Spares long slash cuts
AI removed, Airbox - stock
128 mains, 45 pilots
Stock 17T sprocket
Using mid-grade gas