 gas mileage
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 28
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 28 |
i recently bought an 09 america and love it. it seems i'm averaging about 49 miles pg. it seems my low gas lamp comes on pretty early. book says reserve is at .9 gallons. but when lamp comes on i'm only able to put about 3.5 gallons in tank. if my calculations are right the lamp should not come on until i reached about 210 miles. but lamp comes on way before. how far do you guys push it till you head to the gas station?
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 116
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 116 |
I'll fill up between 120 and 130 miles around town and 150 on long highway trips averaging 75 to 80 mph.
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
I generally start looking for gas at 100 miles. I fill the tank, visit the loo and get a drink. That helps keep the lumbar limber and avoids dehydration.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
The joys of the 09... and people replying who have carb'ed bikes......  The most I got to with the fuel light coming on was 170 miles. However I'm still in carbedbikemode and think of fuel about 120 miles and have been riding with carbed bikes too.
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel... 
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel... 
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
My 15YO VW Golf got over 30mpg coming back from Spokane yesterday at 80mph. Over 35mpg going there, but much of that was at lower speeds. My bike doesn't do that well.
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
That always defies (my) logic that some cars get better mileage than bikes. 
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 247
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 247 |
Carbed bike, 51 MPG. 19T front sprocket. That's around town mixed driving.
Chip Sciarra "07" America, N.C.Switch Blade windshield, Moto Lights, Tri. Off Road pipes
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 247
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 247 |
The light winks at me at about 160 miles, and usually averages about 46-50 mpg, around 3.5 gals or so, depending on speed, terrain, load, and shift points. '09 BA, TORs, factory remap, K&N. No spirit bell, tho.... It's not printed anywhere, but since the fuel pump is in the tank, and is cooled by immersion, you might want to not run it dry or at low levels for too long. Point of order: We fuelies are breaking the ice on this EFI technology - by the time all the Carbies catch up we will have made probably every possible mistake/fumble/fubar and save them the time/trouble/money in the School of Hard Knocks. I believe they owe us a fermented carbonated beverage or three. 
Last edited by Thundershortz; 07/27/2009 3:55 PM.
University of Da Nang
Class of '68
In the End, the Captain stands alone...
" Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son." Dean Wormer
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
That always defies (my) logic that some cars get better mileage than bikes.
A fuel injected four cylinder with decent aerodynamics vs. a carbureted (altered and probably poorly tuned) motorcycle with horrible aerodynamics?
Riding from Spokane to T-Falls a couple weeks ago and keeping it around 50 for at least half of it beat my VW, something like 37-38mpg. The combination of aerodynamics and throttle position is what does it, I think. As soon as I start going faster than 70 or so on the bike, the mpg plummets. The VW doesn't really care.
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
Quote:
Point of order: We fuelies are breaking the ice on this EFI technology - by the time all the Carbies catch up we will have made probably every possible mistake/fumble/fubar and save them the time/trouble/money in the School of Hard Knocks. I believe they owe us a fermented carbonated beverage or three.
Most eloquently expressed - oh fellow explorer of the new world. It's nearly knock off time and now I have a great thirst for one of the afore mentioned.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,463 |
Quote:
Quote:
Point of order: We fuelies are breaking the ice on this EFI technology - by the time all the Carbies catch up we will have made probably every possible mistake/fumble/fubar and save them the time/trouble/money in the School of Hard Knocks. I believe they owe us a fermented carbonated beverage or three.
Most eloquently expressed - oh fellow explorer of the new world. It's nearly knock off time and now I have a great thirst for one of the afore mentioned.
There just isn't enough of us to get the point across... so we'll just battle on.
(Though I'm on both side of the fence cos I still have the 03...)
Gina
03 America - Pretty stock - except the TBS wheel...
06 America - missing, presumed in bits. With it's TBS wheel...
09 America - It's very blue....
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 247
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 247 |
I don't like it One Bit, but the truth is the carb induction system is on life support, not quite ready for the dustbin, but soon to join my beloved flathead Mercury V-8 as another footnote in vehicle evolution. We need to retool our noggins to wrap around cyber tuning (ick!), for that is what we have left in the showrooms, as all carbed vehicles are headed for collector status.
I love carbs, and even have a collection of Stromberg 97's. Carbs are easy to tune, hop up, swap and upgrade, but obsolete with parts pipelines drying up. So I drag myself, kicking and screaming, into the age of digital whatnot and buy a Tuneboy, and sit at the feet of those few pioneer tuners conversant with the way to make my Twin happy. Humbug. The keyboard may be the new king, but give me a dwell angle and progressive linkage any day....
University of Da Nang
Class of '68
In the End, the Captain stands alone...
" Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life, son." Dean Wormer
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Re: gas mileage
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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 |
There is a most excellent discussion of Delphi fuel injection in this month's American Iron which makes me want EFI for my America. Don't get me wrong, the carbs are a nice nostalgic touch but better horsepower, torque and fuel mileage are very appealing. Then I could be riding instead of wrenching...
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: gas mileage
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 520
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 520 |
mine hits res at 130 to 140 but the longest ive ever pushed mine was 178 and i was in the middle of no where it was 1 in the morning and i had just hit about a 110lbs blood hound it was a ****** of a night 
2005 America 145 mains, , #48 pilots, , k&n pod filters, ported intakes manifolds, nology coils and wires, pro com CDI, 62 HP at wheel 68,000 hard miles still runs great gone "traded"
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
mine hits res at 130 to 140 but the longest ive ever pushed mine was 178 and i was in the middle of no where it was 1 in the morning and i had just hit about a 110lbs blood hound it was a ****** of a night
you must have still been in Arkansas, those dogs like to just jump right out in front of a motorcycle (just ask PES)
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: gas mileage
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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:
I believe they owe us a fermented carbonated beverage or three.
Right-o.
Well, since you're on the other side of the country I'll have to drink it for you.
New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale, I don't think you can get it there but it's wonderful, Salud! 
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: gas mileage
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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:
A fuel injected four cylinder with decent aerodynamics vs. a carbureted (altered and probably poorly tuned) motorcycle with horrible aerodynamics?
Yeah John, but your bike's infamously poor mileage is the exception (and a source of much amusement at the SWTF  ) and I believe the only one that does that poorly 
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,419 |
Quote:
Quote:
I believe they owe us a fermented carbonated beverage or three.
Right-o.
Well, since you're on the other side of the country I'll have to drink it for you.
New Belgium 1554 Enlightened Black Ale, I don't think you can get it there but it's wonderful, Salud!
"Enlightened Black Ale" sounds awesome. I'm very partial to a dark ale and I'm always looking for further enlightment.
My favourites are Mac's Black and Monteith's Dark Ale, both of which come from the South Island of New Zealand. You can't get much better water in the world than from those spectacular Southern Alps.
Cheers, Richard
~~~~~~~~~~~~
09 America, Staintune Pipes, K&N, Breathe, Hagon Nitros, AI & O2 removed, tune 20184 (modified), MTX-L a/f gauge
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 520
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 520 |
my knee caught the blunt end of the hit i crushed the side of the tank with it. Bike didnt go down tho dog was pretty dead his head was on backwards after i hit then him a couple on a victory hit him went over the top they said they come off the ground 
2005 America 145 mains, , #48 pilots, , k&n pod filters, ported intakes manifolds, nology coils and wires, pro com CDI, 62 HP at wheel 68,000 hard miles still runs great gone "traded"
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 203
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 203 |
My last two fill-ups on my 09 Speedmaster gave me 48.8 and 49.2 mpg, respectively. FWIW, I don't think the light came on until I'd hit around 170-175 miles. (I'll have to pay more attention next time.)
FWIW, seems like my 12 year old Jetta is getting about the same mileage as John's Golf, about 35 on the highway. I can get 28 combined .
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
FWIW, seems like my 12 year old Jetta is getting about the same mileage as John's Golf, about 35 on the highway. I can get 28 combined .
My VW Beetle gets around 48 on the highway, then again, it's a diesel 
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: gas mileage
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Figured it out for the 1st time... after doing a ride today while maintaining the speed limit... (60 MPH) I pretty much burned up a whole tank of gas and got 54.4 MPG. I weigh 185 lbs and the day was HOT!! Not bad from what I'm hearing.
Live to love, love to live.
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