| Author | Message | ||
     Growl |
My Ulysses has been consistently returning 42-44 mpg for awhile. After reading accounts about better mpg in lower gears (at higher RPM) I decided to experiment... (2006 Uly - stock muffler and ECM - California premium - spring weather: 50-75 degrees f - mountainous terrain) I found that if I avoid extended cruising in the 3000-4000 rpm range my MPG goes up. It seems most natural to cruise at 3500 or so. But cruising at 2500-3000 RPM or 4000-5000 RPM gets better MPG. My recent MPG readings occurred after somewhat sporting riding, not all out, but certainly not sedate. Each of the my last four readings included spurts of acceleration and stop and go: 45.35, 45.35, 53.53 and 56.65 MPG... The last 2 readings are after I decided to use the 3000-4000 range less and use 4000-5000 range more. I am stoked and would be grateful if others tried this experiment to see if this proves true for you too. I do not advocate staying in the 2500-3000 range exclusively as this could cause carbon build up, but varied riding cruising at 2500-3000 and some 4000-5000 too. Certainly use 3500 when it offers an advantage on the road but don't stay at that range extensively... | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
ChadHargis and I ran a "spirited" stint after filling up at exactly the same time. Two riders, on Ulys, each weighing 235lbs riding same place, same time, at same speeds. We both got 50mpg on that run. We kept the RPMs spooled up nearly all the time (4,000-6700 RPMs). These were NOT interstate slab runs. If you are running in 5th gear at 4,000+ RPMs, you will NOT see increased mileage because of the wind drag. If you run at 70mph in 4th vs 5th, you will see an increase in MPG. | ||
| Deadduck |
is this the secret of why we don't have 6th gear? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Yep. Running it in 6th would keep it between 2500 and 3000 worsening the MPG and increasing the likelihood of carboning. | ||
| Jlnance |
Growl - I did a similar test and got the same results: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/279307.html?1179794793 I don't use 5th gear anymore. | ||
| Werewulf |
how about installing an xb9 front sprocket, that would keep the revs up...im currently installing one in my S-3 and if it turns out good, im going to do the same mod in my xb.. | ||
| Vdubfro |
I followed a friend to Maryland two summers ago on my 03 XB9s. On the way back I was running 90+. I checked my mileage and was getting 52mpg. My friends V-max was getting 22mpg. He had to fuel up twice to my one. He made me slow down cause he was burning so much fuel. Anyway I'll try to keep track next time I ride. | ||
| U4euh |
Hence switching the primary to a 9 will actually increase fuel mileage, but give more torque? Theoretically! The problem is staying out of the throttle because it is so much fun. Nance did you get a 9 primary yet? | ||
| Chainsaw |
IIRC: A recent issue of HOG tales reported that you get the best MPG on a bike at it's peak torque RPM's. I've gotten 67mpg out of my XB9R riding in the Rockies, 55mpg is typical for me at a spirited pace. Being 180 pounds with gear on probably doesn't hurt either.  | ||
| Wgnzlz |
I guess I will have to try this. I have an 08 XB12Scg with just under 1k on it now and have not seen better than 36mpg. Two tanks were under 30mpg (27 and 28). I have been cruising in the 3000-4000rpm range, which I guess is what not to do. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
U4euh, I thanked Charlie for making it that much harder for me to catch you.  | ||
| Thulsadoom |
So what I am hearing is use a lower gear than you think you should and save gas? DOOM | ||
| U4euh |
I got tears in my eyes and coffee on my keyboard. Thanks I needed that. I think that article from HOG might be on to something. I havn't notice a significant decrease in mileage, course I'm using the same gearing. If there is one, it is tiny. I guess I'll have to do a couple of runs and do the math. Usually have never cared for mileage, as long as I was getting anywhere from 130-150 miles out of a tank. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Thanks I needed that. My pleasure. I'll just have to make sure that you are hitting the rev limiter in 5th before I give up. | ||
| Werewulf |
i rode home from tallahassee and kept the rpm up higher than normal...i usually get about 42 mpg...this time i got about 38 on a 200 mle trip... | ||
| Growl |
My theory is you'll get better MPG if you don't cruise at 3000-4000 RPM. I used to cruise at 3000-4000 RPM usually and got 42-45 mpg. Lately I'v been cruising at 2500-3000 and also 4000-4500 and getting 50+. I need to do more testing on this and hope some of you do too! | ||
| Badlionsfan |
all engines have a fuel economy sweet spot. this is something that is looked at in great lengths in the trucking industry. when a company or owner operator buys a truck, they have it "spected". they determine what speed the truck is to be run at, the gear it so that the engine runs in its "sweet spot". Caterpillar, detroit diesel, cummins, etc all have different sweet spots in their rpm range for optimal fuel economy. with fuel prices what they are now, 1/10th mpg saves over $10,000 a year for a typical over the road truck. | ||
| Xb12mel |
see...and here I thought I was being good! I spent a whole week between 3000-4000 and got a whopping 90 Miles before the fuel light came on! (And I blamed it on stop and go traffic) I'm going back to 4000-5000 ~ It's more fun there anyway! | ||
| Rkutzner |
Wgnzlz, I got that at 1000 miles. At 1500-2000 miles I got 40-45. At 2500 miles my last mpg was 55. This is a combo of 55, a few stops and 20% of the time at 65-70. Give it some time....seems these motors need to break in or something.... |
