| Author | Message | ||
     Rockhead |
i'm calculating about 30-32 MPG on my 1999 cyclone and wondering if anyone can give me any advice on what to look for in order to correct or improve on that. or to assure me that with the mods below that low 30s are the norm. little bit of searching here on BWB shows mileage up in the mid-40s to 50 MPG. deets: V&H exhaust, forcewinder intake, unsure of jetting (all mods by PO). drinks ethanol-free gas and i usually fill it up with around 3 gallons once i hit the reserve. thanks | ||
| Cupcake_mike |
I have a 99 cyclone with similar mods (4" round air cleaner, aftermarket muffler, have only bumped the pilot jet up a step, and all our gas is 10% ethanol) but when I hit reserve and fill up, I get 4 gallons....I get about 43 in normal riding, but on trips (80 mph for 600 to 700 miles a day) I average around 52 mpg. You may be at a much different elevation then me? I am around 1000 feet above sea level. Maybe check your jetting as its pretty easy, don't even have to pull the carb loose, but I doubt thats your problem...I have other bikes that I have increased jetting 30 to 40% and gas mileage, at the most, has only gone down about 5%. Does the bike run well? How do the plugs look? If everything seems to be ok, except gas mileage, I probably wouldn't mess with it. | ||
| Kilroy |
There's something wrong. I have more mods than that and I can't get less than 45 mpg no matter how hard I ride. Got 52-55 on my last 200+ mile highway trip guess jetting - what do your plugs look like | ||
| Rockhead |
i'm in northern VT, most of my miles are less than 1000 feet in elevation. i'll have to look at the plugs, hadn't thought of that. besides the coughs and sputters for the first mile or two in the morning while it warms up, the bike runs fine as far as i can tell. i've owned it for nearly a year now and it's my first tuber | ||
| Jayvee |
I can't break into 40's either. Mine runs about 38 to 36. Pretty pathetic, until i remember my ford Ranger gets about 18 - 20. | ||
| Rockhead |
swapped the plugs out this morning. bike had NGK DCPR8E plugs; replaced with Champion RA6HC. throttle responsiveness seems to be better; more on the butt dyno with less twist of the wrist. pics of plugs are below; any thoughts on firing or fuel issues? i'm new to reading these tealeaves.   | ||
| Cyclonecharlie |
To me, you appear to be running way to rich, or you have choke problems. From my experience your plugs are too hot( maybe not for a cold winter) But what bothers me is you talk about riding off with your bike coughing and sputtering. That suggests you are not warming up the bike and your going to get oil leaks in bad places if this is the case. | ||
| Rockhead |
I do let it warm up for 10-15 minutes before I take off in the morning. Now that the mornings are getting warmer, the occasional cough and sputter is even more occasional. I'm guessing trying to adjust the choke will be an easier fix to try first before swapping jets, yes? | ||
| Cyclonecharlie |
I gotta back up now....ten to fifteen min. is to much. Warm it until the cyl. is warm and your good to go.Too much and your just fowling your plugs. I'd be pulling that carb. and checking the jets,needle and maybe clean it in the process. Make sure the choke is completely closing. You don't want to use the choke anymore than necessary.IMO...Tell us what jets you have and if the needle has been shimmed and how much. I'd still get a colder plug...like a DCPR9ES | ||
| Rockhead |
This actually gives me a lot to work with. Thanks for pointing out what may have turned out to be some bad habits. Gonna try to run a few tanks with the new plugs and more prudent morning routines before I dig into the carb. |
