| Author | Message | ||
     Roughrider |
Hi, I've read numerous forum posts about the 2008 XBs having some significant fuel efficiency issues and that older year models (2006 for example) did much better. ... reports like the 2008 XBs getting mid 30s and low to mid 40 mpgs (after breaking in and driving reasonably sensibly) instead of anywhere near the 48 city 65 Hwy (as widely advertised by Buell). Supposedly 2006 XB12s get reports of mpgs in the mid to upper 50s on the road... good stuff! Seems there are too many consistent reports from XB owners to discount and dismiss as just being forum noise. Any reports on the 2009s doing better??? Thanks with smiles! | ||
| Froggy |
I put about 1000 miles on a 09 XB12X a few weeks ago, even with using the oxygenated winter gas in New York, and a brand new not broken in engine, I was getting high 40's the entire time regardless of how I rode it (6 fillups, 45mpg lowest, 50mpg highest). My 06 XB12 was getting low 50's in the same conditions, routes, fuel, etc. So yea, if there was any issues with the 08's, it was resolved. I wish I had more time with the 09, as my record on the 06 is 75mpg, and I wanted to try and beat that, even if it meant pushing it up hills  | ||
| Juniorkirk |
Froggy, i need to know your secret on how you got 75mpg. I have an '06 12R and i average about 45-47mpg right now. | ||
| Froggy |
Its no secret, I am not the only one to get that kind of fuel economy on a XB12. Its all in how you ride it, I get just shy of 40MPG in my V6 Monte Carlo. Google for Hypermiling. | ||
| Swordsman |
Yup, '06 models dp pretty darn well. I usually average 52 mpg. I dunno how in the world they screwed that up for the new fuel injection system. Given there was no actual performance increase, I'm still wondering what the new FI system was even for? ~SM | ||
| Spacecapsule1 |
08 12's got more revs, less fuel, same power. go figure. | ||
| Big_b |
09SS here and at about 3000 miles I'm getting 48-52 mpg. It started out around 40 mpg. This seems very reasonable to me. | ||
| Roughrider |
Thanks folks for the good feedback. Sounds like lower to mid 50 mpg's is what could be reasonaly expected from the 2009 XB12's. I don't think for a miunte that gas prices won't eventually climb back up again... it's only a matter of time. But... if I can thoroughly enjoy getting great gas mileage on an awesome performing American-made bike while driving to and from my job... it almost seems to be a patriotic duty! Any other owner reports on how the 09 XB12's are doing on maintenance and fuel economy would be very appreciated... that is since there is simply no further discussion needed that these are awesome performing machines to ride. For me, it is now becoming more of a question of getting on a new XB with all the reliability, performance and great mpg... or to go for a classic tuber with an good old fashioned carburetor performance, and still pretty good mpg's, but a bit more TLC required. Good Cheers | ||
| Bud689 |
09 12r, getting mid to upper 40's, and its not broke in(under 200 miles). i also put a special ops(odie) pipe on it and it runs flawless, no surge or hesitation whatsoever. motor is bone stock, just put the pipe on and thats it, and could not be happier with the performance. i hope to bust 50mpg, but i dont know if i can ride it like that, having to much fun blasting around. | ||
| Js_buell |
Well I'll know when get home if it's better with the new ecm but since I got my 09 I average max 37, but that was with a bad ecm so we shall find out when I get it out next month. | ||
| Wavex |
I started at 34mpg, and I am not at 38mpg after 6k miles... but I ride in city traffic and quite aggressively all the time, so someone more conservative would reach 40mpg or even 45mpg easily imo. | ||
| Js_buell |
The most I got before light came on is about 120ish miles and that wasn't pushing it at all it was all highway riding. But like I said I will see with the new ecm. | ||
| Rhun |
I think I just got the 4th update last Saturday to my 08 ECU. Hopefully this one will get it out of the low 40s. My 05 SX got in the 60s unless really rode hard. So if you have an 08 get the map checked again. | ||
| Ourdee |
I got 50 mpg on my 08 XB12XT on winter gas with the bags on. | ||
| Roughrider |
Well... 50 MPG is definitely good stuff in my book, especially for such a raw power bike! Were you doing anything special like the "hypermiling" that Froggy was talking about... or were you driving kind-a normal? There still sure seems to be a large of variation in the 08 XB12's reported MPGs. I find it hard to believe it's just all rider style differences. Cheers! | ||
| Ironhead1977 |
08 XT 4500 miles-up until 2 weeks ago I was getting 38-48 mpg depending on city or highway. Starting 2 weeks ago I have been averaging 54 mpg in all types of riding. Don't ask why as I have not done anything different. Never got a reflash and the bike is bone stock. Runs like a dream. | ||
| Roughrider |
That is wild! If you are indeed from the south, I wouldn't expect it to be the possible service station gas pump mixes changing from a winter mix grade fuel to a summer mix. I bet they only do that up north. Some other postings have thought differences of MPG around the country may be due to mix differences at the gas pump and that could also possibly explain why your MPG could have changed so immediately... just a higher performing fuel mix lately. The gas station pump explanation however doesn't make sense for any differences from one year XB model to another. Thanks for the posting! | ||
| Darthane |
I think I just got the 4th update last Saturday to my 08 ECU. Hopefully this one will get it out of the low 40s. My 05 SX got in the 60s unless really rode hard. So if you have an 08 get the map checked again. ...what is the number on that ECU mapping? Last I'd heard the 'y' version was the latest, but that was from last summer. Is there a newer one out? | ||
| Swordsman |
"Starting 2 weeks ago I have been averaging 54 mpg in all types of riding. Don't ask why as I have not done anything different." Weather change, maybe? You'll use less fuel with hotter air. ~SM | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Sorry to chime in a little late on the thread but I also started a thread on this a while back. I am closing in on 5K with my '08 XB 12R and the mileage sucks! I put about 250 miles on this Friday and fill it the same every time and check the numbers religiously. I average 38 - 41 MPG. I had the 1K service done by the dealer and basically did the 5K service myself at 4000. I was told by the dealer several times my ECM is current and have no clue what else to check. Tire pressure checked regularly too. I would be very grateful if someone had any ideas. I was very hopeful of 50 - 55 MPG when I bought the bike in June '08. john |
