| Author | Message | ||
     Syonyk |
I changed my oil a few weekends ago, reset my fuel economy average, and have let it sit a few weeks to stabilize. ~7000 miles on the 1125R, and at this point my riding is pretty stable - commute to work, occasionally ride up to Santa Fe, generally light riding. The roads aren't good enough to really flog it on the twisty bits yet... With the Syn3 in it, I consistently got 38mpg. It didn't really matter what I was doing, the average would settle back to 38mpg. After putting the Amsoil in, I reset the fuel economy average, and have been keeping track of it. It's been rock solid at 41mpg, with no changes in my riding habits. Assuming a 6000 mile oil change interval and $3/gal: 6000 / 41 * 3.00 = $439 6000 / 38 * 3.00 = $474 Total difference, $35. Or, roughly what I paid for the oil. So, basically, at least with my numbers, upgrading to Amsoil saves me money (as Syn3 is far from free). I'd also be interested to see if there's any measurable difference on a dyno, but I don't have access to a good dyno and don't feel like swapping oil around. | ||
| Kirb |
I'm willing to bet the MPG increase has nothing to do with the oil...too many varibles (fuel, outdoor temps, accuracy of the meter) It's nice to think you are able to make up the $$ in fuel, but I suspect it is for other reasons. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I tend to agree with Kirb. Just like people saying sounds miraculously disappear when they start using synthetic oil. Either it's a mental thing or they didn't have enough of the old oil in the motor. | ||
| Froggy |
Oil does affect fuel economy. Running a lighter weight oil will improve fuel economy. Syn3 is not a full synthetic, so understandably switching to a full syn like Amsoil can also improve fuel economy. I got a 49.24mpg over a 214.7 mile tank on my 08R today. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Aren't they both 20W/50 oils? | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Or possibly the old old was overfilled significantly and the Amsoil is at the correct level. I was told by a good source the 1125 motor is very sensitive to being overfilled and will rob HP--and MPG as well I would assume. | ||
| Froggy |
Yes they are both 20w-50, but syn3 is not a full synthetic. Dropping to a full syn 10w-40 or something else even lighter will also help fuel economy. | ||
| Afhans |
Froggy what RPM do you ride at to get such high MPG? 33 MPG average is the best I have ever gotten. My typical average is 24ish. When I switched to AMSOIL (which I run in all my vehicles) I experienced no change in my MPG. I still love the stuff. IMO nothing better. | ||
| 03fatboy |
I run Amsoil, and top MPG by bike IC, and my calculations I average about 34 tops. | ||
| Kirb |
The gent didn't drop to a lower oil vis...he changed from semi-syn to full syn and gained 3+ mpg in a couple of weekends? That would be plastered all over TV during the $4 gas days if it were consistantly proven true. | ||
| Froggy |
3500-4000 is the sweet spot.
The oil isn't the only factor. He increased his fuel economy by 7.8%, which is more than the oil alone. Oh, and I had a noticeable drop in fuel economy after my dealer put Syn3 in my Blast replacing the 10w-40 Mobile full syn I ran during the winter. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
which amsoil did you put in your bike? I know most runt he 20w-50, but is it the black or blue cap? | ||
| Gofastalot99 |
The oil rating of 20W-50 is actually a range of viscosity of 16.3-21.9 cST at 100C. So a "thin" 20W-50 would be between 16.3 and about 18 and a "thick" 20W-50 would be over about 20. Redline 20W-50 MC is 18.6, while the non-MC Redline 20W-50 oil is thicker. Amsoil MCV is 20.56. There are other factors going into fuel economy, just within the oil alone, like the HTHS, the friction modifiers, and other additives in the oil. Not to mention differences in winter gas vs. summer gas, and differences in the levels of ethanol in the gas. I've read that several gas stations already have 11-12% ethanol and the EPA is pushing for 15%. The higher the ethanol, the worse the gas mileage. Whenever possible I buy 100% gasoline, which is very rare. All things being equal, which is basically impossible, I believe there will be a slight gain in MPG from oil to oil, but one very short "test" will not accurately display the difference. I use Redine or Amsoil in most of my vehicles and have noticed, after years of keeping track, an increase in MPG versus some other brands of synthetic and conventional oil. Its really a bonus having better protection and a little better MPG. | ||
| Ottobotz |
-I have not got enough miles on my bike to switch to a syn. brand yet, but I have a F-250 4x4 and just recently switched over to syn. and saw a 2.8 mpg increase, better passing and overall better response. I drive 120 miles to and from work and in the desert it's been getting warmer outside, and this is done at 75-80 miles an hour, with 3.73 gears everyday 5 days a week. Same weight of oil. -Why wouldn't it work with a bike? | ||
| Syonyk |
I believe it was blue cap. It's also certainly possible that I was averaging high 38s and am now seeing low 41s, which would be a ~1.5mpg gain. I figured I'd mention it as it seemed a bit odd. There was also the other thread recently discussing Syn3 foaming on the dyno, which could explain a bit of the economy gain (if the Amsoil wasn't, and the previous syn3 was). *shrug* Or maybe it's summer gas now. I haven't done the testing to find out. | ||
| Yamatr3 |
38 and 41 wow, I haven't seen over 26 mpg's. | ||
| Froggy |
 Latest tank is my first full tank with the newest flash. | ||
| Americanmadexb |
Whats the difference between blue and black cap on the Amsoil? | ||
| Froggy |
Black cap is their motorcycle oil http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/mcv.aspx "API SG, SL/CF, CG-4; JASO MA/MA2; ISO-L-EMA2; API GL-1" Blue is their general oil. http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/aro.aspx "Performance specifications include: API SL/CF, CI-4 Plus" More details at those links. | ||
| D_adams |
I just got 42 mpg on my last tank, I just bumped my AFV up 10% though. Didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but I'll take it. My normal average has been 38-39 pretty consistently. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Im gonna play Froggy this weekend and see what I can get just so I know. I cant imagine 49MPG. I have a hard time getting that on the instant MPG setting. Im not calling Froggy a liar but I have to try it. I will be impressed if I can pull 45MPG. Im due for an oil change too so Ill make the switch from syn3 to full syn as well before I go. | ||
| Afhans |
Rpm, good luck. I was out riding around in Slovenia last weekend and tried my best to get good MPG & still only got 33 at the end of the trip. Yes, it was in the mountains, but I did my best to keep the RMPs low 4-5K-ish. I was not sure when I would find gas. Everyone, don't think I am complaining, I'm not. The bike is what it is, a powerful machine. | ||
| Prowler |
I don't even have to start my bike to save money using Amsoil. Freakin' SYN-3 is $12 a quart here (un-believable!!!) and Amsoil full syn in the same weight is $10. Easy money saved......Likewise, I'd be really interested in knowing how Froggy is managing 49 MPG with his 1125R as most everyone else is getting mid to upper 30's. Maybe he's got 200 PSI in his tires........ | ||
| Ratbuell |
Froggy cheats....I'm not sure exactly what he does when he's riding...but he cheats somehow to get the mileage that high. And I've seen him pull those numbers in person, at Buelltoberfest. He's no old fart in the hills while he's doing it, either. I have a suspicion...but I think he likes his secrets so I'll let him speak up if he wants to  | ||
| Freezerburn840 |
If he is doing 3500 rpm and 4000 rpm. He isnt getting over 70mph. The bike is probably traveling 65mph in top gear. (Message edited by freezerburn840 on April 16, 2010) | ||
| Bigschwerm |
Im lucky if i get 25mpg....i love to twist the throttle and the back roads with the twisties way to much. | ||
| Stevek1125r |
4000 rpm in 6th is less than 65 mph......more like 55 mph or so.. thus the reason froggy gets such good mpg... me personally i can't stand to go that slow unless in a neighborhood... Hell my CRD grand cherokee will get 24 mpg at 75 mph, drive 60 mph though (did it once for 275 miles) and i manged 29 mpg out of an SUV.... gotta love that diesel.. | ||
| Blake |
Buell 1125R in 6th gear: 10,500 RPM = 172 MPH 4,000 RPM = (4000/10500)*172 = 65.5 MPH Not sure about CR, but likely still well over 55 MPH @ 4K RPM. | ||
| Froggy |
59.5mph for the CR @ 4k 6th gear. Speed limits on the highways are 55 or 65 around here, no need to go any faster. More to fuel economy than just speed. | ||
| Ridenusa4l |
4k on r~ 65-70mph 4.5k on r~ 75mph if i remember correctly..i havent had my bike in over a month so im just goin off of memory LOL Jake |
