Fuel economy - why worry - this bike is truly capable

[sportsguy]

So after bolting a bunch of new stuff to the STen this afternoon, I went for a ride.

In my mind was wondering if I could reach 200+ mile son this second tank of fuel. With just over 200 miles on the odo, I wasn't expecting big numbers, but was curious, so I switched the computer over to "instant mpg".

I know, I know - hardly the stuff of recording legend, these on-bike computers, but...its what I had. And I'm more interested in tracking trends over time, so its as good a tool as any.

So points:

I am...

6 feet tall
268 lbs (I know...but I have lost 20 pounds already. )
30" inseam, so taller in the torso
I have brown eyes.

Now, today's ride rarely saw me over 60 mph due to being on the back roads around the Snoqualmie Valley, but I did run up the speedo to 70 on a couple stretches in 5TH gear to see what happened to the numbers (not bad).

Here's what I noticed - and it's pretty much what you'd expect:

Hard acceleration uphill (keeping the tach under 5500 RPMs for breakin period) - 14.7 mpg
Steady state cruising at 45 mph in 4TH gear - 55.3 mpg
Steady state cruising at 55 mph in 4TH gear - 53.4 mpg
Steady state cruising at 55 mph in 5TH gear - 54.8 mpg
Steady state cruising at 65 mph in 6TH gear - 55.2 mpg

Now...I tend to ride with a light hand, but I enjoy turning up the wick from time to time. I noticed I was consistently seeing in the mid-to-upper 30 mpg range when running the twisties in 2ND and 3RD gear on the throttle.

This whole thing came to mind simply because I've seen others concerned about reaching 200 miles on a full tank of fuel. I'm thinking its a safe bet on the ST, IF you can control your right hand - real shocker, right?

Frankly, I'm looking forward to trying a long distance run on this bike not to see if I can reach 200 miles on a tank, but how much further than 200 I can actually go...

Oh yeah...I have an MRA Vario Tall windscreen.

 

[greg the pole]

I really don't know why people fret about getting 200 miles to a tank. ::021::

i'm going to do this in metric, because it's easy for me

I ride like a grandma, no wait I meant to say tool. ::001:: O

In the city I burn roughly 6.2-6.5L/100KM. So if my maths are correct, riding like a complete numpty you should get 300km (180 miles to you 'merican brothers) out of 19.5 liters.
That leaves me with another 50 Km or so, that I can get out of my remainder 3.5L.

On the highway, depending on wind, throttle hand and how often you're on/off the gas, the mileage should easily go up to 5-5.5L/100 Km. At 5.5L/100km this gives me a tank range of 400 km (240 miles) out of 22 liters.

keep in mid that the low fuel light is very pessimistic. I started to ignore it all together, and simply go off my ODO looking at total KM travelled on a tank. If I run out I have a rotopax on my givi luggage, with 4L in it at all times.

Oh, I too have a vario x-screen, 5 foot 9', 180 LBS give or take 5, I'm a capricorn with blue eyes ::015:: ::015:: ::015:: ::015:: ::015:: ::015:: ::015:: ::015::

 

[tomatocity]

Recently took a 4th of July trip. The first day was Gold Country roads, Lake Tahoe, Carson City. I got 46.8 mpg. Normally I get 41-44 mpg. Proves the less I exercise the happy grip the better the MPG.

 

[SpenceS10]

I almost always get an avg 50 mpg riding speeds up to 70 mph, after that it drops to 46 -48. So 200 is no prob on a tank, but I try to refuel at or around 1/3 of a tank or so. I'd have to ride it like I stole it not to get 200.

 

[RED CAT]

250 miles per tank full is pretty standard and that's with a twitchy right hand. Once the Low Fuel starts flashing you are good for 60 miles but that's absolute maximum. ::26::

 

[talreli]

The best I ever got was 44.5 mpg (according to the trip computer), in 'T' mode and steady speed on the highway. With 6.03 gal. tank that puts me at the 260 mile range, best case. Never pushed the blinking 'E' beyond 30 miles....


----
12 Yamaha Super Tenere
04 Kawasaki Vulcan 750
84 Suzuki DR500

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[sportsguy]

Oh, I too have a vario x-screen, 5 foot 9', 180 LBS give or take 5, I'm a capricorn with blue eyes ::015:: ::015:: ::015:: ::015:: ::015:: ::015:: ::015:: ::015::

Capricorns are known to be a bit looney and quite forward. Not looking for a date here, greg, but the next time I hit Calgary, I'll let you treat me to a beer...

 

[greg the pole]

No date needed!

i'm heading to the coast the 1st, and 2nd of September.
But it will be on my frankestrom.

 

[sportsguy]

No date needed!

i'm heading to the coast the 1st, and 2nd of September.
But it will be on my frankestrom.

Well, your timing sucks.

We're away at our yearly cabin rental at Mt. Rainier for the long weekend. Hike all day, hot tub all night...get down, my bruthas!

 

[BadKarmaPa]

up to 55 mph, 46+mpg
55-65mph, 44+mpg
26 mile commute (mostly highway), 41+mpg, I'm generally not shooting for economy

170 lbs
S mode W/ clutch mod
AltRider hard parts
Happy trail cliff cut cans