Fuel mileage Touring vs Sport mode

[Dirt_Dad]

42 MPG vs 39 MPG. My wife and I did exactly the same ride. I ended up on reserve "F" 13 miles before her. She's used to riding a little 650cc bike and running at pretty high RPM. So she is not significantly different in riding style from me. She is always in Touring, I'm always in Sport.

Just in case you were wondering...

 

[stevepsd]

Interesting. I have been meaning to do this test myself, but can't seem to take it out of Sport mode!

 

[nondairycreamer]

With large panniers or without? Weight of riders and gear? Was this backroads under 70 or straight line cruising?

 

[Dirt_Dad]

With large panniers or without? Weight of riders and gear? Was this backroads under 70 or straight line cruising?

I have 36L Caribu side cases. She has a Givi top case. Hard to say how much more I weighed that trip.. (she's not telling and I was carrying the bulk of the luggage). It was a mix of 50 miles of dirt road, slow scenic roads and fast twisties. Reading was taken at 189 miles.

 

[TierHawg]

42 MPG vs 39 MPG. <snip> She is always in Touring, I'm always in Sport.

You both should switch modes next long ride and then see what the difference is.

 

[Twitch]

42 MPG vs 39 MPG.

That’s in the ballpark with what I get between the modes. I’ve logged this since the beginning, over 6K miles. Averages are T=43.1 mpg, S=39.8 mpg.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

You both should switch modes next long ride and then see what the difference is.

) I definitely not curious enough for me to ride in Touring mode.

 

[tomatocity]

I hope this thread stays alive. I want to see if the MPG increases with warmer weather.

I have averaged 50 MPG riding a twisty Latrobe Road, flat Hwy 16, Hwy 49, Sonora Pass, Ebbitts Pass, Luther Pass, Echo Summit, and US-50. A lot of the gas mileage has to do with full off throttle on the down hills. I have hit 47-50 many times but as soon as it got cold it dropped to 37-41. I would happy with 45 MPG since that would give 250 MPT.

I rarely use the S mode since it is too twitchy (my apologies Twitch).

 

[korie]

I rarely use the S mode since it is too twitchy (my apologies Twitch).

this is odd. i find that the bike is not really twitchy at all in either mode. but i am coming from a 2009 Triumph Daytona right over to this...

another thing i have read and i do not understand is the whole "too much vibrations" that people have mentioned. i believe that maybe people are holding on a little too tight. coming off of a triple i may have been a little used to vibrations, and this twin is a little more of course but the answer is simple: loosen up on the grip to the bar. not meaning to threadjack at all.

 

[tomatocity]

this is odd. i find that the bike is not really twitchy at all in either mode. <snip>

Had a DL1000 but the throttle was not like the Tenere. I have about 50,000 miles on a KLR and they feel sluggish in comparison. Tenere: more better

 

[colorider]

42 MPG vs 39 MPG. My wife and I did exactly the same ride. I ended up on reserve "F" 13 miles before her. She's used to riding a little 650cc bike and running at pretty high RPM. So she is not significantly different in riding style from me. She is always in Touring, I'm always in Sport.

Just in case you were wondering...

I would be curious of the results if you switched bikes......

 

[SisuTen]

I find that the bike is not really twitchy at all in either mode......... I believe that maybe people are holding on a little too tight. coming off of a triple I may have been a little used to vibrations, and this twin is a little more of course but the answer is simple: loosen up on the grip to the bar. not meaning to threadjack at all.

Some riders sensitivity to vibration and twitchiness COULD relate to how they handle the throttle. Not necessarily, though. Just as some people have different pain and noise thresholds and sensitivities, some probably are more sensitive to vibrations or twitchy throttle.

Keep in mind that this thread is extremely subjective (as are ALL mileage threads) and differing mileage between modes (and riders) depends upon many variables. In my case, just knowing that I have better performance available in "S" mode naturally results in more spirited riding and the knowledge that I'll use more gas, but I don't care. This thing is a luxury to me, nothing more, nothing less.

Extended threadjack.....sorry

 

[jajpko]

this is odd. i find that the bike is not really twitchy at all in either mode. but i am coming from a 2009 Triumph Daytona right over to this...

another thing i have read and i do not understand is the whole "too much vibrations" that people have mentioned. i believe that maybe people are holding on a little too tight. coming off of a triple i may have been a little used to vibrations, and this twin is a little more of course but the answer is simple: loosen up on the grip to the bar. not meaning to threadjack at all.

Some of the bikes vibrated more than others. I had one that was so bad I could not see anything but blur in my mirrors. Others had the same problem.
I was able to ride a new demo that was very smooth, so I know there is a difference.
However with time and different fueling I was able to ride in comfort. Now my bike is so smooth I can't believe it is the same bike.

The more miles I get on her the better she is. At one time I almost sold my bike because of the Vibes and jerky throttle.

 

[advd]

I'm seeing 41-42 in touring, 35-37 in sport

 

[wantajustride]

I've been seeing 45 mpg in S mode exclusively for the last 5 tank fulls. 200 miles then the "Flashing" E comes on and 4.4 gallons to fill.
My bike got the same in T mode. 45 mpg. So I'll just keep it in sport.

 

[AlsoRan]

47 today in sport mode (212 miles on 4.5 gallons). 2-up, 70 degrees, 1/3 freeway, 1/3 50 mph back roads and 1/3 tight twisties and dirt fire roads. This milage seems to be consistent.

 

[Desert Dave]

) I definitely not curious enough for me to ride in Touring mode.

Understood

How about just having her ride in Sport mode with you for a tank and see if your MPG is the same then? If there's any difference you'll know the side cases or riding style, or even just the bike itself is a factor. If both of you get the exact same MPG it would it would prove the other times the difference is solely due to mode differences.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

How about just having her ride in Sport mode with you for a tank and see if your MPG is the same then?

Maybe someday. Right now she's still getting used to the largest most powerful bike she's ever ridden. Touring mode makes it nice and manageable for her. She'll be the one clicking over to Sport when she's ready for more. I'm not forecasting when that will happen.

 

[tomatocity]

Have to say I took Dirt Dads lead and rode in Sport mode and it worked better than before. Maybe was the Break-in and TB sync that made the difference. Liked it very much.

Filled up today and got 39 MPG over 164 miles. Sure hope it gets better soon.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

...rode in Sport mode and it worked better than before...l Liked it very much.

Look out...once you go Sport it's hard to go back to Touring. Now I can only use it in the rain.