trip gas mileage

[cconleyjr]

Is it normal to get lower gas mileage on a long trip then you do around town

[patrick_777]

It depends on what kind of riding you're doing on the long trip. If you're at a constantly high rpm with the throttle WFO, then yes, a drop in mpg should be normal. If you have a lot of stop and go traffic, like side roads through a big city, then probably not.

Easy could probably answer this better because of his recent long trip.

[Sarris]

Did you get alot of gas with ethanol? That'll lower your mileage by about 10%+.

[cconleyjr]

Not really sure about the ethanol. I think I remember seeing something at one gas station about it but i was running at high rpm alot to stat probably is the reason I dropped about 25 miles per tank on the trip which was from ashland Ky to Gatlinburg Tn about 250 miles one way

[Easy Rider]

Easy could probably answer this better because of his recent long trip.

It does depend a lot on riding style......and wind resistance.
I tend to rip through the gears and then cruise in 5th about 55; that's with a windshield and a 16T sprocket.
So I was getting about 65 in town and 72 on the highway; never really WFO but closer to it in town.

[Easy Rider]

Did you get alot of gas with ethanol? That'll lower your mileage by about 10%+.

With all due respect sir, that is largely a myth.

Ethanol contains about 85% the energy content of pure gas, so changing from gas to E-85 will cost you about 15% in power and mileage, or some combination of the two.

A change from 100% gas to 90/10 gas/ethanol reduces your energy input by .15 X .10 = .015 or 1.5%

Given that things are never quite what they should be theoretically, you loss could be twice that much .....or 3%. If it is 10%+ something is drastically wrong somewhere.

[Sarris]

I perpetuted the myth from things I've heard or read, as I try and use 100% gas and have not personally experienced any ethanol deficencies or problems.

I defer to your knowledge sir.

:oops: