what's your gas milage, 80 mpg here quite happy

[dannylightning]

so my first fill up keeping track of my miles 80.7 miles used exactly 1.1 galons of gas so im getting right about 80mpg that was not driving conservatively, i would say i usually speed up around half throttle or a little more. but im glad im getting that kind of milage

i got the bike up over 70mph today, probably about 72 or 73. i think it still had more in it but i don't want to push it. only reason i went that fast was to give it a little test. with all the wind noise i couldn't tell how high the engine was revving. i have only really been driving my gz for about 3 days now besides a few quick trips around the block here and there, i was already thinking i need more bike due to the low top speed every one talks about but after seeing what it can do and i got up over 70 no problem i'm thinking who really needs to go faster than 70mhp any ways. and you cant beat the gas mileage on these things..



[youtube:12motw98]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfCOjckjmK0[/youtube:12motw98]

[adrianinflorida]

I hit reserve at 175-180 miles consistantly, and never really go past 200-210 miles before filling back up, so about 60 MPG or so for me, I guess.

[adrianinflorida]

Cool video, Danny, nice and simple. :)

[Easy Rider]

so my first fill up keeping track of my miles 80.7 miles used exactly 1.1 galons of gas so im getting right about 80mpg that was not driving conservatively, i would say i usually speed up around half throttle or a little more. but im glad im getting that kind of milage


Don't throw a party just yet.

While it is possible you will be getting that kind of mileage, it is HIGHLY unlikely. A single fill is not enough to really check it; too prone to "measurement errors".
You DID pay close attention to where the gas stopped on the filler neck, right? (just barely touching the bottom, hopefully) so you can duplicate that point for the next couple of fills and do an average ??

The difference between filling to the bottom of the neck and trying to cram in as much as possible can be .3-.4 gal. and is enough to throw your calculations WAY off.

[mrlmd1]

FYI - 80.7/1.1=73.36 mpg, which is a great deal different than "right about 80mpg".. Don't brag, get a calculator, don't guesstimate.
That's not much different than everyone else riding conservatively.

[Easy Rider]

FYI - 80.7/1.1=73.36 mpg, ........

Hmmmm....so one should actually DO the math ??? :roll: :biggrin:
That little trailing .1 gal. tells the story even better than my guestimated .3-.4 gal. :tup:

Let's see.....if the fill was off by just another .1, that would be ........67.25!!

Bigger sample size reduces the impact of small errors !!

[dannylightning]

FYI - 80.7/1.1=73.36 mpg, which is a great deal different than "right about 80mpg".. Don't brag, get a calculator, don't guesstimate.
That's not much different than everyone else riding conservatively.


well in my head i was thinking if it would have went to 81 miles and used 1.1 gallons it would be exactly 80 miles, guess i was wrong :curse: i was pretty damn happy when i thought it got 80 but hell 80 miles on barley over a galon of gas is great!!!!!!

i was not trying to brag i was just really happy thinking i got 80mpg and wondering how many other people get 80 on the suzuki web site they claim 80mpg for the new ones..

[dannylightning]

Cool video, Danny, nice and simple. :)

Thanks, i want to get one of some one following me in the car, i like to get pictures and video of everything

FYI - 80.7/1.1=73.36 mpg, ........

Hmmmm....so one should actually DO the math ??? :roll: :biggrin:
That little trailing .1 gal. tells the story even better than my guestimated .3-.4 gal. :tup:

Let's see.....if the fill was off by just another .1, that would be ........67.25!!

Bigger sample size reduces the impact of small errors !!

I've always wondered about the claims I see from some on here about mpg when I think that I'm pretty consistently around 60 - 65 mpg, especially b/c my bike seems to run just fine. I recently filled up and calculated that I was getting more than 70 mpg this last fill up. Thought the increase might be due to having the windshield properly adjusted now, but like Easy said, I knew I'd have to see several "refills" before I could be sure. Is it possible a windshield could increase the mpg that much? Seems like too much of an increase to me from just a windshield.

Keith

PS - It is kind of shocking to see how .1 of a gallon can throw off your mpg estimate so much - but the Suzuki web site does list 82 mpg by the GZ250, though I"ve always taken any company's claims about MPG with a grain of salt

[dannylightning]

but the Suzuki web site does list 82 mpg by the GZ250, though I"ve always taken any company's claims about MPG with a grain of salt


those companys probably run it on a test track, no starting and stopping and dont go really fast. i did some driving in the country and a lot in the city. so for around town that' still really good mileage that i got. im still happy.

it is surprising that .1 of a gallon would throw it off that much.

[Easy Rider]

it is surprising that .1 of a gallon would throw it off that much.

To put things into perspective (hopefully):
When filling your bike, the difference between 1.0 gal and 1.1 gal. is 10% roughly.
When filling your car, the difference between 15.0 gal and 15.1 gal is .2%.

You should be able to get a much more accurate picture of your mileage after you have used 10 gallons or so. :tup:

[burkbuilds]

My combined around town/highway mileage is usually right at 70mpg. I was getting a little less than that before I put the windshield on, and since I replaced the exhaust and adjusted the carb. I seem to be getting a little more, between 72-76 most of the time. I weight 210 and i rarely go over 55 on the highway. I did one round trip to Atlanta last Summer and kept it pretty much all out just trying to keep from getting run over on I-75, about 250 mile round trip and my mileage went all the way down to 58 mpg, but I was keeping it over 65-70 the entire time, topped out at 77 going down a hill. I seem to get better mileage around town than I do if I'm cruising on the highway.

[Easy Rider]

I seem to get better mileage around town than I do if I'm cruising on the highway.

What you just described is NOT "cruising"......at least not on the GZ it isn't.
Cruising on the GZ tops out about 60 or so. I think it's happiest about 55. :cool:

[mr. softie]

The last tank I burned in my GZ returned 80.9 mpg, the best I had ever done, mainly because it was a long easy ride to remember the ol' 99 by. Steady cruising at 40-50mph on country roads. The worst I achieved was 54.1 mpg on a tank burned at wot out on I95 running down to Annapolis. I try to post my fuel ups at Fuelly. http://www.fuelly.com/ Makes it easy to track your mileage with comments, price paid per gallon, price per mile, trends etc. I am always amazed at the econo-boxes getting 20mpg! So even the 55mpg that seems to be about the worst you can get on a GZ is worth putting your face in the wind, so to speak.

[alanmcorcoran]

I have become an almost daily visitor to my local Mobil with the Strat. I don't really know what my gas mileage is, but, basically it comes out to: one trip to the Mobil for every two rides. I never put gas in my "cages" (wife handled that) so I find it ironic that I am now Mr. Gas Pump since I started riding motorcycles. (Plus the Stratoliner likes the pricey gas.) Somewhere I thought I read there was an "auxiliary" tank for the Strat, but it sounded like a joke. Maybe I should look into it.

Enjoy your 60+ mpg on the GZ. That one goes a lot longer in between trips to the filling station.

quote] I think it's happiest about 55. :cool:[/quote]


Funny, I rode into work this AM and thought exactly the same thing. Beautiful morning, two-lane back roads with some nice twists now and then, going 55 - 60 mph the whole way . . . I thought, "This bike just shines in these conditions." I don't like taking the GZ on the freeway . . . the fun factor disappears for me.

Keith

[Easy Rider]

I don't like taking the GZ on the freeway . . . the fun factor disappears for me.


Maybe I should have said the bike AND the rider seems to be happiest about 55 !! :2tup:

Even though there are a few people who say the Interstates are "no problem", I think your feeling is shared among almost ALL 250 riders as none of them will really keep up with the traffic very consistently (except maybe for the Ninja 250).

My feeling changes from "fun" to apprehension....as a certain part of my body clenches up......even when I am on a bike that WILL keep up with the prevailing speeds. :roll:

[Chris]

I usually get between 70 and 75mpg, but I ride more conservatively than most people. And I get better mileage using Regular fuel. Well documented.
I enjoy country roads more, like everyone, but I do not hesitate to go on the interstates when I have to get somewhere. I run 68-72 with no problems, but, again, I prefer the country highways. RIde a lot in beautiful north Georgia.
Next weekend is the motorcycle weekend in Tennessee at Camp Living Stones. Weather looks great and I am really looking forward to it on my GZ.

Chris, Atlanta

[dannylightning]

I usually get between 70 and 75mpg, but I ride more conservatively than most people. And I get better mileage using Regular fuel. Well documented.
I enjoy country roads more, like everyone, but I do not hesitate to go on the interstates when I have to get somewhere. I run 68-72 with no problems, but, again, I prefer the country highways. RIde a lot in beautiful north Georgia.
Next weekend is the motorcycle weekend in Tennessee at Camp Living Stones. Weather looks great and I am really looking forward to it on my GZ.

Chris, Atlanta

camp living stones, what town is that in. or is that the town.

im a bit scared of the highway yet, i want to but scared. Memphis Tennessee = lots of stupid drivers and packed highways most of the day,

[dannylightning]

I don't like taking the GZ on the freeway . . . the fun factor disappears for me.


Maybe I should have said the bike AND the rider seems to be happiest about 55 !!

i know i am, going over 70 for a few seconds sure was fun tho but wouldent want to do it for a long period of time, a few seconds was thrilling first time ever going that fast on a bike and all. but i definately like the 40-55 mph range hands down.

[alanmcorcoran]

You get used to it after a while (the 70 mph thing.) I was pretty clenchy (well, "terrified" would be more accurate) when doing anything more than 50, but eventually, you realize that the bumps are not going to kill you, the curve is really more gradual than it looks and is easily navigated, all of the cars are at least going in the same direction, the wind is not going to knock you over, the truck is not going to suck you into its vortex. You do have to pay close attention to blind spots, suddden lane changes, and, especially, drunk drivers, but you have to do that at any speed on any road.

Of course, there are days when I forget some of the above and get a litte anxious again. But more often than not, I kind of get into to it and have to force myself to keep my speed "down" to 75. (I have ticket issues and we are on high enforcement given the state is close to bankruptcy.) If there were no legal consequences, I am pretty sure I would enjoy, on occasion, zipping down the 4 lane at 90-100.

[Chris]

The motorcycle weekend next weekend at Camp Living Stones is at the town of Englewood, TN. This is about 60 miles NE of Chattanooga.
I looked at a Tennessee and it is about 320 miles due east of Memphis. Far too long for most riders.
Weather looks good, I'm going. It will be me with the GZ and all the Harleys, I guess.

Chris, retired, Atlanta

[music man]

Here is my theory on the going 70+ on a motorcycle, it is "Fun" as long as you are going 70+ for a minute or two just to see if you can (or if your bike can), but is no longer "Fun" when you are forced to go that fast for miles and miles on end for fear if you don't you will get squashed by the big shiny hunks of steel going Mach 1 down the freeway (no matter what certain people driving tanks on two wheels say).

Not only that, I don't find blasting down the road as fast as I can go on a long trip to be fun anyways, if I need to get there in a hurry I will ride in a car, my longer distance motorcycle rides are to get out and relax, be alone on the open road and jam out to some good tunes, not try and break the Land speed record.

[Easy Rider]

not try and break the Land speed record.

Well said Sir! :cool:

Not that barreling down the road at 90 so you can get to the bar sooner........and pass out sooner......is ALL bad........ :roll: :biggrin:

OK, WELL MAYBE IT IS ALL BAD.

[dannylightning]

Here is my theory on the going 70+ on a motorcycle, it is "Fun" as long as you are going 70+ for a minute or two just to see if you can (or if your bike can), but is no longer "Fun" when you are forced to go that fast for miles and miles on end for fear if you don't you will get squashed by the big shiny hunks of steel going Mach 1 down the freeway (no matter what certain people driving tanks on two wheels say).

Not only that, I don't find blasting down the road as fast as I can go on a long trip to be fun anyways, if I need to get there in a hurry I will ride in a car, my longer distance motorcycle rides are to get out and relax, be alone on the open road and jam out to some good tunes, not try and break the Land speed record.

that sounds about right to me, i just get worried i'm gonna piss people off if i'm driving the speed limit on my bike.. most main roads around here have a speed limit of 45-50 mph and every one likes to go about 5-10 mph over

i prefer to keep in the 45-50mph range and enjoy my ride if there is no traffic i sometimes only go 35 just so i can take in a little more scenery along the way.

[music man]

that sounds about right to me, i just get worried i'm gonna piss people off if i'm driving the speed limit on my bike.. most main roads around here have a speed limit of 45-50 mph and every one likes to go about 5-10 mph over.
.


This is what I have for people that get pissed off because of that, first of all, they do know how to pass me I assume, so if they don't pass me that means they must not have an issue with how fast I am going, and if they do well then :fu: them.

[burkbuilds]

I weight 210 and i rarely go over 55 on the highway. .... I seem to get better mileage around town than I do if I'm cruising on the highway.[/quote]

Is that cruising or not? I still seem to get better mileage if I have less highway miles than in town miles, maybe just me, but even 55 mph is pretty "revved" up.

[dannylightning]

maybe just me, but even 55 mph is pretty "revved" up.


well 55 does seem kind of revved up but you don't really need to shift in to your final gear till somewhere between 40-50 mph it might just sound worse than it really is. any one want to confirm that to be true, inquiring minds want to know

[Easy Rider]

maybe just me, but even 55 mph is pretty "revved" up.
well 55 does seem kind of revved up but you don't really need to shift in to your final gear till somewhere between 40-50 mph it might just sound worse than it really is. any one want to confirm that to be true, inquiring minds want to know

Yes. While one shouldn't "beat it to death" by running it up to the rev. limiter all the time, you do need to get used to rev'ing it a little higher than your initial comfort zone.......to get anything near max. performance out of it. There even is a little "power band" there as you approach the upper RPM limit.

That is one of the things that the 16T sprocket helps with; it sounds and feels more "comfortable" at cruising speeds......keeping in mind the aforementioned recommendations and drawbacks.

[burkbuilds]

Thanks Easy, I may give that 16T sprocket a shot when I am ready for a new chain since I've always heard you should replace both sprockets when you put a new chain on anyway.

[Easy Rider]

Thanks Easy, I may give that 16T sprocket a shot when I am ready for a new chain since I've always heard you should replace both sprockets when you put a new chain on anyway.

It's quick, easy and inexpensive. If you don't like it, very little is lost.

Last time I was in Ga. with the bike, another GZ'er got to test mine and was really impressed. I thought he was going to run right out and do it; haven't heard from him since, however. :??:

Alas, no 16T test rides anymore.....and I probably won't be offering "test rides" on the VLX during my next trip !! :cool:

How many miles on your present chain ??

[dannylightning]

Thanks Easy, I may give that 16T sprocket a shot when I am ready for a new chain since I've always heard you should replace both sprockets when you put a new chain on anyway.

It's quick, easy and inexpensive. If you don't like it, very little is lost.

Last time I was in Ga. with the bike, another GZ'er got to test mine and was really impressed. I thought he was going to run right out and do it; haven't heard from him since, however. :??:

Alas, no 16T test rides anymore.....and I probably won't be offering "test rides" on the VLX during my next trip !! :cool:

How many miles on your present chain ??

there is a different size front sprocket and rear sprocket you can get right, witch one helps out the most, how much does it actually help out and where do you get them??

[JWR]

Short answer.

Put 16t in the search box.

If you still have questions, come back and ask.

Jerry

[Easy Rider]

there is a different size front sprocket and rear sprocket you can get right, witch one helps out the most, how much does it actually help out and where do you get them??

+1 on what Jerry said. You're gonna have to help yourself just a TINY bit. :)

I think, however, that you read too much into "burkbuilds" post.

In general, the chain AND sprockets ALL wear together. When you replace the chain, you should also replace BOTH sprockets because they will be worn too.

Now.....since you are changing them anyway.....that is the perfect time to put on a DIFFERENT front sprocket to try (with 16 teeth instead of 15). Doing it at that time costs you virtually nothing, in time or money.

Nobody that I know of has messed with changing sizes on the rear sprocket; it is just too much trouble and somewhat more costly.

[OK, there might have been ONE guy......but he blew up his engine and hasn't been back !!!]

[Sarris]

Put a new cush drive rubber (aka internal rear hub shock absorber) in while you have it apart. I put in a new one at 10K mileas and plan to do it ever 10k. Best 8$ you'll spend that really smooths out shifting clutch engagement and makes the rear end quieter too.

Rear Hub Shock Absorber (http://fiche.ronayers.com/Index.cfm/Module/Main/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/MakeID/2/Make/Suzuki/YearID/44/Year/2003/ModelID/6180/Model/GZ250/GroupID/250330/Group/REAR_WHEEL) it's item #15.

:)

[dannylightning]

there is a different size front sprocket and rear sprocket you can get right, witch one helps out the most, how much does it actually help out and where do you get them??

+1 on what Jerry said. You're gonna have to help yourself just a TINY bit. :)

well i know how to use the search but when some one brings something up i don't see any harm inquiring about it, i mean heck they already put it out there to ask about. plus when searching you often halve to dig through a lot of post just cus some one mentioned the word sprocket or the letter 16 haha (i meant the number 16) how ever i did find stuff on this topic quite easy

there was something i searched for where i must have clicked on at least 30+ different things that came up in the search before i found one that was actually about that subject. and a few other things took a while to find also

[JWR]

So you learned something????

Now what question do you have??

[dannylightning]

do some gz's have a different size front sprocket. guess that's about my only question now. i found one post on where to get it the after market sprocket, when i checked out their after markets sprockets or a 03 gz it was a 13t and said the oem was also a 13t.

ill count mine tomorrow when it's not raining and later im gonna see if i can find some other places that have sprockets for these bikes right now im gonna take a nap.

[JWR]

I had my local dealer order mine here:
http://www.sprocketspecialists.com/

Some of the online sources are a little misleading on their sprockets.

Jerry

[dannylightning]

Thanks, i looked up the gz on that site they got any where from a 10t-16t front sprocket for these bikes about 20 bucks for the 16t, not to bad at all

ill probably end up getting one eventually, the only thing i read i dont like is some people say they get a bit of power loss or less top speed, that sounds lousy but the benefits of that sprocket sound great and it,s probably better for the bike too. not halving to shift as soon and not running the rpm's so high is definitely a plus.

i might replace my chain some time soon, only 3k miles on the bike but it spend a lot of time out side and had not been rode much, the chain does look a little crappy. ill see how it looks after i clean it with kerosene. its pretty dirty so hopefully that's the only thing making it look bad, guess ill find out when i get all the dirt and grime off

[mrlmd1]

As a new bike owner, you are making yourself crazy worrying about all kinds of things. The chain and the bike are meant to be outside - it is very unlikely it needs to be changed and with only 3000 miles on it, very unlikely it is stretched or has been abused that much. Just clean it with kerosene, lube it with Dupont Teflon spray or 90 wt gear oil, or whatever you want, and adjust it to the proper tension and look at it and clean it every once in a while as a regular maintenance item. Instead of waisting money on a new chain, invest it is a motorcycle riding/safety course, you'll be much better off in the long run.

[dannylightning]

As a new bike owner, you are making yourself crazy worrying about all kinds of things.


probably but im just trying to make sure its in good running condition, im pretty sure i have all the maintenance questions out of the way the bike seems to be running really good and i don't think it needs any further attention besides cleaning the chain.


pretty much every one on this site has bee extremely cool and helpful and i just want to say thanks you guys :rawk:

[adrianinflorida]

the easiest thing to do, is simply give the bike a thorough once over, nut and bolt the critical fasteners (Check the service manual for the list and their torque values) and perform whatever major service is due when it next comes up.

Go ahead and change the oil, checke the air filter, tire pressures, lube and adjust (if necessary) the cables, check brake fluid, check condition of the tires (Sidewalls for cracking/dry rot), condition of the fork seals (Look for abnormal amounts of oil on the fork from seal leakage), look for leaks/seepage around engine gaskets. First time you have the wheels of, bearing grease should be taken care of.

That's the stuff I did when I got my used GZ250, then replaced most of the chrome, lol.

Doing the things listed will get you more familiar with the bike, and allow you to spend an afternoon cheking it and cleaning all those hard to reach areas you never look at casually.

[burkbuilds]

You should ride at a speed you are comfortable with, if somebody else doesn't like it tough for them. Don't drive faster than you feel good about for somebody you don't even know. If they are pissed off about that they should get a life! It's not about winning a popularity contest, it's about your safety and your concern for your safety and others safety should always come before your concern about your popularity no matter what the topic is!

[Moedad]

pretty much every one on this site has bee extremely cool and helpful and i just want to say thanks you guys :rawk:

Stick around long enough and somebody will bust your chops over something. :skull: :biggrin:

[Chris]

You have much good advice from some experienced riders. Take it easy, be careful.
The bike is just great right from the showroom so don't get worried about mods. Just ride and enjoy. Ride a lot of quiet country roads in the beginning. This is good for you and for the bike.
Change the oil every 3000 miles. On a new bike I changed mine at 1000, then 2000 miles later (at 3000) and will maintain the 3000 mile interval thereafter. I use 10-40wt synthetic oil, by the way.

Chris, retired, Atlanta

[Jer]

72 mpg on my last tank.

[jonathan180iq]

DATE MILES GALLONS PRICE MPG
2/21/2007 185 2.7 $2.15 68.52
4/2/2007 164 2.6 $2.51 63.08
5/9/2008 195 2.9 $2.84 67.2
5/29/2007 200 2.8 $2.99 71.43
7/10/2007 176 2.7 $2.91 65.19
8/6/2007 186 2.9 $2.75 64.14
8/17/2007 171 1.8 $2.60 95
8/18/2007 148 2.8 $2.63 52.86
8/18/2007 112 1.7 $2.57 65.88
8/21/2007 135 2.2 $2.56 61.36
9/11/2007 188 2.8 $2.59 67.64
11/7/2007 192 2.8 $3.09 68.55
11/30/2007 181 2.9 $2.86 62.41
1/30/2007 180 2.8 $2.84 65.09
3/20/2008 183 2.9 $3.19 63.1
4/18/2008 195 3 $3.39 65
5/12/2008 197 2.6 $3.69 74.45
5/28/2008 200 2.9 $3.79 67.29
6/16/2008 200 2.8 $3.86 69.97
6/27/2008 189 2.9 $3.95 64.33
7/22/2008 185 2.7 $3.89 66.49 Muffler & Needle
9/12/2008 185 2.8 $3.59 65.19

[dannylightning]

DATE MILES GALLONS PRICE MPG
2/21/2007 185 2.7 $2.15 68.52
4/2/2007 164 2.6 $2.51 63.08
5/9/2008 195 2.9 $2.84 67.2
5/29/2007 200 2.8 $2.99 71.43
7/10/2007 176 2.7 $2.91 65.19
8/6/2007 186 2.9 $2.75 64.14
8/17/2007 171 1.8 $2.60 95
8/18/2007 148 2.8 $2.63 52.86
8/18/2007 112 1.7 $2.57 65.88
8/21/2007 135 2.2 $2.56 61.36
9/11/2007 188 2.8 $2.59 67.64
11/7/2007 192 2.8 $3.09 68.55
11/30/2007 181 2.9 $2.86 62.41
1/30/2007 180 2.8 $2.84 65.09
3/20/2008 183 2.9 $3.19 63.1
4/18/2008 195 3 $3.39 65
5/12/2008 197 2.6 $3.69 74.45
5/28/2008 200 2.9 $3.79 67.29
6/16/2008 200 2.8 $3.86 69.97
6/27/2008 189 2.9 $3.95 64.33
7/22/2008 185 2.7 $3.89 66.49 Muffler & Needle
9/12/2008 185 2.8 $3.59 65.19

i was always getting 70-67 mpg on mine. the new bike is only getting about 32mpg.. blah.

[GZ250]

i have no modifications, using suzuki oil or synthetic oil i get the same mileage.
6 feet, 240 lbs, speed around 55-65mph, i average around 62-64mpg.

[dannylightning]

i have no modifications, using suzuki oil or synthetic oil i get the same mileage.
6 feet, 240 lbs, speed around 55-65mph, i average around 62-64mpg.

all my riding was around town, and i weight 140-150lbs on average. might be why i got better millage i guess.

[Orpheus]

I used to think I got much better mileage than I actually do. I'd say that I average around 65mpg; I used to think it was closer to 75. Of course, my GZ seems to go a little faster than most report (I take highways to work at around 70-75mph every day, unless it's cold out). I remember breaking 80mph one time, but it was on a wide-open highway with a little tail wind.

[alantf]

I'd say that I average around 65mpg;

Yes, most folk seem to get around 64/65 :)