First 100+ Miles, First Trip to the Gas Station

[thepaintbox]

Today I felt the sputter as my bike dwindled down to reserves for the first time in my hands, and took it to the gas station. It seems I'm getting just over 50 to the gallon (150ish miles and 2.8 gallons to refill). It's not very god, but there are factors. The bike needs new tires, the bike wasn't run for 3 months before I bought it, these 150 miles were my first 150 miles of motorcycle riding (and manual transmission) ever, half the gas was probably pretty old (it was topped of when it was sold to me).

That said, she's been running wonderfully. Terrible good fun.

[thepaintbox]

I should also add...

The first 60ish miles were just suburban neighborhood driving.

The next 90 or so are still stop and go city driving, with only a few exceptions.

[adrianinflorida]

Give it some time, my first tank or so got barely to 170 miles before reserve, (11,000 miles when I got the bike). After the oil changes, tire replacement, tuneup, carb clean, and getting used to the idiosynchracies of the bike, I get to about 185-190miles before reserve, not riding too conservatively.

[Easy Rider]

That said, she's been running wonderfully. Terrible good fun.

Under the circumstances, it might be a good idea to give it a shot of carb. cleaner, just as a vaccine, of sorts. Seafoam is good for that.

Secondly, don't be too disappointed with your mileage just yet. On a ~3 gal fill, a few ounces one way or the other make a big difference in the math. Are you sure it was filled to the same point when you got it as you filled it to the next time?

Anyhow, on the side stand, fill it each time until the gas just touches the lowest point of the neck inside the tank and figure it again the next couple of fills. I never got less than 60; riding style tended toward conserviative.

[adrianinflorida]

That said, she's been running wonderfully. Terrible good fun.

Under the circumstances, it might be a good idea to give it a shot of carb. cleaner, just as a vaccine, of sorts. Seafoam is good for that.

Secondly, don't be too disappointed with your mileage just yet. On a ~3 gal fill, a few ounces one way or the other make a big difference in the math. Are you sure it was filled to the same point when you got it as you filled it to the next time?

Anyhow, on the side stand, fill it each time until the gas just touches the lowest point of the neck inside the tank and figure it again the next couple of fills. I never got less than 60; riding style tended toward conserviative.
I took your advice and ran the Berrymans through, Easy, it 'seemed' to make a bigger difference than the Seafoam I ran through when I first got the bike. The next few tankfulls have yeilded about 10 miles per gallon more in economy. Going to keep an eye on it, and report back.

[Easy Rider]

I took your advice and ran the Berrymans through, Easy, it 'seemed' to make a bigger difference than the Seafoam I ran through when I first got the bike.

No doubt about it, the B12 Chemtool is a better cleaner than Seafoam......when you actually notice you have a problem. People seem to somehow identify with Seafoam though and something is probably better than nothing. :cool:

[primal]

For the price of a can of Seafoam, you could run 2-3 cans of B12 Chemtool through your bike. I used it per Easy's recommendation and was quite pleased.

[Easy Rider]

For the price of a can of Seafoam, you could run 2-3 cans of B12 Chemtool through your bike.

Really ?? Same sized can ?? I thought the price was about the same.
Seafoam is REALLY good at........marketing !!

[adrianinflorida]

The Berrymans is cheaper than the Seafoam, not sure by how much.

[music man]

Seafoam at autozone or oriellys is like 6 bucks a can, Berrymans b12 is only about 2 dollars and some change (I think) at wal mart.

[patrick_777]

On occasion, at some farm stores (Atwoods, etc) you can grab B12 for around a buck a can. When I find that deal, I buy a case.

[New GZ250]

Today I felt the sputter as my bike dwindled down to reserves for the first time in my hands, and took it to the gas station. It seems I'm getting just over 50 to the gallon (150ish miles and 2.8 gallons to refill). It's not very god, but there are factors. The bike needs new tires, the bike wasn't run for 3 months before I bought it, these 150 miles were my first 150 miles of motorcycle riding (and manual transmission) ever, half the gas was probably pretty old (it was topped of when it was sold to me).

That said, she's been running wonderfully. Terrible good fun.

Just passed 600 miles, feel I have gotten, a good estimate regarding fuel mileage. (And I have not really babied it) My calculator says just a tad over 80! Unbelievable!
:2tup:

[alantf]

I don't normally check what I'm getting to the gallon,but last week after I'd filled up I converted kilometers/litre to miles/US gallons, & came up with 64 miles/gal. Is this around what you get in America, or is it less (because of the richer carb setting on European models)? This is with mixed riding.

[bonehead]

All I have ever gotten was between 58 and 62 mpg, but my little scooter is hauling around a lot of weight.

[Easy Rider]

came up with 64 miles/gal. Is this around what you get in America,

Yes. "Almost" everybody reports mid-60's in mixed use and low to mid 70's with easy highway.

[thepaintbox]

Since I got it back from the tire change... I'm about 85 miles into the tank and I'm pretty sure i'll be over 60 this time. I'm a 150lb fella, so it shouldn't be too hard.