71mpg, 75mph in Atlanta

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

on the effect of more of of those CH3(CH2)6CH3 critters swimming through the carb and explodin' and stuff? (Sorry about the subscripts to you chemists..)

Technically there are slightly fewer of THOSE critters because some of them have been replaced by molecules specifically designed NOT to explode.

Besides that, and being a waste of money, I also heard somebody say last week that there are SO few people buying premium these days (even some who actually should) that the fuel in THAT underground tank may actually be quite old.

But then, it's kind of like pollution and climate change. Despite what 99% of the most respected scientists in the whole world tell you about not needing higher octane, you may well come back in a week or so and tell us how absolutely GREAT your bike runs with high octane fuel. :skull:

Please do let us know. We all have been waiting for some actual usage data from somebody we can trust. :roll:

[roy.pickle]

My GZ averages 68.4 MPG in the city and 76.9 MPG on HWY. I drive almost 100 miles to and from work (weather permitting). From a full tank I can go 266.3 miles Before using my reserve. I can get 83MPH with a good tail wind, 78 MPG on flat ground. With the price of gas now $4.14 here I'm lovin it. :2tup:

[alanmcorcoran]

Originally Posted by Easy Rider

Please do let us know. We all have been waiting for some actual usage data from somebody we can trust.

Assume that was (well-deserved) sarcasm. As I mentioned, I broke the first rule of troubleshooting, changing more than one factor.

1) My riding skills and confidence are a lot higher now that I'm approaching the 1K mark.
2) I've adopted a "wind" crouch (chin on speedo, knees and elbows tucked around the tank.
3) Bike may be getting "broken in."

One thing I have noticed is the bike runs faster after it is really warmed up. Not just a few minutes, but after about 20 minutes of steady riding at speed. I didn't notice anything worth reporting and I'm inclined to believe the comments that is doesn't make a difference. Last time I had to use it was in a Datsun 310 that pinged going up hills.

[jonathan180iq]

Originally Posted by roy.pickle

From a full tank I can go 266.3 miles Before using my reserve. :2tup:

Are you absolutely certain about that? I don't think anyone has posted total miles-per-tank that high before.

My bike has averaged 67mpg over it's entire life and I've never broken 205 miles on a tank, with reserve.

[Graydog]

Originally Posted by samato

Man, I must have the worst gas mileage of any GZ 250 owner. I get 48-54 MPG! I can get the bike up to 75 mph in the right conditions though.

I wish I knew why my mileage is so much lower than everyone else's. Maybe I get into higher RPMs too much but I'm not riding like a racer or anything (like that would be possible on this bike).

Samato I'm right there with you. 52 to 56 is my normal MPG. I have gotten 68 or so but I did it by riding on a long trip and cruising at 45 mph or so. However I do tend to "jack rabbit" a bit more on this bike than I do a bigger bike. A tune up has helped and allowed me to hit closer to 60MPG on average. But I get no where near what other riders are getting on this board.

[music man]

I was getting right at 70 miles per gallon, until just about every freakin gas station around here started adding all this ethanol to their gas, now I am lucky if i get 55-60 mpg.


Later

[mr. softie]

I try to keep a very light hand while accelerating to speed. I have had tanks of 50 mpg when goosing it a lot. I have to use every hyper-mileing trick I know to get the 75mpg. Not as much fun till I gas up...last fill up was at 210 miles, 2.8 gal, $9.40 in all. Woulda been $14 or so had I been riding it hard. ( but where else can you have so much fun for $5).

Actually gas is probably the least expensive thing you will add to your bike.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

Assume that was (well-deserved) sarcasm.

What....sarcasm.....from ME ?? :biggrin:
Could be, maybe! :neener:

[alanmcorcoran]

Anybody else find that winding it out a bit in third and fourth seems to help it go faster in 5th? I know this sounds illogical (maybe it's just psychological,) but whe experimenting to figure out why mine wouldn't go fast, I seemed to have better luck when I pushed the RPM's of 3rd and 4th past the recommended shifting points in the MOM.

This was not as big an effect of putting my chin on the speedometer though. That really helps the most. I'm gonna be curious to see if the windshield allows me to go faster upright, slows me down, or has no impact.

[patrick_777]

Originally Posted by alanmcorcoran

This was not as big an effect of putting my chin on the speedometer though.

Tuck in with your feet on the passenger pegs and it'll improve that much more.