Better MPG Highway or City Roads

reroka · May 27th, 2014, 08:12 AM

Just a question for you all. It seems that I get worse MPG on the high. Most of my riding is on highway.

Just wanted to see what others have to say about MPGs.

capt_bugaloo · May 27th, 2014, 08:20 AM

On my 2011 I get 45 MPG in the city. Lots of traffic lights.
On the highway I don't have many lights to stop for, but I'm also riding the bike faster. Mileage is a bit better at about 50 MPG.

I see guys saying that on the next-gen they are getting 60+ MPG and I don't know how they do it.

DaBlue1 · May 27th, 2014, 08:21 AM

Higher RPMs (above 7K) are always going to suck more gas.

cbinker · May 27th, 2014, 09:16 AM

i dont really pay attention to either. i focus on fun.

there are also many factors to consider:
Wind Speed
How hard you accelerate
elevation
Speed limit

greenaero · May 27th, 2014, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reroka

Just a question for you all. It seems that I get worse MPG on the high. Most of my riding is on highway.

Just wanted to see what others have to say about MPGs.

Generally, one would expect to get better fuel econonmy on the expressways (no stops, steady speed, minimal acceleration) compared to the starts and stops on non-freeway roads. However air resistance increases rapidly at higher speeds ( by the cube of the speed increase as I recall ) so that if one goes fast enough they will burn more fuel than they would riding in typical city traffic. The best fuel economy is achieved when the moto is ridden at a steady pace of 45-55 mph.

Snake · May 27th, 2014, 10:29 AM

I get around 45mpg on the highway and around 50 in the city.

reroka · May 27th, 2014, 10:30 AM

This makes a lot of sense. My speedo says I am going 60 but its really like 55. and I get get about 260 miles out of my tank but I am also about 1/4 tank left. So really I could go another 50 to 70 mils before filling up. I hate to get my tank below 1/4 full.

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenaero

Generally, one would expect to get better fuel econonmy on the expressways (no stops, steady speed, minimal acceleration) compared to the starts and stops on non-freeway roads. However air resistance increases rapidly at higher speeds ( by the cube of the speed increase as I recall ) so that if one goes fast enough they will burn more fuel than they would riding in typical city traffic. The best fuel economy is achieved when the moto is ridden at a steady pace of 45-55 mph.

NevadaWolf · May 27th, 2014, 11:26 AM

I tend to get the best mileage in back country, low speed, rural roads since its a steady limit of 45-50 MPH, limited stopping, light traffic, and generally at the base of mountains so minimal wind. On the highway, i'm running around 65-70, so get the worst mileage.

In town/city, dunno. Never in one long enough to make an impact on my mileage.

broilmebk · May 27th, 2014, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_bugaloo

I see guys saying that on the next-gen they are getting 60+ MPG and I don't know how they do it.

They're not having any fun.

EsrTek · May 27th, 2014, 04:47 PM

All depends on how you ride in either setting....
Your mileage will vary from 35 mpg to 60+ mpg.

Riding like you stole it in town/traffic - had about 40'ish on mine.
Casual in town/traffic - had about 50+'ish on mine.
Highways at high RPMs (meaning over 7k) and it suck gas up like crazy!!

iliveforcurves · May 30th, 2014, 10:59 AM

I have a 2007 model with a 15 tooth front sprocket and a 120/80-16 rear tire, otherwise it is stock. This sprocket/tire combination makes it run at about 7,450rpm @ 60mph. I ride a mix of highway and city and get over 70mpg. I don't cruise much over 8,000rpm on the highway. That is near peak torque which on the pre-gens is about 8,200rpm. I don't see how anybody can get less than 60mpg on these bikes, unless they're constantly varying speed or cruising in a lower gear than necessary.

broilmebk · May 30th, 2014, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iliveforcurves

I have a 2007 model with a 15 tooth front sprocket and a 120/80-16 rear tire, otherwise it is stock. This sprocket/tire combination makes it run at about 7,450rpm @ 60mph. I ride a mix of highway and city and get over 70mpg. I don't cruise much over 8,000rpm on the highway. That is near peak torque which on the pre-gens is about 8,200rpm. I don't see how anybody can get less than 60mpg on these bikes, unless they're constantly varying speed or cruising in a lower gear than necessary.

Mostly freeway riding here, and I get around 55mpg. 60mph is way too slow for the freeway.

Jiggles · May 30th, 2014, 11:41 AM

I get the worst mileage at the track.
Still better than my car though

iliveforcurves · May 30th, 2014, 02:20 PM

@broilmebk, I don't go 60mph on the freeway. 8,000rpm is about 65mph, that is usually the slowest I travel on the freeway. I'm usually closer to 8,500rpm. Have you noticed how motorcycle magazine road tests don't mention what rpm the engine is turning at 60mph anymore?

Singh2jz · May 30th, 2014, 05:10 PM

As long as you're not stopping frequently and in the highish rpm range, you should be getting great mileage. Going out for rides saves me gas..haha

momoru · May 30th, 2014, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

Higher RPMs (above 7K) are always going to suck more gas.

I don't think this is true, RPM and gas mileage are not correlated. But in top gear at top speeds you will be burn a lot of gas, and in the city you are burning gas with zero mpg at red lights.

May 27th, 2014, 08:12 AM	#1
reroka Biker Noob Name: Richard Location: Durham, North Carolina Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Honda Shadow 750 Aero Posts: 176	Better MPG Highway or City Roads Just a question for you all. It seems that I get worse MPG on the high. Most of my riding is on highway. Just wanted to see what others have to say about MPGs. __________________________________________________ Riding as I stole it.

May 27th, 2014, 08:20 AM	#2
capt_bugaloo motorcycle rider Name: Bruce Location: Victoria, BC Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver) Posts: A lot.	On my 2011 I get 45 MPG in the city. Lots of traffic lights. On the highway I don't have many lights to stop for, but I'm also riding the bike faster. Mileage is a bit better at about 50 MPG. I see guys saying that on the next-gen they are getting 60+ MPG and I don't know how they do it. __________________________________________________ '14 Yamaha V-Star 650 Custom (silver)

May 27th, 2014, 09:16 AM	#4
cbinker Track Clown Name: Chris Location: Kingman, AZ Join Date: May 2012 Motorcycle(s): '08 250R, 21 MV F3 800, Kawasaki 400 build Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '15	i dont really pay attention to either. i focus on fun. there are also many factors to consider: Wind Speed How hard you accelerate elevation Speed limit __________________________________________________ TEAM ALFALFA www.apexassassins.com

May 27th, 2014, 11:26 AM	#8
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	I tend to get the best mileage in back country, low speed, rural roads since its a steady limit of 45-50 MPH, limited stopping, light traffic, and generally at the base of mountains so minimal wind. On the highway, i'm running around 65-70, so get the worst mileage. In town/city, dunno. Never in one long enough to make an impact on my mileage. __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

May 30th, 2014, 11:41 AM	#13
Jiggles Jigglin' your Jiglets Name: Sean Location: San Jose, Ca Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 K1300S, 2013 Ninja 300, 2011 Ninja 250R, Faster than Unregistered's ninjette Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 1 MOTM - Apr '13	I get the worst mileage at the track. Still better than my car though __________________________________________________ If the Ninja 250 doesn't have enough power for you, then you don't know how to ride it. AFM #676 Supersports are for n00bs

May 27th, 2014, 08:21 AM	#3
DaBlue1 Long Time Rider Name: Blue Location: Charlotte, NC Join Date: Sep 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Higher RPMs (above 7K) are always going to suck more gas.

May 27th, 2014, 10:29 AM	#6
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	I get around 45mpg on the highway and around 50 in the city.

May 27th, 2014, 04:47 PM	#10
EsrTek ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Murfreesboro, TN Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.	All depends on how you ride in either setting.... Your mileage will vary from 35 mpg to 60+ mpg. Riding like you stole it in town/traffic - had about 40'ish on mine. Casual in town/traffic - had about 50+'ish on mine. Highways at high RPMs (meaning over 7k) and it suck gas up like crazy!!

May 30th, 2014, 10:59 AM	#11
iliveforcurves ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: Cedar Park, TX Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Honda Valkyrie, 2003 Yamaha FJR1300, 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250, 1978 Yamaha SR500 (not running) Posts: 15	I have a 2007 model with a 15 tooth front sprocket and a 120/80-16 rear tire, otherwise it is stock. This sprocket/tire combination makes it run at about 7,450rpm @ 60mph. I ride a mix of highway and city and get over 70mpg. I don't cruise much over 8,000rpm on the highway. That is near peak torque which on the pre-gens is about 8,200rpm. I don't see how anybody can get less than 60mpg on these bikes, unless they're constantly varying speed or cruising in a lower gear than necessary.

May 30th, 2014, 02:20 PM	#14
iliveforcurves ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: Cedar Park, TX Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Honda Valkyrie, 2003 Yamaha FJR1300, 2007 Kawasaki Ninja 250, 1978 Yamaha SR500 (not running) Posts: 15	@broilmebk, I don't go 60mph on the freeway. 8,000rpm is about 65mph, that is usually the slowest I travel on the freeway. I'm usually closer to 8,500rpm. Have you noticed how motorcycle magazine road tests don't mention what rpm the engine is turning at 60mph anymore?

May 30th, 2014, 05:10 PM	#15
Singh2jz ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Inderveer Location: San Jose Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '07 ex250-F/J Posts: A lot.	As long as you're not stopping frequently and in the highish rpm range, you should be getting great mileage. Going out for rides saves me gas..haha __________________________________________________ The Bike \| The Truck

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