July 22nd, 2013, 10:53 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Dhillon
Location: Brampton, ON
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250r Posts: 8
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Low Gas Mileage, why?
Hey guys, so I've noticed ever since I have bought the bike, a year and a half ago, I get around 30mpg. I've replaced the spark plugs, air filter, use rotella t6 oil, and pump 91 octane, I've also ran seafoam through the bike a couple times. I do drive at high rpms, weigh about 180 pounds and 6'2.
Any ideas on what can be causing such low mileage? Shouldn't I be getting atleast close to 40 or so? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks |
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July 22nd, 2013, 11:05 PM | #2 |
Doh!
Name: Matt
Location: Locating GPS...
Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250r Posts: 286
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I get around 70 mpg ever since I started riding sane. Before that I used to ride at high rpms, braking and accelerating unnecessarily and got around 35 mpg. Riding habits go a long way when it comes to fuel efficiency.
I doubt you'd get the same mileage like mine though cause mine is fuel injected and I maintain a street legal speed of about 30mphish, only to give it a whirl between traffic cams lol.
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July 22nd, 2013, 11:18 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Murphey
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Quit using 91 octane for starters. Bike was designed for 87. You're a tall guy so maybe you're catching a lot of wind? High rpms can have a small or large effect on mpg so it kind of depends how you're riding overall. Are you sure you're calculating mileage correctly?
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July 23rd, 2013, 01:16 AM | #4 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Dhillon
Location: Brampton, ON
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250r Posts: 8
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I'll start using 87, and ill try a full tank and taking it easy on the rpms. I havent actually done any written calculations but I pretty much get 200km on a full tank.
Thanks for the replies! |
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July 23rd, 2013, 01:53 AM | #5 |
ninjette.org dude
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How are you calculating your mileage?
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July 23rd, 2013, 06:39 AM | #6 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
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Quote:
Consider a valves' adjustment and, if the problem persists after that, a compression and a leak down test.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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July 27th, 2013, 05:12 AM | #7 |
ninjette.org newbie
Name: Dhillon
Location: Brampton, ON
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250r Posts: 8
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Ok so I drove less aggressively then I normally would on this tank of gas (14 litres) and got 250kms. So what can possibly be causing such a loss of gas mileage? I'm starting to want to sell my bike because it just doesn't seem to be much of a gas saver vs. my civic anyways. I just need some advice on what to look for and what I could possibly look into doing (as stated above, ex. valve adjustment) Anything would be great, thanks.
Edit: What would be a reasonable price to get the valves adjusted? |
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July 27th, 2013, 06:20 AM | #8 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: Benji
Location: Wadsworth, IL
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Mine was usually high 40s to mid 50s. I weigh a lot less than you though.
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July 27th, 2013, 06:33 AM | #9 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Trevor
Location: Norwalk, IA
Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): Kawasaki Ninja 250R Posts: 51
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The best I've gotten so far is 50mpg...........I've been using 91, but am switching to 87 on my next tank. I ride pretty conservative IMO. Have about 30 percent highway and shift around 6500 rpms, I'm 5'8" 190lbs.
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July 27th, 2013, 08:31 AM | #10 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
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Quote:
These are other factors to consider: Properly tuned carburetor: Mix that is too lean or too reach will reduce the performance of the engine. Leaky float valves in combination with leaky petcock may evaporate much gas while the bike is not running. Clean air filter: Cleaning or replacing a clogged air filter can improve your bike's gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Regular oil changes (including filter) with recommended oil type. Proper tire pressure: When your tires are properly inflated your bike will run smoother and use less gas. Tires can lose 1 psi per month under normal conditions. Also, do not check pressure by just looking at the tire. A tire can be under inflated by 5~8 psi and not appear to be low. Sensible riding: Speeding, nervous throttle input, rapid acceleration and braking waste gas. Aggressive riding in city traffic can lower your gas mileage very much. Speed Limit: Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph mainly due to air resistance and turbulence. More aerodynamic rider's posture and lack of luggage help.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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July 27th, 2013, 08:33 AM | #11 |
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Name: Fish
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I get around 90mpg doing 65mph.
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July 27th, 2013, 08:47 AM | #12 |
ninjette.org guru
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Location: Dayton, OH
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July 27th, 2013, 08:55 AM | #13 |
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No ever since I did a 15t 39back and tune the bike. travaling the interstates around phx at 65 I get almost 90.
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Hey Unregistered never go faster than your brakes can be applied... |
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July 27th, 2013, 08:58 AM | #14 |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
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Didn't you forget mentioning the sail?
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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July 27th, 2013, 09:09 AM | #15 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Tom
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Was this a one time calculation? How did you do the math?
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July 27th, 2013, 09:30 AM | #16 |
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Hey Unregistered never go faster than your brakes can be applied... |
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July 27th, 2013, 09:37 AM | #17 |
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Name: Fish
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This was a 2 tank run on 2 different days started with no gas fill to the neck then did a 300 mile run then using gas I measure by wight I filled back to the same spot. Note this was 100% non stop 65mph other then getting on and off. I did it on 2 different days as my goal is to try and get 100+mpg.
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Hey Unregistered never go faster than your brakes can be applied... |
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July 27th, 2013, 09:47 AM | #18 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Tom
Location: Dayton, OH
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Quote:
300 miles divided by 4.5 gallons(assuming you didn't run the tank dry) = 66 mpg. 300/4.5 = 66.7 Am I missing something?
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July 27th, 2013, 09:48 AM | #19 |
Daily Ninjette rider
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__________________________________________________
Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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July 27th, 2013, 09:49 AM | #20 |
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I did not use the full tank and I drain and weight the left over gas.
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Hey Unregistered never go faster than your brakes can be applied... |
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July 27th, 2013, 09:53 AM | #21 |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Tom
Location: Dayton, OH
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Gotcha.
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July 27th, 2013, 10:02 AM | #22 | |
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Quote:
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Hey Unregistered never go faster than your brakes can be applied... |
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July 27th, 2013, 10:10 AM | #23 |
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Nah, streamline fairings will double the mileage. A tuck will only mildly improve it. I've talked to those guys, they've all seen that double-increase I'm talking about.
The thing is, when they do the streamlined fairings, it reduces the drag so significantly that they're able to run 15/32 gearing. They run freeway speeds (about 70) at something like 5900 rpm. With a tuck, the bike wouldn't be able to maintain that speed in top gear with that gearing. If you're looking to consistently get high gas mileage without resorting to coasting or pulse/glide riding, streamlining is the way to go. |
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July 27th, 2013, 10:16 AM | #24 |
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I just want to brake 100mpg with out changing the overall look of the bike.
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Hey Unregistered never go faster than your brakes can be applied... |
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July 27th, 2013, 10:16 AM | #25 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Tom
Location: Dayton, OH
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lol. I bet. I was playing nice earlier. Then you start putting down a true enthusiasts setup? Your calculations are wrong. I don't know how or why. Nor, do i particularly care. I don't believe an otherwise stock 250 (with 15/39) will get near 90 mpg.
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July 27th, 2013, 10:18 AM | #26 | |
Daily Ninjette rider
Name: Hernan
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The main drag comes from the air (air resistance increases with the square of speed). Streamline fairings reduce the coefficient of drag enormously.
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Motofool .................................Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly "Mankind is composed of two sorts of men — those who love and create, and those who hate and destroy. Love is the bond between men, the way to teach and the center of the world." - José Martí |
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July 27th, 2013, 10:41 AM | #27 | |
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Side not crap may sound like im putting it down If it makes you feel better insert (stuff) in place of (crap)
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Hey Unregistered never go faster than your brakes can be applied... |
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July 27th, 2013, 10:45 AM | #28 | |
ninjette.org guru
Name: Tom
Location: Dayton, OH
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Quote:
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CHEERS!!! |
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July 27th, 2013, 10:46 AM | #29 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Fish
Location: co
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And you are right but I think a more laying down feet far back may lead to better mpg with mold plastic around you then setting up. I am just throwing out ideas as I have never done this my self.
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Hey Unregistered never go faster than your brakes can be applied... |
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July 27th, 2013, 10:53 AM | #30 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Fish
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Well id love to talk about all the stuff I had removed and changed but I do want to brake 100mpg then I plan to do a thread about it. the only part I want to do is keep the motorcycle looking like a motorcycle.
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Hey Unregistered never go faster than your brakes can be applied... |
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July 27th, 2013, 10:55 AM | #31 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Fish
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I also don't think 90 is that good considering the guys on the other bikes are getting 120+ and 100+ just riding it around town.
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Hey Unregistered never go faster than your brakes can be applied... |
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July 27th, 2013, 11:46 AM | #32 |
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The streamline guys ride around town, they ride the mountains, they ride highways; They ride at the same speeds that the rest of us ride at. Also remember that they have very upright bars and pegs, so they're more comfortable than someone with stock plastics who's laying out flat on their bike. Comfort isn't that important for shorter commutes, but the streamline guys ride cross country trips with these bikes and seemed to have no complaints with the rider positioning. That's more than I can say about my bike.
Alan said that he gets his best mileage at 55 mph, but higher speeds (70+) still yield 100-105 mpg consistently. If you're able to get 90 mpg consistently with stock bodywork, you're clearly doing something right. I'd appreciate seeing the numbers, but I'd still call 90 mpg great! |
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July 27th, 2013, 04:51 PM | #33 |
teh n00b
Name: Ralf
Location: Ontario, Canada
Join Date: Jun 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 53
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200 is pretty good man. I get around 250 (hah!) with infrequent aggressive riding but I use 87. I'm 5'8 and about 140 lbs. 87 is cheaper and it's what the engine wants. I think it's a common misconception that putting higher octane gas is better; always go with what the manual says for any vehicle.
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