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Help Low MPG

 
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dibdob69
Brick Rider


Joined: 14 Sep 2011
Posts: 42
Location: Near Warwick in the UK

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 3:57 am    Post subject: Help Low MPG Reply with quote

How can i improve my MPG ?

At the moment I'm only getting 130/150 miles to a tank of gas, any ideas how i can improve on that, What can cause low MPG ?
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SugarHillCTD
Site Admin


Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Now in Eastern Pennsylvania

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 5:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have you looked at BMWMick's diagnostic code thread?

http://k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2110

My first thought is that the Motronic brain is in a default "protective" mode.

Or you have a very heavy right hand Shocked . Just kidding.
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E T
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 21 Jan 2010
Posts: 265
Location: Colbert Wa

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 1:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sugar hill, Theres some truth to that heavy hand Shocked Very Happy , One ride i was coming back from northern Calif seeing my son, From one fuel up to the next was 152 miles, I was sweating it as my gauge had been on empty for a a bit longer than i liked and the lowest i had ever let it get. But i was also doing 100 to 130 the whole way.. Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
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Sonu
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 15 Jan 2004
Posts: 400
Location: San Jose, CA

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 2:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are you sure that your problem is low mpg and not low fuel fillup? How many gallons are you getting into the tank at fillup? Have you searched this site for a "flapperectomy"?

I get anywhere from 160 to 200 miles per tank depending on how hard I'm riding the bike.

Sanjiv
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BobZ(IL)
Rider in the Sky


Joined: 20 May 2007
Posts: 651
Location: Bourbonnais, IL

PostPosted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you do much highway riding, lowering your windscreen can improve mileage.
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E T
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 21 Jan 2010
Posts: 265
Location: Colbert Wa

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sonu wrote:
Are you sure that your problem is low mpg and not low fuel fillup? How many gallons are you getting into the tank at fillup? Have you searched this site for a "flapperectomy"?

I get anywhere from 160 to 200 miles per tank depending on how hard I'm riding the bike.

Sanjiv


Sonu, I am the same as you, 160 to 200+, I have done the Flapperectomy on my bike,
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Number 6
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 05 Feb 2011
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Location: Paris area, France

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Try throttle sync + CO (richness) tune.
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whyoldbill
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 12 Jun 2006
Posts: 440
Location: in the boonies, northwest of Columbus, Ohio

PostPosted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 12:45 pm    Post subject: Help Low MPG Reply with quote

In addition to all of the above suggestions (except the CO richness tune, we can't do that in the US as we have O2 sensors)
I'd recommend going for about a 3-5 mile ride in a flat area, where you can coast to a stop. Then check your brake rotors, If they're really hot, you're likely dragging a brake and it's time for a master and/or slave cylinder rebuild.
I ride 80 miles round trip to work daily and go about 240 per tank after the flapper-ectomy (at 70-75 mph, not 100!!)
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dibdob69
Brick Rider


Joined: 14 Sep 2011
Posts: 42
Location: Near Warwick in the UK

PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 7:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I ran the bike just about dry and this is what i found, The fuel light came on at 129 miles the bike started missing on acceleration at 160 miles and was about empty at 180 miles.
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BMGraeme
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Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 373
Location: Marlborough, United Kingdom

PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 2:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I fill up usually when the trip reads 180 miles. I have a fair amout of fuel left and the light still has not come on. I'm quite heavy handed with the throttle so your MPG is really bad. Lots of advice as to what to look at on here, but somethings wrong that's for sure.
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Jim
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Joined: 17 May 2003
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PostPosted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've run out of gas twice - once at 239 miles and the other time at 240. Both times I was pulling the trailer, and traveling at highway speeds.

Have you done a flapperectomy yet? That will let you put a little more gas in the tank.

180 is low miles for a tankful.
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Tim (Midland Section)
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Posts: 960
Location: Pinxton, Nottingham, England.

PostPosted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 8:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Jim wrote:
Have you done a flapperectomy yet? That will let you put a little more gas in the tank.

180 is low miles for a tankful.


UK Bike do not have a "flapper". One can however get more fuel in with a wiggle of the bum or two (butt) when the tank appears brimmed to release the air.
I usually get 170 /180 heavy handed & have had 220 before the fuel light illuminates. K's get thirsty if you exceed 5000 revs.
It does sound like a throttle balance is in order.
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