B6- How Many Miles Do You Get Before Switching To Reserve?

[wantahertzdonut]

My mileage on my Bandit 600 seems to suck lately.  I took the bike in for a tune (which turned into a re-tune) and my mileage still seems to be dismal.

I had to switch to reserve today after 136 miles in mixed (mainly highway) driving on my 10 mile commute to work.  Less than 40mpg!  My friend's 77 Goldwing is doing better. 

When I had the bike in they installed a 'high flow' air filter, and that (other than the tune) is the only thing that has changed since last year when I was getting 150+ on a tank before needing to switch to reserve.  Should I ditch it and go back to a stock or a K&N type?  I'll have to pull my plugs and check them too.

The kicker is 2 years ago I rode to a drag strip and got nearly 48mpg on that trip, and I was racing! 

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[Red01]

Did you contact who did the retune?
Even with a hi-flo filter, you should be getting better than that!  The 48 you were getting is about right for a stock B6.  I wouldn't think you should suffer more than a couple mpg with a hi-flo filter and the carb work to match.

Heck, I get >160 miles before hitting reserve with my B12 w/jet kit and can (~39 mpg most of the time).  Granted, my tank is bigger, but the extra liter is all in reserve capacity.

[wantahertzdonut]

I'm going to get a hold of them this weekend.  I'm just out of ideas at this point.  I bought the thing for gas mileage and it's not doing much better than my car!

[Have Blue]

valves out of adjustment will kill gas milage.

Blue

[Sven]

Heck, I get >160 miles before hitting reserve with my B12 w/jet kit and can (~39 mpg most of the time).

Re: B12 (not B6)--  Hmm.  I am still all stock.  I get about 44 MPG commuting.  Is your MPG loss due to your mods?

Usually, the fuel gage starts blinking at 168, but that's before I have to switch to reserve.

[wantahertzdonut]

valves out of adjustment will kill gas milage.

Blue

I had the valves adjusted last year.  There is still valve noise so they're not too tight.  Thanks for the info though!

[speedwaymaniac]

If i ride around in a lot of city riding i usually switch to reserve around 125-140 miles (depends just how much city riding).
If im covering highway(motorway) miles it can be anything as low as 140 and as high as 170/80 miles. Riding conditions, headwinds etc all account (probably due to my restriction thats in place lets grunt to get through the wind  )

[Red01]

Heck, I get >160 miles before hitting reserve with my B12 w/jet kit and can (~39 mpg most of the time).

Re: B12 (not B6)--  Hmm.  I am still all stock.  I get about 44 MPG commuting.  Is your MPG loss due to your mods?

Usually, the fuel gage starts blinking at 168, but that's before I have to switch to reserve.

I'd say partly anyway... before mods my B12 averaged 42, though I did eek out 44.something a time or two.  I've also seen 41's a couple of time with the mods, but most tanks are in the 39's.

[pmackie]

My stock B6 used to average 41-47 miles/USgal. I could get better than 60 miles/USgal if I really loafed.

Now that it's piped and jetted, it averages 38-42 miles/USgal

Even now with my jetting changes I usually go onto reserve in the 165-180 mile range.

I'd still be suspicious of that "Hi-Flow" air filter. Also check to ensure that there is no oil and/or water building up in your airbox. There is a drain hose (plugged) near your right footpeg.

[wantahertzdonut]

I think I'm going to go get a stock air filter unless you guys recommend a K&N. 

I also never knew about the drain hose, I will definitely check that today.  I ride in nearly all weather so the chances of getting water in there are somewhat likely.  Thanks for the lead!

[salvate]

On a 2007 B-1250
at what point on the gas gauge does it indicate your into reserve?
I have the pump icon with 5 segments, is it when only the pump icon is visable and flashing or when the pump icon and first segment are flashing?

I know, noob question but most times when i run it down to the last segment flashing after about 130 miles or so it only takes 3.something gallons to top it off again and I mean to the top.

[dhcolesj]

On my K8, when I run about 20 miles after they both start flashing, I can force in about 4.5 Gallons.  And I usually average about 200 - 210 miles.   

Now that I think about it, I better to remember to find a station on the way home, they were both flashin' at me when I got back from lunch.