Gas Mileage

[scooter trash]

Had a 875-mile weekend this past weekend. Was averaging 40 mpg on the highway (75-80mph) and only 33-36 during the bike race (25-45mph). Since all of you have been Bandit owners for some time you probably already know this, but for new guys like me it helped (since there were no gas stations for 20 miles from the racecourse.) The manual says to fill the gas tank to the bottom of the rim. But there is an extra inch of space above the rim. If you carefully rock the bike to expel the air from this space you can get at least another half gallon in the tank. Now I won’t do this while riding around town but the bicycle races are often held in remote areas where an extra half-gallon of gas would be very comforting.
The race was held 40 miles outside of Blacksburg, VA. In the foothills of the mountains. Nice downhill runs. I read one of the posts where the person said his chicken strip was down to 1/8”. I also now belong to that club. After 7 hours in the saddle Saturday my butt hurt, but I still love my Bandit !


 

[PeteSC]

I think if you're going to be riding immediately, filling the tank a little higher won't hurt..........
   If you top the bike up to the rim, park it in the sun for a while, you might get some seepage from the gas expanding a bit in the heat.
  Not sure if you want to go this route, but sometimes I carry a couple of litres of gas in those aluminum SIG type bottles, designed for backpacking fuel......

[scooter trash]

No I realize about the expansion. I will only do it when riding. And where did you get those bottles?

[PeteSC]

http://www.campmor.com

  I think they were about $10 each when I bought them.


  OOPS!   The brand is MSR.


http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?memberId=12500226&productId=13672

33 Oz is $12

[scooter trash]

[android]

Hey all, I got an '03 b12s, got 7300 miles on it and just got first big tune up and valve adjustment and am getting an average of 34 mpg. This is with 89 octane midgrade. I think I was averaging 42 last summer, but I was driving more freeway. I weigh #225. What u guys get??

[terrebandit]

Hey all, I got an '03 b12s, got 7300 miles on it and just got first big tune up and valve adjustment and am getting an average of 34 mpg. This is with 89 octane midgrade. I think I was averaging 42 last summer, but I was driving more freeway. I weigh #225. What u guys get??

I always got over 40 mpg on my 2G B12.  It didn't matter how hard I ran it....  I would say I averaged about 41 mpg on that bike.

Different story on my 1G B12.... best I ever got was 39 mpg and I have gotten as low as 31 mpg.  I would say that I average 36 mpg in normal riding.

[txbanditrydr]

I got 45 mpg on one part of a recent trip but it was very easy riding and low rpms for most of it.  Later, with a little harder running it dropped to 40 and I have gotten less.

Mileage is kinda tricky - you have to very consistent when filling the tank to get an accurate reading.  A little over pumping and your mileage appears to go down and then the next tank seems like you went forever.  

I am about ready to quit worrying about it and just RIDE....  Maybe check it under "ideal" conditions.      

[Red01]

Hey all, I got an '03 b12s, got 7300 miles on it and just got first big tune up and valve adjustment and am getting an average of 34 mpg. This is with 89 octane midgrade. I think I was averaging 42 last summer, but I was driving more freeway. I weigh #225. What u guys get??

We live in the same area, and I ride with several other area B12 riders.
You shouldn't need to run mid-grade on a stock compression engine. You will probably find it runs better on regular.

There's really nothing to a "big tune up" on these bikes. A clean air filter, fresh spark plugs and a valve adjustment is all there is to it.
Who did the tune-up? You or a shop? Either way, someone has messed something up. Like maybe not changing the air filter, futzing with the carbs...

I've never got as low as 34 with my '01, even with a jet kit and slip-on, romping in the mountains for several tanks of gas.
(Like yesterday's SR20 run with Bobcat.)  

[android]

hey red, I was gonna say Im in OLY if you ever want to ride... I was getting my better mileage when I was commuting from Puyallup to Oly before the tuneup. I got it last winter at Vince's In Oly, he's a good mechanic. I forgot what Suzuki recommended for octane...but 89 seems to work. havent replaced the air filter, only 7300 miles??

[terrebandit]

You will also get better gas mileage with 87 octane!  Laugh now if you want but do yourself a favor and try it!  You can thank me later...  

[Red01]

android, check out the Pacific Northwest section... there's a ride coming up next month down in your neck of the woods. (St. Helens) I'll be there as long as work doesn't get in the way.

the manual recommends 87 octane for most of the USA. 85 in high altitude places like Colorado.
(Europe uses a different octane rating system, but regular is it)

[neoseity]

I live at 8500 ft, use 87 octane and get 40 or maybe a little less.

By riding my Bandit I'm doing my part to help the environment.  

Certainly no reason to use a higher octane fuel.
It's a common misperception.
My father in law puts 91 octane in his mini-van and wonders why it can't pass inspections

[smooth operator]

I checked my milage yesterday, I'm only getting 28.5 mpg. The bike runs good, if anything a little lean on the bottom. On a 98, I'm running full HS exhaust,K&N pods,3 degree advacer,slingshot cams. 150 mains,32.5 piolots,and w/HS needles I'm all the way to the top notch with a shim.3 1/4 turns out on the fuel adjusments.The plugs are running clean, maybe a tad on the lean side if anything ( but after 3 fill ups there might be a tad of Cam2 still mixing in)I'm still getting a little intake popping just off idle,mostly when cold. But I do'nt want to richen it up any more,I'm already getting the worst mileage of anyone I know on the list. Yesterday,I even tried driving like a normal person(part of my mileage may be do to this wrist problem I have) I had to drive in a slow speed limit zone. Tryed keeping it under 70mph on the thruway(had to get around some traffic that was in my way,so I was above 100 a couple times)but for the most part,modest and all around driving.When I finally get in some track time,I could care less about mileage. But for comuting or trips,it sure would be nice to stetch it out abit farther.
  Is anyone else getting that poor mileage?

[oremike]

When I first installed my Ivan's jet kit I had the needle postion way too high. The bike had a WFO power hit that would lift the front wheel with 3rd gear downshift/passes. My exhaust was so dirty that it sooted up right rear turn signal. My milage was 28 mpg. I changed my air cleaner(duh) and moved the clip postion to the middle postion, now I get 37 mpg but don't have quite as wild of a WFO hit.
Mike M.