Author Topic: The Test - Results (Read 5518 times)

scooter trash · « **on:** March 28, 2005, 08:38:41 AM »

The test results from last weekends bicycle race are in; (may I have the envelope please).
(Insert dramatic pause here)
And the verdict is.
WOW !!!!!
Now I know why there are so many people on this site. These are great bikes. They are absolutely effortless to ride, go fast, stop quick. You can flick it through an “S” turn without even thinking about it at speed. Best 3K I’ve spent in a long time. After the 70-mile race I wasn’t tired or worn out like with my Springer. I was doing some time splits so I got a chance to see what it would do. I only got up to 70 cause it was raining pretty hard. But it handled great on those twisty windy backcountry roads.
You had to be there to appreciate the other official’s comments when they saw me riding up on an import. From HD Springer Softail to Suzuki Bandit ?!?!?! They were impressed with the bike.
Now the down side.
The gas mileage really sucks. I’ve got to change those sprockets. I only got 125 miles before I switched to reserve. The Springer (1340 cc, 685 lbs., with engine mods and 4.2 gal. Tank) gets 158 before reserve.
There are a couple of races that I won’t be able to complete with that kind of mileage. Any suggestions other than the sprocket change and keep my hand off the throttle?
And second. I really need four-way flashers. Is there anyway to get them for a 2000 Bandit? Any dealer upgrades? Any after market stuff available? 70 - 80 mphs on backcountry roads you really need to be as visible as you can get.
What a blast !!!!!!

PeteSC · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2005, 09:24:49 AM »

If your bike is stock, and running right, you should be able to get in the mid 40's doing the kind of riding you're doing escorting road bikes.
Tire pressure, state of tune, air filter, plugs, are all things you may want to check.

4-5 years ago, I knew an ex bike racer, (Pro, both road and MTB) who was trying to use an '00 600for whatever you call it when you ride with road racers. I'm not sure he came up with a good solution, but he was talking about putting an amber strobe on some sort of strut attached to the rear rack.
What would be legal, and noticeable?

There are a lot of small amber strobes that don't cost much, or draw much.
In the older bandits, there's enough room in the headlight shell and tail-light assembly to mount small white strobes....you can buy at most autoparts places. (Marketed for the ricemobile crowd.)
There may be some way to adapt the stock turn signals into 4 ways. I remember talk about it years ago, but don't remember details.

Some of the aftermarket headlight modulator companies like Kisan, may have something.

PeteSC · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2005, 09:33:04 AM »

Kriss has a 4 way flasher adapter

http://www.kriss.com/hazardflasher.htm

B6Matt · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2005, 09:58:18 AM »

Quote

I only got 125 miles before I switched to reserve.

Whoa! You might try checking the throttle position sensor and get the carbs synched. Those seem to be the most common gas mileage problems.

A larger front sprocket might help too.

PeteSC · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2005, 10:48:17 AM »

He's got a '00 1200, which is the last year of the 'old style' B12. No throttle position sensor. The MPG should be better, though.

scooter trash · « **Reply #5 on:** March 28, 2005, 12:51:35 PM »

Right after I bought the bike I took it to the local Suzuki dealer and paid $280.00 to go over the bike. (Mainly because I have no idea what I’m doing with this bike) Which was to include all fluids changed, carbs synchronized, new filters, and on and on and on. I wanted a mechanically sound ride. No worries. The bike runs great. It idles smooth. The exhaust pipe is clean (no soot). I don’t smell any raw fuel or rich condition. I have done quite a bit of racing so I am a fanatic about tire pressures. I know what a half a pound of air will do. Now I know my wife’s Sportster gets rotten mileage at low speeds but out on the highway she’ll pass me and every gas station for up to 190 miles. That’s with a 3.2 gal tank. But around town she’s looking for gas at around 130 miles. So I was wondering if the 25 – 35 mph bike race pace is to slow for it or if non-stop flogging the living daylights out of it (time splits) might be the problem. We usually don’t do both in a race. But since we were short of officials I ended up timing half of one race. Now I do have the 22” Rifle windscreen so that will cause some drag. (It works perfect for my application)
I guess I’ll have to give it some long distance rides and some round town rides to see what’s happening. I’ve been so busy lately all I’ve been able to do was go out in the garage and look at them. I’ve got to get a life !!!!!!
Thanks for the info on the signal adapter from Kriss. I know about the strobes, have them on the Harley, but I didn’t want to take everything off the Harley and didn’t want to spend a bunch for new stuff. Was trying to do it cheap.

How would I know if the carbs needed synchronized?

I really appreciate all the help.

DragonRider · « **Reply #6 on:** March 28, 2005, 01:36:54 PM »

I have an 03 b12 no mods. I get 32 mpg during commute ( long lights, moderate trafik) slow going. On weekends, long rides, I usually burn 3 tanks of gas. The best mpg i have achieved was 42 on a day that my average speed was 75

scooter trash · « **Reply #7 on:** March 28, 2005, 01:52:23 PM »

That's what I'm thinking. The slow speeds are probably killing me. Because who buys one of these to do 25 - 35 mph !?!?!?!?!? It's the same with Susie's Sportster, 75 mph and she goes forever, 35 mph and she needs gas every other station.

PeteSC · « **Reply #8 on:** March 28, 2005, 01:57:23 PM »

when my bike was stock, I could get 42-45 mpg at slow highway speeds.
(60-65)
It's been a long time since it was stock, though!

Did you actually figure the MPG, or is hitting reserve at 125 miles bothering you?
Sometimes the range before reserve is kind of variable on different bikes. You should have around a gallon left when you go on reserve.
If you figured your MPG, and it isn't too bad, it is possible to shorten the pickup tube on the petcock and expand the amount of gas you can use before hitting reserve.

scooter trash · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2005, 03:54:51 PM »

I'll have to do an exact mileage check. Go 40 miles round town fill up, then do 40 highway and fill up and see what happens. I just expected with a 5 gallon tank and less than 1200 cc I'd be able to go longer on a tank. With work and all the rain we've been having last Saturday was the most I've ridden in months. We're usually 3 to 400 mile per weekend riders but this winter just refuses to end. And work, while it does keep me in toys could let up just a bit.

I'll do a comprehensive fuel test and get back with you.

Red01 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2005, 07:17:24 PM »

Like Pete said, the reserve on these bikes is huge. A 1G, like yours, typically has a full gallon in reserve (+/- 0.1 for bike variabilty). The 2G has a 0.3 gallon bigger tank, but for some strange reason, most bikes keep that 0.3 gallon extra in reserve, too - so they still have ~4 gallons on main, but have ~1.3 gallons in reserve. (California models of both bikes have a little less capacity since CA mandates they have a larger expansion space.)

Keep in mind the B12 has a wide powerband. You may want to experiment around with different gears to run around at your typical race official speeds to find the cog that gets you the best mpg. They will pull without lugging from ~2500 RPM on up... but may not be the most effecient there.

scooter trash · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2005, 08:01:55 AM »

This is the first time I’ve run the tank down. All winter I’ve topped the tank off to keep it full before taking it home so I really have no idea how much is left in the tank. I was thinking it’s like our Harley’s. When you hit reserve on those you had better be heading to a gas station. They have less than a gallon reserve.
The weather is getting nicer here. Actually Paul you’d be right at home here, it’s been raining just about every other day except for the past 4 days when it hasn’t stopped raining.

I really appreciate the help thanks.