Gas Milage?

[canyonbreeze]

My '91 Bandit 400 is only getting 33 mpg, maybe 36 on highway if I stay below 90 mph  .  Many others seem to be getting around 50 mpg.  Seems to run well, idle well, have new plugs, clean air filter, etc.  The valves may need an adjustment but I haven't been able to locate a valve cover filter in this country yet.  Any other suggestions?

[Red01]

I haven't been able to locate a valve cover filter in this country yet.  Any other suggestions?

What country is that? Are your fuel economy numbers in US or Imperial gallons?  Imperial gallon figures don't look as good as US ones. 

I'm not familiar with the 250 & 400's, but the bigger ones don't have a valve cover filter, they vent to the airbox.  On bikes with aftermarket pod filters, a small K&N, or similar, filter is attached to the vent hose.

[canyonbreeze]

Oops, that was a typo, should have been valve cover gasket.  I was able get one delivered but haven't had time or sunlight enough yet to adjust the valves.  The 400 uses an airbox.  Units are US Gallons.

[Thief400]

A 400 will never get 50 mpg  . Your mileage is spot on for a 400 that is running well. 

[Red01]

Really? 33-36 is typical for a good running B4?
My B12 does better than that with a jet kit, pod filters and a can - even flogging it hard I can do better than 36!
And my C14 has returned >49 mpg(US).

I would've thought a B4 ought to get numbers similar to a B6, which is usually in the mid-40's.

[Thief400]

One has to remember that the 400 is in a very high state of tune for its time. It puts out more HP per Liter than the GSXR1100 of the the time, which was the HP king. The Canadain spec GSXR1100 with 40mm carbs got between 31 to 35 mpg. A Canadian bike may look like it's getting better mileage but our gallon is bigger lol   

[pmackie]

Hey Red

Really? 33-36 is typical for a good running B4?

You must be getting old.. you memory is fading.

Remember a couple of years ago when we rode with Andrew and his B4? He was always going onto reserve, and worried about making it more than 130-140 miles/tank. So...a lot worse than my jetted and canned B6, which went at least 220 miles (on a 4 litre larger tank).

I also seems most B4 run rich, and get worse as they get older.

Good to hear about the Connie...it's about the same as my Sprint, that cruising at 60 mph doesn't seem to use fuel. Under 4.8 litres/100 kms (stupid metric system!!) or about 49 miles/US gal (59 miles/Imperial Gal). Of course running the revs up changes that pretty fast, but I'm still averaging about 5.1 litres/100 kms (46 miles/US Gal) over the 20,000 kms I've put on it.

[bandito93]

My Bandit gets right around 50mpg when driven nicely and low 40's when I flog it. I have a Dynojet jet kit, yoshimura exhaust, and UNI green foam filter but I still have no problem getting 50mpg if I want to. Also, I calculated my mileage in us gallons (3.78 litres).

[interfuse]

I get 40 mpg but I ride it like it's stolen.

[tomacGTi]

Worst: 25mpg at Lightning which is WFO 90% of the time.

I went through a quarter of the tank in one session (15 minutes). I needed to just about fill up after the post-lunch session.

At best on the street I may see 40 and that's riding like a total grandpa. 120 mains, full exhaust and uni filter are a thirsty and potent combo.

[Red01]

Hey Red

Really? 33-36 is typical for a good running B4?

You must be getting old.. you memory is fading.

Remember a couple of years ago when we rode with Andrew and his B4? He was always going onto reserve, and worried about making it more than 130-140 miles/tank. So...a lot worse than my jetted and canned B6, which went at least 220 miles (on a 4 litre larger tank).

I also seems most B4 run rich, and get worse as they get older.

Good to hear about the Connie...it's about the same as my Sprint, that cruising at 60 mph doesn't seem to use fuel. Under 4.8 litres/100 kms (stupid metric system!!) or about 49 miles/US gal (59 miles/Imperial Gal). Of course running the revs up changes that pretty fast, but I'm still averaging about 5.1 litres/100 kms (46 miles/US Gal) over the 20,000 kms I've put on it.

True, my memory faded.  I've never been this old before.
I thought his need for refills was based more on his smaller tank than an mpg issue.

[canyonbreeze]

I get 90~100 miles before hitting reserve.  And hitting reserve is something I avoid as there's no warning.   The bike just dies and needs 10~15 seconds on prime before it will start again.  By the carbon on the exhaust I can see it's running rich.  Will rebuild the carbs when I have time and place to do so.

[pmackie]

True, my memory faded.  I've never been this old before.

 

That's good Red...I may use that line. I feel particularly old this week. I'm not used to getting up at 6:00 AM and doing 12-14 hour days...I thought I was all done with that...less than 6 weeks till I'm out of this business...then it's burn up the road as much as I can this year.

[Ivandit]

Mine gets 200-250 km/tank, depending if it is urban or open road riding,

I´m not sure how to convert that to US units, sorry

[Red01]

True, my memory faded.  I've never been this old before.

 

That's good Red...I may use that line.

Feel free! 

...less than 6 weeks till I'm out of this business...then it's burn up the road as much as I can this year.

Retirement???