25 miles per gallon. What's wrong?

WhipHubley · 03-18-2007, 8:08 AM

Hi there.

I picked up a six-year-old SP1 the other week, and I'm getting 25 miles to the (UK Imperial) Gallon.

Holy crap! That's not a lot.

I know it's thirsty, but I didn't realise it was that thirsty.

Could there be something wrong? I don't see any evidence of fuel leakage, and I've put new air filters in which rules out the "clogged air filters, running rich?" scenario.

Any advice on what else I could check would be most greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much!

Rigor · 03-18-2007, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhipHubley

Hi there.

I picked up a six-year-old SP1 the other week, and I'm getting 25 miles to the (UK Imperial) Gallon.

Holy crap! That's not a lot.

I know it's thirsty, but I didn't realise it was that thirsty.

Could there be something wrong? I don't see any evidence of fuel leakage, and I've put new air filters in which rules out the "clogged air filters, running rich?" scenario.

Any advice on what else I could check would be most greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much!

That's perfectly normal. This isn't a CB400... I went from a Yamaha that got 45-48 miles to the gallon to the RC51. Despite your amazement, it's normal.

It gets less, when being flogged on a race track, as well........

WhipHubley · 03-18-2007, 11:57 AM

Looks like I'll just have to get on with it then :-)

Thanks.

rokitt51 · 03-18-2007, 2:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhipHubley

Hi there.

I picked up a six-year-old SP1 the other week, and I'm getting 25 miles to the (UK Imperial) Gallon.

Holy crap! That's not a lot.

I know it's thirsty, but I didn't realise it was that thirsty.

Could there be something wrong? I don't see any evidence of fuel leakage, and I've put new air filters in which rules out the "clogged air filters, running rich?" scenario.

Any advice on what else I could check would be most greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much!

I dont think that is normal. I would ride my RC between Tx, and Ga and i would refuel at about 150 miles. 25 MPG is not right. How hard are you pushing the bike? Does it have a PC?

WhipHubley · 03-18-2007, 3:02 PM

I'm pushing it hard.

It used to have a PC but that's been removed and the standard cans are back on.

stegen · 03-18-2007, 4:34 PM

I was going to say that isnt normal also. on my repsol i was gettting about 45 a gallon

txrc51fatboy · 03-18-2007, 5:27 PM

25 is better than i get. i avg 18 mpg.
if you bought this bike to save money on gas, you bought the wrong bike.
you need a vespa

WhipHubley · 03-18-2007, 6:08 PM

My main concern is if something was wrong. It seems not.

I'll live with its thirst, because I love it already :-)

Rigor · 03-18-2007, 6:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rokitt51

I dont think that is normal. I would ride my RC between Tx, and Ga and i would refuel at about 150 miles. 25 MPG is not right. How hard are you pushing the bike? Does it have a PC?

150 miles on 4.7 gallons

150 miles less 10% (conservative) speedo error = -15 miles = 135 actual miles driven. (Not 150.....as the odometer states)

135 miles divided by 4.76 gallons = 28.37 miles to the gallon.

Assuming you never ran it completely out of gas and stopped before the 1.19 gallon reserve and got fuel JUST as the light came on:

135 miles divided by 3.57 gallons = 37.82 miles per gallon. Better... but...

Realistically, you have to drive to a fueling station, so give that .5 gallons.

135 miles divided by 4.26 gallons = 31.69 MPG. (3.57 + .69 = 4.26 gallons)

With highway speeds and constant driving and no stop-go traffic, (better with stock gearing) it's still not a terrific mile-per gallon rating, nor that different, when compared to the I4s.

As well, rider weight, hills, speed and acceleration all plays a factor in this.

Your results may vary......

dattaway · 03-18-2007, 7:05 PM

I did 155 miles on 3.6 gallons yesterday. I was getting 120 miles for the last few months. I guess cleaning the oil and dust out of the air filters did some good.

Custom900 · 03-19-2007, 1:49 AM

Your bike is doing fine in terms of mileage. That's average.

txrc51fatboy · 03-19-2007, 1:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dattaway

I did 155 miles on 3.6 gallons yesterday. I was getting 120 miles for the last few months. I guess cleaning the oil and dust out of the air filters did some good.

you ride like a girl

Custom900 · 03-19-2007, 2:05 AM

I can get close to 200 miles out of a tank of fuel. I get 40MPG on a Hayabusa. I can take the same bike to the strip and pull 9.8 ETs at 140MPH.

By the way. I know girls that would rip you apart on the track. It's quite possible that riding like a girl would be a compliment to you.

txrc51fatboy · 03-19-2007, 2:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txrc51fatboy

25 is better than i get. i avg 18 mpg.
if you bought this bike to save money on gas, you bought the wrong bike.
you need a vespa

let me amend this statement.
i run three different maps : sato, mori and yosh.

mori is for mainly hi spirited back road fun
95 miles light is on. 80+ mph

yosh map is for long distant hiway trips to the fun roads
100-110 miles light is on. 65-75 mph

sato map is for track
60-65 miles light is on 100+ mph

txrc51fatboy · 03-19-2007, 2:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Custom900

By the way. I know girls that would rip you apart on the track. It's quite possible that riding like a girl would be a compliment to you.

wow thats amazing. i know a few myself who are faster. whats your point

dattaway · 03-19-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txrc51fatboy

you ride like a girl

Either that or take the car to work. I prefer to take the bike!

ConqSoft · 03-19-2007, 10:32 AM

RC51 mileage sucks, so yours is about right. Remember people, we are talking about the RC51 here.

HCCAFan · 03-19-2007, 11:31 AM

With power going up and up I wonder how long til we have to strap a reserve tank to our backs to do any decent riding. 130 miles comes way too quick as it is now.

forceten · 03-26-2007, 4:03 AM

I was shocked when i first got my RC51 too. I filled up and after a day or riding my fuel light came on. I thought something was wrong with the light. After I filled up i thought maybe something was wrong with the bike. But nope, all in good health.

I ain't getting 25 either. More like 18-20 maybe. But I love to wind the gears out when i can so I'm sure that makes the MPG worse.

mercenary · 04-03-2007, 10:31 PM

my RC gets about 28 mpg on average too

MarinoKouch · 04-03-2007, 10:48 PM

Wow! I was considering purchasing a RC51, but now with the current gas prices, and rising, I don't really know.... If I could get at least 33 miles per gallon. If only.

texasixes · 04-09-2007, 4:21 AM

I get between 110 and 120 miles from fill up to light coming on.

forceten · 04-09-2007, 5:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarinoKouch

Wow! I was considering purchasing a RC51, but now with the current gas prices, and rising, I don't really know.... If I could get at least 33 miles per gallon. If only.

33? You need a scooter

Rigor · 04-09-2007, 6:31 PM

If you all think 25 mph is bad......hang a Power Commander on it and ride it like you're supposed to. That 25 will seem like a lot.........

jhonda41 · 04-09-2007, 6:36 PM

holy gas fumes batman!

I cant justify an RC that gets 28mpg

My blade gets 130 miles to the tank when I am almost redlining all my gears that the track. I used to ride an 04 R6 and I can tell you first hand that stopping every hundred miles to fill up SUCKS ASS!

damn you RC51!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DAMN YOU TO HELL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why must though sound so beautiful yet get such crap for gas mileage???

-jh

txrc51fatboy · 04-11-2007, 5:40 PM

I cant justify an RC that gets 28mpg

i wish i got 28 mpg. point is this is not an ecomomical bike, people who have to worry about spending money on gas should not buy this bike.
I smile everytime i have to buy gas on a ride, it means i have ~90 miles more fun

WhipHubley · 04-14-2007, 1:13 PM

Hi again.

That 25MPG was calculated after getting only 70 miles before the reserve light came on.

I'm happy to report that since replacing the (very dirty) air filters with new OEM ones I now get 130 miles before the reserve light.

Which is fine by me!

All that I need to sort now is the suspension. Getting new springs and oil next month, and a new WP shock hopefully next summer :-)