30mpg or 40mpg?

[Handyman]

I'm not a new member, but a first time poster. I have spent the last six months soaking up information from this forum but haven't run across this topic. I bought a 1999 venture in September. I like the bike very much, but something about it is driving me crazy. When I ride 70 mph I get 30 mpg. When I run 80-85 mph I get 40-42 mpg. I like 40-42 the best.It has aftermarket mufflers and the AIS is plugged. That's the extent of what I know about the bike. Synchronizing the carbs haven't made a difference. If I'm doing it correctly. Changed the plugs twice. I'm pretty sure I know how to do that. The bike seems to run smoother(no mirror vibration) at higher speeds(very little vibration) at slower speeds, but I have no problem with how it runs at slower speeds except for the millage.

 

Suggestions greatly appreciated. The wifey is starting to have questions.

 

This the the best forum I've ever belonged to.

 

Thanks

Richard

[Freebird]

Well, that is exactly opposite of what most of us would see. Hopefully some others will jump in here on this one but I have to wonder if the floats are set way too high. I am really taking a stab in the dark here but perhaps they are too high but then when running at 85 MPH, they don't have the opportunity to overfill?

 

Otherwise, I would be looking into an electrical problem. A bad charging system that is not letting the plugs fire properly unless you are at a higher RPM?

[RandyR]

I don't have a solution for you, but I'd like to have your problem...

 

The only way I can get 42mpg is to run 60-65 mph, any faster and the mpg drops off fast.

 

The carbs jets may somehow be 'unusual' yielding poorer mileage at lowspeed?

 

Any chance you have non-stock cams or ignition ?

 

The other thought I have is that maybe the bike is running on 3 cylinders until you get up to speed. ie: an ignition/wiring/coil problem ?

[Handyman]

Once in the garage, I pulled a plug wire to see what it would sound like if I were running on three. It was really an extreme difference. Maybe I should have pulled each one at a time. Do you think? Could it have possibly been running on two.

[mraf]

Only running on two would make it a pig. That would suck fuel like crazy. 42 MPG at 80-85 I wouldn't change a thing. Thats the best I've ever heard at that speed. Mine is like most on here, the faster I go the worse the mileage gets.

 

P.S. Don't tell the oil companies they will impound your bike and send you to brainwashing school.:rotfl:

[Handyman]

Don't get me wrong, I also like the 40 mpg,But most of the time, we travel roads that 80 isn't realistic. That's when I get 30 and I'm going to reserve at 140 miles. Who's glad they get 30 mpg. I've just built a trailer and afraid I won't even get 30 and I'm sure not looking forward to pulling it 80.

I'm sorry, after I rechecked, I'm getting 38 at best, not 40-42. That's still a big difference, but not as big. I guess I need to spend more time on my calculator.

 

No wonder I'm not getting any hugs.Never Mind.

 

Richard

[Kregerdoodle]

I seem to get better millage when 2-up, around 43-46 I s`pose cause I dont run it as hard with mama on the back, normally one up, my fuel lite comes on around the 176m area.. but I`m not big on keeping track of my millage, its better then my truck gets with a 460 in it..LOL so I`m happy.

[RandyR]

Another line of thinking is that lugging the engine at too low rpms will result in lower power and hence lower gas mileage. Drop it down a gear and see if your mileage goes up.

[skydoc_17]

Hey Richard,

I think Randy may have hit the nail on the head. If you ride this bike like a twin, it will get crappy gas mileage. "Lugging around" in 5th gear below 65 is not what these engines were designed for. As far as the Float level goes, V7Goose has written an excellent article in the Second Gen. Tech. Section about checking/resetting the float level. The part you mentioned about vibration is almost a dead give away that you are lugging the engine at lower speeds. The top two gears in the Second Gen. tranny are pretty tall, so running at 80 in 5th puts the engine in it's "sweet spot" RPM wise. Running 45 in 5th gear is costing you 8 MPG's. Rev that puppy up, you can't hurt the motor, and not only will you see better gas mileage, you will definitely see an increase in the "Thrill-O-Meter" as well.

[Handyman]

I am guilty of lugging it. I'm still amazed how much it will rev when I let it. Also, usually when we're running at lower speeds, we are going thru small towns. That would be when I lug it most. Old habits are hard to break.

[zooer]

I think the members have solved the mystery, but before we move one I have one more question here. What is the top speed you get on a second gen in 4th gear before she floats out? Feel free to discuss what you can do in third also.

[Grisolm1]

On a related topic. My 1st gen saw no mileage change with a shorter vmax rear, still about 38mpg. Definitely peppier at higher revs. 2nd gens are geared even taller.

[Handyman]

I'll give it a try. I've been riding a suzuki 1400 Intruder. V twin with a 4 speed. You can almost take off in third.

 

Thanks for the education

 

Richard

[Freebird]

That's why I am really happy with the VMAX rear on my '99.

[Condor]

Another line of thinking is that lugging the engine at too low rpms will result in lower power and hence lower gas mileage. Drop it down a gear and see if your mileage goes up.

 

[Sailor]

Where I live the roads are all hills and corners, I am always changing gears and never get into 5th. The mileage improves considerably when I get off island and onto a highway where I can get up to speed and cruise in 5th.

[zooer]

I was not trying to highjack this thread. I kind of thought the question I asked was an add-on, but perhaps I should have just started a new thread. Oh well, next time.

[XV1100SE]

I was not trying to highjack this thread. I kind of thought the question I asked was an add-on, but perhaps I should have just started a new thread. Oh well, next time.

 

You won't get hasseled on this site for "add-on" questions. Been too many months since I've been riding or I'd post an answer for you. And this evening we've been getting snow. Lots of rain tomorrow but snow forecast again for Wed. Give the guys a chance to answer your question.

[Handyman]

I can't tell you the top speed in 4th gear, But I bet I can come pretty close to the slowest.

 

 

Richard

[mraf]

I think the members have solved the mystery, but before we move one I have one more question here. What is the top speed you get on a second gen in 4th gear before she floats out? Feel free to discuss what you can do in third also.

 

Be willing to bet, not fast enough to pass a 1st gen. :rotfl:I know, I know smart a##.:rotfl: Just figured its been to touchy, feelly around here lately. Had to beat Yammer to the punch.

[Freebird]

I don't think it will float out in 4th. With the OEM rear, these bikes will NOT redline in 4th gear. It's been several years but I know I had mine close to 120 in 4th.

[AKRefugee]

I've had mine to 115 in 4th and did not hit the limiter. I did however have to shift to 5th to get over the air resistance of the wind shield to get any more speed out of it. BTW that was indicated mph which we all know is not the same as true mph.

[naturbar]

I seem to get better millage when 2-up, around 43-46 I s`pose cause I dont run it as hard with mama on the back, normally one up, my fuel lite comes on around the 176m area.. but I`m not big on keeping track of my millage, its better then my truck gets with a 460 in it..LOL so I`m happy.

ditto on getting better mileage with the wife on board. unless i'm on an interstate or major road w/ speed limit at 70, i stay in 4th gear, it definitely gets better mileage .

 

 

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"I think the members have solved the mystery, but before we move one I have one more question here. What is the top speed you get on a second gen in 4th gear before she floats out? Feel free to discuss what you can do in third also"....................

 

 

never left it in fourth to run it fast, always shifted to fifth for that. now third gear my bike hits the rev limiter somewhere between 102 & 105 mph (on the inaccurate speedo that is).

[Yammer Dan]

Be willing to bet, not fast enough to pass a 1st gen. :rotfl:I know, I know smart a##.:rotfl: Just figured its been to touchy, feelly around here lately. Had to beat Yammer to the punch.

 

 

 

120 MPH in 3rd. Oh you were talking about 2nd Gens. Look in the rear view at that little Dot.... That will be the 2nd Gen!!!

Edited April 4, 2011 by Yammer Dan

[zooer]

120 MPH in 3rd. Oh you were talking about 2nd Gens. Look in the rear view at that little Dot.... That will be the 2nd Gen!!!

You first gen guys are a crack up. However, you can afford to be when you can smoke us 2nd gen folks so go ahead, rub it in. I've learned something here and I hate to admit something like that. I've never wound out 4th on the 2nd gen cause I normally chicken out and shift worried I'll blow something. Some day I'll air the moths out of my wallet and buy a tach.