Fuel Mileage

[asbach21]

I've read some posts about fuel mileage, but didn't find the answers I need. Brand new, '09 TD, less than 600 miles. Crappy fuel mileage. I know the odometers are off, so that means I am getting 30 and less mpg. What if anything can I do, or tell the tech to do at the first service? We've got a 1000 mile/24 hr CVMA ride the first week of Aug. I need to better the mpgs by then if possible.

Thanks for any and all help. I like this bike much better than my '07 R*, and know that I will never be able to match that fuel mileage. I just want to get it in the range of high 30's, low 40's.

 

Thanks much,

Eric Robbins

[V7Goose]

30 or less generally indicates you are running on just three cylinders. Do a fingertip test on cold start. Reach behind each header pipe and touch the pipe right next to the header flange - be quick - as soon as you feel any heat, go to the next one. They should all heat up evenly and very quickly; within 30 seconds you will burn your finger.

 

Also make sure you are riding that engine correctly - you absolutely cannot ride it like a big twin. Keep the revs up and do not shift too soon.

 

Most of the power in this engine is above 3,000 RPM. Just going from memory, 3,000 RPM is around 70 MPH in 5th (that is why you cannot roll on the throttle hard at 55 in 5th). You CAN ride it all day long in 5th gear anywhere from 40 MPH to 120 MPH, just do not try to accelerate too fast in 5th gear unless you are running over 65. If you are shifting too soon and doing any acceleration at all, that thing will perform like a dog and your mileage will suffer.

 

Shifting points - the owner's manual has suggested shifting points in it - but DO NOT EVER try to use them. I have no idea what drugged out fool wrote those down, but this bike CANNOT be ridden in any reasonable fashion with the shift points shown in the owner's manual!

 

For MODERATE acceleration, here are some good shift points to shift INTO the next gear:

40 MPH => 3rd gear

50 MPH => 4th gear

60 MPH => 5th gear

 

Of course, it is fine to upshift sooner if you are done accelerating (or are simply going to keep pace with the usual city traffic). And if you are accelerating hard, you should run it much higher in each gear than those points I gave you above. Remember, 3rd gear will take you all the way to 96 MPH before you hit the rev limiter at 6,000 RPM, so I wouldn't consider hitting 4th until at least 70 if you are trying to move out quickly!

Goose

[FuzzyRSTD]

A quick carb sinc might help. My bike was out early after new, but I had put on the after market exhaust (Roadhouse pipes) and had done the AIS ststem plug, it is here http://venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=485 . I was getting the back fire after the pipe change. There might be someone close to your area that can do the carb sinc for you. Or a Maintenance Day close to your area. If not, the dealer should do this for you at no or very little charge on the first service. I do the service oil/rear end gear and axle lube/rear differential oil grease change myself after the first service. Of course there is some break in period to allow for also, before a better MPG, I would think. Hope that might help, I am just a shade tree mechanic. I could not have done any of this with out the help of this forum, well worth the $12.00 a yr. I know some other more knowledgeable mechanics will chime in here and help you out even more.

 

Fuzzy

[asbach21]

Thank You,

I was thinking about the carb sinc. I hope that carbs and my shifting are the big issues. I don't want to lose faith in this horse so soon.

 

Thanks for the tips, shifting points are an eye opener.

 

Thank You,

Eric Robbins

[V7Goose]

Do not fail to check for all four cylinders firing. It is unlikely that would be the problem on such a new bike, but you never know.

 

Many owners just dismiss this idea, thinking that they would absolutely know if their bike was only running on three, but it just ain't so. This engine runs fabulously on only three cylinders - the only real indication is terrible gas mileage and 5th gear tends to top out around 85 MPH. I have found people who have been riding on three for months and just couldn't believe it when I told them what their problem was.

Goose

[friesman]

what are your shift points? If youre reading the manual stop!! the shift points listed in there are way to low. IF youre coming from a vtwin mabbe youre shifting too soon and lugging the engine causing your mileage issues.

 

Brian

[asbach21]

Not shifting that early, maybe a bit early for optimum fuel mileage. The manual needs to be re-writen for those that don't know, that's for sure. Hoping carbs are the issue.

 

Thanks