RSV Miles per Gallon, Speeds, and Odometer Errors

[Jethroish]

Grooved concrete will increase tire wear more than asphalt. So add that to the equation.

[Sisbaiken]

Being a new Venture owner....I am only getting 30-35 miles per gallon HWY! I use cruise set it at 65 and have done several 200 to 300 mile trips with my tank showing empty at 150-165. Is this what everyone else is seeing? I have a 2009 RSV. Sorry for bringing back an old thread but I figured I would get some of you alls input on this subject matter. I just hate being the first of the group that's got to get gas!!!! GRRRRRRRRRR!

[Flyinfool]

When your tank is showing empty at 150-165 miles, how much gas are you putting back in it?

[Sisbaiken]

anywhere from 4.5 to 5 gallons. Can syncing of the carbs help much? I am a former BMW rider and this is my first "heavy" bike. My '85 k100 looks a lot like the 1st gen venture. I got nearly 45 to 50 with it still when I ride it.

[XV1100SE]

Syncing the carbs might help. How have you been with maintenance (eg plugs, air filter)?

 

I filled up this morning....245km / 152 miles and put in 16.9 liters / 4.47 U.S. gallons. Works out to about 34 mpg US. That is combined city/highway with some highway up to 85 mph.

[Flyinfool]

That is definitely on the low end of mileage.

There are a few that claim to get 45-50 MPG out of a venture but they are few and far between. From all of the mpg posts that I have read right around 40 is what to realistically expect.

 

Sync may help a little, but not that much. Are there any accessories on the bike that are hanging out in the wind, like air deflectors or a bigger windshield?

 

On the day that you were out riding, what was the wind like? Head winds and cross winds can eat up extra gas.

[XV1100SE]

Some times you have to watch how mileage was calculated. Mixed audience... some will post U.S. mpg others will post Imperial mpg. Makes a difference.

 

I've had mid 40's mpg (Imperial) but it depends on how you ride the bike.

[Flyinfool]

Some times you have to watch how mileage was calculated. Mixed audience... some will post U.S. mpg others will post Imperial mpg. Makes a difference.

 

I've had mid 40's mpg (Imperial) but it depends on how you ride the bike.

:sign yeah that:

 

I have see single tank MPG range from 50 to 16 MPG depending on conditions.

 

50 was 1 up with a good tail wind. 16 was pulling a trailer with the cruise at 80 into a 40MPH quartering headwind.

[Sisbaiken]

Ill have to measure the windshield it seems kind of tall. I still like the comfort though. I was just concerned that I seem to be getting way less then everyone else! lol

Thanks for the input all now I need to go investigate more...

[Sisbaiken]

Syncing the carbs might help. How have you been with maintenance (eg plugs, air filter)?

 

I filled up this morning....245km / 152 miles and put in 16.9 liters / 4.47 U.S. gallons. Works out to about 34 mpg US. That is combined city/highway with some highway up to 85 mph.

 

That is near dead on what I am getting. Everything is clean (filter wise). Maybe it is all she has. It seems though I show I am out of full (1 bar left) yet only ever put in about 4.5 to 5 us gal.

[Flyinfool]

I am not sure on the 2nd gen but on a first gen when the last bar goes out, there is real close to 1 gallon left in the tank. This is by design. That last gallon is the reserve.

[BOO]

I use to get 40-41 real regular until I read the post about setting the floats on the carbs. Mileage went up to 43-44 pretty much all the time. I get the same running 70-75 mph down the interstate but if I bump up to 80-85 it gets down in the low 30's. Speed is a mileage killer on these bikes. I'm a pretty good sized guy and I have an oversized wind shield that I run year around. Tire air pressure will knock the mileage down also. Whole bunch of little things can take away from your mileage.

BOO

[XV1100SE]

I did a calculation before on how much fuel is in the "tank" and available on reserve. Since the main tube and the reserve draw from the same tank (just different heights) it may vary if the there is any difference in tube lengths. I'm not sure if the "reserve" draws from the very bottom of the tank so there may be a bit at the bottom that you can't draw against.

 

Attachment is based on what Yamaha says is the tank and reserve capacity as well as experience from people on here on what the practical amount is that the tank can't be filled up to and what might but below the reserve tube.

 

I've had no bars showing on the fuel gauge and still went several miles.

[Condor]

5th gear, wind resistance, and load are mpg killers on these bikes. 1st or 2ndGen. I just got back from The Dalles with the '07 and got 47mpg on the Mt Hood ride, and the only time I hit 5th was going down hill. Pulled a trailer to Cody with the '99 and got 26mpg in 5th @ 75mph...until I dumped the trailer and then got 40mpg on a day ride to Shell Falls. With the '83VR I'd get 35-37 around town, and in the twisties in 2-3-4 gears only, never 5th unless downhill, I'd average 50. High speeds and 5th gear are the biggest mpg killers... Haven't rode the '04 trike any distance yet, but I'm not expecting much due to the Voyager Kit.

[revinger]

Well that's confusing, I get mid 40s using 5th for pretty much all my riding. See high 40s fairly regularly, that's U.S. measurements but not adjusted for my Speedo errirs. But I am a very conservative rider also. 2002 midnight

[Condor]

Well that's confusing, I get mid 40s using 5th for pretty much all my riding. See high 40s fairly regularly, that's U.S. measurements but not adjusted for my Speedo errirs. But I am a very conservative rider also. 2002 midnight

 

You're definitely a rare bird.... Run thru a tank a 75+ in 5th and then let us know what you get.

 

[Barrycuda]

I won't get to technical, because I'm not technical enough. Besides, Goose kicks ass in that department. I will agree with the speed and odometer variant. I have found when I had mine, and sold it and rode to the IR with my brother, we were always off on mileage, even though we left the same spot and took the same roads etc. the GPS, always was showing 5 mile difference from stock odometer. So when on the highway for example, I knew I can run odometer 83MPH, which GPS showed 77-78MPH and never altered the speed with HWY patrol. Never got a look from the troopers. As for MPG, I was doing roughly 33-35 mpg . Usually one up, but loaded.

 

Freebird... I am happy you are giving AVONs a chance. I had 2 full sets before selling, and had no regrets with sidewall and breakage. They give you a lot of stability and confidence in rain storms as well as curves/ turns. Mine were always 41/41. Nitrogen. They stick to the roads like glue. I know many people dislike avons from previous breaking and splitting however without specifically confirming, I believe Avon caught wind of this issue and they at least seem to be fixing this problem...

[Freebird]

I had to look and see what the heck you were taking about. WOW...I posted that in 2008. I have to say that I'm not 100% sure that Avon has corrected the issue with the cracking sidewalls. Mine did crack and also from what I've read, the Avon on the rear of the bike now owner by Yammer Dan, has also cracked.

 

Based upon the cracking problem, I would likely not buy Avon again until I have seen PROOF that the issue is resolved.

[Barrycuda]

I had to look and see what the heck you were taking about. WOW...I posted that in 2008. I have to say that I'm not 100% sure that Avon has corrected the issue with the cracking sidewalls. Mine did crack and also from what I've read, the Avon on the rear of the bike now owner by Yammer Dan, has also cracked.

 

Based upon the cracking problem, I would likely not buy Avon again until I have seen PROOF that the issue is resolved.

 

It took me this long to reply because I'm slow to develop thoughts!!!! Well I can't blame you on your reasons. I found them to not be a problem. Chalk it up to beginners luck??!!

[baylensman]

So, I get a consistent 32 mpg!! With the 07 RSV and the 96RSTD. Having said that 99% of my riding is basic Transpo to and from work and running round town, my average trip length is 5 miles or less. If I do any traveling over that I can usually figure around 35MPG. However, I ride it like I stole it everyday!!! I grew up riding a dirt bike over hill and dale, I ride the big bike the same way. I'm not a lane changer but I do twist the grip as far as it will go frequently. If I calm down a bit or ride with the GF my mileage improves a tick.