Funky Fuel Gauge?

[Guest Ken8143]

So am I just naive then? Cuz I totally believed the spec on the VR History page for the 83's where it talks about them getting 42 mpg and having a cruising range of 226 miles.

 

Or is that something Venture insiders chuckle about and roll their eyes knowingly?

 

 

I chuckle knowingly if someone says 226 miles cruising range...

[george0fthejungle]

I think...and that's dangerous.... the key gas milage is the rpm you run at. I've gotten 38mpg on the highway in 5th gear for the intire tank, and have gotten 50mpg running in the mountain twisties and very seldom getting up to 4th. Others have reported the same thing. Most of the time down shifting into a curve and powering out. So around town and surface streets I say don't be in such a hurry to get the bike into 5th in order to save fuel. Keep it in 4th.

 

 

I gave that a try today Condor and noticed 2 things, first I do think it was using a little less gas by not being in such a rush to get it into 5th, and second, it tolerated the "in-town" traffic heating up much better.

 

I will say though...all my daydreaming about having a Venture, thinking how great it would be....didnt even come close to how much Im loving it!

[Condor]

I will say though...all my daydreaming about having a Venture, thinking how great it would be....didnt even come close to how much Im loving it!

 

[Gearhead]

the key gas milage is the rpm you run at. I've gotten 38mpg on the highway in 5th gear for the intire tank, and have gotten 50mpg running in the mountain twisties and very seldom getting up to 4th. Others have reported the same thing. Most of the time down shifting into a curve and powering out.

 

My guess is that it's related to your speed and the resultant wind drag. In the mountain riding you were probably averaging much lower speeds than on the hiway. Speed kills - gas mileage, that is.

 

Jeremy

[MikeM8560]

not my 84

[Bob Myers]

So, these are supposed to have a 5.5 gallon tank. How much can you really draw? Presuming it is a near straight road where leaning for curves is minimal. Red light was flashing last weekend at 167 miles, riding 2 up( and we weigh a bunch), interstate 75-85mph,,, took 4.1 gallons for fill up. Would I had to hit reserve if I'd pushed it(not literally) another 40 miles?

[Gearhead]

Specs say 5.3 gal total with 1.1 of that being reserve (which is when the red light comes on). I've put just over 5 in mine before. Once the warning light comes on you have around 40 miles before literal pushing begins, so my policy is to fill within 30 miles.

 

Now my question to you is, how did you go 167 miles, heavily loaded, 75-85 mph, and only use 4.1 gal????

 

Jeremy

[GigaWhiskey]

I will say though...all my daydreaming about having a Venture, thinking how great it would be....didnt even come close to how much Im loving it!

 

I have had my '85 since '94. I do not plan on giving it up unless it gives me up.

[Bob Myers]

Specs say 5.3 gal total with 1.1 of that being reserve (which is when the red light comes on). I've put just over 5 in mine before. Once the warning light comes on you have around 40 miles before literal pushing begins, so my policy is to fill within 30 miles.

 

Now my question to you is, how did you go 167 miles, heavily loaded, 75-85 mph, and only use 4.1 gal????

 

Jeremy

Its always done better than that. The man that actually owns this bike let it sit for over a year, on the sidestand, with gas and no stabil in it. We had the bike in our posession for 5 years previously and riding 2 up it always did 46/50, and single it would do 52/54. this is according to the speedometer. I ran yesterday for the first time with my GPS on board just to clock the speed and found the speedo to be a little fast. An indicated 70 is actuall(according to GPS) 66mph. 60 indicated is 57 actual.

As for fuel mileage, everything I own gets better mileage than the previous owner got, my f250 diesel does solid 22/24mpg, my Vulcan 800 does consistent 54mpg, and my wifes bike is identical to mine except 3 years older and less miles and does 51mpg. I have taught people to ride,drive like I do and they too improved their mileage.

[Gearhead]

Wow, you must have tremendous control on how you use the throttle!

 

Jeremy

[Schlepporello]

Wow, you must have tremendous control on how you use the throttle!

 

Jeremy

He's obviously got more than me. I cain't stay off the throttle.

[Bob Myers]

He's obviously got more than me. I cain't stay off the throttle.

Well, I too have that weakness, and it is a tougher addiction than cigarettes to give up.

My best secret for fuel mileage is never rev the engine above what is actually needed to get to the next gear, and pull. I know these V4 love to rev but it is fuel mileage out the tailpipe doing it. On the 86 I only rev to about 1500 to catch next gear until I look for 5th, then I'll run it up to 2500 or so. Never back off the throttle going down a hill unless you are in danger of running over someone slower or you become airborne. Hold that twist grip steady and leave the cruise control off. I do use the cruise some, but it is to relax my arthritic right hand for a few seconds at a time. Yes, I'm slow as molassess on takeoff, usually, and I usually slow down a block back for the red light. Driving this way has produced unusually high miles on my brakes too. My pickup has just over 287,000 miles on the original rear brakes and fronts have over 160,000 on them. My Vulcan has 24,000 miles on original brakes both ends, th 86 Venture got new pads last week at 28,000. The fronts were oil soaked is only reason I replaced them.

[Squeeze]

Well, I too have that weakness, and it is a tougher addiction than cigarettes to give up.

My best secret for fuel mileage is never rev the engine above what is actually needed to get to the next gear, and pull. I know these V4 love to rev but it is fuel mileage out the tailpipe doing it. On the 86 I only rev to about 1500 to catch next gear until I look for 5th, then I'll run it up to 2500 or so. Never back off the throttle going down a hill unless you are in danger of running over someone slower or you become airborne. Hold that twist grip steady and leave the cruise control off. I do use the cruise some, but it is to relax my arthritic right hand for a few seconds at a time. Yes, I'm slow as molassess on takeoff, usually, and I usually slow down a block back for the red light. Driving this way has produced unusually high miles on my brakes too. My pickup has just over 287,000 miles on the original rear brakes and fronts have over 160,000 on them. My Vulcan has 24,000 miles on original brakes both ends, th 86 Venture got new pads last week at 28,000. The fronts were oil soaked is only reason I replaced them.

 

Hey, that's all in all wonderful.

 

 

 

But where's the Fun in that riding Style ??

[Dano]

Hey, that's all in all wonderful.

 

 

 

But where's the Fun in that riding Style ??

 

That's my thoughts, also. My Durango only gets 15 mpg, so I let off steam on the bike to make up for it.

[Bob Myers]

Hey, that's all in all wonderful.

 

 

 

But where's the Fun in that riding Style ??

 

 

My fun is riding, not stopping for fuel, or stopping to socialize(although I will, but find I've spent too much time doing so), and certainly not to partake of the devils spirits. I just love to ride, and with this style you find there are several things you've ridden past a dozen times or more and either failed to see or saw and did not know what you saw. I see things that others may never see, yet I don't ride slow enough to stare at any one thing. That reminds me, I need a spare key for the Venture so I don't have to waste time turning it off for the locking gas cap key and restarting it.