Its Lonely at the Top

[low&slow]

Hi, I just got back from an overnight ride up in the NorCal gold country. There were lots of awesome twisty back roads and I met up with 2 other Yamaha Vision owners. We had a great time and I also had a new PR with a tankfill of 66.8 mpg during the outing. I was very suprised as I was riding pretty hard and not trying to do much for fuel efficiency.
I gootta get to work now that Cat has bumped me off the top spot!
L&S

[cat0020]

I don't believe EPA in ratings...

[Jay2TheRescue]

Especially since the EPA doesn't rate motorcycles. Some people use made up numbers, I used Harley's published MPG that they use in their sales literature for my model (*under ideal laboratory conditions). I'll probably never beat those numbers on a regular basis.

[alvaro84]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

I'll probably never beat those numbers on a regular basis.

This is exactly what I thought about Teresa's 'constant 90km/h' number, which is 3l/100km (78mpgUS). After learning from hypermiling sites I found it's not that hard

But not in pouring rain, crossing the country via freeways, 2-up, with luggage... This Sunday I got almost the same as L&S got, but that 64mpgUS is my absolute worst tank this year. I'm disappointed but not surprised, I couldn't do too much about it (I went pretty slowly already, and it's not fun to P&G even slower when your boots are full of water)

[Jay2TheRescue]

I have beat the numbers, but only by driving back roads at 45 MPH in 6th gear. I don't think there is any way I can beat the "highway" rating of 50 MPG traveling at highway speeds. Harley accounts for a 180lb rider. I'm 225 lb and over 6 feet tall. I create a lot of wind resistance.

[alvaro84]

Well, I'm 5'9" and ~146lbs.

But the difference between riding alone or 2-up is like 10%.
The difference when I'm riding by myself with the topcase attached and packed is practically not measureable.

[Project84]

I still have zero idea how to get my ninja 250 up any higher. In fact, recently as I've progressed as a "sport rider" following a friend on his SV650 in the twisties, I've been beating the bike harder and harder. I couldn't hardly believe my last tank was 50mpg until I thought hard about how I've been using the bike.

New tires are coming soon and I'll be more comfortable next year in raising the psi and corning faster.

Also, I'll hopefully be riding my 2nd bike for the "fun stuff" and keep the Ninja for cruising or commuting.

[cat0020]

Originally Posted by Project84

I still have zero idea how to get my ninja 250 up any higher.

Are you serious?

It's not that difficult on a 250 Ninja, mine never got less than 60 mpg, even with clogged carbs.

[low&slow]

I got my "EPA" rating from a website that listed tested fuel economy for motorcycles. It seemed in line with MC magazine road tests for my bike ( high 30's to low 40's mpg).

Project 84, try keeping your RPMs down and shift up to the tallest gear that your Ninja can handle. Throttle control is critical, if you roll off too quickly its like applying the brakes. Check your Ninja to make sure you don't have excessive brake drag, good wheel bearings, correct chain adjustment. Also it may be due for a tune-up and carb cleaning.
Stay safe, L&S

[DRW]

From what I heard, an O-ring chain will consume a little power as well.