Fuel Economy

[Lee R]

What are you guys getting for fuel economy?

My last 3 top ups were 50mpg, 58mpg and 53mpg. Seems really low for a 250cc bike.


I noticed my friends used about .6 gallons less than I did in the same distance at the same pace.

[oneshrewddude]

my last ride was 212 miles over the smokey mountains. I got 60.57mpg... :-)

[AZRider]

I'm not a gentle rider, but don't ride much on the freeway, and I've been getting around 65 mpg, with a low of 55 and a high of 70. Have you checked your valves recently?

[Lee R]

I'm going to check the valves and change oil as well as check the rest of the bike this weekend. I'm just hitting 500 miles.

I'm curious how the 13T sprocket will work for me. The powerband isn't optimal for my riding currently.


Lee

[detours]

I have the 13T and I get 65-70 mpg. I'm at 5300 ft and I do lots of riding around 8000 ft. Also, I weigh about 200 lbs geared up.

But we can all be jealous of my wife who consistently gets 100+ mpg on her tu250x.

[MattyBoy1976]

160 or so miles today, varying from 35 mph to 65 mph (more slow than fast), with a 13 tooth front sprocket, and I calculated 68.5 mpg when I filled up. I was riding around in the rolling hills southeast of Denver, at 5400-6200 feet or so.

Tuesday, I calculated about 57 mpg, but I was riding on faster, straighter roads.

[SpudRider]

I am running a 13T/46T sprocket combination. Riding the bike hard on the interstate highways, I once got a low of about 56 mpg. However, I am usually gentle on the throttle, and usually get 66-73 mpg.

I agree with George; I think you should check your valve lash.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Lee R

I'm going to check the valves and change oil as well as check the rest of the bike this weekend. I'm just hitting 500 miles.

I'm curious how the 13T sprocket will work for me. The powerband isn't optimal for my riding currently.


Lee

My RX3 is much more responsive in all gears after lowering the sprocket ratio. If you are lugging the engine, you might get better fuel mileage after switching to the 13T C/S sprocket.

[Danimal]

If this is your video Lee, I agree with Spud that your wrist may be a bit heavy LOL

[Lee R]

Originally Posted by Danimal

If this is your video Lee, I agree with Spud that your wrist may be a bit heavy LOL

Hey now i went slow so my friend could keep up most of the time.

I do admit to being a "bit" heavy on the throttle at times.

[woodlandsprite]

I seem to be getting 60mpg though I haven't really done any freeway riding as yet - to get up to speed on the freeways and stay at speed I suspect I will be on the throttle pretty hard (average freeway speed around these parts is 75mph and i'm not convinced the RX3 will be super happy at that speed).

A somewhat secondary question - at what point does your fuel light start flashing at you? Mine seems to do so after consuming 2-2.5 Gallons of fuel - when I fill, I try to fill fairly close to the top of the tank while the bike is on its sidestand.

[SpudRider]

My fuel gauge responds the same as yours.

I was distracted, and started riding one day without filling the fuel tank. I actually ran out of gas approximately 3 miles from the nearest pump. I rode about 250 miles on a full tank.

Our friends from Argentina report the fuel tank actually holds 14 liters, or 3.7 gallons, rather than the advertised 16 liters, or 4.2 gallons. The fuel pump in EFI bikes probably displaces a pint of fuel. Therefore, the actual fuel capacity of our U.S. bikes is probably 3.5 gallons.

To prevent overheating the fuel pump, it should be submersed in fuel. Therefore, it's best not to use the last 1/2 gallon of fuel. When the yellow light starts flashing, you probably have 1/2 gallon of fuel, of 35 miles of riding before you start to uncover the fuel pump.

[Lee R]

I logged 51mpg on the latest fill up. I've adjusted the valves, the intakes were tight. I'm curious if it'll improve now.

My oil did smell pretty strongly of fuel when drained so I'll send in a sample next time I drain it which will likely be early for peice of mind. I'm trail riding a lot and hoping of the bike leaving it running to grab pictures.

Hopefully its nothing serious. Average is 56 which still seems low for a 250. At least its not 36 like my Guzzi, but that one has a 8.5 gallon tank at least!


Lee

[Jay In Milpitas]

Originally Posted by Lee R

I logged 51mpg on the latest fill up. I've adjusted the valves, the intakes were tight. I'm curious if it'll improve now.

My oil did smell pretty strongly of fuel when drained so I'll send in a sample next time I drain it which will likely be early for peice of mind. I'm trail riding a lot and hoping of the bike leaving it running to grab pictures.

Hopefully its nothing serious. Average is 56 which still seems low for a 250. At least its not 36 like my Guzzi, but that one has a 8.5 gallon tank at least!


Lee

Trail riding does yield lower mileage. 4000 rpm in 3rd gear instead of 6th will not get you as many mile per gallon.

I have achieved mileage in the low 70's on my commute by loafing along in the slower two lanes, estimating 65-ish mph, but bored stiff.

After two tanks at that pace I resumed life in the happy,,,, er,,,,, fast lane and am back to 75+ mph. I fuel up at between 180-200 miles on the trip meter which takes in the neighborhood of 3 gallons.

Jay. Old but not feeble.

[SpudRider]

When the empty fuel light starts flashing, it's a good time to start looking for fuel. Filling the tank with 200 miles on the trip odometer is an excellent time to ensure the fuel pump remains submerged in fuel.