Fuel Economy

[Lee R]

I'm going to just accept that I'm not getting better than 55 average on this bike. Last 100 miles no dirt and 50.9 mpg. I'm not doing anything crazy just riding normal. I weigh a lot but 50.9 is pretty low. My Vstrom and KLR both beat this bike in MPG. Even my 1050cc Tiger 1050 was able to get 42-44. I even got 48 for a high on the stelvio and that thing is a gas guzler.

[SpudRider]

Here is something you can try. Remove the fuel tank, and disconnect the MAP/MAT sensor, as described in the thread linked below.

http://www.rx3forums.com/forums/show...-loosing-power

If the sensor is dirty, clean it, and re-install.

Does your used motor oil smell of gasoline?

[Lee R]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

Here is something you can try. Remove the fuel tank, and disconnect the MAP/MAT sensor, as described in the thread linked below.

http://www.rx3forums.com/forums/show...-loosing-power

If the sensor is dirty, clean it, and re-install.

Does your used motor oil smell of gasoline?

I'll have a look at the sensor. The motor oil smelled strongly of gasoline, so much so that I'm sending a sample for analysis in 200 miles.

[kumatae]

I got 58mpg on my last fill up. Will continue to track. I use my bike to commute so I should be filling up at least once a week.

[detours]

Lee, are you seeing any fuel in the PCV catch tube?

[Lee R]

Originally Posted by detours

Lee, are you seeing any fuel in the PCV catch tube?

It filled halfway on a 300 mile trip (other RX3 had none) and since has only had small amounts.

The oil did smell like gas when I changed it.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Lee R

I'll have a look at the sensor. The motor oil smelled strongly of gasoline, so much so that I'm sending a sample for analysis in 200 miles.

I'm eager to hear the results from Blackstone Labs. Please do keep us updated.

[rtking]

I just got back from a 120 mile ride today and got about 55.6 mpg. But I'm 280 pounds fully dressed, and it was all highway at nearly wide open throttle, all of it above 8,000 rpm, and a good portion at 8,800 - 9,000 rpm. In my opinion, that's pretty darned good considering that power to overcome drag increases exponentially. I'm confident that if I kept the speed and RPMs constant around 8,000 RPM (versus the acceleration away from traffic, etc.), my fuel mileage would have been better.

[Lee R]

Got 49.6 today. (averaging 53) I'm going to need a fuel can for long trips on this bike!

Good news is less fuel in the campfire tube after flipping the contaminant separator.

Riding on December 24th in 63 degree weather is kinda nice!

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Lee R

Got 49.6 today. (averaging 53) I'm going to need a fuel can for long trips on this bike!

Good news is less fuel in the campfire tube after flipping the contaminant separator.

Riding on December 24th in 63 degree weather is kinda nice!

If you are riding the bike hard, 53 mpg is not so bad. I'm glad you flipped the campfire tube; it works much better when oriented correctly.

In case anyone is unaware, the OCS (oil contaminant separator), otherwise know as the 'campfire tube,' is frequently installed upside down at the factory. Here is a photograph of the correct orientation of the OCS. The hose should connect at the top, with the clamp at the bottom.



Here is a photograph of the OCS in the incorrect position. There should not be a large loop, or sharp bend in the hose coming from the crankcase.



Please Note:

I have edited this post because I accidentally placed a wrong photograph in the original post. My mistake was caught by RedHawk47. Thanks for pointing this out, RedHawk. Please excuse my mistake. I'm sorry for the resulting confusion.

[RedHawk47]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

If you are riding the bike hard, 53 mpg is not so bad. I'm glad you flipped the campfire tube; it works much better when oriented correctly.

In case anyone is unaware, the OCS (oil contaminant separator), otherwise know as the 'campfire tube,' is frequently installed upside down at the factory. Here is a photograph of the correct orientation of the OCS. The hose should connect at the top, with the clamp at the bottom.



Here is a photograph of the OCS in the incorrect position. There should not be a large loop in the hose coming from the crankcase.

Spud,
You are going to drive me crazy. In both of the photos the OCS is in the same position. Also, I don't think the loop in the tube makes a difference as long as it is not pinched off. I don't remember what thread the earlier photos were in.

I finally when out and looked at the OCS on my bike and this is what I found.

There was nothing in the "campfire tube" and nothing has ever leaked from it.

Because of the weather since I got it in October I have only run two tanks of gas through it. Mileage are 63.9 and 61.6 MPG.

So, is my OCS correct or upside down?

[Jay In Milpitas]

It's not so much about the hose, Dan (a lot of Dan's here) as it is about the orientation of the workings inside the OCS.

So far I have only had juice in my tube twice, and there was no difference in how I operated the bike.







I keep reading that second statement and something just doesn't seem to sound right.

[RedHawk47]

Originally Posted by Jay In Milpitas

I keep reading that second statement and something just doesn't seem to sound right.

Which statement? This one?
"Because of the weather since I got it in October I have only run two tanks of gas through it. Mileage are 63.9 and 61.6 MPG"

Restated: I have used two tanks of fuel. With the first one I got 63.9 mpg. With the second 61.6 mpg.

I included this info because the OCS was suspect for causing poor fuel mileage if it was installed upside down.

Is my OCS upside down?

[detours]

Redhawk, based on your picture, your OCS is upside down. The metal strap should be below the hose to the crankcase.

[Jay In Milpitas]

Originally Posted by RedHawk47

Which statement? This one?
"Because of the weather since I got it in October I have only run two tanks of gas through it. Mileage are 63.9 and 61.6 MPG"

Restated: I have used two tanks of fuel. With the first one I got 63.9 mpg. With the second 61.6 mpg.

I included this info because the OCS was suspect for causing poor fuel mileage if it was installed upside down.

Is my OCS upside down?

No, I meant my second statement: "So far I have only had juice in my tube twice".

The OCS doesn't really affect fuel mileage, it only separates liquids from fumes. But it a lot of gasoline or oil is accumulating in the drain tube, it can be an indicator of other issues.