Another MPG Question
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 730
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
Another MPG Question
So I am just curious as to how my "bike" is calculating mpg. When I fill the tank and take a look at the reserve calculation on the odometer on a full tank it reads 236. That would calculate to 39.3333 mpg. I filled the tank and have ridden 139.9 and the reserve says 94 so that would calculate to be 38.98 mpg. So my big question is how does the "bike" calculate that number? I have figured I am getting around 36 mpg so I guess it is somewhat close although I would like to squeeze a couple more mpg out. I was getting about 42-45 on my 03 RKC and would be happier in that range.
I am not sure how much I believe the calculated number but just wondering where that comes from. Is this being calculated by the ECM based on data it has collected from past rides? Has anyone looked at theirs after a fill up and what number does yours say?
I am going to order the PV tomorrow and was wondering if with a "spot on" tune will this number change?
Thanks
I am not sure how much I believe the calculated number but just wondering where that comes from. Is this being calculated by the ECM based on data it has collected from past rides? Has anyone looked at theirs after a fill up and what number does yours say?
I am going to order the PV tomorrow and was wondering if with a "spot on" tune will this number change?
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 373
Likes: 4
From: PA
So I am just curious as to how my "bike" is calculating mpg. When I fill the tank and take a look at the reserve calculation on the odometer on a full tank it reads 236. That would calculate to 39.3333 mpg. I filled the tank and have ridden 139.9 and the reserve says 94 so that would calculate to be 38.98 mpg. So my big question is how does the "bike" calculate that number? I have figured I am getting around 36 mpg so I guess it is somewhat close although I would like to squeeze a couple more mpg out. I was getting about 42-45 on my 03 RKC and would be happier in that range.
I am not sure how much I believe the calculated number but just wondering where that comes from. Is this being calculated by the ECM based on data it has collected from past rides? Has anyone looked at theirs after a fill up and what number does yours say?
I am going to order the PV tomorrow and was wondering if with a "spot on" tune will this number change?
Thanks
I am not sure how much I believe the calculated number but just wondering where that comes from. Is this being calculated by the ECM based on data it has collected from past rides? Has anyone looked at theirs after a fill up and what number does yours say?
I am going to order the PV tomorrow and was wondering if with a "spot on" tune will this number change?
Thanks
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 730
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
I have a 2011, not sure about 08 but there is a button by speedo that allows you to scroll through your odometer. Actual miles, trip A, trip B and fuel reserve.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
It's an estimate calculated according to the way you are riding at that moment. If you really hammer on the throttle a lot, the remaining is going to go down as an estimate of how much farther you can go. Same thing if you slow down to 50 and hold your RPMs to around 2200, your remaining estimate will go up.
Tap the ODO reset until your see an "r" on the display next to a number. That is the "remaining" miles estimate.
Tap the ODO reset until your see an "r" on the display next to a number. That is the "remaining" miles estimate.
Last edited by shooter5074; May 17, 2012 at 07:57 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
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From: Wisconsin
OP, it is based off the ECM sampling of riding conditions and the amount of fuel left in the tank, I'm not sure how often it samples. It is not accurate, that's for sure. I'm sure you know by now how accurate your gas gauge is. When my fuel remaining gets close to 0, I have about a gallon left. A hard twist of the throttle for a short while can drop my fuel remaining by many miles left. Baby it for a while and you can actually watch it climb. Only way to calculate MPG is with a different device or manually by recording mileage between fills.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
'Inaccurate' does not accurately describe just how inaccurate those things are.
The only 'accurate' way of calculating mpg is to divide the number of miles by the number of gallons consumed.
The only 'accurate' way of calculating mpg is to divide the number of miles by the number of gallons consumed.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I had a car a few years ago that gave various mpg data, including actual mpg. It was fun to try and get it below 7mpg, moving away from a stop, and trying to get it over 94mpg going down a long gradient at speed, with my foot off the gas.
And that is all those figures are good for! Fun. Check your mpg Leftcoaster's way and learn the way your bike works for you. It is the only way!
And that is all those figures are good for! Fun. Check your mpg Leftcoaster's way and learn the way your bike works for you. It is the only way!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Near YVR
When the yellow idiot light comes on my 02 Ultra it is time for fuel and you better be close.
Like inside of the next 25 miles or so.
Rob
Like inside of the next 25 miles or so.
Rob
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From:
+1 the remaining miles calculation is not accurate thats based off an average from life cycle with a safety margine built in
