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After reading the whole post (everyone's comments, not just the OP) the one thing not considered is that when you are riding to and from work the bike is running a richer fuel mix because it is not warmed up. In an 11 mile trip it is reaching running temperatures just about the time you shut it down. You go into work, it cools off, you get off work and repeat the 11 mile ride where it runs on a richer mix most of the way. Yes, you will get better mileage at speeds in the 65 mph range and I have found that for some reason altitude seems to increase mileage, but a series of short trips where the engine is allowed to cool completely between trips is going to use more fuel than one long trip of the same mileage, as you have proven this weekend.
Yep, running much richer til warmed up...kills MPG.
Originally Posted by mkguitar
the biggest obstacle is wind resistance.
extensive testing over thousands of miles and multiple I-10 trips between PHX and LA on my 1995 EG produced the following:
85 MPH= 32 MPG
75 MPH= 39 MPG
65 MPH= 44 MPG
This showed that riding at the speed limits ( 75 in AZ, 70 in CA) I stop twice for gas.
running 80 MPH required a 3rd stop, which wiped out any time gains from the higher speed.
with my current 09 96" even with the "advantages" of EFI and the lower cruising rpms of the gearing, MPG's are about the same.
Hi flow intake and mufflers, no cat header, XIED's
Mike
Good info! Wind resistance plays a huge factor, especially over 65 mph.
I'd have to agree with the richer fuel due to a cold/semi-cold engine for at least half that 11 mile commute each way. Maybe even most of that 11 miles it isn't at full operating temperature, so not optimal fuel consumption under those conditions...
I average 38 mpg with winter fuel blends and 40 mpg with summer fuel blends in San Diego. My commute is 65 miles each way from coast at Sea Level up to my home at 4100' in the mtns with some long uphill grades along the way.
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