Fuel Consumption Mystery

[sportster1200]

wondering anyone has experience to share on their bike (especially sportster) fuel consumption.

 

i am riding a sportster XL1200R. And i use to be able to get 240~250km before hitting reserve fuel while cruising on expressway (use to work in tuas and i live in the east). Strangely after i got back from cameron highland (last yr), i can only manage 195km before i gotta switch to reserve.

 

i had since ask my mechanic at harley dealer to check on my bike, including changing spark plug, tuning my carbs, new air filter, new battery, new brake pad, new tires, new belts, and my bike is regularly serviced at 4000++km interval.

 

seems like a lot was done but fuel consumption still sucks leh.... anybody got something to share? 240 -> 190 is quite a drastic change ...

[shiraz]

Tire pressure?

 

Carrying extra load?

 

Anyway, how was the ride to Cameron?

[The_One]

1 – Tire pressure

2 – Wear off clutch plate plays their parts too.

3 – Get the mechanic to check all the vacuum hoses.

[plasticblackspecs]

Bring out and show. hee. I used to get quite bad FC too. But after cleaning a couple of things, mainly air filter. I'm back to 22-24km/L. Whoo. Before it was about 19-21km/L.

 

Simply changing stuff if you dunno the problem isn't the way either. It'll just be a waste of money. Try to troubleshoot and rectify one by one. EO, then spark plugs then air filter etc. At least you'll know where the problem lies for future references rather than one shot change everything then not know where the problem is.

 

btw wat yr is your 1200?

[adriel]

hmmmm fuel consumption is a issue that is constantly on my mind.......

 

i just chnaged to iridium plugs and jets.... see if that improves my fc.....but ok la... small price to pay for power......heheheh

[vtec88]

bro,

 

wanna have a try at my product...proven to work on cruisers...

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235030&page=14

Edited July 20, 2010 by vtec88

[adriel]

whoo hoo.. i'm a happy camper.... change my previously seller installed performance jets back to original jets and FC improved so much.. at last pump.. i'm getting 17km/liters.... previously was abt 11-12km/l. Acceleration drop a bit only.......

[sportster1200]

thanks all for the reply...actually i didn't change all those stuff that i mention one shot. did it over several servicing at the dealers. i went to cameron highland around mar 07 on my 2004 roadster. My bike is certainly well maintain (unless those guys at harley short changing me) because i bought a service package with the dealer... so those suggestions that u guys made had been checked already.

 

new air filters...new tyre...new spark plug..new battery..

 

mayb i'll check with the mechanic about the clutch plate during my next servicing cos its the only thing that haven't been check

[sportster1200]

bro,

 

wanna have a try at my product...proven to work on cruisers...

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152414&page=16

 

looks interesting...pls reserve 1 BT5 for me...will be contacting u soon..

 

but still need to find out y my mileage drop leh..

[vtec88]

bro,

 

any update from u?

 

PM me k

 

;-)

 

looks interesting...pls reserve 1 BT5 for me...will be contacting u soon..

 

but still need to find out y my mileage drop leh..

[plasticblackspecs]

looks interesting...pls reserve 1 BT5 for me...will be contacting u soon..

 

but still need to find out y my mileage drop leh..

 

does your mileage drop across the board or only when touring or only city riding?

[hagar]

does your mileage drop across the board or only when touring or only city riding?

 

Hey PBS - good to see you back you have been quiet for some time.

 

This Vtec88 is a salesman I think. Last post is over 1 year before.

 

Anywhay I never averaged better than 17klm / ltr for my 04 1200 Sporty during the 2 years i had her. Perhaps my wet weather gear was very very heavy.

[plasticblackspecs]

Didn't feel like dealing with a couple of emails so came here to let loose. Hee. Otherwise it's working like a dog on a sheep farm. After this I have to go do wiring for some lights. Why I'm doing it I have no idea -.-

 

Nah Hagar, yours is a "1200", mine "883". Now you've upgraded to a 1500 and I'm only 900cc. That's why

[sportster1200]

does your mileage drop across the board or only when touring or only city riding?

 

sorry haven't been in here for mths...

 

both city n touring. anyway i think i discovered why my FC changes so much. Its due to the tires that i changed. My bike was originally getting about 200km/l when it was on harley's dunlop tires. Then when i change to screaming eagle tires also from harley...i got 240km/l. But at tat time i also change job n was mostly travelling on the expressway from east to west of sg, so i tot the FC improvement was due to change in travelling habit. Then when i got back from my overseas trip, i change my tire to mezzeler 880, and tats when my FC drop to 190km/l. I have been using 880 ever since n my FC has consistently remain at this level. tat is when i suddenly realise tat the root cause is actually the tires.

[vtec88]

bro,

 

Try BROQUET Fuel charger...proven to work on cruisers...

 

save Fuel,increase bike power!!!

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=235030&page=14

Edited November 27, 2010 by vtec88

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

sorry haven't been in here for mths...

 

both city n touring. anyway i think i discovered why my FC changes so much. Its due to the tires that i changed. My bike was originally getting about 200km/l when it was on harley's dunlop tires. Then when i change to screaming eagle tires also from harley...i got 240km/l. But at tat time i also change job n was mostly travelling on the expressway from east to west of sg, so i tot the FC improvement was due to change in travelling habit. Then when i got back from my overseas trip, i change my tire to mezzeler 880, and tats when my FC drop to 190km/l. I have been using 880 ever since n my FC has consistently remain at this level. tat is when i suddenly realise tat the root cause is actually the tires.

 

I didn't know that rolling resistance would play so huge a part! Kudos for proper scientific testing :3

[sportster1200]

I didn't know that rolling resistance would play so huge a part! Kudos for proper scientific testing :3

 

actually i don't think its due to rolling resistance. cos screaming eagle tires has more grip compare to stock and metzler, which is why i had to change it 6mths later after daily riding between east and west on the expressway. i think its the tire size that's giving the tacho "false" reading.

[traz161616]

high FC can also due to old oil