| Author |
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Windrider
| | Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 04:30 pm: | 
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I have an early model 06 and I really have to try to get worse than 50 MPG. Commuting I usually get about 52. Out on the open road I get 55-60 MPG. 2 Up, with or without the bags, it doesn't make a lot of difference.
I am not a super fast rider but I don't put around either. Speeds from 55-85 MPH don't seem to affect my fuel economy much either. This bike is very happy at speed. |
California
| | Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 06:35 pm: |
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There seems to be a trend becoming apparent. . .the 08's get crappy fuel economy compared to any of the earlier year models.
I personally have yet to achieve 40 mpg. I am at approx 4000 miles, and the furthest I have been able to go when the light comes on is 138 miles. I regularly ride another 10 - 15 miles before filling up, and alway take 3.8 to 4.1 gallons
Now my question. . . Every time I get home and shut her down, in the garage, there is a strong smell of unburnt gasoline as the vehicle cools down. Has anyone else noticed this? If I'm outdoors, with wind and such, I usually can't smell it, but once in a while, I do. Anyone smell gas? |
Johnboy777
| | Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 06:54 pm: |
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California: "Every time I get home and shut her down, in the garage, there is a strong smell of unburnt gasoline as the vehicle cools down. Has anyone else noticed this? If I'm outdoors, with wind and such, I usually can't smell it, but once in a while, I do. Anyone smell gas?"
Same here ('07 Uly) - almost started a post about it. I get a really strong smell of gas after shut down.
Could it be from the overflow vent?
John |
Buellinabq
| | Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 06:55 pm: |
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I have a stock '06 and I usually get about 47 MPG. I have a low of 45 and a high of 57 once. I just got 63! for 1 gallon. We filled up at the Route 66 casino in Albuquerque and went up to Seboyeta/Bibo for lunch. Came back down and stopped at Sky City gas station. 63 miles, 1.02 gallons.
That fuel smell is from the frame getting so hot and the gas inside is bubbling. It's pushing the fumes out the overflow tube (the small diameter tube on the left side of the bike next to swingarm below the oil filler cap).
I have to let my bike cool off outside in the breeze for a while before I put it in the garage.
If I'm going home and parking it, I try to not fill up first or it just pumps the gas out the tube. |
Jwnsc
| | Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 07:01 pm: |
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No, can't say that I've smelled gas after shutting down my '08.
Since most of my riding is long trips and knowing that the price of gas was only going to climb, the 50+ mpg figures I was hearing from '06 and '07 Uly owners was a big factor in my decision to sell my '93 GSPD, which "only" got 40 mpg. It did, however, have a 9.25 gallon tank so the range was great. Hoist by my own petard, as they say. Who would have guessed when reviewing all the "improvements" Buell advertised with the '08 that it would mean dramatically lower gas mileage? I wonder how much many mpg the new F650 (800cc twin) will get? |
Alchemy
| | Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 08:00 pm: |
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I smell gas as my 06 cools as well. Not always but it is common. The concept of gas boiling is not a pleasant one. I don't hear any suggestion of boiling. I will have to pay attention to see if it happens more when the frame is hot. |
Buellinabq
| | Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 08:11 pm: |
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Alchemy, you don't hear any bubbling?
I don't recommend trying this with a pretty full tank, read note below.
I can sometimes hear the bubbling if it's quiet outside, AFTER the fan stops of course  . I opened the gas cap and I pulled it up, gas flew out the tank opening, not good, scared the hell out of me, and then you can look down in the tank and you see it bubbling.
If you do decide to look, pull up just a tiny bit at first to vent sloooowly.
*NOTE* Don't do this with a full tank, it can spit out gas all over |
Gsilvernale
| | Posted on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 08:12 pm: |
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I have an 08 and I smell gas when it shuts down (in the garage). |
California
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 05:56 pm: |
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I can probably live with the short range, I can add a Tourtank, but the heat is going to be, um, unbearable, when Texas gets warm. We haven't hit 90 yet, and this puppy gets hot!!!
Next is a right side vent, that should help a little. The ceramic coating on the headers helps them run better, but I haven't heard much good regards the heat.. I guess Erik and the boys don't expect Buell riders to spend 8 - 10 - 16 hours a day in the saddle and didn't do the necc. to control the heat. Oh I've done the heat blanket under the seat. I've coated the underside of the seat with insulated aluminum tape, but the damn tank and pipes get so hot I have to wear full insulated riding pants, (firstgear HT) or my righ thigh becomes hotter than *#@*. I'll try a few more "solutions" but I'd hate to have a bike I CAN'T ride for the four months of summer! |
Jwnsc
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 06:34 pm: |
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I'd like to know how Buell achieved the 51 mpg (urban) and 64 mpg (highway)they advertise for the '08 Ulys. Supposedly the EPA mandated a more real-world testing procedure for 2008 vehicles. It must not have applied to motorcycles. |
Gsilvernale
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 06:42 pm: |
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1 - Tape the bottom of the seat with aluminum reflective tape. Some guys have used stuff from Walmart, while others have gotten automotive quality (muffler tape?)
Also Get a sheepskin buttpad from Alaska leather. Keeps the heat from the seat down.
2 - Also Checkout the following link to move the rear brake reservoir - more airflow with it moved.
http://www.badweatherbikers.com/cgibin/discus/show .cgi?tpc=142838&post=941497#POST941497
3 - Reducing the heat to the frame has also been looked at. (Hughlysses)
It turns out that if you put some reflective tape between the rear cylinder and the right side and rear of the frame, there is significant improvement. |
Tipsymcstagger
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 06:42 pm: |
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I rode my '08 home from NC to NYC. The best I saw was 40 MPG and the worst (when I was in a lot of sto-and-go traffic) was 35 MPG. I've had the light come on as soon as 126 miles.
I hope it gets better. This, by far, is the bikes worst attribute.
Tipsy |
Gsilvernale
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 06:45 pm: |
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With respect to the fuel mileage figures, I found in and old post, where the timing on a 2006 was significantly off (15 degress ATDC). And that after fixing this, mileage went up by about 10 MPG.
While my 08 performs good, its not wheelie happy. I have to work at it to get it to wheelie. |
Bigkuri
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 07:13 pm: |
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Gsilvernale - try a manual TPS reset. I do one every couple of weeks on my 08 Uly.
A noticeable difference (but not to mileage - more gets rid of flat spots when revving).
(Ignt on, throttle full stop hold for 1 second at each stop, repeat for 3 times, ignt off)
(Message edited by bigkuri on April 22, 2008) |
Road_kill
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 12:27 am: |
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I bought my '08 Uly Jan 30. Mileage was 35-40 for first 2000 miles. Didn't think too much of it since the engine was breaking in - still is. I asked the dealer to reset the AFV at 2k miles and noticed a 5 mpg jump. Plan to get ECMSpy and look into this some more. May also put the bike on the dyno and verify the air/fuel looks right. Sure would like to get 50+ mpg for extended road trips. |
Olenuf2nobetter
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 01:44 am: |
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Just posted to another thread about this -- my 'O8 w/ 3300 miles has never done better than 35 mpg until today: I calculated 35.8 mpg at a gas stop (2.525 gallons in 90.4 miles). At the recommendation of many here and at advrider, I've learned to keep the revs up, and it seems to have helped a bit, but I expected to see the 40's at least, like the Screaming Eagle-ized Sporty I traded in to get it.
I smell gas when I park the bike, more the warmer the air temperature, it seems. Is there something to this?
I love this bike, and this is by no means a show-stopper, but I thought I could count on better mileage. Should I raise a bitch with my dealer? |
Peregrine
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 02:33 am: |
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I love the Ulysses as well, but it seems that across the board the '08's are just less efficient and thirstier machines. What gives? Buell might want to look into this in a more coordinated way. And what of all these Ulysses owners reseting this and that to keep 'em from bucking, improving mileage . . . I though EFI was easier  |
Helmetbolt
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 05:39 am: |
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07 with 3000 miles on, Caribou luggage always on. K&N Filter & Stealth engineering exhaust.
Worst till fuel light came on 136. Best 160. usually it comes on after 150 miles. |
Loucksgl
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 09:28 am: |
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A note on fuel. I have 08 Uly with almost 15,000 miles. It is a rough running bike anywhere under 50mph. Fuel mileage has held at 43 to 46 mpg with a rare 49 -50mpg. Out of desperation, I replaced the factory ECM. No change in the roughness but the fuel mileage jumped to 48 minimum 56 tops with an occassional 57 in there. The 08's are obviously capable of good mileage. It seems there is no consistency in regards to tuning with these Buells. They are all over the place bike to bike. Don't make sense. But it is indicative of a "Quality" issue with them. You fill in the blanks..... |
Neurorider
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 10:23 am: |
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Ok, I'm going to add something to this discussion here. I too have noticed something: my 06 gets better mileage (48) when I don't fill the tank as much. Gets worse if I fill the tank more (44). Exactly to what level should the tank be filled? If you're getting poor mileage, how full do you fill your tank? Perhaps some of what looks like poor mileage is overflow. I now fill my tank to the top of the frame opening, which is around 1.5-2" below the top of the fuel filler. It still smells like gas when I park it after filling it. Also, if the fuel may be boiling and evaporating at an accelerated rate, has anyone noticed if using the heat reflective tape on the inside of the frame next to the motor changed the mileage any?
Things I've been thinking about...I'd like to get closer to the 55-60 that my old 98 S1WL used to get.
doc |
Peregrine
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 02:38 pm: |
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Help. I'm double posting here:
Even with more '08 samples there appears to be compelling evidence that the '06 was vastly superior in terms of gas mileage and hence, efficiency. I agree with Etennuly that more mileage is not going to make a significant difference.
In addition, seems that the '06 was a less finicky motor demanding less resets and user intervention for the fuel delivery system. '08 owners may have been fooled into believing that the more sophisticated FI system would outperform earlier models, but seems what we have here is a classic case of simpler is better.
Now my question is whether we can get enough '08 owners to raise the topic with their dealers so that Buell takes up the issue at a central engineering level. I'd much prefer a company fix to fiddling with the mapping of the bike in my garage (paying all due respect to the hardcore fiddlers out there!)
Loucksgl mentioned changing the ECM out of desperation. Bad place to be. Anybody have similar experience with increased mileage and a ECM change?
(Message edited by peregrine on April 23, 2008)
(Message edited by peregrine on April 23, 2008) |
Bobr
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 04:20 pm: |
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I have a new Uly XT. I'm averaging about 45mpg pretty consistently. I took a trip up to the Suches area right after initial break-in and averaged 46 mpg. Lowest was 42.9 mpg and best was 48.9 mpg. My previous Buell was an '03 XB9. It was averaging 52 mpg, both prior to and after installing a Drummer. It started out getting lower mpg but improved as it aged. I expect the XT will also improve as things loosen up a bit. |
Arctic_firebolt
| | Posted on Saturday, July 05, 2008 - 04:49 pm: |
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Not to crash your post because I have the XB12R Firebolt but I have been on a QUEST to find out W.T.F.!!! with the mileage and came across your thread for the Ulysses.
I am seeing 38 - 42 and I spend the majority of my riding between 2500 - 3500 RPM. My bike has just gone over 1000 miles and is 3 weeks old. I did get the 1K service done at the dealer. I complained about the MPG and was told those are real world riding numbers I am getting. I completely disagree. For added info here I did go with synthetic oil and primary chaincase lube and my bike is 100% stock.
I am far from giving up and accepting this. Hence, why I am here to gather as much info as possible and then begin writing to Buell. You CAN NOT post 48City 65HWY and then we get 38 - 42. Sorry, too far off the mark.
I have read about the 15 degree ATDC timing and replacing the ECM. I do agree however, I wold like to see a Buell solution as well. I am new to this type of machine and don't want to cause more harm than good in the process of tuning.
If anyone else has any info or ideas they are much appreciated. MPG was one of several reasons I went with Buell over a Triumph Speed Triple. With gas prices being what they are 1/3 lower mileage is unacceptable.
john
(Message edited by Arctic_Firebolt on July 05, 2008) |
Roostre
| | Posted on Saturday, July 05, 2008 - 05:47 pm: |
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You're lugging the poor thing. These motors are most efficient over 4K rpms. I cruise just over 80 mph most of the time- 4000rpm. On long two up trips I consistently see 50+ mpg. When I try to baby it and lug around I see low 40's for mileage.
I weigh damn near 300 lbs with all my gear on FWIW. Maybe my back fat has ideal aerodynamic properties!
On a recent trip I rode with a KLR650 and a KTM 990 Adventure. At each fill up the Buell used less fuel. This really pissed off the guy on the 650. Both these fellows weigh at least 100 lbs less than me.
(Message edited by Roostre on July 05, 2008)
(Message edited by Roostre on July 05, 2008) |
Jwnsc
| | Posted on Saturday, July 05, 2008 - 06:28 pm: |
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Roostre,
Are you getting that kind of mileage on a 2008 XB? For some reason, perhaps connected to the changes Buell made to the engine on the '08 models, the mileage has been less on the '08s than '06's and 07's. Arctic has an '08. Check out the Uly data page:
http://www.njdot.us/buell/ulydata.php
I recently did 160 miles on the freeway in 4th gear at 4K+ RPM (as opposed to 5th gear at 3.5K RPM) The mileage on my '08 was worse.
There is a free patch available for '08 XB ECMs at the dealer. Some have reported increased MPG as a result. I'm seeing a 1 to 2 mpg improvement.
Running synthetic helps but be advised,
some here have told me that you need to put
10K on the bike before you start to see
comparable mileage to the '06s and '07s.
IMHO, you will never see the mileage figures
advertised in the brochure in real life. |
Roostre
| | Posted on Saturday, July 05, 2008 - 06:39 pm: |
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Jwnsc,
No. I am on an '07. I've contributed to Uly08's data. I thought that the '08s just weren't broken in yet. Maybe the problem is bigger than that.
I have run synthetic since the 3,000 mile mark.
It almost sounds like someone needs to come out with a cam re-grind. |
Arctic_firebolt
| | Posted on Sunday, July 06, 2008 - 09:31 am: |
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Hey Roostre. Well thanks for the feedback but I was told at the dealer to keep the RPM's no lower than 2500 and stay under 4000 for the first 500 miles. I believe that's what the manual states too.
I decided that since every other bike I had, break-in was always a 1000 miles and not 500, I would continue to keep them low up to 1000 miles. I am definitely not lugging it. The motor sounds smooth and throttle response is very quick. I have certainly lugged my Harley in the past simply being in too high a gear, so I am sure it's not that. HOWEVER, I guess it can't hurt to burn a tank and stay up around 4K RPM either. So, I'll give it a try! At my 1000 mile service check I also inquired at the dealer about any ECM updates. They said everything was up to date.
Over on the XB Board, under 2008 mileage, we have quite a debate going on over the possibilities. It does appear ro be an inherent problem with 2008 XB models. I must say people here are very helpful with their input.
Thanks for the link JWNSC. Very well compiled data. The day I break even 50MPG I will be elated!
john
(Message edited by arctic_firebolt on July 06, 2008) |
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