| Author | Message | ||
     Whisperstealth |
Hi all, So, I have 2,700 miles on my bike now. I been using 93 octane, dropped in a K&N, and have done a TPS reset. When the bike had it's first service, I was told it had the latest ecm flash. I still can't get more that 40-41 mpg. I Have Not rerouted the breather yet, but would that make such a big difference? I've read where some people are getting 45-50mpg at 80 mph. I ride mostly around 60-70. I've done highway runs for a full tank and still not gotten above 41mpg. In addition, the bike topped out at 130, taking it's time getting there, on a high speed run. A friend of mine with an xb9 said they do 140 out of the box. Does this sound right to any of you Uly owners? I would love to get up to the 45mpg mark, any help? Thanks, Gabe | ||
| Ratbuell |
I'm guessing since you show a red '09...you have an XT with bags. I always lose 3-4 MPG on my X when I put the side bags on. I also typically get 43-45 in town, non-gentle riding. The bags are also a serious airframe drag for top end. One thing I did note, and I was amazed - highway mileage is awful compared to the mileage I got hammering the bike through the mountains of Suches at Buelltoberfest. Down and back, fully bagged, I got my usual low/mid 40s. In Suches, on the Dragon, and all the other funfunFUN stuff - still fully bagged and loaded, but running HARD in 3rd and 4th with less wind drag - I was netting low-mid 50s. First time I EVER got that mileage out of the bike (crossed 10k on the trip). And my personal thought...the breather reroute is a waste of time and effort. But that's just me. Drop your side bags and see if that helps your mileage any. Also keep your tire pressures at the high end of the recommended range, and make sure your suspension is set properly for your weight. All of those add up. edit: forgot to mention, mine's an 06 X with XT bags, Buell race ECM, K&N, and a Drummer. Otherwise stock. (Message edited by ratbuell on December 13, 2009) | ||
| Ghostrider |
I just went through my first full tank on my '09 XT and it was getting 44mpg. I have an '03 XB9R and I don't think it'll do 140mph. I've had it at 135mph indicated and that was flat out on a long flat straight. Granted, that was at over 5,000 ft of elevation, so maybe it'll go faster at sea level. And the number of times you'll get going that fast is very few, so don't sweat it. These bikes are more at home in the curves. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
Sorry Guy's, I forgot to mention I have taken all the bags/cases off. I got 41 with them off. I've put on a set of smaller soft saddle bags, and have left off the trunk, getting around 40.5 mpg. I've set the rear preload correctly for my weight, but have left the front alone. I'll check my tire pressure and see where I'm at. The best the bike has ever done was 41.5 mpg. Does not seem to make a big difference weather I run it mildly hard, or easy. Not concered too much about top speed, but want the fuel mileage! | ||
| Choyashi |
Ignore all those who claim great fuel mileage on their ULY's! Especially those that,along with high mileage, also claim their rear tire was gone at 3,000 miles!! Buell riders are a strange bunch, traveling between different dimensions here in the Twilight Zone......which is what all Buell owners are now in, since Buell has moved on to the Dead Zone. | ||
| Paintman |
Good Morning All, Just thought I would throw my mpg numbers into the hat on my new 2009 XB12X w/ bags & trunk for reference: New bike w/800 miles on her so far; 38.6, 38.1, 36.7, 36.4 and yesterday 34.4. I fill the tank first, then use my trip meter's miles and divide by gals purchased. I am 6ft 230lbs and not easy on the throttle. (Preload and tires set to factory specs for me). G | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Lately I've been getting zero mpg. A foot of snow and 10 degrees is the culprit.  | ||
| Buewulf |
A foot of snow and 10 degrees is the culprit. Pansy!  I don't recall getting over 44mpg on an '06 X. No bags, mixed hard riding, highway (70 - 80mph-ish) and city. I've yet to do a ride that was purely highway, so I am not sure what that would produce. | ||
| Buellerxt |
I get 40 mpg on my XT. Sometimes 41/42, sometimes 39 but mostly 40! I'm not hard on the bike but I don't baby it. You're right in the ballpark Whisperstealth. Some guys want to say they get the best gas mileage, whether true or not, some are just pixx poor at math! lol I've seen it on every motorcycle forum. I had a friend only fill half his tank at the last stop when on a ride with one of 'those'. He knew the guy would come peeking over his shoulder to see who was getting better mileage so he decided to play him a little. The guy stewed all the way home! lol These things seem to 'really' get 39-44 mpg, though they can get up to 65 mpg in dreams! lol (Message edited by buellerxt on December 14, 2009) | ||
| Davidxt |
Not sure about MPG cause its different here in the UK to yours. But before the petrol light comes on my lowest has been 80 miles, riding back and forth to work and around town. The best ive had has been 145 miles before the petrol light came on, that was out on a long ride. | ||
| F_skinner |
Whisperstealth, I was able to only go 125 to 130 miles before the light came on until I had about 5000 to 6000 miles on the bike then I was able to go 160 before the light came on. Bike is 2009 XB12X with Outdoorsman bags and no engine, intake or exhaust mods. It may take a few more miles to break it in fully. Frank | ||
| Sayitaintso |
High 30's to low 40's is what I've always had on my '06. I always keep the bags on and ride what I call average, sometimes mellow, sometimes hard. mileage doesn't really matter to me. If I wanted high mileage I wouldn't have gotten a 1200cc bike, it would have been a Blast, a 250 Ninja or a Rebel, or something along those lines. To me complaining about mileage on a Uly is like complaining about mileage in a FWD F250 | ||
| Whisperstealth |
"To me complaining about mileage on a Uly is like complaining about mileage in a FWD F250" - If around 40 is what she get's that's fine. I can live with 40 considering how awesome it is, and what it can do. My concern was that I was not getting what other's were, indicating that there might be a problem with the bike. You guys are great! I feel a lot better knowing about I'm right where everybody else is. Now, if I just had some more mechanical ability to do some of the mods you guys have done.... After the new year I'm gonna try to do some top box/trunk light's.} | ||
| Mark_weiss |
My fuel mileage did not level off until about 4000 miles. At only 2700, I was pretty near what you report. Keep riding. This could be useful info: http://www.njdot.us/buell/ulydata.php as you can see, there's quite a range out there. Mark SE AZ (Message edited by mark_weiss on December 14, 2009) | ||
| Ourdee |
I'll throw mine in; I get 37 to 43 to and from work on back roads with the bags on. I got 10,500 mile out of the rear Strada. Best mpg was 50 on a 420 mile highway run with winter gas, bags on, and a starting temperature of 17 degrees. Didn't get above freezing. | ||
| Redshiftquasars |
yeah. from all the posts that I've come across anyone with a pre 08 gets better milage. I've got on 08 X and I just put 20 miles on after the reserve came on and was really pushing it. I've got big trailee bags on and weigh in at 200lbs and have 22k miles on the bike. I usually get around 41mpg but was really tender on the throttle this time around when the reserve light came on. when I filled her up it had put in 4.025 gals. I guess I got lucky. I had an oil leak(recently fixed) at the top of the tube that comes out of the crank case so the top of my rear cylinder has got some caked on oil and I think that there is an O2 sensor in that area. If i took to time to clean that area my mileage might be better. Point is, if you've got an 08 or newer you may not get better mpg then the guys with a pre 08. | ||
| Froggy |
The 08+ bike thing is a myth, I put about 1000 miles on a brand new unbroken in 09, and was getting only a few mpg less than my 06 was getting in the same routes and weather. | ||
| Whisperstealth |
So what are you getting Froggy? | ||
| Rightpecial |
There are just so many variables. Road conditions. Temperature. Humidity. Elevation. The Driver. On and on and on. For my well used 06 best tank was right at 60mpg but that was all highway at high elevation going down hill the whole time out of Denver. I probably usually get about 48mpg or so out of everyday mixed driving. | ||
| Froggy |
At the the time (last Feb), on winter formulation of E10, just shy of 50mpg on the 09, while my 06 was doing about 55mpg. My 06 had 30k miles on it, plus some other tricks to help improve fuel economy, so given an equally broken in motor and the same tweaks, I could see the 09 easily matching the 06. During the summer on the 06 I get 65mpg, but as the 09 wasn't my bike I didn't get to ride it that long and find out the summer numbers. | ||
| Orangeulius |
45 to 47 mpg on my 06 with race ECM and stock pipe wired open. 25k miles. I run with no bags tooling around the East Tennessee mountains. I had a freak 53 mpg once. Couldn't repeat it though. | ||
| Tootal |
Elevation is a huge differential. I left the Georgia mtns and rode north of Nashville at 75 mph, w/bags, trunk, tent and camping gear strapped to the rear seat. 50 mpg. Filled up and rode to Mt. Vernon Ill. 46 mpg and I was only going 70 half of the way there. Where I live near ST. Louis is only 700 feet above sea level so I usually get 46 mpg commuting at a 50/50 hwy/city riding. 06 w/ bags always on. I figure Froggy must live at the only 10,000 foot place in the north east!! | ||
| Froggy |
Mahopac is 666ft above sea level  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahopac,_New_York | ||
| Fltwistygirl |
Still averaging 43 mpg on the 09 XT, ECM reflashed with comfort kit. 2200 miles of Florida flatland riding, varies from grocery grabbing (errands less than 4 miles RT which the Uly HATES), 106 mile RT commutes to work at 65-70 down the toll roads, occasional fun zips thru the forest, and his 26 mile RT work commute thru stop n go traffic dodging retirees in their land yachts. Not the 66 mpg I've gotten on the City-x, but for a bike that does it all, and does it well, I'll pay a couple extra bucks per tank full of petrol . | ||
| Glenn |
So Froggy, ... plus some other tricks Which are?? | ||
| Froggy |
High tire pressure, lower idle, and custom fuel map. The biggest trick is how you ride it, and I ride all my vehicles the same, and get just little shy of 40mpg on a Monte Carlo, and over 90mpg on a Prius. | ||
| Glenn |
Thanks Froggy | ||
| Etennuly |
My '06's results are similar to Ratbuell's. I run around these mountains all the time getting around 49.5 mpg. I put it on the highway at steady throttle speeds and it can drop as low as 40 mpg. I can get 50+ if there are no cold starts and it is all in the mountains, even really hauling butt. The Uly hit 54.1 one time, but I doubt I will ever ride the Blue Ridge Parkway at 45 mph that far again! Your best gas mileage comes from moving along with the engine not running. Such as coasting down hills and coasting to stop lights and signs with it off. I only use this technique when the gas is low and no stations are in range. Froggy has and uses good techniques for his mileage work. His numbers are accurate and he is a stickler for making it happen, but he hasn't disclosed that he weighs in at 62 pounds and his rib cage is arranged sideways to be more aerodynamic!  |
