| Author | Message | ||
     Arctic_firebolt |
I haven't been able to find any fuel without the, 'contains up to 10% Ethanol', anywhere in Florida. They all seem to have it here. Is that true or does anyone know of a brand that doesn't? Even when I ran Bio-Diesel in my VW the numbers dropped to approx. 40/46MPG from 42/49MPG. This Ethanol is horrible. And that VW DOES what the sticker claims. People brag like crazy all over the tdiclub.com site. So, yeah I have a real problem with Buell being that far off the mark. | ||
| Ratbuell |
GET THE 08 REFLASH. I've done both 12s and 9s at our dealer, and all involved have reported significant mileage increases. Following Smiley1eye to Homecoming on his 9sx, he went 147 miles before the light came on. | ||
| Srwitt |
I have a June 08 Build Date XB12R. I am at 2000 miles now after 2.5 weeks. My best tank was ~45mpg. 40-42 conistantly, could my bike need the reflash? | ||
| Thepod |
If I don't see an improvement I will ask for a reflash. But is the reflash an upgrade or just the same code reentered? If so, how could that make a difference? | ||
| Mesozoic |
The reflash, whatever it is, is definitely not a reflash of the existing binary. It's a new binary and it does make the bike run better. It hasn't improved my fuel economy much, but I do seem to be getting around 150 miles per tank at least. | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
I just went to the dealer on 6/27 and asked if I had the latest ECM update. Of course they told me yes. Would the ECM SPY be how I know what software the bike has loaded? IS there any other way to tell? I have also read something about a TPS reset? These are all new areas to me. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanx! | ||
| Mesozoic |
ECMSpy is one way to determine whether the binary has changed. TPS reset is a non-issue for '08 bikes since this is done automatically by the ECM now. | ||
| Srwitt |
Just tried running a tank through at my best behavior. Well not quite my best I could still shift a little sooner, but pretty much same mileage I've been getting. 42mpg, This tank I don't know what killed it, I tried to keep idle time to a minimum, I shifted before 3k, and never opened the throttle up. This is mostly highway riding between 45 and 60mph, 36miles one way, with 3 stop signs the whole distance. | ||
| Ratbuell |
The only official way to tell if a bike has new or old software in it is to have a dealer hook it up to the Digital Technician, and search for Available Flash Updates. If your dealer is reluctant to hook it up, a) remind them this is a free service according to Buell, and/or b) tell them you had a check engine light "the other day" and you want to see if there are any codes. From what I have read here on Badweb, ECMspy does not work with the 08 software...yet. It's free. Go see your dealer. | ||
| Spacecapsule1 |
How many of you noticed the speedo reading differently after the reflash? Before I was going 80 @ 4k rpms, after the reflash I'm doing about 85 at 4k rpms. Haha, I wonder if thats the source of the increased fuel mileage. You're going 4-5 mph slower than what the speedo reads. | ||
| Bikertrash05 |
Spacecapsule1, I took a trip with a Road King, and he was reading about 7% more miles then me every time we stopped for gas. I would guess you were actually going 4-5 mph faster then the speedo read before the reflash. BTW, I have yet to reflash my '08, but it is on my to-do list. | ||
| Spacecapsule1 |
ahhh......... so the reflash actually corrects the speedo? | ||
| Spacecapsule1 |
ahhh......... so the reflash actually corrects the speedo? | ||
| Eicas |
The odometer on my Buell reads about 6% less than the one on my Honda VFR over exactly the same distance. I alternate bikes, on the Honda it is 79 miles route trip to work, on the Buell it is 74 miles over the exact same route. | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Even if I figure that in to my calculations I am still in bad shape. Today I filled up 99.8 on the trip. Added 2.526gal. 39.51MPG as usual. | ||
| Smiley1eye |
I had the reflash done and it helped me out of the flat spot in my powerband at 4,000 rpms, but its starting to stutter again at the same spot, so I'm thinking that one of the sensors is attempting to correct for a situation. My mileage went from 120 miles per tank (before the light came on) to over 140 per tank. Can't complain about that at all. But its not consistant. Sometimes its 125-130-140 and once I ran it to 160. I've been using different grades of fuel and I suspect that has an impact on the mileage. My speedometer HAS been off since I had it reflashed. It's typically 5mph slow according to GPS. It was right on before. Hell, I'm not worried about it since if gives me the illusion of speeding and keeps me out of tickets (which thanks to the cop in Iowa, broke my 15 year no-ticket streak) | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Hey Ratbuell. I tried your suggestion with a local Buell Dealer. I was told that looking into the MPG on my bike is not a warrantable issue. As in, 'not free' I specifically asked him about the ECM flash and he said they supposed they could hook it up to the digital technician but that the dealer I purchased it from would probably be willing to help more. Of course that dealer already told me all was ok. He also felt that the bike would really be quite tight all the way up to 2500 - 3000 miles. Maybe that's playing a part in the problem. It sound to me like they are all getting annoyed at the customers calling in over MPG. This is also the third person who stated they really weren't sure what the MPG was on a Buell, which of course I was happy to enlighten them. Either way it is not a warranty issue. Bottom line I need to find a Buell technician that gives a S#%T enough to want to help......and they wonder why so many people just don't see the need to buy the extended warranties??? Hmmmmmm. | ||
| Jackstraw75 |
I've got a (built in Nov.of 2007) '08 XB12Ss with 6000 miles. The MOST I've gotten out of a full tank is 116.5 miles. Unlike most, I guess, one of the selling factors of the XB was the advertised 50-55mpg. I realize the advertised mileage is a pipe dream, I just didn't realize it would be that bad. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Arctic - it's a shame you're in FL, I'd say stop in anytime. After hours yesterday I flashed our 1125r demo personally - 15 min, start to finish. I can't believe a dealer told you "your selling dealer will be more willing to help". Bah. DO NOT present this as an MPG flash. In general, people will not care. Present it as a "driveability" flash, brought to us by the factory to improve a couple of "bugs" that may have been in some of the 2008 (first year) software. I suppose I could try pulling an ECM from one bike, installing it in another, and see if it'd take the flash. I could start a mail-order reflash system if it works  Anony - any idea if that scenario would work for the owners with reluctant dealerships? | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Appreciate the response. Perhaps I will try again with my dealer, I just need to present it differently as you say and not as an MPG issue. I hate to have to play games and make excuses. I am also no stranger to HD, this being my fourth consecutive purchase. Say what they will you can only buy a new Buell from an HD dealer. Perhaps i will try my sales rep. maybe he can help out a bit. Thanx! John | ||
| Kev187 |
I got my bike back yesterday with the new ecm flash. we shall see... I just wish someone could figure out what Buell did to the 2008 Models to make their Mileage drop so much from the previous years models??? Ill give an update after the next couple tanks full. | ||
| Ghost_rider33 |
I recently took the california emissions canister off my 08, and the fuel economy improved greatly. The light used to come on at around 100 miles. The light hasn't even come on yet at 120 miles. No change in performance. | ||
| Srwitt |
Comparing my trip route between my Firebolt and my car, my car is reading 3-4 miles longer one way. Refiguring my gas mileage based on the distance my car gives me knocks me up into the high 40's. Decent I guess since it isn't really open highway type riding. | ||
| Rkutzner |
Has anyone mentioned waiting until the engine breaks in ? I got around 45 going to work at first. By 5000 miles I am getting 53 and on a fun ride (no lights, combo of slow straights (no highway) and fast curves) I got 61 on a tank. XB12STT..... My 4.0L's in my 06 crew cab Tacoma and wifes Mustang were the same way. Started at around 19 mpg highwayish and now the truck gets 23 and she gets 26. | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Hi Rkutzner: Yes. Many have brought up the issue of break-in. I have never done better than 41MPG and I am currently at 1700 miles. Although I have heard a number of folks claim that the engine will continue to loosen up all the way to 10K. Personally I have never seen MPG get better on any vehicle after the first 1000. | ||
| Lightningrob |
Arctic, your bike may be "technically" broke-in, but "realistically", it needs more time for the rings and everything else to properly seat. I know that there are differences between the 08's and the 03's, but I am still getting mpg gains on mine. My last check was at 57 mpg, and that is with only 7900 miles. At my 1000 mile mark, I was getting mid to high 30's. Around 5000 miles I was getting high 40's. Hopefully your case will be as mine, with gradual mpg improvement. Also, it can't be stressed enough, it pays to get the good stuff. Get gas from a reputable supplier. I go to Shell or Marathon whenever I can. | ||
| Spacecapsule1 |
5.9k still 38-40. bummer. i did manage to pull a freak 42.7mpg tank a month ago but can't re-create it because my bikes been sitting at the dealer with a list of dealer caused issues for 3weeks now..... dang i miss my bike. i'll be entering a state of despair momentarily.... (Message edited by spacecapsule1 on July 16, 2008) | ||
| Arctic_firebolt |
Hey there Lightningrob. Thanx for the info. I sure hope it improves. I would say almost of my fuel has come from Mobil. A few tanks from Chevron, Citgo and BP. Although I have it on good authority that the only differences are the additives to each brand. The base gas itself is all the same. However, I always stuck to name brands for my cars and other bikes, why change now. I see Spacecapsule1's post next and fear this is the direction I am heading. I think there may be issues with the DDFI-III systems. It is one of the things that changed in '08 and could easily be cause for the problems. Another thing I notice are that my pipes are turning blue close up to the heads. Naturally since all my previous bikes had chrome pipes or chrome covers I have never seen much of this before. It sticks out big time now. I always thought that blue pipes were related to a mixture that was too lean? Which of course would mean better MPG. This makes it even more confusing. Some blue of course will always happen. Thanx. john (Message edited by Arctic_Firebolt on July 16, 2008) | ||
| Lightningrob |
Arctic, I think the bluing of the pipes are common to Buells. Take a look at the pics posts and compare your pipes to the other bikes posted. I doubt if its anything to worry about. I think I read on here before that it's just the way the heat effects the steel. Good luck with the mpg issues. I guess my only advice is to ride it as much as you can and see if things improve. | ||
| Xb9er |
40-45, you guys should be happy. I get 29mpg with my 04 12s. The fact I run it like a raped ape probably doesnt help.  Man I love this bike. |
