Hi All,
I realise this is very subjective but on a tour how many miles do you guys get to the fill up?
I seem to get 160 miles and then the fuel low warning appears - this is whether I ride solo or fully loaded and two up. Is this about right?
Also how far can I go on the warning? I seem to have managed 20 miles last weekend but wouldn't want to do that regularly :smiley:
I have a trip around Europe coming up at the end of the month and it will be the first time the GTR has been taken abroad. I have always used the GoldWing before and new how far I could go with that...
160 miles !!! Blimey.
On the Bike 8 trip I did, I averaged 52mpg over 1600 miles. I don't think my low fuel warning came on until 190-200 miles.
As to the distance left, if I KNOW for certain where my fuel stops are [ home territory ] I will quite happily do 30/35 miles on a flashing warning.
Though the lowest I think I have had left was about 2 litres :shocked:
Hi Doebag - that's a regular reading - avg 43.9 on the display on an 11 plate. My pal gets the same on his 09 plate.
Last thing I want to do is get too light on the throttle while I'm way as my travelling companion is a two up Hyabusa....
Pete I average about 3 hours on a full tank at 80 mph... I can get from here to dover [180 miles] easy and still have 2-3 ltrs left.... You should be getting more than 160 tho..
Lowest I ever got was on the way back.. Filled up at Tesco in Dover after getting off ferry and put 21.6 ltrs in... Was :shit: ing myself in France. Thought I was going to run out.. Low fuel was flashing for ages... I will never do that again... :mfr_lol:
Hi
In general day to day riding I average @47 mpg and I tend to work on starting to look for a filling station around 160-180 miles, knowing there is another 30-40 miles before running on fumes. On motorways etc to cover large distances to get to central France or central Germany the mpg will go up around 55-60 mpg so the tank range increases accordingly.
Kind regards
Steve
I used to get about same - 160 before fuel low came on.
Best I managed was about 210 but I was cacking myself!
Last week when we were in Switzerland the GTR managed about 230, but it was literally on fumes. My punishment for not finding a fuel station was to ride it next......... :whistling:
Surely it depends on whether Eco-mode is selected or not. I regularly get 54mpg on the 188 mile journey to Hampshire. The warning light comes on after the return to work at about 195 miles.
My Eco mode is always activated ( unless I gun the throttle which is rare).
I'm amazed at the efficiency of this bike. I'm so glad I bought it.
PCPete
here is a link to a similar discussion.
http://www.gtr1400.co.uk/forums/index.php/topic,1351.15.html
Neil
Model 2010 or later...?
Yes, come to the continent...:-) :
Have a 2010 and ride always 400 kms (260 miles?) Before filling , on ecomode. When i fill i alwys have few liters left... i guess i can do ca 430/450 kms...
Ps a friend here has once filled 22.6 liters... more than what is mentioned... guess we have a little backup:-) ...
I can regularly average 55- 65mpg, in fact on my recent Scotland trip with Rusty I averaged 59mpg over 1200 miles. Tank wise, 200 is a good bench mark before I'll fill up, 230, its panic time.
I usually get low 50 mpg. Regularly get 51mpg.
I got 200 miles out of a tank recently when riding all day in the Peak District, but as a rule like to top up when I get to two bars which is about 150-160 miles.
- as others have mentioned , 200 miles is easy from a full tank , running the ECO mode.
- anything more than that and you start to become antsy ... which isn't fun.
.
Quote from: beegee on July 01, 2013, 11:10:08 PM
Ps a friend here has once filled 22.6 liters... more than what is mentioned... guess we have a little backup
- thats interesting.
.
Low fuel warning usually comes on @ around 190 miles. That means there are 4l left in the tank so you can at least go another 40 before you run out. Best I've done so far on a tank is 270 miles on national roads in France adhering to the 90 km/h speed limit.
Of course ECO mode is turned on most of the time.
I regularly do the round trip Newcastle, Hartside, Devils Bridge and back via Corbridge or Hawes and while my mates all fill up before we even get to the bridge I never do until I'm back. And that is a 220 to 230 mile trip and so far I never used more than 20 litres.
But then I usually carry 5l of emergency fuel when I go on tour so I top up if I feel I'm not going to make it to my destination.
I think the trick is to stay in high gears, switch down only for sharp corners or if you want to overtake, change up early and switch into overdrive whenever you can.
Quote from: mecki on July 02, 2013, 01:04:47 PM
I think the trick is to stay in high gears, switch down only for sharp corners or if you want to overtake, change up early and switch into overdrive whenever you can.
Appreciate all the useful feedback and will certainly give this a try to see how matters 'improve'. I love the bike and will need to learn to be less enthusiastic :smiley:
Quote from: mecki on July 02, 2013, 01:04:47 PM
Of course ECO mode is turned on most of the time.
Out of interest, does any one here NOT have ECO mode on all the time. After the first mile or two, when I then remember to turn it on, my ECO mode is on all the time.
its never on :mfr_lol:
It's always on.
Quote from: Lonewolf on July 02, 2013, 05:08:57 PM
It's always on.
:stupid:
I never saw the point of leaving it off :no:
I've never turned ECO mode on, I like the way that the bike rides as is. Average over 3,000 + miles 47.7 mpg on super unleaded, that's good enough for me!
you may have mentioned the key point..... super unleaded. I only use normal unleaded
Quote from: doebag on July 02, 2013, 03:13:03 PM
Out of interest, does any one here NOT have ECO mode on all the time. After the first mile or two, when I then remember to turn it on, my ECO mode is on all the time.
I don't have that lovely option on my 2009 :no:
I cant see the point of using super unleaded and wasting your money, two GTR's later and having always used normal unleaded the bike is still running just fine and dandy.
Yep, just the normal unleaded for me, and switch the eco mode on when I hit the motorway. However, I do turn the eco mode off when around town as the bike doesn't seem to like the leaner map then. Usually get 50+ mpg that way.
Quote from: Debs on July 02, 2013, 09:28:09 PM
I don't have that lovely option on my 2009 :no:
Surely you could bolt it on somewhere Debs :mfr_lol:
Coman
I use super unleaded to improve tank range (the higher the octane rating of a fuel, the slower the burn). I don't use the "ECO" mode because, as I said I like the way that the bike runs as is. I also have a further concern however, in that I suspect that "ECO" mode could rely on the burn of a charge that, rather than using fuel to cool the valves etc. relies upon gas temperature falling because a very weak mixture is used. This is usually referred to as operating the engine "beyond peak EGT" (exhaust gas temperature).
In piston engined aircraft, the technique of weakening the mixture beyond maximum efficiency for a burn (peak EGT or just below peak EGT) is used solely to extend range and relies upon low power settings to both achieve this and avoid engine damage. Its use is not encouraged because ultimately, it results in stresses to engine components beyond those seen in the normal operating cycle and can result in premature wear or failure.
I could be completely wrong in suspecting that the same technique is used for "ECO" mode, but if its use is expected to be the norm rather than for stretching range to its limit, why not make it the default setting on startup, rather than something that has to be positively selected?
Mines an 08 :popcorn:
Quote from: Debs on July 02, 2013, 09:28:09 PM
I don't have that lovely option on my 2009 :no:
Thats torn it, I've upset Debs now.................................................
Actually I did not realise the earlier models did not have ECO mode.
Friend of mine swears by super unleaded. The few pence more is offset by better mpg so he reckons.
Maybe that's why I can't upgrade to a newer model spending to much on fuel saying. That the old girl does exactly what's needed. The GTR's not to bad either :mfr_lol:
Quote from: flatfour on July 03, 2013, 09:23:54 AM
I use super unleaded to improve tank range (the higher the octane rating of a fuel, the slower the burn)...
I also have a further concern however, in that I suspect that "ECO" mode could rely on the burn of a charge that, rather than using fuel to cool the valves etc. relies upon gas temperature falling because a very weak mixture is used.
Why do you think you use less fuel if it 'burns slower'?
AFAIK the only thing higher octane rated fuel does is that the fuel-air mix doesn't explode before ignition in high compression engines. But the GTR hasn't got a high compression engine so filling up with super is just a waste of money. The only way you could improve tank range is using fuel with more energy so you would get the same performance with less throttle. But since Super doesn't contain more energy than normal (except E10) I can't see how this could work. And even if the slower burning would actually improve tank range I don't think it would be significant. Surely not enough to justify the higher price you pay for a tank full of gas.
And how is the fuel supposed to cool the valves in a fuel injected engine?
A slower burn produces more energy over a longer period than a rapid burn and a smoother, more even pressure rise within the cylinder. The mixture cools the valve heads and piston crown rather than the valve seats, so the manner in which it is delivered into the cylinder has no bearing on the matter, neither does compression ratio, as nearly all engines now rely upon "knock sensors" to prevent detonation.
Anyway, each to their own. If using "ECO" suits, the warranty is quite lengthy on a new bike, so if its use is going to cause problems, it is perhaps most likely to happen within that period in any case, providing it has been used in that manner regularly from new.
I still wonder, however why, if it is a good idea to use "ECO" at all times, it defaults to the standard setting on start - up?
Quote from: flatfour on July 03, 2013, 12:26:45 PM
I still wonder, however why, if it is a good idea to use "ECO" at all times, it defaults to the standard setting on start - up?
Ah, but then it wouldn't be an option/feature and options and features are part of marketing policy and marketing policy is part of pricing policy :mfr_lol:
I put cheap unleaded fuel in the GTR, I turn the knob, I press the ignition button, it fires up first time, (always) and I ride off into the sunset. As long as that keeps happening, everything else is a bonus and I'll be a very happy chappy. :yes:
So how should they call it then? WASTE mode perhaps?
In normal mode the bike offers superb fuel economy but for those who want more horsepower or drag-race at the lights we have a WASTE mode as well. :mfr_lol:
If you bought a 1400cc, 155Bhp, 160Mph, 0-60 in 3.2secs motorcycle to save the planet (or save yourself money) then you are a moron. :yes:
If you want fuel economy buy a smaller bike, or better yet an Electric bike.
At the moment it's eco this and green that.
It's worse than the Apple marketing twonks with their i-shite.
The world would be a better place if we shot about 90% of the marketing people out there.
I am so very sick of everyone and his dog trying to sell me shite I have no need or use for.
I've just had to tell my I-phone & I-Pad that you didn't mean what you said about them...they're sensitive creatures you know. :shocked:
Quote from: Boomer on July 04, 2013, 01:43:26 PM
If you bought a 1400cc, 155Bhp, 160Mph, 0-60 in 3.2secs motorcycle to save the planet (or save yourself money) then you are a moron. :yes:
If you want fuel economy buy a smaller bike, or better yet an Electric bike.
At the moment it's eco this and green that.
It's worse than the Apple marketing twonks with their i-shite.
The world would be a better place if we shot about 90% of the marketing people out there.
I am so very sick of everyone and his dog trying to sell me shite I have no need or use for.
I can agree with the first statement.
And what you say about marketing people and the i-shite of course. :clap:
About the rest all I can say is :stupid: .
Fine, you give a :shit: about the environment.
And maybe you are right and the human species doesn't deserve to survive because they are too stupid to look after their planet.
But why waste hard earned cash on fuel that burns for naught if with the push of a button you can save some money?
And if you do something for the planet at the same time that's a bonus.
mecki, lighten up, this isn't Question Time. :mfr_lol:
Well they reckon the planet has about a billion years left if we carry on..........Mmmmmm, let me think?
Do I give a shit? Nope - mine to ruin, let the kids worry about saving it............... :biker3:
Just caught up with this topic
Thanks for the info as I've a trip to Limerick next Friday to do a Woodworking Show with a customer that Saturday. This is what I've been looking forward to when I spent my ££££Wad on the GTR
So I can work on 38 to 65 mpg then............. :mfr_lol: :mfr_lol:
Cheers
Charlie
Quote from: Winston Smith on July 04, 2013, 10:46:24 PM
Well they reckon the planet has about a billion years left if we carry on..........Mmmmmm, let me think?
Do I give a shit? Nope - mine to ruin, let the kids worry about saving it............... :biker3:
:stupid:
Well, either you haven't got any kids or you should ask yourself why you hate them so much?
yeeks!! I get around 30mpg!!!
what octane rating fuel do Kawasaki recommend for the 2010- models?
I just shove super unleaded in all my bikes. cant see the point in spending thousands of pounds on a bike then scrimping a few pennies on cheap (nasty) petrol.
same with oil. I laugh at people who once again spend a fortune buying the bike and then subject their pride and joy to cheapo oil.
owning a classic 2 stroke I know quite a bit about the evils of ethanol and its anti knocking properties and its basically nil resistance to pre-ignition
gimme super all day long.
Just of to northern Spain,Picos De Europe and then through the Pyrenees and back through central France home to the Charente,the bike will be fully loaded up,i exspect to get 50mpg but theres a lot of mountain roads to enjoy. The bike is sitting in my barn fully loaded and very clean. Im now getting itchey feet,leaving tomorrow at 7am. Doing this trip with a French mate who rides a Kawaski 1000sx so will be interesting to see what his bike does to the gallon/litre.
Theres alot to be said for living in south west France with some amazing roads just on my door step...H
aljaxon
According to the handbook, the GTR needs a minimum of 90 octane, with no more than 5% methanol or 10% ethanol content.
Personally I only use standard unleaded in the UK and have never noticed any problems.
Some people reckon super gives slightly better MPG, but mile per pound obviously equals out dure to higher cost.
If you are only getting 30mpg, I would either look at your riding style or visit your dealer.
I guess it all depends on your riding style, weight etc but I travel from London to Leeds regularly (232 miles door to door) on a full tank. However, on the return trip, I seem to use slightly more.... And it is downhill! lol
Aljaxon, is it at all possible that you think you are getting 30mpg because your fuel setting is in the American mode rather than the UK mode.
If this doesn't make any sense to you, you can check which setting you are in by going through the options on the bikes dash display. Mine by default was set to US settings even when I bought it second hand giving the impression my fuel economy was shite when it actually wasn't.
I had not thought of that, however 30 US mpg would be about 36 UK mpg, which to me is still low.
Hi
Fill up with premium fuel when ever it is available, as mentioned in another thread what is the point in having a machine costing £££££ and run it on "it will do" fuel, use ECO mode most of the time.
The most I have done on a tank is 160 miles, most I have ever put in is 18L, this leaves 4L or so, which is fine, running out is not an option, just how daft would you feel :nono:
The fuel gauge seams a bit random, have not seen the fuel warning come on. I am sussing out making a holder for a small 2L or 3L spare tin under the back somewhere by the diff.
Up to now I have not bothered worrying too much what the trike is doing, but reading this thread thought I would find out.
I am always very skeptical of the built in MPG readings, the cars I have had with them are always generous so I keep a record of miles / L of fuel.
Went to a British Vintage Wireless Society
http://www.bvws.org.uk/
thing in Royal Wootton Bassett on Sunday so did some calcs on the fill ups, mainly motorway, 2 up + top box + screen 3/4 from top, travelling slightly faster than most of the other vehicles without being daft :devil: and it did 40MPG.
I am happy with that, considering its a trike with all the aerodynamic properties of a post office....
Richard
Quote from: Lonewolf on July 06, 2013, 02:36:33 PM
Aljaxon, is it at all possible that you think you are getting 30mpg because your fuel setting is in the American mode rather than the UK mode.
If this doesn't make any sense to you, you can check which setting you are in by going through the options on the bikes dash display. Mine by default was set to US settings even when I bought it second hand giving the impression my fuel economy was shite when it actually wasn't.
I will have a look at that cheers!!
to compare my 2000 zx6r with slightly more aggressive riding returned 45mpg on Saturday.
i worked for BP for a few years, held a petroleum licence and had many a conversation with the chemical depts and saw alsorts of data on economy ect.
I can tell you that higher octane fuels are a waste of money, yes they do burn slightly hotter and do produce a very very small increase in energy which results in 1 or 2 bhp, such small increases can easily be out weighed by other factors such as engine condition, altitude, overall fuel quality ect.
in my opinion expensive fuels are a waste of money. On our forecourts , volume sales of super unleaded was about 4% , a poll by MORI suggested that 3% of this was accidental purchases.
BP retail make about 1.5pence per litre profit on UNL and about 6pence per litre on super, thats the only reason they sell it
viper care to comment on the respective ethanol contents of super and normal unleaded?
well various spirit producers claim different amounts of ethanol they atre putting into super. BP claim that super is E0 ( free from etha ) where as shell refuse to say how much is in their super, dfferent refineries do slightly different things.
depends which side the fence you sit on regarding the use of ethanol in your unleaded, its a renewable energy source so seems a sensible thing to add 5% ethanol , keeps the pump price down slightly , keeps the greens happy! however the debate still rages on about how appropriate it is for older vehicles in terms of its corrosive qualities. one thing is certain, its here to stay and its volume % in your fuel will increase over the decades.
Quote from: viper on July 09, 2013, 10:01:23 PM
well various spirit producers claim different amounts of ethanol they atre putting into super. BP claim that super is E0 ( free from etha ) where as shell refuse to say how much is in their super, dfferent refineries do slightly different things.
depends which side the fence you sit on regarding the use of ethanol in your unleaded, its a renewable energy source so seems a sensible thing to add 5% ethanol , keeps the pump price down slightly , keeps the greens happy! however the debate still rages on about how appropriate it is for older vehicles in terms of its corrosive qualities. one thing is certain, its here to stay and its volume % in your fuel will increase over the decades.
Here's the actual evidence of the damage that the addition of Ethanol does to the fuel tanks on classic/older vehicles
This is a picture of what came out of the fuel tank of my Velocette when it was cleaned and re-sealed against future E5 and E10 damage last week :shocked:
Its cost me over £250.00 to get this fuel tank issue fixed so that the bike can be used again, plus its taken me hours to dismantle, clean and re-assemble the carburettor :gun_bandana:
(http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n326/oldeconey/ContentsofTank_zps6722d96d.jpg) (http://s336.photobucket.com/user/oldeconey/media/ContentsofTank_zps6722d96d.jpg.html)
how can you be sure that was down purely to etha, i bought an xr4i in 1995 that had been run on super unleaded since it was built in 1983 ( still got the car btw) shortly after getting it i had a bad fuel blockage and the inside of my tank was a similair story to your bike tank, etha was not put in fuel then but the tanks still rotted from within. You may be right OC but normal spirit is very corrosive anyway
Looks like a home made flapjack that's gone a bit wrong ! :smiley:
shell used to claim ethanol free for their v power but since 2010 have been adding ethanol in line with govt recommendations.
its the way pistons hole in half a second with no warning for us classic two strokers as opposed to 2 or 3seconds or a tell tale crinkle sound warning in the old days.
once preigniton occurs ethanol then loses its anti knocking properties and its sadly the end of the line for most pistons.
I know I holed a piston last month. as have most of my pals.
and countless chainsaws/ lawnmowers have too.
it has rotted my fuel lines and my carb inlet rubbers have melted!!!
I am under the impression that the super unleaded v power and bp ultimate forms have less ethanol and so stick to them. and even try to fill up with v power and bp ultimate only.
remember was it Tesco or some other supermarket fuel that claimed a high octane and that was purely because it contained more ethanol?
and it knackered loads of engines up?
ethanol is excellent at absorbing water which isn't very nice to your engine.
the ultimate and v power fuels claim to have less ethanol than regular so anyone not filling up with these fules is either ignorant of the threat or a penny pinching fool.
Quote from: viper on July 09, 2013, 10:36:48 PM
how can you be sure that was down purely to etha, i bought an xr4i in 1995 that had been run on super unleaded since it was built in 1983 ( still got the car btw) shortly after getting it i had a bad fuel blockage and the inside of my tank was a similair story to your bike tank, etha was not put in fuel then but the tanks still rotted from within. You may be right OC but normal spirit is very corrosive anyway
I know its the result of Etanol additive in fuel, the reason being...........
The bike was restored about 9-10 years ago and as a precautionary measure the tank was lined with whatever was the preferred lining material at the time, and that is what has collapsed as a result of ethanol fuel being added to the bike, and that is the residue in the picture.
Additionally, since its restoration the bike has stood unused (for about7-8 years) so hasn't had any fuel in the tank for a long time, until I purchased the bike and started to use fuel with E5 in it that is.
I also use Tetra Boost as an additive in the fuel so as to protect the engine internals..
I have a pal who runs his restored A7 500cc BSA on nothing but premium grade fuel (I don't know which brand) and he has no problems with his machine, maybe his tank wasn't lined when he restored the bike
OC, when I saw that pile I thought Viper had been emptying his rabbit hutch shavings in your garage. :popcorn:
Quote from: Lonewolf on July 10, 2013, 01:22:11 PM
OC, when I saw that pile I thought Viper had been emptying his rabbit hutch shavings in your garage. :popcorn:
:smiley: :smiley: :smiley:
hi i get about 48 ish to the gallon . had a ride to hawes /devils bridge .kendal/ullswater/honister pass and back through hartside .missed the petrol station at penrith and thought there would be another one before alston (there wasnt) the fuel warning was flashing before i climbed up to hartside cafe so with fingers (and toes crossed) carried on to alston where i filled up (£26) i had done 215 miles. so the tank must have been quite empty did not remember how many litres it was . totaly forgot about eco mode i have not used as yet . carried on home to normanby without stressing over fuel. next time i will fill up when its quarter full unless i know where the fuel stations are it was 6.30 in the evening and we had done 290 mls overall it was a good day out apart from the slight panic over fuel.(running i got over 50 mpg)
regards John
I have recently been to France and from working out my receipts and converting litre to gallons i averageds 50 miles to the gallon and filled up regulary so i didn't have to panic about fuel. I think i could have got home from the chunnel at Folkstone to Halifax on a full tank but filled up around Cambridge when the others filled up. So didn't really notice the distance when the fuel light came on.
Glen
Quote from: beemanjohn on July 13, 2013, 07:03:18 PM
had a ride to hawes /devils bridge .kendal/ullswater/honister pass and back through hartside .missed the petrol station at penrith and thought there would be another one before alston (there wasnt) the fuel warning was flashing before i climbed up to hartside cafe so with fingers (and toes crossed) carried on to alston where i filled up (£26) i had done 215 miles. so the tank must have been quite empty did not remember how many litres it was.
As a rule of thumb you can go at least another 40 miles when the low fuel warning comes on unless you really thrash it.
This is quite accurate since the warning comes on when there are 4l of fuel left.
Going over Hartside pass to Alston is less than 40 miles so you had really nothing to worry about.
And it is all downhill once you're past the cafe anyway. :mfr_lol:
Just returned from a 2650 mile trip in Europe. Cruising at 70/75 two up with full luggage I returned 62.4 mpg on my 08 model. My pals 2012 did virtually the same. Thats about 240 miles per tank including the reserve! Obviously if your charging about it drops a lot . Generally in Uk i regularly get 53 mpg
Quote from: steveb19 on July 24, 2013, 10:05:27 PM
Just returned from a 2650 mile trip in Europe. Cruising at 70/75 two up with full luggage I returned 62.4 mpg on my 08 model. My pals 2012 did virtually the same. Thats about 240 miles per tank including the reserve! Obviously if your charging about it drops a lot . Generally in Uk i regularly get 53 mpg
wow, thats almost unbelivable, we did two up in europe last year and got 51 mpg
22 litre tank, you would have to get 300 miles plus out of it to achive 62 to the gallon
:clap: That's excellent MPG, even I wouldn't achieve that over such a distance.
On and of course :185:
I used to get around 38mpg
Boy, was it fun
www.speedawareness.co.uk (http://www.speedawareness.co.uk) :whistling:
:popcorn:
:mfr_lol: I've just clicked on my own link and its a real website
I have just returned from a trip to the Swiss alps and averaged 60 mpg to Geneva, a disatance of around 850 miles from Durham, 57 mpg around the passes in Switzerland /Italy/French alps, and 42 mpg doing the trip back to the tunnel ; 500 miles of which 400 was on the french motorways at around a steady 100 mph. :grin:
The tunnel to Durham I averaged 50 mpg at around 85 to 90 mph
Can't complain, I think this bike is incredibly fuel efficient.
:grin: :grin: :grin: