fuel mileage calclation

[rockyrunner99]

hey, when you guys calculate your fuel economy, do you correct for the error in the speedometer/odometer?



on a somewhat unrelated note (i just gotta vent a little)  my sister inlaw, works in the tech (I.E.) department at mayo clinic making like 120,000 a year doing internet related stuff.  She does not know how to calculate fuel economy, and she had to have me come hook up her DVD player, yes it was the standard yellow plug in the yellow hole, red plug in the red hole, and white plug in the white hole.!

[annguyen1981]

If people are EDUCATED, they'll try and fix a problem themselves with reasoning skills.  If they're just lazy or they feel that they're BETTER than most because of their job/skill/income, then that's what usually happens.

Whenever I resort to asking someone for help, I'm always right behind them asking questions, paying attention, etc...  I feel quilty doing it sometimes 'cause I know it MUST bug the shyt out of people, but that's how I learn.

[annguyen1981]

Oh.. I forgot:


You CAN use the "corrected" mileage, but I wouldn't bother...  keep it consistent and simple: use the indicated.  It won't give you a 100% accuracy reading, but you can still figure out when you have problems if you see a drop in mpg's.

[ohgood]

the speedo, uncorrected for me. if it says 100 miles to the next gas station on a sign... then i -know- i better fill up the bike like now. now. now !

[XealotX]

hey, when you guys calculate your fuel economy, do you correct for the error in the speedometer/odometer?

I have to agree with Annguyen here (first time for everything  )

Why does it matter to calculate it that closely? Your bike gets what it gets. If it starts dramatically dropping gas mileage then something is wrong.

If you start consistently getting 70+ miles per gallon then you have a 24 tooth sprocket and only ride downhill. Or you're using the "fuzzy" math that some of our other members use...

[DoD#i]

Unless you have something on the bike that is "more correct", the mileage as reported is good enough for the state DOT and title folks, it's good enough for seeing what's up, and it's not that far off, regardless. The only place it would even come into play (IMHO) would be if a "mysterious milage change" coincided with a front tire size change, and the size ratio of the front tires matched the change observed.

Otherwise, I just park it on the centerstand, fill it carefully to the neck, reset the trip, and run a quick check in my head on gallons & miles - if it is in the 50 ballpark, it's normal for me on this bike. If the tripmeter gets to 150, I'd better have a gas station in mind.