Bullcrap about mileage.......

[twocool]

We're chasing rainbows here dudes....

Just do some math...

Say you're getting 60 MPG.....which is pretty good for the GS500...so now you do your super mileage mods...what are you gonna get...63MPG?

OK so lets do 10,000 miles a year...at 60 MPG... you're gonna use up 166 gallons

Now compare at 63 MPG...you're gonna use up 158 gallons......

8 gallons over 10000 miles...that's like $30.........Subtract the cost and time of the mods and you're still "in the hole".........

Most do a lot less than 10K miles a year...so the gas savings in insignificant.......

And if you let loose and really ride the bike...your mileage is going to crap anyway......

If you roll a $15 a year savings, into the actual cost of operation of the GS...oil changes..air filters...new battery every so many years..etc....it is really insignificant..

Cookie

[SAFE-T]

From what I have seen, GS500's get a wide range of gas mileage ~ some in the mid-30's up to a few in the 70+ range. Overall I think the bike is going to give you the mileage it wants for the riding you do, and there are better reasons to change the bike than achieving hyper-mileage or performance that will make some improvements to the bike in these areas.

[Calpantera]

As far as I am concerned there are a few simple things you can do that really cost nothing to increase mileage :
Lay off the throttle
Ride lower when you have a head wind (either natural or from high speeds, reduce drag)
Make sure you tires are at the proper inflation (I noticed a big diff there)
Keep you bike tuned properly.

[bombsquad83]

Couldn't agree more.  Get the bike performing and riding well and forget about mileage.  The only reason I monitor mileage is to gauge the health of my engine.  If i get a big change, then something might be wrong.

[Calpantera]

Couldn't agree more.  Get the bike performing and riding well and forget about mileage.  The only reason I monitor mileage is to gauge the health of my engine.  If i get a big change, then something might be wrong.

The only reason I monitor milage is to know when I need gas    (I run with the petcock on Prime)

[gsJack]

I like the stock gearing of the GS, it's a nice combination of performance and economy for all around usage.  Quite suitable for a go anywhere do anything type of mid size bike like the GS500.  Some put on a 14T front with a larger rear sprocket to enhance their wheelies.  No problem if that's their thing.  But I just don't see the move towards higher gearing like 17-18T fronts with smaller rear sprockets or a larger 130/90 rear tire.  They claim smoother quieter high speed cruising with better gas mileage but I'm happy with the normal buzz of the GS doing 70-80 mph on 400-500 mile days on the Interstates and with the 60-65 mpg I get overall.

On the other hand using an older high mileage GS as an economy high speed freeway daily commuter is more of a oil mileage problem than a gas mileage problem.  And more than a few GS owners here have destroyed an engine by running out of oil.  A change to higher gearing could be helpful with this problem

[Soloratov]

The only issue I have with the statement is this: If it's a personal choice and an academic discussion about numbers...why do people care what others do?

[SAFE-T]

I think the OP is concerned about the promotion of what may be part myth ~ that is, that if only you did the right mods your 1970's era motorcycle would perform as good or better than anything you could buy now.

[Soloratov]

That's completely fair. That's why I tend to use hard numbers, not subjective opinions when I post something. But as he said, it's not a huge savings over time. Not in the grand scheme of things really. I agree...a few bucks in gas may not be a difference...even if I do average out to 8-9 mpg gain, it's a tiny amount of money. I guess I look at it very different...that same gain in a car would be something all over the news, so it does equal SOMETHING.
I think Janx was the one who said it best somewhere else...it's a GS500...don't expect much. Enjoy what you have and everyone will enjoy their ride in a different way.

[twocool]

Wow!  Actually some good replies!  Gee...I thought I was going to get blasted for my original post!

Just a couple of further comments........

If Soloratov gets an 8 MPG average (over lots of tank fulls) increase...that will really be something, very significant....

I am skeptical...but let's see what happens.

As for "why do people care what others do?"

Well, isn't that the whole point of an Internet discussion group?    I mean, if I didn't care what others were doing with their GS's...I'd just stay locked up in my garage and not talk to anybody...

Then again "interest" in what somebody else is doing doesn't mean agreement with what they are doing...........But it is still cool to see

Now for actual gas mileage...what vehicles are out there that get better mileage than a GS500?  OK maybe some scooters?..maybe moped?   Maybe a hybrid car?   But around 60 to 65 MPH is pretty hard to beat......

I think each particular vehicle has a basic mileage due to the vehicle's basic characteristics...weight..aerodynamics, engine etc....You can easily ruin this basic mileage...and maybe improve it slightly...but you're not gonna get drastic changes...yeah there are those hypermiler guys..they get some fantastic mileage out of vehicles...but really....not practical....

It is funny to me that motorcycles in general get pretty bad mileage..considering they are light weight, and relatively small displacement...........Certain larger, and heavier cars by comparison get remarkably good mileage........I think it is mostly aerodynamics...I don't know what the coefficient of drag of a bike vs a car..but it is probably big..

The beautiful thing about motorcycles, is most of us use the bike as a form of personal expression....we make the bike the way we want it..."just because"...that's cool....

Thursday bike night at the local drive in restaurant...maybe 500 to 1000 bikes there!  Every one is different...you can see every type and style of bike.....there is something to fit every taste....each owner, of course, thinks he or she has the best bike there!


Cookie

[Soloratov]

I wish we had a bike night like that around me! THat would be great! Only thing like that around here, it's just a collection of Harley's...all the same thing lined up.

Is there a difference in mileage you think with US vs UK/Europe in general? If I learned one thing (among many), watching Top Gear, it's that all the vehicles here...suck compared to the Euro versions as far as features and economy.

The beautiful thing about motorcycles, is most of us use the bike as a form of personal expression....we make the bike the way we want it..."just because"...that's cool....

^^ I think that is by far the greatest part of owning a bike, it's a great way to make a machine reflect yourself.

[slipperymongoose]

Biggest fuel saving device you can fit to your bike is mounted on the seat and if used properly can not only save fuel but wear and tear on other parts of the bike as well.

[vinny]

The only reason I monitor milage is to know when I need gas  (I run with the petcock on Prime)

That^. I hate switching to reserve as it always happens at motorway speeds (70+)

Also i like to know if i can do todays journey without stopping for fuel.

If i wanted economy, id drive the car. The bike is for fun and relaxing, screw the fuel.

[Zithromax]

WELL... To play devil's advocate here (sometimes not a popular choice I know) but if I spend $100 bucks to save $1 that STILL sticks it to the oil tycoons. And if a MILLION people do the same to save $1 that would have gone to the oil tycoons, then a hundred million bucks goes back into the motorcycle industry and keeps it strong while the oil guys gotta get the "cheap" $10,000 rolex instead of the more expensive one.

Okay, I'm from the south and suck at math. 

[twocool]

Well, there are way better ways to save a buck or make a buck.......And when big business spends $100 they intend to make $200 not $1.....

I suggest you get into the watch business.......

Cookie

WELL... To play devil's advocate here (sometimes not a popular choice I know) but if I spend $100 bucks to save $1 that STILL sticks it to the oil tycoons. And if a MILLION people do the same to save $1 that would have gone to the oil tycoons, then a hundred million bucks goes back into the motorcycle industry and keeps it strong while the oil guys gotta get the "cheap" $10,000 rolex instead of the more expensive one.

Okay, I'm from the south and suck at math. 

[MarkB]

There was a recent thread on modifying a GS for "better stunting", any number of threads on how to to get "better sound", lots of cosmetic mods, etc, etc, etc.  In this context I find it strange that someone would go off on a rant about the cost effectiveness of trying to improve mileage.  If practicality is the sole criteria, we'd probably trade in the bike on a slightly used Toyota Corolla.  Or maybe people just do things that don't make that much rational sense to others simply because they can, they want to, they find it rewarding in some intangible way.  Step away from the keyboard and go for a ride.  You'll feel better.