I got/get a 60 mpg overall average on my 97 GS for 80k miles and for 93k miles and counting on my 02 GS spring, summer, and fall.  It drops to the 50-55 mpg range in the winter.  Only exception was in the mountains when running all out at 7-9k rpm for hours it would drop to as low as 45 mpg at times.  Both of my GSs have been stock and carbs never touched.  Nothing to be gained running a stock GS over 9-9.5k rpm since the power of a stock GS peaks at 8500 and takes a nose dive after that.

I get about 160 miles before reserve on a stock bike with momentarily tight valves (waiting on shims). If my math is correct this puts me at only about 36mpg (160m/4.4gallons)  My riding style is a lot like yours with hard launches and shifts somewhere between 7-8k when Im cruising and 10-11k when I'm going for it. However I dont take short rides as Im either commuting or searching for new backroad twisties for hours and I get off the choke asap. Hopefully getting my valves straight will give me some more mpgs on my spirited commutes.

Quote from: ohgood on May 02, 2012, 11:48:39 AM
you could ride sanely, jab a hole in the gas tank and still get better milage. wow.

I do ride sanely, you gotta realize that me pushing my gs500 to the limit is like someone on a pushing a 600rr at less than 50%. Why not use your acceleration on the open road? Part of owning a motorcycle, for me at least, is to have a bit of fun. I stay safe, I'm not weaving of being a jackass in residential areas. But I completely agree with your statement minus the sanely part, I would say less aggressively.

I have a lunchbox and rejet to 40/140 on my 98 and I'm getting around 50mpg. I generally cruise at 4-6k and do 65-75 on highway in 6th. I get on it only in second and third, but I do it rather often.

My engine and carbs are stock and I'm good for 400+ km a tank. As its been said with the filter, re jet, and exhaust you have opened it up so more fuel will flow. Think of it this way, if you hold your breath and sit still and don't move you can hold it for a while, now hold your breath again and move about and flail your arms about and you'll find you won't be holding it for long. A stock GS is like you holding your breath while doing nothing, oxygen (fuel) lasts a longish time. Now with your bike how you described its like holding your breath while jogging, oxygen (fuel) is used quicker to keep up with the demand that's there.

Quote from: slipperymongoose on May 02, 2012, 08:10:19 PM
My engine and carbs are stock and I'm good for 400+ km a tank. As its been said with the filter, re jet, and exhaust you have opened it up so more fuel will flow. Think of it this way, if you hold your breath and sit still and don't move you can hold it for a while, now hold your breath again and move about and flail your arms about and you'll find you won't be holding it for long. A stock GS is like you holding your breath while doing nothing, oxygen (fuel) lasts a longish time. Now with your bike how you described its like holding your breath while jogging, oxygen (fuel) is used quicker to keep up with the demand that's there.

i understand that all the modifications as well as the way that i ride negatively affect gas mileage, I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced a similar degree of loss in fuel economy.

I found out today I get 36 mpg when the engine just stopped in rush hour traffic.  The tripmeter was only at 160 so I didn't even think to toggle reserve mode.  I randomly was able to restart the engine after turning choke back on.

wow...that's terrible mileage...........

Did you ever go to the "Fuelly" website?......yours is probably the worst I've seen.......

The more I post of Fuelly, the more my mileage is seeming to average out to about 64...



Cookie

Quote from: chsonnu on July 22, 2013, 08:43:22 PM
I found out today I get 36 mpg when the engine just stopped in rush hour traffic.  The tripmeter was only at 160 so I didn't even think to toggle reserve mode.  I randomly was able to restart the engine after turning choke back on.

No, but I'll check it out.  To be fair I bought this bike with 14K miles and have yet to inspect the valve clearances or clean the carbs.

Quote from: twocool on July 23, 2013, 03:14:25 AM
wow...that's terrible mileage...........

Did you ever go to the "Fuelly" website?......yours is probably the worst I've seen.......

The more I post of Fuelly, the more my mileage is seeming to average out to about 64...



Cookie

Quote from: chsonnu on July 22, 2013, 08:43:22 PM
I found out today I get 36 mpg when the engine just stopped in rush hour traffic.  The tripmeter was only at 160 so I didn't even think to toggle reserve mode.  I randomly was able to restart the engine after turning choke back on.

I think I'm averaging in the high 50s on my '07. Last two tanks were 61.5 and 59.5 mpg. I try to sip rather than chug

Last tank 63.48, average for close to 1k miles 61.9. 1994 with 11 k miles now. I just got the bike a month ago, fork seals shot, carb slide spring broken in half, choke stuck, chain filthy. I ride carefully and accelerate with the flow of traffic or just slightly faster. Shift before 6k RPM. Bike is a little lean at low revs with a load but it is getting better. Was sitting for probably two years.

regards
Mech

I went on my first ever highway journey a couple months ago and got 50 mpg and pretty much had it pinned at red line in top gear. Much better mileage than the 35 I get with city riding, where I am pretty much accelerating 95% of the time.

Graham 

 

I think your problem is the stop start riding you do around towns/cities. My GS has a K&N lunchbox and aftermarket exhaust, 15t front sprocket, jetted 20,62.5,145 and i think its a bit rich on the main but my average in the last month (870 miles) is 59.6mpg.

When i got my bike it was jetted very lean and i only ever got around 40-45mpg, if you run your bike over lean you will lose mileage as you have to work the bike harder to get it anywhere.

I ride pretty hard, cruise at 6-7k, change gear at 8k most of the time and sometimes take it up to 11,500k (mine pulls hard to the end which it didnt when running lean)

GS500E, 24k miles, K&N Std intake, mufflerectomy on stock exhaust, 40/135 jets, bypassed factory petcock for in-line on/off valve running off reserve nipple, Michelin Activ tires (not sure what pressure I'm at right now), I weigh an estimated 230lbs.

Usually ride out gears to middle-high RPM range (8-9k at most), keep it in 6th whenever possible, on the work commute I keep it at 80mph on the hwy in 6th at about 7-8k.

Averaging just under 60mpg.  Last I did the math on a fill up I got a figure of about 57mpg.  I play it safe and fill up every 150 miles or so, but knowing I can hit at least 200 is great!

201.7 miles today on 3.178 gallons of cheap WalMart regular ($3.439 @ gal), same as last tank. 63.5 MPG including one blast on the Interstate to 85 indicated on a ride to pick up some parts for my 1989. Got the 89 roadworthy but still needs fork seals. Last tank was 63.48 MPG (all US). Average since puchasing the 1994 over a month ago is 62.3 and it sat for a couple of years without running. Every time I get on the Interstate and open it up for 15 miles, each way, the idle speed climbs and I adjust it back to 1250.

I never hit reserve, it should go about 225-240 without reserve at this rate. I could probably get over 64 if I did not run it fairly hard as much as I do but it is still cleaning up the carbs even after 1000 miles in just over a month.

regards
Mech

Quote from: mister on May 02, 2012, 12:35:37 PM
Stock air pressure for tires is 33 front and 36 rear.

Michael

The tag on my bike says 33f/41r, does it change from year to year?


And hell, even tossing the bike around like mad I still don't seem to drop below 45 MPG or so. I'm actually more concerned about burning oil at high engine speeds than I am about my fuel economy. I average about 50-55 typically. These are US MPGs.

I think if you look carefully, you will see that the 41 PSI is for two  up riding.......

Cookie

Quote from: Watevaman on July 24, 2013, 02:27:47 PM

Quote from: mister on May 02, 2012, 12:35:37 PM
Stock air pressure for tires is 33 front and 36 rear.

Michael

The tag on my bike says 33f/41r, does it change from year to year?


And hell, even tossing the bike around like mad I still don't seem to drop below 45 MPG or so. I'm actually more concerned about burning oil at high engine speeds than I am about my fuel economy. I average about 50-55 typically. These are US MPGs.

Quote from: twocool on July 24, 2013, 06:49:02 PM
I think if you look carefully, you will see that the 41 PSI is for two  up riding.......

Cookie

Quote from: Watevaman on July 24, 2013, 02:27:47 PM

Quote from: mister on May 02, 2012, 12:35:37 PM
Stock air pressure for tires is 33 front and 36 rear.

Michael

The tag on my bike says 33f/41r, does it change from year to year?


And hell, even tossing the bike around like mad I still don't seem to drop below 45 MPG or so. I'm actually more concerned about burning oil at high engine speeds than I am about my fuel economy. I average about 50-55 typically. These are US MPGs.

My tag doesn't specify and only has one set of pressures per tire.

Rode 150 miles today. Refilled with same cheapest regular. 153.7 miles @ 2.405 gallons @ $3.439 per gallon (US).
63.91 MPG. Almost all highway at 55-65 MPH. Picked up some parts for the 89, left signal light, front brake lever, and a couple of screws and washers. Put the lamp and lever under the seat and the rest in my pocket. Installed them when I got home. Fork seals still needed and she will be roadworthy.

regards
Mech