Buddy's First Road Trip

Dibber · Post by **Dibber** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:23 pm

I just went over 1000 miles of no problems. Also took my first road trip to check out an old hunting spot and finished at a County Park. I drove mostly 60 mph indicated the trip was about 75 miles, so I topped off the tank and I got my best MPG ever 96.5 mpg. It was great, haven't done this since my old cycling days over 20 yrs ago. So as they say everyone "Keep on Keeping on" the scooters that is.

Tim Mace · Post by **Tim Mace** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 1:02 pm

What grade gasoline? How far before each fillup?

JeremyZ · Post by **JeremyZ** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 2:52 pm

FYI: Last time I checked it, I got 101.2 mpg, on premium gas. That tank had a bit of everything: stop 'n go in rush hour, flat out at 63-65 mph, and easy cruising at 25-55.

The key is to not accelerate quickly except when you really need to.

I was floored when I figured this. The best I got on my 50cc Honda Metropolitan was 112 mpg, and it was a slow dog by comparison.

Tim Mace · Post by **Tim Mace** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 5:41 pm

That's more in line w/my Buddy's MPG. I like that little growl when you first take off! I'm using 89 for gas.I started w/ premium but can't tell any difference.till over a 100 MPG ain't bad.In fact it's awesome.Somebody stop me!!!!

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:33 pm

My last tank of gas returned mileage in the high 80's. I use full throttle a lot and, like JeremyZ says, if you avoid full throttle your mileage will push 100.

We've been through the whole octane thing many times and Pocphil's excellent treatise on gas and octane should be required reading for anyone using any internal combustion engine. FWIW, I use mid-grade on both bikes with no sign of pinging whatsoever and my seat of the pants dyno is convinced both bikes run stronger with mid-grade than premium. Of course, octane need is based on many different things, including your location. Here at altitude we generally require lower octane ratings. That's why our premium gas octane rating is only 91. Anyway, if you're using premium and don't really need it, Exxon and Shell love you.

BlueMark · Post by **BlueMark** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 10:23 pm

You'll get the best mileage/performance with the lowest octane gasoline that will run without engine pinging. I've run regular 87 octane in my so called 'high performance' Blur without any problems, never a ping, and that is with a slightly higher compression engine than the Buddy. I don't see any reason a Buddy should need even mid-grade fuel. But you don't use much, so the higher price and slightly lower MPG won't hurt.

The manufacturer recommended octane grades refer to Asian petrol measured using a different method than American gasoline. I'm guessing American 87 octane regular is a pretty close match to 92 octane in Taiwan.

-Mark

JeremyZ · Post by **JeremyZ** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:19 pm

Interesting. For my first tank of gas that I put in Bud, I put premium, and it ran noticably better. I assumed it was because they put 87 octane in at the stealer. In retrospect, it could have just been old gas that they had in a can...

I may try 87 again, but I'm not sure. Familiarity breeds contentment.

(and stubbornness)

vitaminC · Post by **vitaminC** » Fri Sep 07, 2007 9:01 pm

Pretty much every tank I've put in has gotten 95mpg (typically 1.3g / fill), and that's exclusively with regular. I regularly leave cars behind from a stop, so I don't think I'm sacrificing any performance...

Buddy_wannabe · Post by **Buddy_wannabe** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 4:51 am

does the book not recomend 91? ... the price diff from reg to premium... who cares ... might be .08 if your tank was real low...

scootntattoos · Post by **scootntattoos** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 6:57 am

generally scooters having a low compression motor dont need anything above 87. putting premium in the tank doesnt do too much except empty your wallet faster and probly even drop your mileage

pocphils 'laymans' post explains it all pretty well

topic1015.html

lobsterman · Post by **lobsterman** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 3:57 pm

This topic has certainly been beaten to death, resurrected and beaten to death again.

Buddy_wannabe, the 91 mentioned in the manual isn't the US standard for measuring octane. By US measurement, it's more like mid-grade octane gas that the manual refers to.

Buddy_wannabe · Post by **Buddy_wannabe** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:59 am

.... and you know that it will resurrected to be beat again another day .... and you know that you will never get everyone in the same boat / same page ... whatever ...

people are going to believe what they believe .... you can hear arguments both ways from people that you would think they know what they are talking about ....

people will even argue about where you get gas ... I have had auto machanics tell me to avoid Kwik-Trip gas....

so we can let it rest up for its next beating.....