Sudden increase in MPG

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:21 am

Okay, I've double checked my numbers and I haven't screwed anything up.

This last time I fueled up, my mileage jumped from 72 MPG to 94 MPG.

The only difference I can tell is that I took the windscreen and lowered it from its highest setting to its lowest.

Other variables that might have changed things: I have not ridden as much since the beginning of July (about half as much as I usually do), it's summer, though not as hot as usual, and I installed a new battery about 40 miles ago.

I can't believe the windscreen would make that much difference, though I will say my head doesn't buffer around as much as usual so I do accept the fact that I'm probably more aerodynamic.

WTF?

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 2:55 am

Interesting. I don't think I've ever heard of that happening before. I'm curious to see if you can keep that up, lol.

On a side note, have you noticed that the windshield itself experiences less buffeting (it's a lot more stable in it's lowest setting, as opposed to at the tops where it vibrates back and forth at speed)?

fs8gbe · Post by **fs8gbe** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:55 am

i may have to try lowering the windshield...though it looks way low already, it's at the very top though.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 6:37 am

Lostmycage wrote:Interesting. I don't think I've ever heard of that happening before. I'm curious to see if you can keep that up, lol.

On a side note, have you noticed that the windshield itself experiences less buffeting (it's a lot more stable in it's lowest setting, as opposed to at the tops where it vibrates back and forth at speed)?

It's quite a bit more stable. It still moves around some, but not nearly as much. I get little or no buffeting of my helmet in this position. I think when it's on the tallest position it might allow air to come up under the windshield which is the actual cause of the buffetting. It also seems to move the air around the outside of my arms pretty well.

I will be interested to see if the mileage increase can be repeated. I checked my previous gas receipt and the current one. I don't think I've made a math error anywhere. I have averaged around 72 for each tank before this one.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:49 am

I seriously doubt the WS made that much difference on it's own. I installed mine shortly after I got the Blur and noticed very little improvement, maybe a couple MPGs. Possibly due to the WS, maybe getting broken in, riding style, weather...who knows.
I did drop the WS to the lowest position recently, still didnt notice any significant MPG difference but I do like it lowered and it does seem marginally more stable.

I will say that Mrs & I rode the little scoots to the beach for a 2 week vacation at the beginning of the month. We would normally ride 2up on the Burgman but she wanted her wheels available for the vacation. It's about 130 miles each way and most of the route is 2 lane back roads - cruising comfortably on the 50-60+ MPH range. My average MPG jumped from the normal mid 70's to high 80's for the 2 weeks. My normal riding is mostly my work commute of about 12 miles r/t through a mix of suburbia and city. Mid 70s is pretty good for the commuting but near 90mpg is awesome. The Buddy normally averages in the upper 80's, over the 2 weeks she got well into the 100's and on the ride home Sunday it hit an unbelievable 124MPG

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:17 pm

No way it's making that much difference. There are dozens of factors that can affect mileage, and several ways that mpg calculations can be inaccurate.

Even if nothing changed and your math is right, something isn't right, there's no way you're getting 94mpg. 94 BLUR DISTANCE UNITS per gallon maybe, or 94 miles per TANK? I'm lucky to get 65 mpg, I could see getting more than that if you weighed a lot less and had a windscreen. 72 sounds totally realistic, but not 94.

unless you're using a GPS and have some way of measuring exactly how much gas you used, you'll never get an exact measure, and with all the other factors that can affect mileage (passengers, weight, tire pressure, wind, grade, gas quality, traffic, temperature, etc) it's hard to ever know for sure. All those little variables and sloppy measuring and innaccurate speedo calibration, etc., can give you very different readings from tank to tank.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:31 pm

I use Fuelly.

I agree the windscreen can't be it. We are talking about BDUs, by the way. On my bike that means 5% optimistc.

My last tank was dead on 72 MPG (BDUPG). For this to be wrong the pump would have to have given me more gas than than it charged me for or something must be wrong with the odo

Irishrover · Post by **Irishrover** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 9:41 pm

I know for sure that I get 93mpg as I have been monitoring it since new. I use my bike computer that is very accurate and normally fill up with 5 litres of fuel every 100 miles travelled. My G-max is a 125cc, so should be more economical then a 150.

Erlkonig · Post by **Erlkonig** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:13 pm

Check aft tire pressure!