Sudden MPG increase is real

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 12:24 am

Okay, some time ago I posted that my mileage had suddenly jumped from 73 MPG to 94 MPG. I use fuelly and double-checked my figures from my receipt and could not find an error.

My next two fuel ups have come in at 81MPG.

The increase in MPG is real, though more like 8 MPG than 21 MPG.

There are only two factors that have changed. 1) I lowered my windshield to its lowest setting. 2) I took off the top case and only ride with it when I need it.

I am still as fat as ever, and although my rides have been somewhat longer over these past few months, I haven't really changed my riding style.

My Blur has always been dead on 71 to 73 MPG. By the way, I just passed 3,600 BDU.

I wonder if anyone else's fuel mileage varies this much?

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 4:25 am

Maybe you're getting it broken in... Wait till you see the mileage at 10k BDUs!

Not that I have any idea what kind of mileage I get. I usually fill up every 100 miles, which has me at around 1/4 tank. Since neither the gas gauge nor the odometer are accurate, I decided I don't care. I just call it "Friggin' Awesome Mileage"

A guy asked me this morning as I was dismounting in the parking lot at work about the mileage and I guessed 70-80mpg. He seemed happy enough with those numbers so I figured I should too

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 5:11 am

Yeah, I know we obsess about such things, but I'm just curious. I find it interesting that something like that can make such a difference.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 3:44 pm

It's all about aerodynamics and weight. These things don't have super powerful engines so we gotta do as much with the handful of ponies it puts out.

The lower setting on the wind shield makes for a smoother "slicing" through the wind as you move forward. The highest setting might actually be worse than no windshield at all because of the buffeting effect on the wind shield itself... the mounting hardware just isn't strong enough to stay rigid with the sail set at high.

The topbox is also cutting into that slipstream and creating a secondary bump for the air to pass over. With the Blur's rear rack putting so far up, it catches on both sides as well as the top.

With the two combined, it can be a pretty big difference.
Now, if we could make some stronger mounting hardware for the wind shield, it could be mounted up higher and probably increase the slipstream effect even more. That would net even better MPG's and less rain/noise in our helmets.

BeachBuzz · Post by **BeachBuzz** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 12:03 pm

KCScooterDude wrote:There are only two factors that have changed. 1) I lowered my windshield to its lowest setting. 2) I took off the top case and only ride with it when I need it.

...my rides have been somewhat longer over these past few months, I haven't really changed my riding style.

My Blur has always been dead on 71 to 73 MPG. By the way, I just passed 3,600 BDU.

I wonder if anyone else's fuel mileage varies this much?

as my daily commuter (+12 miles r/t on secondary roads/city streets) the Blur averages 71-73mpg, just like yours. in the beginning of August Mrs. and I rode the Blur & Buddy to the beach for vacation. on the much longer ride (130 miles each way) at more consistant and higher cruising speeds my MPG jumped into the high 80's (about 88.5 was the best tank I ever got on the Blur). your change in distance, W/S location and top box removal

could definately contribute to your increase in MPG.
since I'm back home and back to the daily commute my mileage has dropped back into the low 70's.

as a side note - Mrs' Buddy jumped for a typical mid 80's mpg to an unbeliveable 125

on the 130 mile trip home from the beach.

rew750 · Post by **rew750** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 10:19 pm

I've had my Blur for a year and a half and I consistently been getting about 79MPG since the day I purchased it. Most of my driving is in town back and forth to work, with a fair amount of stopping and starting it rush hour traffic, running. I've got now almost 6,000 miles on it. So it's seems you're mileage isn't too much out of line with what I've been getting.

pajeanka · Post by **pajeanka** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 1:09 pm

For it's first year on the road the Blur scooter in our family was hubby's bike. With mostly around town commuting including jumping on & off the interstates he was getting upper 70's MPG during the scoot's break in miles. I've been riding the Blur as my scooter now for a month and a half and using Fuelly to track my mileage. You can see that on 4 tanks of gas I am averaging 81.4 MPG. On a county highway Saturday afternoon road trip in August the MPG jumped up to 83.9.
It is about aerodynamics. I am 100 pounds lighter than hubby (probably one of the lightest Blur riders in the US). I installed a windscreen on the Blur and he rode without one. For my inseam length I had to cut the Blur's seat down a couple of inches so I am seated lower. I've also noticed how I roll on and off the gas in stop & go traffic effects my gas mileage. Just over 2,000 BDUs on this Blur now. It will be interested to see if my MPG continues to increase as my Blur hits 4,000 or 6,000 BDUs.

hungcanuck · Post by **hungcanuck** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 10:13 pm

Was there a "how to" thread on installing the blur windshield? I seem to remember one, but couldn't find it.

KCScooterDude · Post by **KCScooterDude** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 11:33 pm

hungcanuck wrote:Was there a "how to" thread on installing the blur windshield? I seem to remember one, but couldn't find it.

My dealer installed it. The mecanic ended up having to call Genuine. There are apparantly two punch outs under the headset cowling. Once you take it off, I think it's pretty easy to figure out.

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 11:43 pm

Here's a link to the windshield installation instructions:

topic5241.html

It's in the tech library section, and I think you need to be logged in to see it.

hungcanuck · Post by **hungcanuck** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:50 am

Thanks for the link.

This step confused me:

"Step 5) Fit the windshield to the acorns using the metal hats and hex key bolts. These can be tightened to the point the windshield can still slide up and down the support rods, but stay in place when let go."

Is there a reason these bolts can't be tightened so the windshield doesn't slide period?

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 12:24 pm

It should be tight so that it doesn't slide. If you can move it up and down, so can the wind.

hungcanuck · Post by **hungcanuck** » Wed Oct 07, 2009 8:22 pm

That's what I thought. I over cranked one of the back bolts cause it wasn't tight enough and now it just spins. I was afraid that this might happen on the other bolts. I may just have to get some longer ones from the hardware store. Guess I don't know my own strength

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 1:52 am

You should learn your own strength, it'll save you time and money in the long run

hungcanuck · Post by **hungcanuck** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 4:52 am

It's somewhere between Steve Urkel and Mr. T.

Lostmycage · Post by **Lostmycage** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 5:10 am

hungcanuck wrote:It's somewhere between Steve Urkel and Mr. T.

Well then...
Mr T: use a torque wrench

Urkel: use locktite

Mix accordingly.

Modern Buddy