initial riding on a new buddy

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 4:12 pm

So my new Italia came with a bit in the tank. I filled it all the way up this past weekend (maybe I shouldn't have done that?) and am now at 1/2 a tank. It's kind of bad gas mileage for having gone 35 miles, but I expected the first couple of tanks to be kinda mediocre at best; but I can't wait for the break-in so I can get that 80-90mpg some of you are sporting!

Is there anything besides normal break-in niceness I should do? Any carb-cleaning additives?

Realizing this will probably open up a new can of worms, what are some experiences from fellow owners?

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 5:08 pm

Your Italia is a 2009, which means it's been sitting on the dealer's floor (or in a crate) for a while now. It would be prudent to add the proper dose of a respected cleaner like SeaFoam for the first couple of tank-fuls, then do a proper fuel stabilizer for the winter if your bike's going to sit.

My own experience with a 2009 purchased in 2011 was a bad one - the carb gunked up at only 20 miles on the odo. The dealer guys, after apologizing, said that there was probably some residual preservative and/or ethanol in the tank that in combination blocked up my jets.

GrittyTacoman · Post by **GrittyTacoman** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 5:08 pm

I did notice a significant difference in gas mileage after the break-in period. Now a couple years later I'm getting gas mileage of a little less than 80.

I don't think you'd need to worry about additives or anything else besides maybe checking tire pressure.

Enjoy the new Buddy!

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 5:18 pm

Thanks!

My scoots don't sit for more than a few days at a time, but it wouldn't be bad to run some through anyway. I had planned to put some into the car because I do tend to leave it sit for long periods of time (my current tank has been in there for 3 weeks and @ 1/2 a tank). I have 50 miles on "Yoda' and it runs very smooth. He was actually assembled last year but I have no idea how long the fuel has been in there. Sportique seems to either drain them or add some stabilizer if they sit for a long time, but it certainly couldn't hurt.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Wed Jan 11, 2012 6:16 pm

GrittyTacoman wrote:I did notice a significant difference in gas mileage after the break-in period. Now a couple years later I'm getting gas mileage of a little less than 80.

I don't think you'd need to worry about additives or anything else besides maybe checking tire pressure.

Enjoy the new Buddy!

Ditto. Significant difference in MPG and MPH by about 1500 miles.