Sudden Increase in Fuel Economy

[WiredForStereo]

I went on a 12-hour 624 mile ride yesterday, and was pleasantly surprised that my fuel economy has jumped up considerably. Usually, I get right around 45-46 mpg, but the first tank, I got 58 cruising in the mountains and climbing the divide, third tank 55 in twisties, and fourth tank 50 climbing a pass (in the rain) and high speed freeway.

The only changes I have made since my last long ride were:

2.5" handlebar risers
2" drop footpegs
Amsoil 5w-50 in the engine, previously Amsoil 10w-40 motorcycle
Amsoil 20w-50 motorcycle in the chaincase, previously Amsoil 10w-40 motorcycle (the 10w-40 was through winter here in Denver).

Assuming the risers and footpegs didn't do it, that means it's probably the engine oil. Amsoil 20w-50 has 100C viscosity of 20.1 and 40C viscosity of 150.3 and no friction modifiers. Since the engine oil doesn't go in with the clutches, I decided to try out the 5w-50 (for Mustangs) which has 100C viscosity of 20.3 and 40C at 127 and friction modifiers included. So it has the added benefit of being ever so slightly thicker than the 20w-50 at operating temp, and much thinner cold, which should be better for cold starts.

I thought I might gain a couple mpg, but this is way better than expected. Anybody else have any experiences like this? It's a thicker oil than the 10w-40, are the friction modifiers just that good?

 

[BambamXB12r]

What year bike? Is it an x or an xt?

 

[WiredForStereo]

08 XT

 

[06xbss]

Kind of surprised you mpg was that low to begin with. Done anything with the muffler, intake or ecm?

I average 50-52 mpg at my general riding pace in the mountains and I average 58-60 mpg at a mellow pace. Lowest I've ever gotten was 47-48 mpg and that was doing 85-90 mph through Kansas on I-70(worst ride ever)

2006 XB12Ss
open airbox mod
K&N filter
Buell race exhaust
Buell race ecm
Lucas full synthetic 20w-50 in both holes

I live about an hour west/northwest of Denver and 90% of my riding is done up here.

 

[Mope]

Different with the 08+ bikes.....there's years of reporting on mpg and we often seem to be in the low 40s. Since there are still a lot of low mileage xb bikes, break in and good oil tend to yield better results.

My fat ass as a wind sail doesn't help either......

 

[BambamXB12r]

I have a 09 xb12r with 13,000 miles on it. Purchased it about a year ago with 6000 and have had pretty consistent results the entire time. My low fuel light will come one every 100 miles. 90 something if I'm riding heavy handed or 110 if I'm cruising the highway. With thee gallons I put in it every time I fill up I get about 33mpg.

Open air box
Race ECM
Drummer SS
Redline 20w-60 in both holes(summer)
Amsoil 20w-50 in both holes(winter)

I live in Las Vegas ride every chance I get, doesn't matter temp. Don't know if the heat here has anything to do with it. I also follow my factory maintenance schedule exactly.

 

[WiredForStereo]

06xbss, yes, I have done some muffler fun, K&N filter, breather re-route, and fuel map work, but all that was prior to this, in fact prior to the last trip on which I got 42-45 mpg. As you may know, the 08+ bikes are known to get lower fuel economy, and it doesn't help that I have the big panniers and tall windshield of the XT. I have often wondered at the lower fuel economy of the 08+, but I figured it was a price to pay for the new engine configuration (larger crank pin, oil pumps, timing, ECM, etc) that I was just going to have to deal with. I would sacrifice engine power for better fuel economy if I could find cams to do so. I'm also not enamored with the gear ratios, but they're acceptable. It's a touring setup bike, but it's got the exact same engine as the rest of the Buell family.

Mope, the bike is at 15,000+ miles, so break in is probably done. I bought it used, so I can't attest to the quality of the break in but it seems to be mechanically sound, doesn't use oil.

Overall, I'm very happy with the bike. Since adding the risers and pegs, it's much more comfortable to ride long distance. I was probably less sore after 12 hours than I was after three hours a few weeks ago on the way to Albuquerque. Most of the day, I was quite pleased that I was not sore at all. Hopefully it will be even better when my highway peg kit gets here.

 

[BambamXB12r]

I just picked up an 09 xt for when I ride out to New Mexico to see my dad. Having had it out much and it's all torn apart now doing just bought the bike maintenance but I am really hoping for better much mpg than my firebolt, even with the factory panniers and talk windscreen. You are very right about the comfort though.

Wired how tall are you? I'm 6 foot and was thinking about drop pegs and bar risers for comfort but wasn't sure.

 

[WiredForStereo]

Bambam, I am 5' 8.5".

The bar risers are really a comfort thing. Previously, I would steer with the mirror supports to get my arms up higher (throttle lock in use). Risers allow you to have your arms up which is more comfortable and you can sit back a little. You definitely can't get any better than 2.5" with the stock cables. Mine are tight on the throttle on a full right hand turn. They also allow much better mirror view with the stock mirrors.

The footpegs help also, though it's hard to tell how much. Went with American Sportbike for both pegs and risers. The pegs are wider in both dimensions and allow wide variation in foot placement. The stock pegs made me pigeon toed when putting my feet back further and tuck in. The new ones get the heels under parts of the frame so a little more comfortable. I also make liberal use of the passenger pegs and the hole right above the swingarm (just my heels) as alternate places to put my feet. I think the lower pegs do allow my shoes to get more wet when riding in the rain, but overall, at speed, rain deflection is quite good, even allowing the use of a phone holder on the handlebars and keeping the phone dry. Audiobooks are awesome for long trips.

 

[06xbss]

Interesting, didn't realize the 08+ bikes mpg was worse.

Tempting to try the same oils and see if I notice any difference in my mpg.

 

[pos90]

I always got 50 mpg on my '06 Lightning Long until I went to the 9 primary. Then it dropped to about 47.
On my '09 Ulysses I've always gotten around 45 mpg.

 

[cjanderson_90]

I wonder what my XB9 would get with a 12 primary...