Reasons for poor gas mileage?

Rick · 02-03-2009, 07:33 PM

Ok, I searched to the best of my ability on this topic but can't find a whole lot of info, so here goes: When I got my GZ about 6 months ago, I was averaging about 65 mpg give or take a couple. Now I'm down to 56-58 regularly. I know that's not a huge difference, but with other people reporting 65-70 and more, I'm wondering what the problem might be. Thanks in advance for your input.

Moedad · 02-03-2009, 07:36 PM

Couple of thoughts.

Thought One: how's the air pressure in your tires?

Thought Two: now that you're used to the GZ, maybe you're riding it with more throttle? More highway riding perhaps?

alanmcorcoran · 02-03-2009, 07:46 PM

My mileage dropped a lot, too, after about 2500 miles. In the beginning I was running out at close to 180, now it's more like 140.

I think some of it was higher revving, but I think also there is something up with the carburetor. Mine does not run as evenly as it did when new and for reasons that remain unknown to me, the idling speed drifts all over the map during the first 15 minutes of riding. I have to keep it up higher than I like to avoid having it drift too low (and stall out.) Now it's too fast much of the time, but it doesn't stall at the lights anymore. Since it only takes me about 15 minutes to get to work, it just starts to settle down as I'm shutting it off.

Easy Rider · 02-03-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

When I got my GZ about 6 months ago, I was averaging about 65 mpg give or take a couple. Now I'm down to 56-58 regularly

Are you in one of the areas where they use ethanol blend ONLY in the winter months ??
That might account for the small difference you are seeing.
Riding it just a little harder might account for some of the difference too.

I get about 65 in the summer, with ethanol, but I ride pretty much like an old fart........which I AM! :biggrin:

JWR · 02-03-2009, 09:47 PM

This is my normal ave.

Rick · 02-03-2009, 10:17 PM

Thanks for the responses. I think more aggressive riding definitely has something to do with it. As far as I know we just have plain ol' gas year around, no ethanol, so I don't think that's a factor, but I could be wrong. I just checked the tires a few weeks ago, but it's gotten colder since then, maybe it's time to check 'em again. Although I just had a flat fixed up front so that one should be correctly inflated. Guess it's time to back off the throttle and ride like I drive my truck - like an old lady!

**jonathan180iq** · 02-04-2009, 09:43 AM

Alan,
Have you ever had your valves adjusted?

If your idle speed is set correctly when warm and you are getting a rough cold idle for that long a time period, I'd check into that.

mrlmd1 · 02-04-2009, 09:56 AM

Let me be the first, again, to "WELCOME BACK JONATHAN". Where you been, away for so long?

**jonathan180iq** · 02-04-2009, 09:59 AM

Just dealing with other things.

I still float around here to see what's going on. The winter usually scares people away from the motorcycle forums anyway, so I wasn't exactly lighting a fire under my rear to check out the site too often.

My Saab has needed some work recently which let me spend some more quality time with the scooter which, in turn, gave me a craving for some more two-wheeled motoring conversation.

mrlmd1 · 02-04-2009, 10:53 AM

You freezing your butt off in Ga. now on the scooter? Do you get any blockage of wind from the "fairing" on the front?

02-03-2009, 07:33 PM	#1
Rick Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Driftwood, Tx Posts: 64	Reasons for poor gas mileage? Ok, I searched to the best of my ability on this topic but can't find a whole lot of info, so here goes: When I got my GZ about 6 months ago, I was averaging about 65 mpg give or take a couple. Now I'm down to 56-58 regularly. I know that's not a huge difference, but with other people reporting 65-70 and more, I'm wondering what the problem might be. Thanks in advance for your input. __________________ If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much space! Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-03-2009, 07:36 PM	#2
Moedad Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 642	Re: Reasons for poor gas mileage? Couple of thoughts. Thought One: how's the air pressure in your tires? Thought Two: now that you're used to the GZ, maybe you're riding it with more throttle? More highway riding perhaps?
	0

02-03-2009, 07:46 PM	#3
alanmcorcoran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 2,926	Re: Reasons for poor gas mileage? My mileage dropped a lot, too, after about 2500 miles. In the beginning I was running out at close to 180, now it's more like 140. I think some of it was higher revving, but I think also there is something up with the carburetor. Mine does not run as evenly as it did when new and for reasons that remain unknown to me, the idling speed drifts all over the map during the first 15 minutes of riding. I have to keep it up higher than I like to avoid having it drift too low (and stall out.) Now it's too fast much of the time, but it doesn't stall at the lights anymore. Since it only takes me about 15 minutes to get to work, it just starts to settle down as I'm shutting it off. __________________ [hr:5yt6ldkq][/hr:5yt6ldkq] http://alanmarkcorcoran.com Motorcycles, Music, Musings and More… Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-03-2009, 09:47 PM	#5
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	Re: Reasons for poor gas mileage? This is my normal ave. __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..." Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-03-2009, 10:17 PM	#6
Rick Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Driftwood, Tx Posts: 64	Re: Reasons for poor gas mileage? Thanks for the responses. I think more aggressive riding definitely has something to do with it. As far as I know we just have plain ol' gas year around, no ethanol, so I don't think that's a factor, but I could be wrong. I just checked the tires a few weeks ago, but it's gotten colder since then, maybe it's time to check 'em again. Although I just had a flat fixed up front so that one should be correctly inflated. Guess it's time to back off the throttle and ride like I drive my truck - like an old lady! __________________ If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much space!
	0

02-04-2009, 09:43 AM	#7
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Re: Reasons for poor gas mileage? Alan, Have you ever had your valves adjusted? If your idle speed is set correctly when warm and you are getting a rough cold idle for that long a time period, I'd check into that.
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02-04-2009, 09:56 AM	#8
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Reasons for poor gas mileage? Let me be the first, again, to "WELCOME BACK JONATHAN". Where you been, away for so long?
	0

02-04-2009, 09:59 AM	#9
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Re: Reasons for poor gas mileage? Just dealing with other things. I still float around here to see what's going on. The winter usually scares people away from the motorcycle forums anyway, so I wasn't exactly lighting a fire under my rear to check out the site too often. My Saab has needed some work recently which let me spend some more quality time with the scooter which, in turn, gave me a craving for some more two-wheeled motoring conversation.
	0

02-04-2009, 10:53 AM	#10
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Reasons for poor gas mileage? You freezing your butt off in Ga. now on the scooter? Do you get any blockage of wind from the "fairing" on the front?
	0