trip gas mileage
 

Is it normal to get lower gas mileage on a long trip then you do around town

It depends on what kind of riding you're doing on the long trip. If you're at a constantly high rpm with the throttle WFO, then yes, a drop in mpg should be normal. If you have a lot of stop and go traffic, like side roads through a big city, then probably not.

Easy could probably answer this better because of his recent long trip.

Gas Mileage
 

Did you get alot of gas with ethanol? That'll lower your mileage by about 10%+.

Not really sure about the ethanol. I think I remember seeing something at one gas station about it but i was running at high rpm alot to stat probably is the reason I dropped about 25 miles per tank on the trip which was from ashland Ky to Gatlinburg Tn about 250 miles one way

It does depend a lot on riding style......and wind resistance.
I tend to rip through the gears and then cruise in 5th about 55; that's with a windshield and a 16T sprocket.
So I was getting about 65 in town and 72 on the highway; never really WFO but closer to it in town.

Re: Gas Mileage
 

With all due respect sir, that is largely a myth.

Ethanol contains about 85% the energy content of pure gas, so changing from gas to E-85 will cost you about 15% in power and mileage, or some combination of the two.

A change from 100% gas to 90/10 gas/ethanol reduces your energy input by .15 X .10 = .015 or 1.5%

Given that things are never quite what they should be theoretically, you loss could be twice that much .....or 3%. If it is 10%+ something is drastically wrong somewhere.

Gas Mileage
 

I perpetuted the myth from things I've heard or read, as I try and use 100% gas and have not personally experienced any ethanol deficencies or problems.

I defer to your knowledge sir.

:oops: