This being a new bike for me, I think I may be getting less than optimal gas mileage. Going around town (stop light to stop light) I get maybe 80-100 miles before I have to fill the tank up again. Is this normal? How many miles are (for in town riding) you getting before re-fuelling?
Hmmm, I own a 98, and would easily see 150 miles to the tank in stop go traffic, maybe more... How much are you adding when you fill? Sometimes the fuel light can come on a tad early, the 6th gens have 5.8 gal capacity, so if ya adding 5.5 or so, she is drinking heaps. Not sure of cures as my mileage is sweet. Good luck.
I think a little more info is needed before a more accurate answer can be given. Like Vee-Ef-Ar said, sometimes the fuel light can come on a tad early. What we really need to know, besides the number of miles gone between filling up, is how many gallons of fuel your are putting back in. Keep in mind, that your bike will most likely use more fuel in stop-and-go situations than on the highway. I get about 180 miles to 3.4 gallons on the highway, but in town I get less, I think about 120 or so I don't exactly remember. Oh, my fuel light comes on at about 160 - 170 miles. So when it comes on I know I have another 30 to 40 miles or so befor I absolutely need to fill up.
Just filled up 3.8 gallons, had 81 miles put on the bike since last fill up. I checked my air filter, it was dirty so I’ve got a new one on order. Also put some cleaner in the gas tank. When I was checking my air filter there is a rubber hose that comes off a metal circle (opens a flapper into the air box) that is disconnected. Any ideas as to where that hose goes?
found it when to honda direct and they have great pictures. found where the hose went. going to see if re-connecting that flapper helps any.
Based on my 05 I would say there is something wrong. I would typically get 120 miles or so for that amount of gas around town. Of course I don't tend to hammer it around town generally below VTEC. If the VTEC kicks in a lot with your riding the the fuel consumption will jump. By the sounds of it the things you have identified could well be the cause.
I agree with grinder. Be sure to check the fuel filter as well. Also, do you know if the sprockets have been changed? What I mean is on my 93 the stock gearing is 16/43 (16 tooth front sprocket, 43 tooth rear sprocket). If those are different, meaning more teath on the rear and/or less on the front, it will also affect mpg, but 81 miles to 3.8 gallond seems wrong since thats only 21.3 mpg.
Sounds a little low, do you Rev to 12K every gear ? if only truddling around town try and keep above 4k and below 6.8k. Does the bike have PC3 and aftermarket exhaust if so may be the PC3 is mapped too rich. I have just sorted a bad Fuel economy with powerloss on my '99 Gen 5 where one of the Pair Valve Reeds was stuck open due to crud build up, the impact of which was to allow dirty exhaust air into the airbox causing the loss of power requiring more throttle to be used to maintain speed. The remedial action to check and clean was easy enough with only having to lift the tank to get at the rear Pair valves and take the front guard off to get at the front in order to remove, disassemble then use brake cleaner spray and rag to clean them before re-assemble and re-install. Worth noting the Gen 5's come apart with 1 screw but the Gen 6 does not so guess if cleaning and soaking does not clean enough then would need replacement.
Most the time shift right before vtech. Stock Still looking into this... new at this mechanic thing. ======================================================================== Well its been awhile since I posted, thought I’d come back and post my progress. I replaced the fuel filter (waste of $45.00), air filter (needed it) and hooked up the flapper valve (read somewhere that most people disconnect it anyhow). Also replaced the clutch, brake and oil fluid (I know nothing to do with MPG). Frankly I’ve just been out riding around not really worrying about the MPG much anymore. I did however go on a 400-mile trip and I noticed something that may of shined some light on a potential problem. In the morning the bike was running around 155 degrees and I got about 33 MPG at fill up. In the afternoon (outside temp heated up to around 85) the bike ran at around 190 and I got about 42 MPG. So perhaps the thermostat is stuck open. I’ve read about the process to replace/check it and I’m not looking forward to that job, probably leave it up to the dealership.
