What kind of mileage do ya get?

[rkerg]

There has been some discussion about this lately and today I remembered to top off my tank before I went for a ride to check my bike.
I got 34 MPG today. Not great but not bad either. Last year I got better but, I was using one of those little dirt bike in line filters with the tiny holes. Now I am running a nice filter I found at Napa that is the right size and is thin enough to fit between my pods. The first thing I noticed after I installed it was more power at low speeds and RPMs.

[jmac]

my last tank,got 36mpg.That was a 50mile trip,and the rest was just ripping around.So not bad.

[paulfun]

My trip to the bike shop and one dyno run this weekend netted me 29 mpg on the 85 zl with the connie zg1 motor, but the ride down there was at high rate of speed. Didnt do any other mpg tests as of yet.

[markus56]

My trip to the bike shop and one dyno run this weekend netted me 29 mpg on the 85 zl with the connie zg1 motor, but the ride down there was at high rate of speed. Didnt do any other mpg tests as of yet.


So you've got a real highway beast too, huh Paul? That Connie motor is like having a whole 'nother gear on the highway! As long as I'm reasonable with the throttle, I'm getting 38mpg with the Connie motor and stock ZL1k carbs.

[K-Ray]

my '85 ZL9 with me hot rodding has got down to 22mpg now if I'm easy on the throttle I can get up to 38mpg ....

[paulfun]

So you've got a real highway beast too, huh Paul? That Connie motor is like having a whole 'nother gear on the highway! As long as I'm reasonable with the throttle, I'm getting 38mpg with the Connie motor and stock ZL1k carbs.

Yep its a hole lot better at Highway cruise than before. I am gonna have to do some normal rideing and see what kind of MPG I am getting. The carbs are stock zl9 and seem to be letting just a bit more fuel in than the connie motor needs down low so an adjustment of the Idle screws or pilot jets should fix that.

Just comparing the most recent dyno printout from last years with the same bike it seems like I picked up 12 mph in fourth gear. Last year same tires the dyno said it only did 114mph in 4th gear and this year it hit 126mph.

[WillyD]

On my 9 I get 23 MPG....Most I ever got was about 25 MPG...That is taking it easier than easy...If I rip hard on it for a tank I might get 21...I don't know what in the heck is wrong with it...I hope to tear into it again soon and do some digging....

My ZL1 I am not gonna guess yet, because my fuel tap is screwed...new pingel sitting here but I got things to do to get ready to wrok on both bikes....I don't know how in the hell you guys are getting 38

Willy

[furchin]

I just got 38.14 mpg with one of my ZL1000's on the way to see Paul and Don at the dyno tests. That was running 65 to 68 mph on the highway. Might have been a little better if I didn't have a leaking gas tank.

[zlMark]

I don't know how in the hell you guys are getting 38

WillyWe don't cruise at 90mph!!

[zl900_moab]

24 mpg on my 900 (all in town, and a fair amount of "full throttle" starts) with the Holeshots and stage 2, no advancer yet and I am still running 3 turns out on the air screws like Dale Walker sez....But I am gonna lean it out cuz it's running real rich!
Please also keep in mind that I just rebuilt all 4 of my carbs, so it's prolly as efficient as its gonna get in terms of smooth operating carbs.
Keep y'all posted!
moab...

[WillyD]

Less than half throttle (more like 1/4 throttle)....Not above 6,000 on the tach...Top speed 60 MPH in 6th gear

The most I ever got was on a run back home from Indy...Was riding with a buddy who was on a full dress Harley....We never topped 60 mph...No wind to speak of....I think I got about 50-52 miles when I had to flip to reserve...That is 2 gallons of gas...So that is about 25-26 mpg

I have had two sets of carbs on the bike...I have had both sets at all stock settings, stock needles, stock pilots and stock mains...screws out about 2 1/8- 2 1/4 turns...Stock air box with the Cobra slip ons...Recently went back to stock mufflers...Mileage the same...I usually go to reserve at 46-47 miles and that is 2 gallons used...New plugs, new wires and new resistor ends right from Kaw...Trip odometer checked with milemarker markings...Speedo compared to other "known good" speedos....

I am up for suggestions...

Next on the list is putting a set of Dyna coils on the bike and checking all connections I can check, clean and grease...Pull side cover and check for an advancer, check cam chain, guides, tensioner and adjust valves again..

Unless it is just a tired motor, but it is only at 26,000 miles. No vacuum leaks, carb holders all in good shape, tight, etc. :help::help::help:

Willy

[Wstar425]

I get around 32-35 mpg, but this made me think of something else. MY ZL speedo is off about 6 miles from the V65's which are off about 6 miles from the car. So, I wonder if that might mean I am putting on more miles than I think I am, which would affect the mileage.

The car at 60 mph, I would have to run the V65 around 65-66, I have to run the ZL around 72 to REALLY be doing 60 mph. We discovered this when riding together, when the ZL is in front at 65, the Honda is going around 59 mph. I'm not smart enough to figure out what that all means, I just know they are way off. I think I have the OEM tire size on the back, but I don't have it here to look at right now.

[rkerg]

I get around 32-35 mpg, but this made me think of something else. MY ZL speedo is off about 6 miles from the V65's which are off about 6 miles from the car. So, I wonder if that might mean I am putting on more miles than I think I am, which would affect the mileage.

The car at 60 mph, I would have to run the V65 around 65-66, I have to run the ZL around 72 to REALLY be doing 60 mph. We discovered this when riding together, when the ZL is in front at 65, the Honda is going around 59 mph. I'm not smart enough to figure out what that all means, I just know they are way off. I think I have the OEM tire size on the back, but I don't have it here to look at right now.

Wow. So your ZL's speedo is off by 12 mph? Is that right? Are you sure that the cars speedo is correct? I have checked my bikes trip meter with road mileage markers and it is pretty accurate, have you ever done that?

[rkerg]

Less than half throttle (more like 1/4 throttle)....Not above 6,000 on the tach...Top speed 60 MPH in 6th gear



Willy

Willy, just out curiosity, when you are in 6th gear and your tach is reading 6000, about how fast are you going?

[K-Ray]

I keep sea foam in my ZL9 most off the time. it really seems to help keep the carbs clean and it helps the gas when the bike ends up setting for a month , not that that happens a lot but we do have five bikes and at times we are on the go every weekend.

:notworthy: http://www.seafoamsales.com/motor-treatment/index.html :notworthy:

[WillyD]

I will have to check my 6th gear 6,000 rpm speed....I am not sure what it is...

Hey Mark....I gotta challenge for ya....If my mileage does not improve for me by VMD, we can swap bikes, go to the gas station and fill up...Set trip odometer to Zero and I will give you a crisp $100 bill if you can get the trip odometer to 50 before my 9 has to flip to reserve....No cheating..No pulling it behind a car with a rope...Just drive it any way you like and see if you hit over 50 miles before reserve...

Willy

[zlMark]

I will have to check my 6th gear 6,000 rpm speed....I am not sure what it is...

Hey Mark....I gotta challenge for ya....If my mileage does not improve for me by VMD, we can swap bikes, go to the gas station and fill up...Set trip odometer to Zero and I will give you a crisp $100 bill if you can get the trip odometer to 50 before my 9 has to flip to reserve....No cheating..No pulling it behind a car with a rope...Just drive it any way you like and see if you hit over 50 miles before reserve...

WillyDo I get to work on it first??

[WillyD]

Tell you what....

When I get the coils replaced and the wiring all checked and cleaned and the repaint done, if my mileage does not improve, I will trailer this bike to your house and let you work on it and see what you can find on it....

I am at a complete loss as to why my mileage is so pi$$ poor....

Willy

[zlMark]

Cam timing wrong??

[WillyD]

After seeing what Paul found on his ZL1 with the cams installed wrong, I am not counting anything out..I have no idea what could have been done to this thing by previous owner(s)....For all I know it could have the wrong cams in it....When I get to a point where I start to take some things apart, I am gonna be looking closely and asking alot of questions...

#1...my mileage sucks as compared to others who have basically a stock bike like mine

#2...When I bought mine, it had PODS, stage 3 and the Cobra's on it

#3...When I got it, it was a hard starting SOB when cold

If I thought it was just a boosted HP bad m-f'er and ran stronger than a stock ZL9, I would understand all the previous, but here is the thing...I think it is lagging behind what a stock ZL9 should do, mileage-wise and performance-wise...I am not gonna get into the whole ZL9 versus the ZL1, but when it comes to my two bikes as they sit today, my 9 is nowhere near my 1K....Not in performance off the line or midrange power and nowhere near the roll-on...and after I get the pingel on the 1K, I think my mileage will even be pretty darn good...I know the roll-on on a 1K is far superior than the 9, but my 1K kills my 9 at every aspect....If they were pretty close, I would say for both being stock that it was cool, but I know that is not the case....I don't believe so anyway...

Willy

[wuputt]

Willy, the ZL9 I gave to Shawn drains the tank at 50 miles! His tank is a bit small due to some bondo work by PO,
I tuned the carbs, set the valves, went through the wiring, re-cleaned the carbs, re-tuned the carbs, the bike is just plain thirsty! Trying to keep up with my ZL1 around town he hits reserve as low as 34 miles!
I rebuilt the petcock so at least he has reserve now!
I told him he would get good gas mileage with a smaller street bike and he just laughed at me!

[Jarney]

I ran 132 mains with pods forever and could squeeze out 38-42 mpg pretty regularly. I added the advancer - 3 or 4 degrees, adjustable, can't remember which - and my mileage dropped to somewhere around 32-36 maybe 38 mpg - didn't pay that much attention to it before I started making changes again. I just upped the carbs to 136 mains and have not gone through a full tank yet as the weather here has suuucked big time. I've got 40 miles on this tank so far and I'm not real sure that I had it completely topped off and full - so I'm probably about to hit reserve. Later.

[Jarney]

Finally got through a tank with the 136 mains. Not completely sure it was topped up to the same spot but I went 59.3 miles, gassed up and put in 1.782 gallons. That's 33.277 mpg - right? I'm going to put a mark on the hump inside the tank so I can make sure I fill up to the same spot in the future. Later.

[zlMark]

On the hump???,,lol........... I fill mine to the filler neck

[gds]

THE FUEL MILEAGE: These results were obtained with steady cruising at a mostly constant speed. I wish this thing had a 6th gear that was made for cruising not racing.
72mph=29.6mpg
62mph=34.0mpg
53mph=35.5mpg
48mph=36.0mpg

6TH GEAR SPEED:
6000RPM=75MPH (that's a stupid waste of gas)

SPEEDO: My bikes speedo and mileage counter are very close to what my Garmin GPS shows.

[kawboy]

I wish this thing had a 6th gear that was made for cruising not racing.

6TH GEAR SPEED:
6000RPM=75MPH (that's a stupid waste of gas)


ZL's aren't particularly practical -

this is, but it's not a ZL . . .

http://www.thescooterguys.com/Puch%20Moped.jpg

[DSBeav]

Kawboy, Is that for sale? I could use the gas mileage....:rotf:

[lilschmied]

Just got back from a long trip of around 1700 miles averaged around 40 for the trip riding 2 up with camping gear. Alot of the roads were in the mountains so average speed wasn't real high but it was hard riding just ask my gf about her boot :laughing7:

(Bike is mostly stock just running a K&N)

[zlMark]

Just got back from a long trip of around 1700 miles averaged around 40 for the trip riding 2 up with camping gear. Alot of the roads were in the mountains so average speed wasn't real high but it was hard riding just ask my gf about her boot :laughing7:

(Bike is mostly stock just running a K&N)Thats a hell of a trip to take riding 2-up on a zl900!!! With camping gear??? I can't picture this,,,,, speaking of pics...where are they?

[WillyD]

Someone had asked me what RPM I was running on my 9 when I am in 6th gear at 60 MPH.....Tach is running about 4800 RPM in 6th at 60 MPH...

Willy

How does someone ride 2 up with camping gear and average around 40 when I ride 1 up, taking it easy and get 23-25 mpg...My 9 is stock....Soon to have a K&N in place of the paper filter...Stock air box, stock exhaust...carbs are basically stock....

[lilschmied]

Someone had asked me what RPM I was running on my 9 when I am in 6th gear at 60 MPH.....Tach is running about 4800 RPM in 6th at 60 MPH...

Willy

How does someone ride 2 up with camping gear and average around 40 when I ride 1 up, taking it easy and get 23-25 mpg...My 9 is stock....Soon to have a K&N in place of the paper filter...Stock air box, stock exhaust...carbs are basically stock....

It has to be pretty dang rich or it leaks. That's all I got for ya mine can be in the upwards of 45 if I take it easy.

[Jarney]

On the hump???,,lol........... I fill mine to the filler neck


I only fill up that far if I'm immediately going to do some riding. Just running back and forth to work, I don't fill all the way up as I don't like letting the bike sit, outside, in the sun, leaned over with the tank all the way topped off. Probably the reason I only put 1.782 gallons back in. Just one of my "quirks" I guess - hahaha. Later.

[gds]

Got in a 130 mile cruise around southern WV. Averaged 32.5mpg from an average speed of 50mph while having fun in the twisties. Stayed in 5th and 6th gear most of trip.
3 separate mileage readings (comparing bike's tripometer to GPS device):
bike's trip said 54.3 miles, GPS said 54.6 miles
bike's trip said 56.2 miles, GPS said 56.6 miles
bike's trip said 22.7 miles, GPS said 22.8 miles
This bike's mileage counter is pretty darn accurate.
Can't remember exactly but my front tire size is a size bigger than stock.

[rkerg]

Hey Willy, When I read where you wrote that when your speedo reads 60, that your tach read 4800 that got my attention so this afternoon I went for a ride to check my readings and on my 900 when my speedo reads 60, my tach reads
4000. Interesting huh? I hope that some other members will check theirs and chime in.

[kawboy]

Hey Willy, When I read where you wrote that when your speedo reads 60, that your tach read 4800 that got my attention so this afternoon I went for a ride to check my readings and on my 900 when my speedo reads 60, my tach reads
4000. Interesting huh? I hope that some other members will check theirs and chime in.

Just checked mine -

50 mph = 3300 rpm
60 mph = 4000 rpm
70 mph = 4700 rpm

This is indicated speed - I don't have a fancy GPS.
Usually get 34-35 mpg. Worst 32, best 40.
ZL1000 with stock airbox and jetting.
Use only premium, non-ethonol gasoline.

[zlMark]

I know for fact I turn 4700rpm at 70. what size tire kawboy? mine's a 170/80-15 K555 dunlop

[kawboy]

I know for fact I turn 4700rpm at 70. what size tire kawboy? mine's a 170/80-15 K555 dunlop

170/80-15 Dunlop CruiseMax. It's a bit flat in the center of the tread, though :laughing7:

[rkerg]

Just checked mine -

50 mph = 3300 rpm
60 mph = 4000 rpm
70 mph = 4700 rpm

This is indicated speed - I don't have a fancy GPS.
Usually get 34-35 mpg. Worst 32, best 40.
ZL1000 with stock airbox and jetting.
Use only premium, non-ethonol gasoline.

That tracks pretty close to my 900.
At 5000 rpm's my speedo is reading about 72-73

And this afternoons ride, I got 37 mpg.
I only use Chevron premium, BTW, it was $2.99 today.

[gds]

50mph=4100rpm
60mph=4700rpm
70mph=5300rpm

[kawboy]

50mph=4100rpm
60mph=4700rpm
70mph=5300rpm


Hmmm. . . odd. Wonder why the big difference :icon_scratch:

[rkerg]

Hmmm. . . odd. Wonder why the big difference :icon_scratch:

Maybe tire size combined with slightly inaccurate speedo?
Another statement that got my attention was GDS saying that at 6000 rpms
in 6th his bike is going 75 mph.
At 6000 rpms in 6th mine is reading well into the 80 mph range.

[paulfun]

Just took the zl1 for a test run into town and back. Have to say that 4000 rpm is not 60 mph with stock gearing and a 150/80 tire.
My zl1 was doing about 51 to 53mph at 4000 rpm.

[rkerg]

I am running a 170/80 so maybe that is the explanation.

[kawboy]

There is a theoretical 5% difference in diameter between a 150/80 and a 170/80. A 150 comes out to 24.4", a 160 is 25.7"

Not sure how this relates to gearing/road speed/rpm. Would have to look it up, but someone here prolly knows how to calculate that.

[gds]

Quote:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by gds http://www.zl-oa.com/forums/images/emeralld/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.zl-oa.com/forums/showthread.php?p=105788#post105788)
50mph=4100rpm
60mph=4700rpm
70mph=5300rpm


</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hmmm. . . odd. Wonder why the big difference :icon_scratch:

Maybe tire size combined with slightly inaccurate speedo?
Another statement that got my attention was GDS saying that at 6000 rpms
in 6th his bike is going 75 mph.
At 6000 rpms in 6th mine is reading well into the 80 mph range.
For speed measurement I was using Garmin GPS.
Tires are a size bigger than standard. Front:110/90, Rear:170/80. http://www.zl-oa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8751&highlight=shinko
The 6000rpm=75mph statement was from a foggy memory, I will give a more precise reading later.

[rkerg]

Nice ride yesterday, 37 mpg. A lot of holiday traffic so I never had enough room to check speed at 6000 rpm.

[jmac]

I saw tons of bikes out this past weekend.I would have liked to be,but this is all I rode.About 15hrs fri,sat,and sunday.Gotta pay for the toys,and its easy extra cash.

[rkerg]

OK, what kind of mileage does that get?

[kawboy]

OK, what kind of mileage does that get?


and what is your indicated speed at 6000 rpm?

[rkerg]

Those tires look a little over size to me.

[rkerg]

OK, first let me apologize to all those who have been losing sleep waiting for me to report what my reading at 6000 rpm's is. LOL. Anyway today, I went for a ride and found that, on my bike, 6000 rpm's is a reading of about 87 mph. BTW, the reason that I got into this thing was after seeing that some guys bikes were getting pretty lousy mpg and they were having some trouble figuring out why. My thought was that maybe some previous owner had changed the gearing, and that by getting enough input from others on this board we could establish a consensus of what the readings should be and maybe help someone improve their mpg.

[gds]

I had been wondering if there was an 'easy' way of changing the gearing. Maybe there is a single gear around the driveshaft area or rear wheel that would be easier to get to instead of inside the transmission. I'd love to get mine below 6000rpm on the interstate. I understand that changing a final drive gear would change all (1-6) gear ratios but that wouldn't bother me, I'm not trying to be the 'king of the strip.'

[gds]

Went for a great ride with a buddy (Honda CBR 1000). To try and keep up with him I had to sacrifice a bit of my footpegs (they're aftermarket (made of some kind of lightweight metal (aluminum?)) and they don't have any sacrificial little piece on the bottom, but they do swivel up which helps). Was doing alot of high rpm mountain twisties.
There was one mountain pass that we ran up and down quite a few times. The first couple times I would stay in 3rd gear the entire run. We got faster and faster as we learned the curves and eventually I was fast enough that I would have to get up into 4th gear to keep from red lining in certain places. My buddies CBR could stay in 2nd no matter haw fast we got (and he got a bit faster than I (my lower footpegs limited my speed)).
Both tanks of gas were 27.3 mpg.
In 6th gear:
70mph=5400rpm
80mph=6000rpm
(speed reading aquired with Garmin gps)

[zlMark]

You do know it's a six speed :biggrin:

What size rear tire you running?

[gds]

What size rear tire you running?
See post #45 for tire size.
My tires are bigger than standard which would lower my overall rpm's, correct?
So if I put standard size tires on, my rpm's would be even higher.

[zlMark]

Yep, taller tire=lower rpm. My stock sized rear tire zl1000 runs at 5000 rpm at 70mph and the zl900 with the 170/80-15 runs at 4700 rpm at 70mph

[mreinh3233]

I get 38-40 miles and she has to go into researve. When I get gas it takes about a gallon. One time I had a terible time with it. Don't know if it was a stuck needle (float) or what, ran through a complete tank of gas in about 20 miles. Had to push it a couple of miles to a station. When I got home I took the tank off to check and see what the plugs looked like and found the two emission lines on the gas tank switched (from when I tuned motor). Switched the lines back and everything returned to normal. Don't know if that caused the problem or not, anyway it seams fine now.

Mike

[Bacchus]

to me it doesnt really matter what your tach says cause the kawi tachs arent that accurate. I have more than one zl and they do not read consistantly. consider it guidance as to your rpms rather than actual figures. I also have a Veypor guage on my zl1000 and depending on rpm the factory guage ranges from about spot, on to way off.

in other words at idle, the two guages are a match take her up to 4ooo or more and she dont match up at all.

kawi guages are good for a general whereabouts is your rpm... and that all to it

[rkerg]

And all manufacturers 70/180 15 tires are not the same size.

[Hoss]

I had been wondering if there was an 'easy' way of changing the gearing. Maybe there is a single gear around the driveshaft area or rear wheel that would be easier to get to instead of inside the transmission. I'd love to get mine below 6000rpm on the interstate. I understand that changing a final drive gear would change all (1-6) gear ratios but that wouldn't bother me, I'm not trying to be the 'king of the strip.'

Voyager final drive swap. The Eliminator's final drive is 2.99, Voyagers are 2.42 I think. Not sure what's all involved, but they are pretty similar. They use the same coupler to attach to the wheel and the same spline count coming off the pinion gear, I think... This is all just from looking at the parts diagrams and cross-reference books.

BTW, by Voyager, I'm referring to ZG1200's, not ZN's

EDIT: Connie drive is another option as well, but they are 2.71's, so not as much advantage there. BUT the Connie SHOULD be a direct bolt-in swap. No customizing needed, pretty much all P/N's involved cross between ZL900's and ZG1000 (couplers included).

[gds]

Thanks for the info Hoss.
Sounds like a project for next winter. I'll have to study up on how the different gear ratios effect the rpms. I want to keep acceptable performance but would like a little better fuel mileage and don't want to shift gears so often in town. I think ultimately I would like to have gearing that would give me somewhere around 4000rpm while doing 75mph (right now it's around 5500rpm).

[Hoss]

Just did some number crunching regarding tires sizes and RPM in 6th gear:

Stock size 160/80-15:

50mph - 3600
60mph - 4300
65mph - 4700
70mph - 5000
75mph - 5400
85mph - 6000

170/80-15:

50mph - 3500
60mph - 4200
65mph - 4500
70mph - 4900
75mph - 5200
85mph - 5900

These seem to jive pretty well with what the majority of members are reporting... However based on gds's numbers from his bike with a reported 170/80-15:

From post #39:
50mph - 4100
60mph - 4700
70mph - 5300
From post #53:
80mph - 6000

These numbers are pretty similar to a 170/65 (I don't know if they even make sucha thing...) or a 150/70. Not sure what's going on here still... unless he's running a really flat tire!! :laughing7:

[Hoss]

Thanks for the info Hoss.
Sounds like a project for next winter. I'll have to study up on how the different gear ratios effect the rpms. I want to keep acceptable performance but would like a little better fuel mileage and don't want to shift gears so often in town. I think ultimately I would like to have gearing that would give me somewhere around 4000rpm while doing 75mph (right now it's around 5500rpm).


Some more math reveals... If you actually have the stock 2.99 final drive, (Which you must, since I don't think there is any numerically higher gear ratios available for our bikes, but I am still a newb...) the folowing is what would result from your rear end swaps:

2.71 Connie bolt-in:

basically stock, what everyone else on here is getting. (see charts above)

2.42 Voyager (more work and customizing)

50 - 3100
60 - 3750
65 - 4000
70 - 4300
75 - 4700
80 - 5000
85 - 5300

IMHO The voyager rear end would affect performance too much, but would probably actually do well for mileage.

[kawboy]

Not sure what's going on here still... unless he's running a really flat tire!! :laughing7:

. . . maybe it's a 5-speed? :laughing7:

[kawboy]

the folowing is what would result from your rear end swaps:

2.71 Connie bolt-in:

basically stock, what everyone else on here is getting. (see charts above)

.

Don't understand what your saying here - if you go from 2.99 to 2.71, that's about 9% difference. Wouldn't your rpm drop for a given road speed?

[gds]

My new Shinko 170/80 is 25" tall (installed on bike).
Pic of Shinko 170/80 and old Dunlop 160/80:
http://www.zl-oa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=590&d=1216533779

[justin jackson]

filled up at 100 miles and not on reserve yet- cruised at 75 mph on the highway with some minor stop and go in the city. i did also bounce it off 100 twice. when i filled it up i put 1.87 gallons in it.:headbang:
maybe the cam chain,valve job and new plug wire and boots helped?

[gds]

Holy crud!!! On a ZL900!!! That's better than 50mpg!!! Yes, I'm screaming!!! What rpm are you turning at 75mph?
At a constant 72mph (over 5200rpm) with no playing around I get 29.5mpg.
My best mileage has been achieved going 48mph (in 6th gear) with 36mpg.

[Hoss]

Don't understand what your saying here - if you go from 2.99 to 2.71, that's about 9% difference. Wouldn't your rpm drop for a given road speed?

I knew someone would ask that. I'm not sure how to say it...

I mean if he currently has 2.99 gears in the back, and he is getting the rpm readings as he has been reporting, then if he changes to a 2.71 ratio, it would put his bike back to stock rpm, as long as he doesn't change anything else.

ONLY IF HE HAS 2.99 RATIO NOW! If the only variable is the ratio, that is what should happen. Like I said, if you do the math with a 2.99 rear gear, his bike is acting like it has a 150/70 tire on the back to get that kind of rpm/mph relationship. If you keep the tire size set to 150/70, and change the gearing to 2.71, he would be where everyone else is.

Not sure how to be clear, it doesn't make sense even to me! lol.

[kawboy]

Not sure how to be clear, it doesn't make sense even to me! lol.


Yes makes perfect sense. What is unclear is how one bike is so far off from the majority. I think I would try to borrow someone's tach for comparison.

[Hoss]

Yes makes perfect sense. What is unclear is how one bike is so far off from the majority. I think I would try to borrow someone's tach for comparison.

Agreed. Who knows what the error factor is on a factory tach that's more than 20 years old...

I'm curious tho, why both Willy and dgs seem to have about the same rpm readings and everyone else has what works out on paper...

[gds]

I understand that the factory tach's are not exact but if Willy and I are running worse gas mileage than most, it leads me to believe our rpm's are higher than other's.

[rkerg]

My new Shinko 170/80 is 25" tall (installed on bike).
Pic of Shinko 170/80 and old Dunlop 160/80:
http://www.zl-oa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=590&d=1216533779

Interesting, my Pirelli 170/80 is 25 3/4 inches tall. Like I said before different
tires wearing the same numbers are different sizes. BTW my tire is 2 years old, with about 6000 miles on it.

[justin jackson]

Holy crud!!! On a ZL900!!! That's better than 50mpg!!! Yes, I'm screaming!!! What rpm are you turning at 75mph?
At a constant 72mph (over 5200rpm) with no playing around I get 29.5mpg.
My best mileage has been achieved going 48mph (in 6th gear) with 36mpg.
70 mph =4800 rpm- I cruised between 70 -75 today. That was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life.

[paulfun]

On my first zl9 brandy new with the factory tires I used to fill the tank at 118 miles I was always on reserve by that time. Just wish I could remember how much she took to fill back then.
I used to start looking for fuel around 100 miles but never ran out pushing it to the 118 mark. And cant say for sure but I believe I actually hit 119 miles once before finding fuel.

[cd85]

I ride 32miles each way to work and I can go about 65-67miles before I have to switch to reserve.That is riding VERY EASY on the throttle.(Man is that hard to do!:devil:) At 4000 rpm my speedo reads 60mph. At 5000 rpm my speedo reads 70mph.(or 75mph,have to double check). Front tire is 100/90 dunlop-rear tire is a Maxis 150/90. The carbs I am running now are stock... But are also one of the sets of carbs that WillyD was talking about running on his zl900. He let me use them. The carbs i was running could use a TANK of fuel in about 48miles! Talk about sucking. Now with the carbs WillyD let me use I get abot 30-31mpg.not bad i guess. When do you guys hit reseve/ I hit mine at around .8 or .9 gallons left in tank.

[Jarney]

Ok, since I put in the 136 mains, I got 33.277 mpg riding fairly conservatively. This last tank was more normal riding - went 57.3 miles and put in 1.796 gallons = 31.904 mpg. Next tank will be the fun one - WOT whenever I get the chance - hahaha. Later.

[WillyD]

I have run a few tanks of gas thru the 1K since getting rid of the crappy hole-filled factory tap and in-line filter with a new pingel installed...I am getting 26-29 mpg...I just think I am freakin cursed and I will never get 35+ like guys are saying here...Next on the list after mid-ohio it is a valve adjustment and carbs are coming off to be cleaned, checked and synced...But I will bet when all is said and done, I will not get 32 mpg...

We shall see....I am starting to believe that these bikes will NEVER get fuel mileage others get...

I am pretty bummed about the whole thing....really

[furchin]

Hey Bill, you should make sure that when you buy your bikes that you get ones made on Mondays and not Fridays to ensure you get something good. Your gas mileage is really terrible. We have to get you straightened out. You know what I suggest is that you pay for all our hotel room fees and we'll see that your bike is correct for mpg's.

[Bacchus]

I know why willy gets lousy gas milage......HE'S A MANIAC!

I finnally figured it out...you're a crazy ZL guy... full throttle everywhare you go......0 to 100 in a flash...got that hot rod kawisaki all rev'ed out ......UMMMM HMMMM.... methinks somebody is rompin' the shhh-it out of it!!!

hey willy how long does a rear tire last you??....30 days?....lol

[rkerg]

I have run a few tanks of gas thru the 1K since getting rid of the crappy hole-filled factory tap and in-line filter with a new pingel installed...I am getting 26-29 mpg...I just think I am freakin cursed and I will never get 35+ like guys are saying here...Next on the list after mid-ohio it is a valve adjustment and carbs are coming off to be cleaned, checked and synced...But I will bet when all is said and done, I will not get 32 mpg...

We shall see....I am starting to believe that these bikes will NEVER get fuel mileage others get...

I am pretty bummed about the whole thing....really

26-29 is really not that bad. Since I repaced my tiny inline filter with a larger, high volume IF, I am no longer getting 35-38, but, 30-33

[WillyD]

This morning on the way to work I was at 96 miles on the trip odometer when I had to go to reserve...I believe that when I go to reserve (I have a pingel) that I would need 3 gallons to fill back up...So in that case that means 32 mpg...A good chunk of that 96 miles was driving on the highway in top gear around 60-65 mph...When I drive back and forth to work, my drive is usually mostly highway around that speed..

I can live with that...That falls in line with what some guys are saying they are getting...I need to really go through some things good...Since I bought the bike 9 months ago, I have not pulled plugs and looked or checked wires, wire ends, etc.....My 900 gets about 23 mpg and I am gonna keep searching to squeeze mileage out of that one..

Willy

[Jarney]

I guess the only "good" thing I found out from my "attempt" to ride over to VMD again this year is that at my first gas stop I checked my mileage and running 65 - 70 mph on the interstate, I went 58.2 miles and put 1.594 gallons of gas back in. So that's about 37mpg or so with the 136 mains in. Later.

[mreinh3233]

Just had the carbs cleaned and set. Bike runs awsome and I got just slightly over 40mpg on the first full tank with mixed riding.

[Darkdruid]

Mine went on to reserve at 57 miles after riding at speeds of 60-70mph. Filled up with 7 litres of petrol.

[rkerg]

So last week I took a ride and concentrated more on keeping the bike in its power band and got 39 mph, better than I have been getting, and then a few days ago I decided to push it and more than few times had it revevved up to 9000 rpms and seriously booking down the road and I got 27 mph, so, I guess that proves that there are limits to the "keep it in the power band" theory. LOL.

[utah eliminator]

I was getting 25 mpg on the interstate 75mph every day last year.did a valve adj and went straight to 33mpg. But as far as the 50 mpg thats sounds alittle high

[WillyD]

Last two tanks on the 1000 I got 25 mpg...First one was from Mid-Ohio...We pushed kinda hard alot, so that is understandable but the most recent tank was with 90% easy riding...I need to pull the carbs and go through and I am going to adjust my valves, check plugs and wires but in the end I do not believe I will ever see 35+ mpg and on my 900?? I would be happy with 30 but that isn't ever gonna happen either

[Hoss]

Put 51 miles on the ZL on the freeway yesterday, about 75% cruising at 80mph, 25% "spirited" riding. Filled up this morning on the way into work with 1.843 gallons.

51/1.1843=27.67mpg

Will fill up when I get home should have 85 miles on the tank then, to hopefully get a better average; more miles = more accurate :)

I still have yet to balance the carbs and they need to be leaned out more, I think. Plugs were BLACK last time I checked...

[gds]

So last week I took a ride and concentrated more on keeping the bike in its power band and got 39 mph, better than I have been getting, and then a few days ago I decided to push it and more than few times had it revevved up to 9000 rpms and seriously booking down the road and I got 27 mph, so, I guess that proves that there are limits to the "keep it in the power band" theory. LOL.
I thought the 'power band' was the rpm range that delivers the most power, around 7000-9500rpm? That would give the worst gas mileage. The best mileage can be achieved by shifting and cruising at the lowest possible rpm without lugging the engine, this is called short shifting and is practiced much more throughout Europe than here in the states. With the ZL900 I try to keep the rpm's around 3500 while cruising, but it's hard keeping it that low with it's short ratio gearing.
Cruising at 6000rpm gives me less than 29mpg.
Cruising way below the power band at 4000rpm gives me 36mpg.

These are the gas mileage estimates from the magazine articles shown on ZL-OA:
CYCLE GUIDE APR'85 says 22-41mpg
RIDER APR'85 says 25-35mpg (60mph=4200rpm)
CYCLE WORLD FEB'85 says 28-35mpg (60mph=4500rpm)
MOTORCYCLIST MAR '85 says 31-47mpg
CYCLE APR'85 (60mph=4384rpm)

My experience matches up with Cycle World (except that my rpm at 60mph is higher).

[K-Ray]

:headbang: I got 36 mpg when we rode the Dragon , we rode slow a lady was killed the day before and as soon as we hit 129 there was a bike off the road and an ambulance pulling out. so we rode nice and easy.

[rkerg]

I thought the 'power band' was the rpm range that delivers the most power, around 7000-9500rpm? That would give the worst gas mileage. The best mileage can be achieved by shifting and cruising at the lowest possible rpm without lugging the engine, this is called short shifting and is practiced much more throughout Europe than here in the states. With the ZL900 I try to keep the rpm's around 3500 while cruising, but it's hard keeping it that low with it's short ratio gearing.
Cruising at 6000rpm gives me less than 29mpg.
Cruising way below the power band at 4000rpm gives me 36mpg.

These are the gas mileage estimates from the magazine articles shown on ZL-OA:
CYCLE GUIDE APR'85 says 22-41mpg
RIDER APR'85 says 25-35mpg (60mph=4200rpm)
CYCLE WORLD FEB'85 says 28-35mpg (60mph=4500rpm)
MOTORCYCLIST MAR '85 says 31-47mpg
CYCLE APR'85 (60mph=4384rpm)

My experience matches up with Cycle World (except that my rpm at 60mph is higher).

You are probably right, I probably should have said not lugging it, but, at 3k it doesn't feel much like its lugging. Anyway, if I keep it closer to 4k I get better mileage. (And at 9k not so much). LOL.

[paulfun]

I get the best MPG between 4k to 5k on the tach. Anything lower or higher shows when I fill up.

Going slower dosnt always show an increase even if not lugging the engine. You will get best MPG at the points where the motor is burning its fuel the best VE (volumetric efficiancy at a given RPM) if you will.

[gds]

but, at 3k it doesn't feel much like its lugging.
I've cruised well below 3k without it lugging, like around 2500rpm. I also think it has a mean sounding growl if you're cruising around 2500 and then roll on the throttle.

[rkerg]

I get the best MPG between 4k to 5k on the tach. Anything lower or higher shows when I fill up.

Going slower dosnt always show an increase even if not lugging the engine. You will get best MPG at the points where the motor is burning its fuel the best VE (volumetric efficiancy at a given RPM) if you will.

Yeah, thats what I meant. What he said. LOL.

[zl1000 pilot]

since fitting my streight thou turn out pipes 36mm cvk carbs from a zx1000a (gpz1000rx) which were in turn fitted with stage three dynojet kit and K&N filter and finished off with an ignition advancer 4 deg my zl 1000 is now returning 48 mpg or 10.6 miles per liter

however i did notice one draw back with the above modifications on apower run the carbs seem to run dry at 128mph causing me to back off for a couple of seconds before powering on again i may have to look into fitting a fuel pump afterall :pistols:

[zlMark]

since fitting my streight thou turn out pipes 36mm cvk carbs from a zx1000a (gpz1000rx) which were in turn fitted with stage three dynojet kit and K&N filter and finished off with an ignition advancer 4 deg my zl 1000 is now returning 48 mpg or 10.6 miles per liter

however i did notice one draw back with the above modifications on apower run the carbs seem to run dry at 128mph causing me to back off for a couple of seconds before powering on again i may have to look into fitting a fuel pump afterall :pistols:48mpg??? wow.

Try running it on prime, if that works then you might consider a pingel fuel tap with no inline filter

[WillyD]

OK...can someone explain to me how someone with a ZL1000 can get 48 mpg and on my last two tanks of fuel I was only getting 25 mpg....

How does making mods to the bike that obviously give more horsepower equate to getting that kind of mpg? All of the mods should increase airflow through the engine and if you don't want to run waaaay too lean, then obviously the gas has to increase through the engine to keep the a/f ratio in check....

It seems that the estimates that were posted in the magazines ( a couple posts back) were more on track to mine (carbs get cleaned/synced, plugs and wires get checked and valve adj...yet to come) and someone can do these mods and increase mpg that much...

[furchin]

Pretty easy Bill, ride it two blocks and push it six, ride it two more blocks and push another six. shut it off, refuel and check mpg's. Bet it goes up.

[WillyD]

If I can consistantly get 30 mpg in my daily driving of the 1K, I would be happy and not feel like there was something terribly wrong...As we talked Martin, I am unsure of the last valve adj, so that is on the list...I know the carbs are not correct and I am unsure about plugs, wires, etc...All of that is on my list to do...The 900? I gotta whole list on that...

I am not looking for fule sipping mileage, just want to be in the ballpark with what it should be...When it is not right, just drives me nuts...

[gds]

my zl 1000 is now returning 48 mpg or 10.6 miles per liter
:pistols:
What do you think your average speed was for that test?
Were you going over 60mph any time?
What is your rpm at 60mph?

Thanks in advance if you can answer any of these.

[zl1000 pilot]

:laughing7: if you look at the disign of a dynojet needle appossed to a standard kawasaki needle the difference is strikingley clear

the standard needles used by kawasaki are a compromise so the needle is slightly tapered ans has a sharp point at the bottom a good allround compromise

dunojet on the other hand are just a very long taper which go from top to pointed tip in one go this gives instant throttel responce which gives better acceleration so less time accelerating = better fuel economy the fact that the needles are tappered all the way down means you dont have to open the throttel a long way so again you dont get a sudden rush of fuel just a constant flow

you can fit a stage one djnojet kit to a standard air box standard exhaust standrad muffelers

a K&N direct replacement filter give better air fuel atomisation

my fuel figuers were just standard riding up and down the box and verious speed limits 30 40 50 and 70 on the motorway

will be doing a 255 mile round trip at motorway milage (70 in uk) will report back:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[WillyD]

Interesting....

It is hard for me to remember but I think when I first bought my 900 I think I was getting 55 miles until reserve and with it being new to me, I was probably riding it a bit on the aggressive side...When I bought the 900 it had a stage 3 jet kit in it, pods, and the Cobra mufflers...I am pretty sure the bike has an advancer on it too...I put the airbox back on and put carbs back to stock and now have stock mufflers....Maybe I will buy a dynojet kit and put it at stage 1. I have a K&N replacement filter that I bought but I don't have it in yet...

I tried turning my mixture screws in to 1.5 turns and my head pipes started to discolor (lean) so I put them back to 2 turns out...I have a set of dyna coils for it too...Just gotta find time to do it all...Cam chain, guides and tensioner are gonna be replaced too (rattling)...

Willy

[zl1000 pilot]

:nono: if the bike had individual filters on (pods) and youve put the standard air box back in you will need to replace the main jets

take out the stage three jets should be 36 jets and replace them with the stage one jets should be 26 jets this should then give you better mpg as the bike will be running to rich :hello::hello:

[WillyD]

Let me clarify...

When I got the bike it had pods, stage 3 jet kit and cobra mufflers...The cobra's are slip-ons and the power chamber was still on the bike...With the pods you have increased air flow...The larger mains were in the carbs. The starting of the bike cold was terrible...I sent the carbs to Rick. He pulled out the stage 3 and put the carbs back to stock except for the mains which he put in 135 mains....(because of the pods)...I would get (if I remember correctly) about 55 miles before going to reserve...

I eventually went back to a stock air box with a paper filter. I put slightly larger than stock mains in because of the cobra's. I either put 127.5 or 130 mains in....

From your post I got to thinking that maybe I should buy a dynojet kit and put in the stage 1...Except I would not drill the air lift hole in the diaphram slides...I have a K&N direct replacement filter to put in too...

I know I cannot put stage 3 with factory airbox and stock exhaust...

[zl1000 pilot]

if you get the kit their will be a slider drill in the kit so you can see if the holes have been drilled

if you fit the kit springs i would advis drilling the slides or you will defete the object

[zl1000 pilot]

of course you could take off the power chamber as this will act as a restrictor

my streight through turn outs are fitted ater the link pipe but the power chamber is removed :hello2:

[mreinh3233]

Other day was real nice, decided to take an hour ride and ended up putting 160+ miles on the bike. was gone all afternoon coming home at dinner time.

Had a blast. To make a long story short, I got over 41MPG both ways and the bike rode great.

This was in my stock 85ZL900.

All this was on country roads with speeds between 40 and 70MPH.

[rkerg]

Other day was real nice, decided to take an hour ride and ended up putting 160+ miles on the bike. was gone all afternoon coming home at dinner time.

Had a blast. To make a long story short, I got over 41MPG both ways and the bike rode great.

This was in my stock 85ZL900.

All this was on country roads with speeds between 40 and 70MPH.

Nice. 41 is about the best that I can get lately. most of the time I get 34 but
once in a while I get 38 39 40, I am beginning to think that the lower MPH
might be due to evaporation because it seems like when my bike sits for a week without being ridden and I ride and then fill it up and check the mileage, it is in the lower range.

[mreinh3233]

Sitting does not seem to effect my bike, although as the carbs get dirty and need to be cleaned miilage does suffer.

I'm the second owner and have had the bike 15 or 16 years, forget exactly but a long time.

When I first got it I had the carbs cleaned and set and got 40+ MPG.

I noticed in the last few years it was not that good.

Now after having the carbs cleaned again (one primary jet was clogged anouther barely functional) the milage is back up to 40+ again.

Anyhow I'm really pleased with the way it runs and the gas milage.

On a side note I have one of those I-phones and when I get close to reserve on a long ride I tell it to search for gas, it's real handy for finding the closest station.

[Bacchus]

bone stock zl9 with freshly cleaned carbs = 26 mpg in town

[rkerg]

bone stock zl9 with freshly cleaned carbs = 26 mpg in town

I have to ask, did you get that bike from Willy?:winkcool:

[paulfun]

I have to ask, did you get that bike from Willy?:winkcool:

Sorry willy but thats funny!:rotf:

Bacchus my brother-in law managed 36mpg with my zl on sat 2 tanks back to back and he is just learning to ride and dosent really know shift points yet. Gotta ask what are you guys doing, cruising around in the wrong gears all day or what?

26mpg is what I get when I play real hard and keep the throttle wide open threw most of a tank of gass.

[Bacchus]

carbs are bone stock, not so much as a washer on a needle.....125 stock mains....#35 stock pilot jets .....the works.....jetting for this bike would help I'm sure

[zlMark]

bone stock zl9 with freshly cleaned carbs = 26 mpg in town

Are you pulling a trailer? :rotf:

[mreinh3233]

All this talk of gas milage is fun, but the real reason we own these ZLs is for performance!!!!

I figure if the bike is a strong runner and I get acceptable milage I'm happy as a clam at high tide, and you all know what a clam does at high tide.

[Bacchus]

no trailor mark....

not whooping up on the bike too much, just average to moderately agressive uruban riding. I do like to punch it a bit off the line but otherwise not wraping it out real hard. my zl1000 gets 32-34mpg under same riding conditions. carbs are freshly serviced by Rick and bike runs good. Im in phoenix so this is flat-land riding

[WillyD]

:laughing7::laughing7::laughing7::laughing7:

One of these days I am gonna get to the bottom of my mileage problem...

I can cruise at 60 mph in 6th gear with no wind, flat ground, and I will not get any better than 25 mpg....Average riding with barely getting in the throttle gives me about 22-23....Goin balls out...20-21ish....

I would jump for joy if I got 30 on the highway...

[Bacchus]

Im trying to understand how smaller carbs with smaller mains would use more fuel per mile????

mine is set up as it would have rolled off the show room floor in '85, so as far as Im concerned bone stock baseline is around 26mpg for a zl9.

[WillyD]

I guess my big thing is I hear so many guys talking about getting 35+ mpg and I am getting 10 mpg less I think "somethin aint right here"....My carb set-up has gone from completely bone stock to experimenting with main size to shimming needles...all of that gives me the same result...valve adj should be right in line (I did it about a year ago and don't have a ton of miles on it since)...As far as internally, I am not sure...I know it needs camchain and tens and guides....

I got about 28 on my 1K, but I have found several things that I believe were affecting that...I just want them to be in the ballpark and run well..

[Bacchus]

got a feelin' jet kit and timing advancer gets ya better mpg...

[WillyD]

You may be correct...Once my 1K is back together and all good, I may tear into the 9...I may get another set of carbs and jet kit it out and play around....Not sure yet...

[zlMark]

got a feelin' jet kit and timing advancer gets ya better mpg...I used to get around 40 when I first got my stock zl900. Once I started having problems that mileage started going all over the board.

[furchin]

When I put the timing advance and jet kit from Dale in one of my 1000's I lost at minimum 4 mpg's. Talked to Dale about this and it is in line with what I or he expected.

[rkerg]

Took her out today, very conservative riding and got 38 mpg.

[DavidGB]

Just been reading your mileage posts, i recently took my newly built zl750 on it's first proper ride, i filled the tank before i left. After a good few miles the bike sputtered and stopped, i was thinking broken wire, fuel blockage or something. I was flabergasted when i looked in the tank and it was as dry as a bone! i'd left the tap on reserve so i couldn't even switch that over. I couldn't believe how much fuel it drank, i also kept trying to shift up another gear in top, as it was screaming at motorway speeds. I originally promised my son we'd do a ride to majorca once the zl was finished, i seriously doubt thats gonna happen now. But even with it's impracticability, i love it.

[rkerg]

Yeah, my mileage changes according to how I run it, I know that that is no surprise but I have never owned a bike that varied as much.
If I am just taking it easy 38 to 41, hitting it a little harder, 33-36 and if while I'm out I take it nearly wide open a few times, 28-31.

[kawboy]

I have never owned a bike that varied as much.


Mine varies very little - 32 to 36. 32 wailin' on it, 36 takin' it easy.

[WillyD]

Finally checked my 1K....

Just had carbs done by Rick....New dyna coils, new plugs, new wires, adjusted my valves....

90 miles and I got gas...Took 3.6 gallons of gas to get it back up to full...

90 divided by 3.6 = 25 mpg....That was about 95% easy riding....I don't know how in the hell guys are getting 35+....I have never even gotten 30 mpg in either of my ZL's...

I am gonna quit even checking my MPG....It's useless

[zlMark]

Carb needles are shimmed, maybe thats why.

[WillyD]

Could very well be the shimmed needles....I am not pullin carbs back off at this stage of the year...maybe next spring when it is warm...I may get better performance...I may get worse...Just have to wait and see....The 1K carbs are way more difficult for me to pull on and off than my 900 carbs...And with cold air on us now the boots are gonna be more stiff than when it's warm...I dunno....Don't know what the heck else it could be...except.....it's my bike:rotf::rotf:

[zl1000 pilot]

well ive just had my ZL out on a run to stoke and back (160 miles) keeping her a 5,500 rpm which is roughly 80mph and it returned a respectalbe 45 MPG which for somthing as aerodynamic as a brick is pretty good i thought

[zlMark]

45 mpg? is that US gallons or imperial gallons?

[paulfun]

According to this post (about half way down the first page) he is only getting 37mpg in US measure. wich is close to what my zl1 has been doing.

[zl1000 pilot]

:pistols: yes paulfun is right i did revise my original post that was imperial gallons and 37 in US gallons

my ZL1k has the following mods :-

3 degree ignition advancer
34mm carbs replaced with 36mm carbs
stage three dynojet kit running 140 jets
replacment K&N filters modified air box
sreight thru turnout exhausts

i have also removed the power chamber from the exhaust system as our noise emmisions are not as strick as in the US

i have a 160/70R15 rear tyre fitted at the minuet and my ZL1k runs at 80mph at 5,500 rpm i take it every bodys runs at this so i am gearing up slightly by changing my rear tyre to 170/80R15 which i am told drops the revs by 300 per gear im also thinking of the bevel gear conversion (as discussed on the site) which would drop the revs by 500 per gear combined that would give 800 rpm drop which would put 80 mph at approx 4,700 rpm that would impact on the MPG and may even get close to my tomcat :devil:

[rkerg]

Now that the weather is getting hot, I am getting better gas mileage. After averaging 37 for the last 5 or 6 months, now I am getting 42.

[gds]

I just went for a 3 tank cruise after adjusting valves (they were all on the tight side before I adjusted them), new plug wires, changing exhaust from D&D to stock, and changing to synth oil. Got the same cruddy mileage.
Keeping the rpm's lower (between 2500-5500)=34mpg.
Playing with higher rpm's (between 4000-7000)=30mpg.
The only time I get it spinning around 7000rpm is when I'm accelerating quickly, then after I'm up to speed, I bring her back down as low as she'll go.
Normal cruising rpm is around 3000, in 5th&6th gear.
Play-time cruising is around 4500-5000, in 4th&5th gear.
My mileage ranges between 28-35mpg.

[Billy]

You wont prolly believe this but why lie ! Wife and I went to davenport Iowa for camping tis weekend, going down pulling my bunkhouse trailor. Down i was a little nervous had'nt pulled trailor in 3 yrs . Trailor wieghs 350 or plus 100 extra lbs of sht for camping, and at 5k rpm which is 70 on my speedo. Was get 38 per gl.After getting my blls back for pulling again on the the way i ran 75 -85 down hgwy 80 and was STILL gettin 34 pr gl. I ride really agressive when i ride , without trailor i wiil ALWAYS get at least a 100 miles befor i hit reserve, honest.

[rkerg]

Thats great, Always wondered how the bike would do pulling a
trailer. My bike seems to get its best mileage on the highway and when I'm doing slow and go driving, not so much.

[gds]

My bike seems to get its best mileage on the highway and when I'm doing slow and go driving, not so much.
Mines the opposite.
My best mileage is in town at 50mph in 6th gear, 36mpg.
Anything above 50mph and the mileage just gets worser and worser.
MY FUEL MILEAGE: These results were obtained with steady cruising at a mostly constant speed.
72mph=29.6mpg
62mph=34.0mpg
53mph=35.5mpg
48mph=36.0mpg

[baresrepeating]

65-70mph on the hwy@5k rpms i get 32mpg.

[Billy]

"My best mileage is in town at 50mph in 6th gear, 36mpg.
Anything above 50mph and the mileage just gets worser and worser."

lol


I get MABEY 25 in town ,just cant stop the twisting action in throttle. Just a big show off. And funner too.

[iohyou1a]

Here,Here... Brother on tha' twist ofa' grip.it's a rush and a half!!!I'm getting,60to70miles a tank!!! Later :)

[iazl600]

With my zl600 it gets 45mpg pretty much all the time.

[foleycrazy]

My hubby is only getting 20mpg but its all in town driving. I think part of his problem is he will literally start his bike a dozen times a day just to play with it. He just got it last week so I can' understand, I guess.


What can he do to get better gas mielage?

[zlMark]

Tell him to stay out of the throttle! :biggrin:

So how do you like the bike??

[zlMark]

I got 38.8mpg on my swap bike last tank. After a night at the drags that drops into the low 20's :laughing7:. The ZG1000 6th gear is sweet for highway cruising and mileage, but you have to be going above 70 if you want to keep the revs above 4k.

My zl1000 gets around 38 mpg as well

[WillyD]

:help::help::help::help::help::help::help:

[perry]

I am getting about 30mpg on my stock ZL900. Of course I run it pretty hard and none of its highway miles. Really cant imagine having a bike like this and NOT getting on it every time I have it out. Its a BLAST!

[onegodinkansas]

Stage 1 jet kit in my zl9, k&n air filter, 4deg. advancer, hollowed out stock pipes, 30mpg highway (80-85mph), 33mpg otherwise. I'm not babying it anytime.

[Hellion]

On my way back from Mid Ohio I got 38mpg on avg.