Triumphrat

Geeves · 03-07-2007

I've had my 04 speedy since jun '05. I've put about 2700 miles on it. I consistently have to swtich to reserve at about 120 miles. I've seen alot of talk about 40+ mpg, and at my calculations, based on a 4.4 gallon tank, i'm only getting 27mpg.

My bike is completely stock, I run 89 octane gas, and I don't run it hard at all...ever. It seems to run fine, and I've had it into the dealer for it's 500 mile, and every 500 hundred for the chain.

Am I missing something here? Should I have it checked out? Thanks.

Steve

alfacliff · 03-07-2007

the reserve on the tank is about 1.4 gallons. you have only burned around 3 or so gal when you change over. mine does the same, 120 miles to reserve. fill with about 3 gal gives 40 mpg.
cliff

Nuthin · 03-07-2007

alfacliff had it right. You don't have 4.4 gallons until reserve- it's 4.4 gallons total. Next time you fill up just compare your milage to the amount of gas you put back in the tank.

bobw3592 · 03-07-2007

This topic has some good historical info if you do a search. I don't know about the subjective term of "don't run it hard at all". My bike is stock as well. I turned 10,000 miles on her today (started using it first of June 06). I get my worse mpg when I doddle along approximately 2500-3500 rpm. It surprised me as I was just out cruising along on some nice back roads looking at the scenery and assumed I'd get record mpg for the ride, NOT. I have repeated that low mpg with same type of riding. I usually get 40-45 mpg with the rare 50-52 mpg. I ride almost all mountain two lane with very twisty fun roads. I find mine runs very strong 4000-4500 rpm and this gives me a wide range with minimal shifting (drop to mid 3k or up to red line) and this seems to be "in the groove" for this motor. Today I drove approximately 170 miles and averaged 43+ mpg. I have a Triumph shield and I weigh approximately 220 lbs. Tire pressure and how you accelerate also affects fuel use.

Try this. Gas bike to ring in tank. Go for a nice steady ride with little or no stop and go traffic, lights etc. After 60-100 miles stop and gas up to same level in tank. DO THE MATH, not when I flipped to reserve, too subjective. REPEAT the process again being as smooth and controlling the traffic variables as best you can. Fill to same level in tank and DO THE MATH. After a couple of base line runs see what mpg you are getting. Again make sure tires are properly inflated, chain is adjusted and lubed with tires properly aligned etc. Then try using different rpm range and compare. No offense, but this is not a HD and you may need to run it in a bit and and at a little "harder" rpm's and then with more miles she will also loosen up some. She won't break on you, these are bullet proof under tuned motors with a conservative rev limiter.

Cheers!
BobW :-D

richb · 03-07-2007

I made the same mistake, thinking I was getting about 30mpg, but exclude the reserve tank capacity and the maths does work. And BobW is right, you get better mpg if you go faster, in my experience. Commuting through town, stop/go, traffic lights etc, I would reach reserve sometimes in under 100 miles. If I'm out in open country roads, it can be 120+ before I chicken out and stop for a refill.

schwartzkm · 03-07-2007

I have a 2k5 SM and never hit reserve below 140 miles and usually hit it consistantly in the mid 150's so yes you do have a problem. My bike is stock with the exception of new after market pipes.

kevin...

DetroitSlim · 03-07-2007

Hey Geeves -

I bought the same bike, at about the same time, have about the same amount of miles on it, run the same gas, and have found that everything posted here is absolutely true.

My reserve tends to hit at about 120-125, though lately I've been flipping over to the reserve around the 100 mile mark and refuelling by 130 miles. I commute to work once a week or so, and the low-idling, lane-splitting riding substantially effects my mileage. When I'm out riding open road, I can go over 130 miles on the main tank.

When I do refuel, I'm putting in about 3.3-3.4 gallons, which for city riding is not too bad.

Geoff · 03-07-2007

i try not to flip it onto reserve till it runs out. then you know you have a gallon left. if you flip it onto reserve at 100 miles, and forget, your done
G

Silverado57 · 03-08-2007

My Speedmaster looks for reserve at 130, but I normally fill up well before then.

TOMKRILL · 03-09-2007

I generally get 39 mpg on my 2004 speedmaster no matter what kind of driving I do. I use premium gas (92 octain) and try to buy Shell or second choice is Amoco/Exon. I use Seafoam every two or three tanks (2 oz per gallon) and lube my chain about every 4-500 miles, right after a ride, so it soaks in over night. I use a little 2.5 ton floor jack under the frame right in front of the rear tire and lift the rear a hair off the ground so I can turn it. I mark a spot on the tire with white chalk so I know when I have made a complete revolution and oil from the inside of the chair so when I ride next, centrifical force causes the chain lube to move through the chain from inside to outside both lubing the chair and pushing the dirt and old lube out.
When you check your mpg, always start with a full tank and then when you refill, that is the amount you used, not the size of the tank. Miles divided by amount used= MPG.