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ronjr009 Maxi-Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 179 Location: Greeneville, TN Points: 1475 Registration date: 2008-12-28
 | Subject: Miles Per Gallon Wed Dec 31, 2008 7:06 pm | |
| Hi,
Riding between 65-70 MPH on a an interstate or similar style long distance ride, what kind of gas numbers are you guys pulling with your S-Wings? |
|  | | Hondarider47 Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 24 Age: 65 Location: Seattle, WA Points: 1255 Registration date: 2008-12-27
 | Subject: Doing Something Wrong Wed Dec 31, 2008 8:02 pm | |
| I only get about 48 MPG freeway, maybe I don't do the speed limit??? Bob |
|  | | JeffR Site Admin

Number of posts: 1672 Age: 52 Location: Fremont, Ca Points: 2944 Registration date: 2008-12-19
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:26 pm | |
| Going about 70 indicated (65 actual) I get about 46-48 mpg but in the winter it is about 44-46 mpg. I have a Givi shield and had an XL Clearview shield so that is probably about avg, for most SWings. When taking nice easy rides on 2 lane road, only doing about 45-50 actual I get about 50-52 mpg. _________________ Ride safe, JeffR 2007 Silver Wing (30,000 miles) 2005 Majesty 400 (sold 12,500 miles) 2004 Reflex (sold 3,500 miles) Givi Windshield, top case, vista cruise, power commander, dr pulley sliders, air hawk seat pad, (J. Costa not installed now), kevlar belt  |
|  | | Bernardo Super Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 261 Location: Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom Points: 1456 Registration date: 2008-12-25
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Jan 01, 2009 12:19 am | |
| With the S'wing as stock, Average around 45mpg, maybe 48-49 on a long run with minimal town work.
After various modifications, average now about 45-49, and low to mid fifties on a long run.
Taking it easy on a long run, best so far 58.5
I think the power commander and dyno tuning /engine mapping is the best explanation for the improvement |
|  | | stinger_06 Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 98 Location: North Carolina Points: 1275 Registration date: 2008-12-24
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Jan 01, 2009 6:28 am | |
| Mines only getting around 42 to 46, and that's with my husband going back and fourth to work mainly. Haven't really checked it on a longer run. |
|  | | jdeereanton Silver Wing Guru


Number of posts: 1767 Age: 74 Location: Huntsville, AL Points: 3058 Registration date: 2008-12-24
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Jan 01, 2009 6:35 am | |
| Our Average mpg from June 10, 08 - Dec 08 (excludes trip to AR) Kim: 54.553 Dale: 50.111
LOW Kim: 47.327 Dale: 44.467
HIGH Kim: 60.934 Dale: 58.805
September of 2008 - 2,536 mile trip to AR, following speed limits, but includes about 200 miles of high speed (70 - 80 mph) interstate travel
AVERAGE Kim: 54.414 Dale: 52.310
LOW Kim: 50.968 Dale: 50.204
HIGH Kim: 60.486 Dale: 59.693
Now interesting data - from a 2,050 mile, 9 day trip we took at the end of May 2008. This was mostly touring with a group of 4 SilverWings and a Kymco P250. Very small amount of high speed with most of the trip at speeds less than 60mph. Rode to VA to ride the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway.
AVERAGE Kim: 62.570 Dale: 55.194
LOW Kim: 51.556 Dale: 47.819
HIGH Kim: 62.878 Dale: 61.891
Kim always gets better mpg than I do, because she is not as gravitationally encumbered - nice phrase for I need to lose some weight. Almost or actually more importantly I ride much more aggressively than she does.
Long sustained high speed runs yeild considerably less mpg. Cold weather drops the mpg even more. We once rode out at night on a Patriot Guard mission from Hartselle, AL to Birmingham, AL and back. Starting air temp was 34 degrees F and wind out of the north gusting to 20 mph. Ending air temp was 21 degrees F and wind out of the north gusting to 35 mph. Besides being bitter cold, the 60 mile one way ride used 3/4 of a tank of fuel. I did not keep records of the fuel consumption that night just wanted to survive with all my digits intact. |
|  | | paul_scooter Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 80 Location: Prescott Arizona Points: 1312 Registration date: 2008-12-23
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Jan 01, 2009 7:09 am | |
| When i ride by myself i go about 5 to 10 miles over the speed limit about 70-75 MPH and accelerate hard i get about 47 MPG. When i ride with my friends with smaller engines we go about 60 MPH and i get about 51 MPG. Paul |
|  | | JeffR Site Admin

Number of posts: 1672 Age: 52 Location: Fremont, Ca Points: 2944 Registration date: 2008-12-19
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:47 am | |
| I have noticed that the SWing doesn't seem to like heavy acceleration or speed over 80mph for gas mileage. Also the large windshields don't help much either. My very best mileage ever was 54 mpg and that was doing the nice slower, 45 mph speeds, in the scenic routes of California. But once I decide to start going fast in the twisties it only gets maybe 40mpg. But then I'm really working it though. I do plan to get a power commander to my mileage up in the 50's though. _________________ Ride safe, JeffR 2007 Silver Wing (30,000 miles) 2005 Majesty 400 (sold 12,500 miles) 2004 Reflex (sold 3,500 miles) Givi Windshield, top case, vista cruise, power commander, dr pulley sliders, air hawk seat pad, (J. Costa not installed now), kevlar belt  |
|  | | skiwoods Maxi-Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 179 Age: 51 Location: NW Suburbs of Chicago Points: 1405 Registration date: 2008-12-29
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:25 pm | |
| Great data Dale!
The times I have checked, I usually get about 52 mpg, with a high of 58 and low of 49. Most of my riding is under 60mph (indicated). |
|  | | just4cruzn Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 51 Location: Vallejo and Napa Valley Points: 1312 Registration date: 2008-12-28
 | Subject: Miles Per Gallon Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:38 pm | |
| I did a ride to Lake Tahoe just this past summer and I gassed up near the border of NV State line and I made it all the way home to Vallejo, 158 miles and I filled it w/2.6 gal that's ave. of 60 mpg. I took Hwy 50 then 80 back. |
|  | | driftwoodpoint Touring Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 367 Age: 62 Location: Oxford, Ohio Points: 1497 Registration date: 2008-12-29
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Jan 01, 2009 2:16 pm | |
| I'm anxious to see what mileage I get with my new bike. The Helix I had a was usually over 70 mpg. The service guys said I may get in the 60's since they know I am a pretty conservative rider. Time will tell... |
|  | | matthew Touring Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 315 Location: near Madrid/Santa Fe, NM Points: 1616 Registration date: 2008-12-24
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:32 am | |
| I'm averaging 47.27 mpg over the past 3000 miles, since I bought the scoot last August. Been pretty well laid up for a few weeks now due to snow, ice and mud.
Highest mpg has been 55.5 on a nice mixed day ride, total of maybe 200 miles, interstate and two lane roads, including some pretty easy going mountain twisties.
Lowest has been 35.7 on an all interstate higher speed ride of 400 miles round trip, including some pretty good winds.
Out of a total of 23 tanks full, I've had 6 tanks that have yielded 50mpg or better; one at the low of 35.7; and the rest have been between 41.8 and 49.36.
I can't help but wonder sometimes whether there are other factors effecting the math. Like, different gas pump calibrations, or having a bit more or a bit less gas in the tank after filling, etc. I find a spread of about 20mpg between high and low to be pretty big, and therefore a little questionable. But maybe not. What say you? |
|  | | JeffR Site Admin

Number of posts: 1672 Age: 52 Location: Fremont, Ca Points: 2944 Registration date: 2008-12-19
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:38 am | |
| Matthew,
If you are going fast and hard the 35 mpg figure sounds about right. But that is going fast and hard too, w.o.t. and all. Your mileage sounds like mine and most others. I wish I could 60 mpg in any type of riding and sometimes I think it is people in certain parts of the country getting that. Probably due to their type of blend of fuel. Calif is so strict that the gas mileage isn't the best out here. _________________ Ride safe, JeffR 2007 Silver Wing (30,000 miles) 2005 Majesty 400 (sold 12,500 miles) 2004 Reflex (sold 3,500 miles) Givi Windshield, top case, vista cruise, power commander, dr pulley sliders, air hawk seat pad, (J. Costa not installed now), kevlar belt  |
|  | | matthew Touring Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 315 Location: near Madrid/Santa Fe, NM Points: 1616 Registration date: 2008-12-24
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:49 am | |
| Oh yea, I forgot about the gas mix. I think it's pretty common here in NM to be getting the 10% ethanol gas just about everywhere now for regular grade gas, which is what I use. I guess that might bring down the mpg some.
Do you think it's advisable to use a higher grade of gas? My understanding is that the bike is designed to use regular. |
|  | | ronjr009 Maxi-Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 179 Location: Greeneville, TN Points: 1475 Registration date: 2008-12-28
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:00 pm | |
| Hi guys, I finally had a chance to get my swing out for a long run to see what kind of MPG numbers I could get. I was a little dissapointed. I averaged a low of 43 MPG and a high of 48.5 MPG on a 3 day ride. I was expecting mid 40's at the least to maybe low 50's. I was riding two up (327 combined rider weight), with two givi saddle bags, and stock windshield. Speeds varied from 35-70 indicated. It was a mix of curvy mountain roads in East TN and Western N.C. I would say 70% of my time was spent in the curves and 30% on straight 4 lane. Tire Pressures were spec and I was pretty easy on the throttle for the most part. Temps varied from 45 degrees to 68 degrees. I decided to take out the plugs and they are lightly black but not caked in carbon. This would indicate to me that the bike is running somewhat rich. What suggestions do you have to diagnose the cause of the rich condition? |
|  | | scooterexpress Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 7 Age: 45 Location: north richland hills,tx Points: 1169 Registration date: 2009-03-23
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:37 pm | |
| i've been avg 50-52 with 2up doing speeds from 40-75 and i get about the same by myself also. |
|  | | DennisB Silver Wing Guru

Number of posts: 2397 Points: 4096 Registration date: 2008-12-28
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:38 pm | |
| Hi Jim, That sounds like some great mileage for 2 up riding. The best I ever got was 53 MPG with just my carcuss on it. To get that mileage I had to keep it below 70 MPH. I really love this scooter... it's just so much fun to ride. It's a good life. DennisB :D
Last edited by DennisB on Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:02 pm; edited 1 time in total |
|  | | JeffR Site Admin

Number of posts: 1672 Age: 52 Location: Fremont, Ca Points: 2944 Registration date: 2008-12-19
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Wed Mar 25, 2009 7:45 pm | |
| I only get in the low 50's (mpg) if I stay on the slower 2 lane roads doing about 45-55 mph. If I'm on the interstate doing 75 indicated I'm only at about 45 mpg or so. I do have the J. Costa though and I have been thinking of putting on my stock variator to see what it is like, performance wise and mpg wise, since I haven't had it on in over 1 1/2 years. I have forgotten what the stock SWing is like, but i do remember it still being fast and quick. _________________ Ride safe, JeffR 2007 Silver Wing (30,000 miles) 2005 Majesty 400 (sold 12,500 miles) 2004 Reflex (sold 3,500 miles) Givi Windshield, top case, vista cruise, power commander, dr pulley sliders, air hawk seat pad, (J. Costa not installed now), kevlar belt  |
|  | | The Scootist Silver Wing Rider


Number of posts: 487 Age: 54 Location: Littleton, Colorado Points: 1681 Registration date: 2009-01-23
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:31 am | |
| Before I put on the J Costa I usually averaged right at or just over 50 mpg. Mostly solo riding at speeds of 45 to 70 mph with some pretty hilly sections. Since I put on the J Costa it seems like I usually get around 47 to 48 mpg under the same driving conditions. My lowest mpg was 44 during some very cold weather in January and I was also using the high oxygenated fuel (10% ethanol). I have a tall Givi wind screen, a top case and I am 6"5 and 240, so I am a pretty large load - plus, keep in mind that I live at an elevation over 5,800 feet above sea level.
Note: I had originally been using regular fuel to save a little money and after about 3,000 miles I noticed a bit of a drop in power. I asked my mechanic about it and he told me that I should always use premium fuel. I am now over 5,300 miles and it seems to be running very well, although it seems to just a a little bit rich. Given what I have heard about the Power Commander, I am seriously considering putting one on my bike to see if I can bump my MPG back over 50. |
|  | | joncallihan Silver Wing Expert


Number of posts: 786 Age: 74 Location: Lafayette, Colorado, USA Points: 2110 Registration date: 2009-02-16
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:42 am | |
| It is an interesting thing that mechanics recommend -- I've had some that swear you need the highest octane available and other that claim anything better than Pmex bottom grade is good enough.
I've lived up here all my life, had to put up with the 10% ethanol ever since it was mandated and have had excellent luck, both power wise and mileage wise with the RON recommended in the owner's manual, be it big BMW's, Toyota cars and trucks and now the Swing. I use the mid-grade in everything I own now, had to use premium in the BMW's.
I tend to get around 48 mpg on the Swing. |
|  | | Ghost_rider Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 45 Age: 48 Location: houston texas Points: 1271 Registration date: 2009-01-11
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:44 am | |
| the best mileage i have gotten on the swing was 58 mpg doing a constant 60mph. I rode onA90 from houston to san anotonio non stop2.5 hours and turned around when i was 20 miles shy of downtown san anonio. So s.a. is about 185 mles from here and i used one way just about 2.5 gallons of fuel. Usaully i get anywhere from 44 on up to 50 and i follow the speedlimts. Ghost rider Greg |
|  | | DannyAlcott Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 12 Age: 48 Location: Sheffield Iowa Points: 1230 Registration date: 2009-01-25
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:55 pm | |
| I have not checked mine real close but, I usally fill up right at 100 miles and usally takes right at 3 gal. I figure high 30's low 40's for milage. I have an 02, Givi sheild, bestem topbox, and cortec soft saddlebags I weigh 200#. My comute is 16 miles 2 lane county rodes run between 65 and 70 indicated,and 10 miles on interstate run between 75 and 85 indicated. Danny |
|  | | Ghost_rider Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 45 Age: 48 Location: houston texas Points: 1271 Registration date: 2009-01-11
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:47 pm | |
| Oh geez lol brain fart time again. I have the clearview screen and the E52 topcase on at times. Not all the time using the topcase so i take it off. I can not complain about my mileage at all. This is the only road wheels that i have and it saves mney instead of having a a car or small truck. Ghost Rider Greg |
|  | | Bernardo Super Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 261 Location: Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom Points: 1456 Registration date: 2008-12-25
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Fri Mar 27, 2009 10:30 am | |
| The other day I noted that my fuel consumption had suddenly dropped into the low 30s....  I thought oh no, something has gone wrong, the power commander or the drive belt or clutch or something.....  I checked the power commander and all was OK, and was about to take the drive belt cover off to have a look, when I remembered that I'd recently put that "Ride On" gunky stuff in the tyres, and then had used the S'wing (powering an electric compressor via the ciggarette lighter socket) to pump up the tyres on all the pushbikes in the garage, four bikes, and my Mrs electric bike..... Anyway, I filled up with petrol and went out for a good spin... Still around 50mpg... so alls well in my universe again.....! As to poor consumption, I think the S'wing is very responsive in that manner as to how you ride it... It is all too tempting to whack open the throttle too much, and too often..... I think this is the real killer, especially around town. If you accelerate gently revving no more than 5,000 rpm and let the speed build up then slowly accelerate to your cruising speed, then I notice a big improvement in my economy. (Note that max power is around the 5,000 to 5,500 rpm mark.) To be honest riding like this in town gets you from A to B just as quick as when you really go for it. When you get to the next set of traffic lights, just filter to the front of the queue... Why bother rushing and wasting fuel in town traffic? Plus you feel much calmer and its safer filtering past slow or staionary cars, and it feels sooo good However, other than gentler riding, the single biggest improvement I have noticed was from having the power commander fitted and then dyno tuning..... Much better..... 
Last edited by Bernardo on Fri Mar 27, 2009 12:37 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : spelling!) |
|  | | steve0 Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 32 Location: south woodford london UK Points: 1193 Registration date: 2009-03-25
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:11 pm | |
| Hi bernardo,dyno tuning whats that involve,and is it expenciveregards steve |
|  | | Bernardo Super Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 261 Location: Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom Points: 1456 Registration date: 2008-12-25
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Sat Mar 28, 2009 1:17 pm | |
| | steve0 wrote: | Hi bernardo,
dyno tuning whats that involve,and is it expencive
regards steve |
Hi Steve, I don't want to teach you to suck eggs here, so bear with me if I tell you any stuff you already know... Also I'm just an enthusiast with a big scooter and an old carburettor bike... best info you will get is from someone who is into race tuning. (I don't race..) "Dyno Tuning" Is performed by a Dynamometer, basically a rolling road onto which your bike is strapped, and exhaustively "ridden" through the enture rev range whilst a computer analyzes the exhaust gases. Using a computer linked to your engine management chip, the air fuel mixture is then tweaked to generate the best optimum setting at regular rpm intervals, (not sure exactly what but say every 200rpm or so). This information is recorded as a computer "map" which is applied to your engine management chip that controls your fuel injection. This is done permanently by means of a little black box called a "power commander" which is wired in to run in tandem with your existing engine management chip as described above..... In this way your bike is then maintained in a permanent state of good tune, which should have the effect on increasing power output, and torque whilst also improving fuel economy. Average about 10% improvement for a road bike. It also makes the engine run smoother. It's an American system, made by Dynojet but is widely available in the UK, and has a solid reputation for reliability. Although there are several other competitors, and indeed various bike manufacturers have thier own variants, the dyno power commander has the reputation as being one of the best and makes them for a huge range of bikes. It does mean that your bike needs to have fuel injection, although there are also jetting kits for bikes with old fashioned carbs. To make the most of it, most folk tend to fit a free flowing, and thus less restrictive exhaust. These exhausts also usually do not have a catalytic converter as this does sap some of the performance. Note that in UK anyway, at the moment there is no legal requirement to have a CAT on bikes, so the first thing a petrol head will do when he gets his bike is have it removed. As it is usually located in the exhaust silencer, simply changing the silencer usually does the job. The power commander unit is about £200 to £250. Even fitting one without having the bike individually tuned will make a difference, as you can get generic "engine maps" for each specific bike model as stock, and for some bikes you can also get generic maps for alterations such as a standard type free flowing exhaust. However to get the bike properly tuned is a two to three hour job, so your cost there is simply labour. On the later power commander units you can make your own coarse adjustments by buttons on the unit itself, and fine adjustments by connecting the power commander via a usb plug to a PC. (the software comes with the power commander unit) However unless you really know what you are doing, making these adjustments without the rolling road and gas analysers is probably a waste of time. On a final note though, you can create multiple maps, one for economy, one for cruising one for high speed, one for best torque etc, but again this is a bit academic unless you using it for a race track. I've seen a bike that had three power commander maps that the rider could choose from via a simple handlebar switch, one map for low down, one mid range, one high speed. he simply flicked the switch dependant upon which part of the race track he was at. Having typed all that, I've just remembered I've already posted a dyno thread here which also details how much the S'wing improved in power and torque.... http://www.silverwing600.com/silver-wing-accessories-modifications-f5/dynojet-power-commander-iii-usb-t143.htm However I think there is some additional useful info in this email so I'll put a copy of this email there..... That way in a years time it'll be easier to find for others who might be interested! |
|  | | steve0 Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 32 Location: south woodford london UK Points: 1193 Registration date: 2009-03-25
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:33 pm | |
| Bernardo Many thanks for your detailed reply, very helpful :D thanks again Steve. |
|  | | Bernardo Super Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 261 Location: Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom Points: 1456 Registration date: 2008-12-25
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Sat Mar 28, 2009 3:12 pm | |
| Hi Steve, Glad to help....! If you have a good nose around here there are a load of other different threads that may be of interest.. Happy Riding :D |
|  | | Smurph Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 20 Points: 1208 Registration date: 2009-02-13
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:54 am | |
| Thanks from me as well , i was wondering about this also |
|  | | steve0 Scooter Rider


Number of posts: 32 Location: south woodford london UK Points: 1193 Registration date: 2009-03-25
 | Subject: Re: Miles Per Gallon Sun Mar 29, 2009 2:49 pm | |
| HI YA Smurph, are you the same smurph as of the maxi muppets  |
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