Year for best MPG?

Hi, i see from reading around various topics that an 02 sensor was fitted in 2008 which increases fuel economy. Does anyone know which model number this was fitted from and if there is any other way of identifying a 2008 bike with 02 sensor? There seem to be a lot of 2008 bikes with low mileage on offer in the UK at the moment.

The O2 sensor is attached to (screwed into) the inlet of the muffler. You should see a wiring cable from that location (under the muffler inlet pipe heat shield) going into the body.

Tim

I thought all 2008's and newer had the O2 sensor.

I think that the OP may have been trying to determine if the O2 sensor upgrade was done as a mid-year upgrade --and, if so, from what VIN or Engine Serial number forward was that change in effect.

All the 08s I've seen have had the O2 sensor but I've only seen US models.  

FWIW, I have an '07 and '12 in the family. The '07 has no O2 sensor, but gets pretty much identical mileage to the '12 (mid 50's MPG, US Gallons).

I have an 07 and two 08s and think my 08s get a little better mileage. The difference isn't any more than two to four MPG. If I run them hard in town stop and go traffic all three can get mid 40s. If I'm riding slow country roads and no stop and go traffic I'll get mid 50s with all three. So even with both pre O2 sensor and post O2 sensor it's hard to really know for sure if one gets better mileage. When I go on long rides with a friend that has an 03 and we fill our tanks at the same time my 08s always get better mileage. I haven't ridden my 07 on any long rides with my friend yet but when I do I'll let people know If there's any difference.

Thanks, guys that helps - the problem is sometimes a bike can be a previous year's model but not registered until the following year and as said some mods are made mid-year - so I was hoping for a definite date or VIN no. to identify a modded machine but I guess the cable is a giveaway.