So...fuel economy...

[VtwinStorm]

I'm only running Shell premium 93, but after an indicated 45-55 miles on my ODO...the fuel light comes on.

Also, only getting 23mpg (1st tank) and 21mpg (2nd tank)...around 2-2.2 gallons to the filler neck, so the ODO might be a little "fast" on distance? This is a 5.8 gallon tank, I think? A bit early for the fuel light, perhaps.

Granted, I let her warm up for 5-10 mins before each ride when she is cold...granted, she sits around 80mph in 6th (4500RPM) on the highway, and cruises effortlessly.

55mph in 6th is lugging it, probably 2500RPM (?), and doesn't feel right, like abusing the bike.

I don't expect 70mpg like my old 250cc Honda, but in the 20s? Almost as bad as my work truck's mpg! lol

She runs and sounds great, though!

Burn, baby burn!

[docc]

Right, tank volume is more an actual, usable volume of 5.1 US gallons. (Don't make me reveal my method of proving this . . . ). The rest is trapped as fuel is returned to the right side of tank the away from the fuel tap.

Probably the most commonly reported fuel economy in US gallons is 33-38 mpg.

Agreed that dragging along at 2500 rpm is ungood. As is idling for 5-10 minutes (!). Get on, start up, ride off. Just keep the rpm and hard throttle under control for 8-10 miles.

And, yes, the odometer (and speedometer) are "optimistic."

[Pressureangle]

24 minutes ago, docc said:

Right, tank volume is more an actual, usable volume of 5.1 US gallons. (Don't make me reveal my method of proving this . . . ). The rest is trapped as fuel is returned to the right side of tank the away from the fuel tap.

Probably the most commonly reported fuel economy in US gallons is 33-38 mpg.

Agreed that dragging along at 2500 rpm is ungood. As is idling for 5-10 minutes (!). Get on, start up, ride off. Just keep the rpm and hard throttle under control for 8-10 miles.

And, yes, the odometer (and speedometer) are "optimistic."

Right on the money. Best I saw on my 10k was ~40, riding 55-65mph. Worst was crossing New Mexico at 85mph, ~30. 
My fuel light comes on right at about 100 miles with 60 to go. Barely less than half. Annoying and easy to forget after a while. 

[VtwinStorm]

40 minutes ago, docc said:

Right, tank volume is more an actual, usable volume of 5.1 US gallons. (Don't make me reveal my method of proving this . . . ). The rest is trapped as fuel is returned to the right side of tank the away from the fuel tap.

Probably the most commonly reported fuel economy in US gallons is 33-38 mpg.

Agreed that dragging along at 2500 rpm is ungood. As is idling for 5-10 minutes (!). Get on, start up, ride off. Just keep the rpm and hard throttle under control for 8-10 miles.

And, yes, the odometer (and speedometer) are "optimistic."

One difference with my super cold-blooded carbed Ducatis, they need a few minutes to warm up.

Will start and go with the Guzzi going forward...

[p6x]

@VtwinStorm

I have been recording my refuels since I got the bike, last year in April 2021.

Below is a screen shot of the application I use to track all my trips and refuels.

The two last refuels on April 18th shows the following:

32 miles per gallon is more or less what I do when I run errands in the city.

40.7 miles per gallon is a run from H'town to Navasota, with Ethanol free gas refueling at Buc-ee's Waller.

The 37.1 average miles per gallon is current.

I usually do 150 miles and I refuel. Although I have pushed it to 200 miles with the reserve warning lit.

 

 

[docc]

2 hours ago, Pressureangle said:

Right on the money. Best I saw on my 10k was ~40, riding 55-65mph. Worst was crossing New Mexico at 85mph, ~30. 
My fuel light comes on right at about 100 miles with 60 to go. Barely less than half. Annoying and easy to forget after a while. 

 Important to note @Pressureangle is not on a V11, but an earlier Sport with a different tank.

[guzzler]

G'day fella's

I seem to be only able to squeeze 17 litres into mine.

With this I consistently get 270 kilometres before the low fuel light comes on and if pushed could get 300 but don't for fear of having to literally push it!

This is on my commute so a mixture of conditions.

On a ride/trip would be a wee bit less if ENJOYING the ride and would normally look for gas after about 220 ish kays.

My mate Dave with the MV has a small tank and has smaller range so I don't have to think about it too much just refuel when he does, consequently not sure about mileage when out and about but would be less than the the commute.

Cheers Guzzler

Ps I look at gas as being a small price to pay for the pleasure of exercising these fair maidens.....

[docc]

So, 270km/17liters = 168 miles/4.5 US gallons = 37.3 mpgUS.  That's some smooth riding.

[Lucky Phil]

4 hours ago, docc said:

Right, tank volume is more an actual, usable volume of 5.1 US gallons. (Don't make me reveal my method of proving this . . . ). The rest is trapped as fuel is returned to the right side of tank the away from the fuel tap.

Probably the most commonly reported fuel economy in US gallons is 33-38 mpg.

Agreed that dragging along at 2500 rpm is ungood. As is idling for 5-10 minutes (!). Get on, start up, ride off. Just keep the rpm and hard throttle under control for 8-10 miles.

And, yes, the odometer (and speedometer) are "optimistic."

All true. A 10 min warmup!! thats not good for fuel economy. Remember as I've mentioned before and most now know stopping and starting the engine especially from cold chews fuel in a major way due to the cold enrichment mapping. So 10 cold starts commuting to work and back will see the fuel economy dip alarmingly on that alone never mind the suburban traffic. Also every time you shut it down and start it hot it also goes onto the rich 3986 revolutions start mapping. So a 10 cold start week commuting with a few hot starts thrown in there for buying milk or whatever and the economy is going to suffer big time.

Ciao   

[guzzler]

1 hour ago, docc said:

So, 270km/17liters = 168 miles/4.5 US gallons = 37.3 mpgUS.  That's some smooth riding.

G'day Doc

Yep the commute is 70-80kays one way mostly country and open road with 15 ish of suburban traffic included, so yeah reasonably smooth.

It's probably less on the return ( longer ) leg when hitting the 35 kays of GOOD twisties  especially if Mr Plod isn't looking...

We have rather DRACONIAN attitudes to speed here in the Socialist Republic of Dan ( aka  Victoria ) so need to be vigilant....

Cheers Guzzler

 

[PJPR01]

9 hours ago, VtwinStorm said:

I'm only running Shell premium 93, but after an indicated 45-55 miles on my ODO...the fuel light comes on.

Also, only getting 23mpg (1st tank) and 21mpg (2nd tank)...around 2-2.2 gallons to the filler neck, so the ODO might be a little "fast" on distance? This is a 5.8 gallon tank, I think? A bit early for the fuel light, perhaps.

Granted, I let her warm up for 5-10 mins before each ride when she is cold...granted, she sits around 80mph in 6th (4500RPM) on the highway, and cruises effortlessly.

55mph in 6th is lugging it, probably 2500RPM (?), and doesn't feel right, like abusing the bike.

I don't expect 70mpg like my old 250cc Honda, but in the 20s? Almost as bad as my work truck's mpg! lol

She runs and sounds great, though!

Burn, baby burn!

Mileage is definitely low, and combined with other recommendations, I'd also double check that you're running the proper tire pressures...everyone has their preference, but I like to run 40/40 cold, some like it a bit lower, but that will eat into the mileage also.  Just a thought in case it hadn't been reviewed already.  I assume also that you don't have any brake drag either, wheels spin freely with no drag?

[VtwinStorm]

1 hour ago, PJPR01 said:

Mileage is definitely low, and combined with other recommendations, I'd also double check that you're running the proper tire pressures...everyone has their preference, but I like to run 40/40 cold, some like it a bit lower, but that will eat into the mileage also.  Just a thought in case it hadn't been reviewed already.  I assume also that you don't have any brake drag either, wheels spin freely with no drag?

Wheels roll very smoothly...will recheck tore pressures tomorrow on my Diabolo IIs.

[Pressureangle]

16 hours ago, docc said:

 Important to note @Pressureangle is not on a V11, but an earlier Sport with a different tank.

Right, I forget I have the barhopping/10 laps tank. Sexy tho, ain't it?

FWIW, I keep about 30psi front/ 32 rear, my bridgestones lasted 7500 miles and gas mileage was average. I don't think it matters much, or at all, with radial tires.
I'll explore these Dunlops more deeply once I get somewhere with a curve.

[p6x]

2 hours ago, Pressureangle said:

Right, I forget I have the barhopping/10 laps tank. Sexy tho, ain't it?

FWIW, I keep about 30psi front/ 32 rear, my bridgestones lasted 7500 miles and gas mileage was average. I don't think it matters much, or at all, with radial tires.
I'll explore these Dunlops more deeply once I get somewhere with a curve.

According to certain tire manufacturers, tire pressure and tire construction play a role in fuel consumption. I am yet to verify this on my motorbike. Maybe these statements are applicable to automobile tires.

My Michelin Road 5 make a big difference in the LeMans handling. That I could feel right from the ride out with fresh rubber. Is this because the previous set of tire was old? not worn, but old as per date of manufacture?

 

[Pressureangle]

15 minutes ago, p6x said:

According to certain tire manufacturers, tire pressure and tire construction play a role in fuel consumption. I am yet to verify this on my motorbike. Maybe these statements are applicable to automobile tires.

My Michelin Road 5 make a big difference in the LeMans handling. That I could feel right from the ride out with fresh rubber. Is this because the previous set of tire was old? not worn, but old as per date of manufacture?

 

Until you reach the margin of adhesion, the age of a tire doesn't make a difference in handling. But I've found that Italian bikes- 2 Tontis, the Sport-i, and a '74 Aermacchi 350- are all exquisitely sensitive to tire profiles. I ran 30psi in the front Bridgestone T30 because it had a nebulous, imprecise feel in hard cornering and I wanted more rubber on the road to maximize traction. (it never slipped even once in it's life) The Pirellis I replaced them with had much sharper cornering, but felt drifty on fast straight bits where the Bridgestones were boxcar-stable. I did notice with the Pirellis at the Spine Raid (Tail of the Dragon) that higher pressure, 38psi made fast corner dumping and transitions easier and didn't affect traction at any speed I ride. 
Also, any new tire has a perfect profile so replacing a tire with any visible wear will make handling changes you can feel.
There is some ethereal feel to brand new rubber that defies description, something you sense but can't isolate. Maybe just in the head.