Suzuki GS500 Fuel Economy

[roosterk0031]

Originally Posted by kawboyCAFE

not to upset you or anything, but you are not going to get much better than that out of a CBR929 no matter what you do. just facts. you might squeeze 45-47 out of it with gear changes, but thats about it. of course, those bikes were not built with MPG in mind.

Even at 45 mpg that I got with my 2001 FZ1, I spend more money per mile on rear tires even mounting & balanceing myself. My net cost per mile was equal to around 20 mpg just gas & tires.

[alvaro84]

You may have a heavy wrist
I spend far less on tires (front+rear) than on gas @ 77mpgUS.
OK, our gas is 6+ USD per gallon...

[roosterk0031]

I mostly rode pretty conservativly, I've learned from talking with other FZ1 owners, who used theirs for commutting just like me, but with 1/4 the distance commutes but got double the tire life. I think short trips don't heat up the tire and they last a lot longer, my commute got them up to heat, soft and sticky (using sport tourning tires) and wearing faster per mile.

Later got a Concours ZG1000, still only commuting still got 45 mpg and 10,000 rear tire life. ZX600e 45 mpg, 250 Ninga 60 mpg, KLR650 45 mpg (50+ if I'd kept it near 55 mph). All but the Concours I took the 1/2 back road 1/2 freeway route to work. Concours all backroads.

Should have stopped buying trading with the first one I bought, the KLR650 and kept it on the back roads, and it had cheap tires, only 4 valves to check, one carb to clean.

[alvaro84]

Originally Posted by roosterk0031

...with 1/4 the distance commutes but got double the tire life. I think short trips don't heat up the tire and they last a lot longer, my commute got them up to heat, soft and sticky (using sport tourning tires) and wearing faster per mile.

This is an interesting question, how much tire temperature affects longevity.
If it's a real factor, and cold tires really don't wear too much, it's pretty much conserved on my late commutes, when temps were around zero Celsius, and when I touched rear tire after arrival, it was colder than my hand.

On more thing I suspect: riding 2-up wears tires faster too, and I did it for several thousand kms this year, a few hundred kms at once (nothing like a short commute). On the other hand, I'm quite lightweight (by American standards, in Japan I wouldn't be small ), which is a relief for them when I ride alone.

And different tires are well, different. I use Metzeler Z6, at least so far. Next time I may try another type (a Heidenau my mechanic recommended for all-weather riding, probably more sticky and faster wearing, and I don't know about its effect on fuel efficiency.) What tires are on your bike?

[NHRABill]

Getting 60+MPG out of a carbed 883 Harley seems pretty darn good compared to what I am reading. I never knew that those bikes were so bad on gas comparatively speaking. I had a 2002 Buell Blast as well 500cc and it managed 65-70mpg spirited riding

[alvaro84]

The Blast is a good one, I've seen a log with an average of 90mpg!
It's a shame that they got discontinued in such a disgrace :-/
Ok, F650CS' are not produced anymore either, but at least the G650GS does still exist.

[roosterk0031]

The FZ1 had the standard 180x55/17 rear, 120 front, the Z6 was the last tire I installed before I sold it so I didn't wear it out. 1 Dunlup 220's 6k, 2 Bridgstone Bt020 6-7,000 miles, 1 Cont Contiforce (3k, installed & replaced in July same year), ending with the Z6, 28,000 in just over 2 years. Only 2 fronts OEM front last till 7,000, 1st Continental Contiforce lasted till about 20k, then another still on when I sold it.

Like those BMW650, but more likely will get a Versys, Ninja or KLR 650 or similar bike in a few years. The Honda CBR250 at $4000 would be interesting. Should go back to a Dualsport so I can sale my KDX200 as I don't use it enough.

[alvaro84]

Originally Posted by roosterk0031

The Honda CBR250 at $4000 would be interesting.

I agree, it would be if it did not cost twice here Just like gasoline.
Finally a 250 with ABS, I find it very exciting!

[beatr911]

Originally Posted by roosterk0031

Later got a Concours ZG1000, still only commuting still got 45 mpg and 10,000 rear tire life. ZX600e 45 mpg, 250 Ninga 60 mpg, KLR650 45 mpg (50+ if I'd kept it near 55 mph). All but the Concours I took the 1/2 back road 1/2 freeway route to work. Concours all backroads.

Should have stopped buying trading with the first one I bought, the KLR650 and kept it on the back roads, and it had cheap tires, only 4 valves to check, one carb to clean.

The Concours has some good potential when set up correctly. I'm averaging just about 54 mpg for my 30 mile each way commute that is 66% freeway. Here are some key points of my set-up. Pretty darn sweet in the winter with all that weather protection too.

1) The Concours can use 160/80 Gold Wing touring tires that drastically increase the tire life ( I have over 40,000 miles on a Dunlop k177 rear now).

2) The jetting is rich from the factory. Drop the fuel level in the carbs to 10mm below the parting line between the bowl and the carb body. I gained exactly 5 mpg from this change alone. Alternatively, and probably better, buy a jet kit from Steve in Sunny Florida on the concours.org listserver. I think the economy kit is like $35.

3) The big windshields move more air and decrease mileage. Cutting down the stocker to just below the lip gained about 2 mpg and virtually eliminated the helmet buffeting.

4) Speed has a negative affect just like any other bike. Poke along with traffic in the right lane (60 vs 70+) and I add another 3 or 4 mpg.

4) The valves don't need to be checked that often after they seat in at about 25K. At this point adjustment is usually needed at about 25K intervals, sometimes longer.

5) These bikes just don't wear out. Mine has 212,000 miles on it now and it just keeps going along. You can ride this bike a long time after others have worn out or needed costly repairs, saving alot of cash.

I too like simplicity in bikes, so I bought a 2006 Zongshen Sierra ZS200GY-2. 200cc Yamaha technology single cylinder, air cooled, two valves, carb. It is a real hoot to ride such a light, fun bike. The Concours however just keeps going and going and going and is stone reliable, despite it's complexity.

[kawboyCAFE]

Originally Posted by beatr911

The Concours has some good potential....These bikes just don't wear out....Mine has 212,000 miles on it now....

man, thats alot of miles. i bet you got some stories to tell.