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JRMichler · 03-19-2011, 06:18 PM

Once upon a time, I had a Honda CB350. That bike averaged 60 MPG in a mixture of city and highway driving. I didn't specifically try for mileage, but did not drive it hard either.

I wanted to find if Mobil 1 synthetic would get better gas mileage. So I started with a pair of baseline MPG tests:

30 MPH 87 MPG
60 MPH 60 MPG

Changed to Mobil 1 and reran the MPG tests:

30 MPH 103 MPG
60 MPH 63 MPG

These results did not make sense until I realized that I was getting better at holding a constant throttle position. This was especially tricky at 30 MPH, because the throttle was barely off idle.

This could be called an A-BC test. It shows the need for careful testing of changes (see the How To Properly Test sticky in Ecomodding Central).

CONCLUSIONS

1) The Honda CB350 responds very well to a steady hand on the throttle.

2) I still have no idea if the Mobil 1 oil caused better gas mileage in that bike.

03-19-2011, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
JRMichler Master EcoModder Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Phillips, WI Posts: 1,013 Nameless - '06 GMC Canyon 90 day: 37.45 mpg (US) 22 Maverick - '22 Ford Maverick XL 90 day: 42.77 mpg (US) Thanks: 188 Thanked 466 Times in 287 Posts	It was NOT the synthetic oil Once upon a time, I had a Honda CB350. That bike averaged 60 MPG in a mixture of city and highway driving. I didn't specifically try for mileage, but did not drive it hard either. I wanted to find if Mobil 1 synthetic would get better gas mileage. So I started with a pair of baseline MPG tests: 30 MPH 87 MPG 60 MPH 60 MPG Changed to Mobil 1 and reran the MPG tests: 30 MPH 103 MPG 60 MPH 63 MPG These results did not make sense until I realized that I was getting better at holding a constant throttle position. This was especially tricky at 30 MPH, because the throttle was barely off idle. This could be called an A-BC test. It shows the need for careful testing of changes (see the How To Properly Test sticky in Ecomodding Central). CONCLUSIONS 1) The Honda CB350 responds very well to a steady hand on the throttle. 2) I still have no idea if the Mobil 1 oil caused better gas mileage in that bike.