Coasting question

[kawboyCAFE]

Originally Posted by Rick323

Compared to my tacoma and ford, the Versys gets great mileage....I've never got lower than 47 mpg....I had an 1986Yamaha XT 350 that got 65 mpg....

compared to your vehicles, yeah it will get great mpg. 47 mpg seems pretty good, it looks like on fuelly that the common is like 43-45, so your already a couple up. the versys is so tall, if you lowered it a little, it would probably improve your mileage as well. you should have kept that xt350, be a classic this year. plus, they look kinda cool.

[Rick323]

Originally Posted by kawboyCAFE

you really should have got something smaller than a 650 versys if you were worried about MPG. you just cant make those bikes get much more than what you are already getting no matter what you do. sorry.

I just thought I'd update this post.

I did a little coasting and slowed down a bit; last tank I got 64mpg...not too bad for bike that couldn't be improved.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by Rick323

I did a little coasting and slowed down a bit; last tank I got 64mpg...not too bad for bike that couldn't be improved.

There's always room for improvement
Changing the way / speeds you ride can have a massive effect.

You could also gear it longer when the time comes to renew the chain & sprockets.

[bdesj]

That sounds really good to me, Rick- nice job! I don`t know what`s normal for that model other than what Kawboy reported from Fuelly, but it`s in the neighborhood of what I`m getting on my scooter since the weather has warmed up. Considering that you have a twin with an extra 50% displacement over my 400 single, you`ve made me envious . Sure wish there were an easy way to coast a centrifugal clutch/CVT setup.

[alvaro84]

Originally Posted by Rick323

I just thought I'd update this post.

I did a little coasting and slowed down a bit; last tank I got 64mpg...not too bad for bike that couldn't be improved.

Good job
I'm curious what kind of MPG would my driving style yield on a Versys, and what should I do differently with that bike.

[larrybuck]

I usually just let off in top gear, let it coast down to about 25mph. At that point, is where I pull the clutch, only the last few feet start clicking down. If you don't have a neutral light; you just have to count those clicks VERY carefully. Even with my neutral light, I don't get there until about 2 seconds before I put my foot down at a stop. It's just not as smooth an operation as a car for this task! If you're slowing down and pondering how the stoplight timing ahead of you will go; you just really have to be on top of memorizing what gear you are in any given moment.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by larrybuck

If you're slowing down and pondering how the stoplight timing ahead of you will go; you just really have to be on top of memorizing what gear you are in any given moment.

When riding a motorcycle, always keep track of what gear you're in.

[Hauki]

Just pull the clutch in, the risk of bent cogs/dogs is too high to attempt neutral.

Heres a few tips for biking I used to employ:

Flappy clothing (baggy jeans and a hoody for instance) = Bad
Tight clothing (1 or 2 piece leathers) = Good

Also ensure your gloves are really snug fit around the cuffs and making sure your sleeves go into and stay in the gloves so no air travels up your arms.

Draft blocker underneath helmet like this

If you use a backpack like most of us do, then find as small and aerodynamic one as possible, or if you can afford it one of these

[mikehallbackhoe]

I have tried coasting my honda valkyrie by holding in the clutch. but after a few miles carpal tunnel in my left hand hurts too much to continue. it would be better when coasting in the mountains to slow down, put it in nuetral, and then enjoy the ride.