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Message started by Drifter on 07/25/10 at 09:09:20

Title: Gas Mileage?
Post by Drifter on 07/25/10 at 09:09:20

What is the best and worst mileage you have had with your savage. Mention the year and any mods like a pipe change or chain drive etc.

Do you notice any change running the 10% ethanol blend?

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by james may on 07/25/10 at 09:15:33

always ran 10% ethanol that's all we have around here.. and I'm getting 40-55mpg depending on if I go out for a long trip or multiple trips with warming up for 5 min before going out each time. Wish I had the space/money to get a 50cc scooter as a around town vehicle so I can get 75-100mpg around town and 55mpg on longer trips..

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by bill67 on 07/25/10 at 10:09:22

I run always 100% gasoline average 63 mpg low one time of 58 mpg.1/2 inch hole drilled in center up in the muffler,2 numbers up on high speed jet one up on low speed,Pretty much all back road driving.Spacer stock

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by J2 on 07/25/10 at 12:08:44

I bought a 2006 S40 about a month ago. It had 12-hundred miles on it, basically a new bike. Suzuki rates this 650 thumper at 63 mpg, and when considering horsepower-to-weight ratio, it ought to do that. I ride like an old man (I am an old man.). I can't get more than 50 mpg. I started using 93 octane, as dealer said. Moved to 89 when I read that the OEM specifies 87 octane (regular). So far, no difference in mpg. Wonder what I am doing wrong.

J2

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by BuckHMCC on 07/25/10 at 12:33:19

My daughter's 1996 Savage is stock AFAIK except that I pulled the brass plug and turned the idle circuit adjuster screw 1/2 turn CCW. That got rid of most of the backfiring. I ride the thing a fair amount, mostly secondary roads. I, too, am an old man and ride like it most of the time. Savage only gets low 50s for MPG. My Bandit which has almost twice the displacement and four times the number of carbs gets upper 40s, sometimes 50 MPG. I find that to be unexpected. :-? The Bandit will run circles around the Savage.

Oh, yeah, the only gas you can buy in CT is 10% ethanol. 87 octane gas delivers the most MPG. You should use it unless your engine knocks on it. A 5-minute warm-up is a waste of time and gas. It's likely harder not easier on the engine. No more than a 1 minute warm-up and go easy for the first 5-10 minutes of riding. I use 5W40 oil instead of 10W40 because it lubricates better on start-up.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by J2 on 07/25/10 at 13:23:19

Interesting, Buck. If I had to pose a theory ... I would say the S40/Savage is simply an oldie, but a goodie. In other words, when this bike was designed (perhaps 1970's), engineers didn't really try to build in a lot of fuel efficiency. Odd, since the so-called "gas crisis" occurred in the 70's. FI would make a difference. Actually, all of the light bikes I have owned (300-450cc) achieved mpg in the 50-range. Zoom zoom, not sip sip. That's still a lot better than my pickup, but, when OEM rates it at 63, and some riders report 63 mpg, makes me wonder if my stock S40 has a thirsty issue somewhere.

J2

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by Routy on 07/25/10 at 13:32:44

There was a poll a while back,.....backed up what was already known,...that the Savage-40 get around 50 mpg. That could mean 45-55, or whatever you want it to mean.
I seldom get 50, because I'm in nothing but hills, and I can't keep from cobbin the throttle ! But really,......I never did get serious about checkin it anyway, cuz I really don't care. If I didn't love the bike, I'd ditch it no matter what milage it got. Being as I love the bike, ain't no milage could make me sell it. ;)

On edit,...forgot to say,......
If you want to ride like a pansyied woosy and get 60 mpg, do it ! ;D

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by bill67 on 07/25/10 at 13:37:18

1D65570 wrote:

I would put some Sea Foam in your gas and see if that helps at all,I get on my a lot in high gear but don't much in the low gears.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by Charon on 07/25/10 at 13:40:49

Click on the Fuelly logo in my signature, and you can look at all my fuel mileages. Some have notes explaining what was going on. I started tagging the fill-ups where I used E-10 this year, but you have to bear in mind that the mileage for those fillups labelled E-10 will show in the next fillup's mileage. My bike is stock, except that I have a windshield. I tried the "white spacer mod" as documented in the Fuelly notes, but the only effect I noted was about 10% worse fuel mileage.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by J2 on 07/25/10 at 13:58:41

Thanks for the suggestions. The MPG issue doesn't really concern me. I just want to be sure the bike is running as it should. I appreciate the Fuelly (?). You are doing better in the efficiency department than I am. Maybe I am just not "pansyied" enough ;) The sport bikes (donor cycles) come whizzin by ... dodging in and out from between the 18-wheelers, and I keep thinking ... all of the 10-50Is (fatal accidents) I covered during 35 years as a reporter ... Yep. Be seein me down the road. Be scrapin you off the road!

Ride safe.

J2

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by BuckHMCC on 07/25/10 at 14:11:48

The only reason I track MPG is to note a change in the well-being of my engines. Is it time for new plugs?, air filter?, a dose of Sea Foam?, etc. Clearly I would not be riding a motorcycle rather aimlessly in big circles centered on my house if operating costs were an object.

I see your point about the Savage/S40 design being a dated one. I believe the first year of production was 1986. Still the thing has low horsepower (25?) and light weight, 4 valves and Twin-Swirl Combustion(!), SOHC, electronic ignition, a modern CV carb, and comes lean as can be from the factory. Expected better MPG at least relative to my 1200cc, 4-carb Bandit.

It interestesting to compare the Savage/S40 manufacturer's-claimed 63 MPG to that of the 500cc Royal Enfield Electra at 87 MPG. REs are cool, old-style thumpers with a long history. Unfortunately Royal Enfield dealers are few and far between.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by bill67 on 07/25/10 at 15:31:18

The S40 is gear low for the torque its got it could be geared 20% higher and it would get better gas mileage.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by Charon on 07/25/10 at 16:15:24

OK, Bill. You have made the claim that "geared 20% higher and it would get better gas mileage." Now prove it. Show us your documented gas mileage to date, for a start. Then make the change (which will probably involve a chain conversion) and show us the results.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by J2 on 07/25/10 at 16:50:45

While only an anecdotal observation, I might tend to agree with Bill. Having ridden a bunch of different bikes, I would guess that the single 650cc cylinder does produce a lot of torque for a 381lb bike. I have started it from a dead stop in second gear a couple of times :o, and it didn't mind at all. I would bet that it could be geared higher without sacrificing too much around town.

When I threw my leg over for the first time after a number of years riding scooters, I wondered a little if I would be able to go back to a clutch and shift lever without some practice, but it came right back. I didn't have to think, although I kept looking for the tach. One thing about the S40 I had to get used to ... it goes off the line very well with little rotation on the throttle. At first, I had two speeds: Stop and Fast. I have acclimated to its acceleration now, and I would like to see FI and a six speed tranny. Of course, then the bike would not be the classic it is.

J2

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by james may on 07/25/10 at 18:09:32

How's the acceleration on a royal enfield 500? I've got a Suzuki/royal enfield dealer right near by in granby(all power). All the enfolds look like 70s bikes though. Bikes are actually quite inefficient aerodynamic drag and all a hummer is has less drag than a bike.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by bill67 on 07/25/10 at 18:12:31

Charlie why are cars geared a lot higher than they were years ago,And if you want your S40 to get better mileage just forget about fifth and leave it in fourth.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by weracerc on 07/25/10 at 18:16:53

1996 with Jardine pipe - no carb mods - stock filter 7K miles - 87Oct. no ethanol - 400lbs rider 50mpg regularly - never over 50mph - no highways etc - just to & from owrk 45-50 zones

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by Charon on 07/25/10 at 19:58:57

Oddly enough, the article in the September 1996 Motorcycle Consumer News mentioned that the new 5-speed version of the Savage got poorer mileage than the older 4-speed version, and the reviewer hypothesized that Suzuki messed with a good thing. He said he left the bike in 4th for a tank of fuel, and the mileage went up 7.6% from the previous five tanks run in 5th. Perhaps the bike is geared too high instead of too low. Nonetheless, documented experimentation is the way to find out.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by verslagen1 on 07/25/10 at 20:32:55

surely this is odd, but the 4speed is slightly higher geared. I don't think it's enough for 8% better gas mileage. that would be better explained by one less gear shift. And with the 5speed came leaner jets. So lean that when I went from a stock 145 to a 150, i got better gas mileage. So if anything it wasn't zuki's fault, blame the epa.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by alcoa on 07/26/10 at 05:27:30

I keep a record each time I get gas and for the last 50 times my mpg is between 58-63. This makes hd riders at work cry.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by BuckHMCC on 07/26/10 at 05:31:22

To answer james may: Quoting Widipedia 'Royal Enfield is now the oldest motorcycle brand in the world still in production with the Bullet model enjoying the longest motorcycle production run of all time'. First in England, of course, and now in India.

The 500cc Bullet thumper has about the same horsepower/torque and weight of the Savage/S40. It's been modernized to fuel-injection (claiming 85MPG), electronic ignition, front disc brake, and a unit construction engine. Two-year unlimited miles warranty. See http://www.enfieldmotorcycles.com/models/classic-g5.html

It's chain driven and much more handsome than the Savage/S40 if you prefer standards to cruisers, as I do. A cafe racer, trials, and continental kit are offered. I'm thinking of getting one. Cheaper than a Savage-based Ryca conversion. See http://www.rycamotors.com/

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by Drifter on 07/26/10 at 06:36:12

That ryca bike is cool, what is the price tag for a conversion?

I have 9 bikes and the gearing has been changed on nearly all of them. Near 100% of the time the gas mileage goes up when taller gearing is added to a bike especially over 250cc bikes.

My 500 customized Vulcan has seen 66 MPG it averages 57 mpg and its mostly in town riding with the low being 52. My 500 Ninja has seen 65 MPG and it will run 132 MPH. Its had a drastic change 9 smaller on the rear a 1 up on the front.

My Triumph Bonneville went from 42 to 50 mpg after i went up 2 teeth on the front sprocket. taller gearing works!

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by spacepirates on 07/26/10 at 06:50:32

I get between 35 and 40. jardine pipe with the baffles blown out, cone air filter, 155 main jet, don't recall the pilot, stock white spacer.

no clue why i get such poor gas mileage. i mean, i do get on it and live in a hilly area, but there i haven't figured out why i'm getting this low...

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by cursal on 07/26/10 at 08:53:29

Fully Filled tank....until I ran out of gas on the super-slab was 138 miles.

Works out to 49.29 miles/gal. Filled with 93 (10% E)

Road with a Harley Night-Train and Road King for the day.
I was gunning it on the back-roads to keep up, mostly hanging around 50-60 & cruising it at 70+ on the slab.

Oh and I keep a 950 ml (about .25 gallons or a quart) gas bottle I used to use for camping in m bags. It's my Extra-Reserve to get me to the station...if I ever run dry. Saved my Arse more than a few time from walkin'.

And that's about what I get around town too.. 50mpg

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by sjaskow on 07/26/10 at 10:58:20

This is the fuelly page for my '06 S40: http://www.fuelly.com/driver/sjaskow/savage-ls650. It's got mileage back to the first time I put gas in it in August of 2007. The bike is 100% stock with the exception of a Suzuki wind screen.

If you don't want to read the data, I get between 58-60 mpg on my normal commute loop which is about 85% surface streets and 15% interstate, i.e. 70 mph+.

I can get mid 60's if I keep off the interstate and keep the speeds down to 55 or less.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by spacepirates on 07/27/10 at 09:54:27

273E35273F3B23540 wrote:

If you don't want to read the data, I get between 58-60 mpg on my normal commute loop which is about 85% surface streets and 15% interstate, i.e. 70 mph+.

I can get mid 60's if I keep off the interstate and keep the speeds down to 55 or less.

well, i guess i found some reasoning behind my poor mileage. i ride all twisties to and from work, and i make it a goal to get above 70 every time i can. lots of accelerating and stopping. lots of fun.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by ralfyguy on 07/27/10 at 10:50:51

Whenever I ride a trip with speeds between 45-55 and try to be relaxed on the throttle I can get up to 63mpg, like last weekend when we did the Talimena Scenic Drive at night. Whenever I fix something on the bike and the make a test run, usually on Hwy 69 North for about 15 miles and turn around and go back, which is usually done at full throttle most of the time with keeping it around 85-90+ then it starts drinking and can drop to as low as 40mpg. Usually we have south winds and then it redlines at around 95. On the way back you can feel the head wind and it struggles to go above 85. On a tour on the open Highway with maintaining 70-75 it does around 50-55 mpg. Then I try to give just enough throttle to stay at that speed. Throttle position is a big factor on my bike.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by Routy on 07/27/10 at 10:51:14

Your bike get the same milage as mine or anybody else does. Its the rider and its habits that makes up the difference. I could get 60 mpg too, but I'll never ride like that, it'll never happen. Having said that,...will tuning make 5mpg difference ? Possibly. But if one bike is getting 10-15 mpg more than the other side by side, I'll garantee you one of them is going to be smokin.....or at least a real smogger.

6D6E7F7D7B6E776C7F6A7B6D1E0 wrote:

[quote author=273E35273F3B23540 link=1280074160/15#24 date=1280167100]
If you don't want to read the data, I get between 58-60 mpg on my normal commute loop which is about 85% surface streets and 15% interstate, i.e. 70 mph+.

I can get mid 60's if I keep off the interstate and keep the speeds down to 55 or less.

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by Arnold on 07/27/10 at 12:59:12

Which prompts my next question, what grade to you fill with? I use the cheap 87, does a higher grade help with the backfiring?

Title: Re: Gas Mileage?
Post by Drifter on 07/27/10 at 13:55:17

I have found from testing on these low compression mild timing bikes its a TOTAL waste of money to burn anything other than 87 octane fuel.