SuzukiSavage.com - Very Poor Gas Mileage?

HappyHighwayman

Ex Member

Very Poor Gas Mileage?
06/23/09 at 10:40:20

I only got my 1997 Savage a couple of months ago, and it was a while before I needed my first fill up.

Anyway, I noted yesterday I needed to put the fuel pump in the "Reserve" position a lot earlier than I'd anticipated....I refuelled, and it was indeed empty...the first time I filled up I put in 2.4 gallons...this time I got 2.5 gallons in...and the odometer had only moved 75 miles!

75 miles to the tank is pretty pathetic, I should be getting at least 200 miles !

Any ideas? The bike seems to be riding fine!

Back to top

IP Logged

verslagen1

YaBB Moderator
ModSquad

Online

Where there's a
will, I want to be
in it.

Posts: 28884
L.A. California
Gender: male

Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage?
Reply #1 - 06/23/09 at 10:51:08

HappyHighwayman wrote on 06/23/09 at 10:40:20:

I only got my 1997 Savage a couple of months ago, and it was a while before I needed my first fill up.

Anyway, I noted yesterday I needed to put the fuel pump in the "Reserve" position a lot earlier than I'd anticipated....I refuelled, and it was indeed empty...the first time I filled up I put in 2.4 gallons...this time I got 2.5 gallons in...and the odometer had only moved 75 miles!

75 miles to the tank is pretty pathetic, I should be getting at least 200 miles !

Any ideas? The bike seems to be riding fine!

Check the vac line for gas

Back to top

Versey's Place
Tech Section Index

IP Logged

HappyHighwayman Ex Member	Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage? Reply #2 - 06/23/09 at 10:58:54 Sorry I don't know what a VAC line is...? Please assume minimal technical knowledge.
Back to top	IP Logged

AngloSaxon

Full Member

Offline

I'd rather have one
big one than four
small ones.

Posts: 141
Framingham MA
Gender: male

Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage?
Reply #3 - 06/23/09 at 11:25:03

You should only be getting about 100 miles or so, out of a full tank. It is a 650, not a moped. But like someone said before, "after 100 miles, you'll be glad you have to fill her up, your arse will thank you".

Vac line comes off the back of the fuel valve and passes to the other side of the carb, where it attaches to the carb in the area where the carb attaches to the rubber duct.

Back to top

As yet, a Bog Standard '87 with a big arse Harley muffler.

IP Logged

HappyHighwayman Ex Member	Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage? Reply #4 - 06/23/09 at 11:27:29 The MPG thread has people getting 50-60 which would seem to be closer to 200 miles per tank...no?
Back to top	IP Logged

AngloSaxon Full Member Offline I'd rather have one big one than four small ones. Posts: 141 Framingham MA Gender:	Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage? Reply #5 - 06/23/09 at 11:29:18 2.4 x 50 = 125ish
Back to top	As yet, a Bog Standard '87 with a big arse Harley muffler. IP Logged

cowspotter Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 80 Ashburn, VA Gender:	Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage? Reply #6 - 06/23/09 at 11:30:12 50mpg with about 2 gallons available under the normal petcock setting means 100 miles. You can stretch it to 130-140 under reserve but you're really risking running out. 75 is low so you do need to look into a cause but you're not as far off of par as you think.
Back to top	IP Logged

HappyHighwayman Ex Member	Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage? Reply #7 - 06/23/09 at 11:31:01 Excuse my very poor math skills, lol. Ok so that's still only 75/2.5 = 30MPG which is a pretty poor. Granted I'm a new rider, I probably have a style which uses a lot of fuel, plus I'm in SF which is hilly.
Back to top	IP Logged

AngloSaxon

Full Member

Offline

I'd rather have one
big one than four
small ones.

Posts: 141
Framingham MA
Gender: male

Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage?
Reply #8 - 06/23/09 at 11:34:10

You should still check for leaks. I have to ride mine in the "Pri" position. If I switch to the "on" position, I get fuel leaking everywhere. Just one more thing to fix...lol

On the other hand, which position did you leave the fuel valve in when it was parked. The reason I ask is that if the diaphragm in the fuel valve has a hole in it, there's a distinct possibility that you are flooding your engine over time.

Back to top

As yet, a Bog Standard '87 with a big arse Harley muffler.

IP Logged

serenity3743

Serious Thumper

Offline

Striving to better,
oft we mar what's
well

Posts: 778
Black Mountain, NC
Gender: male

Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage?
Reply #9 - 06/23/09 at 13:53:26

AngloSaxon wrote on 06/23/09 at 11:34:10:

You should still check for leaks. I have to ride mine in the "Pri" position. If I switch to the "on" position, I get fuel leaking everywhere. Just one more thing to fix...lol

On the other hand, which position did you leave the fuel valve in when it was parked. The reason I ask is that if the diaphragm in the fuel valve has a hole in it, there's a distinct possibility that you are flooding your engine over time.

Yes, and some have found that the flooding condition results in gasoline (petrol) in the motor oil - not a good situation. Check and see if you can smell gasoline in the crankcase, with the oil filler cap off.

Back to top

2000 LS650P Suzuki windshield, luggage rack, saddle bag racks, k & n air filter, Dyna muffler,2/3 white spacer, do-it-myself seat. Love to ride!

IP Logged

HappyHighwayman

Ex Member

Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage?
Reply #10 - 06/23/09 at 13:56:56

AngloSaxon wrote on 06/23/09 at 11:34:10:

You should still check for leaks. I have to ride mine in the "Pri" position. If I switch to the "on" position, I get fuel leaking everywhere. Just one more thing to fix...lol

On the other hand, which position did you leave the fuel valve in when it was parked. The reason I ask is that if the diaphragm in the fuel valve has a hole in it, there's a distinct possibility that you are flooding your engine over time.

Wouldn't riding around in Prime cause the engine to flood ? Or do you turn it off every time you stop?

Back to top

IP Logged

bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage? Reply #11 - 06/23/09 at 15:55:17 I go on reserve between 130 and 135 miles,its pretty much stock except for richer low and high speed jets.
Back to top	william h krumpen IP Logged

AngloSaxon

Full Member

Offline

I'd rather have one
big one than four
small ones.

Posts: 141
Framingham MA
Gender: male

Re: Very Poor Gas Mileage?
Reply #12 - 06/24/09 at 06:36:36

HappyHighwayman wrote on 06/23/09 at 13:56:56:

AngloSaxon wrote on 06/23/09 at 11:34:10:

You should still check for leaks. I have to ride mine in the "Pri" position. If I switch to the "on" position, I get fuel leaking everywhere. Just one more thing to fix...lol

On the other hand, which position did you leave the fuel valve in when it was parked. The reason I ask is that if the diaphragm in the fuel valve has a hole in it, there's a distinct possibility that you are flooding your engine over time.

Wouldn't riding around in Prime cause the engine to flood ? Or do you turn it off every time you stop?

It doesn't on mine, but then mine is probably broken.

Back to top

As yet, a Bog Standard '87 with a big arse Harley muffler.

IP Logged