What kind of MPG should i be getting? What are you getting?

[Missile99]

My bike was consistently in the 44-47 range, never below 5k rpm's unless in my neighborhood.

[cowboyup3371]

The stock filters are still available for purchase from your local dealer - if they say otherwise then they are not worth your time. If need be, contact Parts Outlaw in Florida and they'll get it for you.

And like Steve said, wind her up...I get between 43 in town and about 48 on my 81 550T if I'm really playing out in the twisties

[Revjoel]

Great advice here. Thanks, y'all! As you can tell, I'm a newbie to riding. Just passed my MSF in January and got the bike later that month.

So far, I've put about 6k on her (my girls call her Suzi Suzuki) riding to and from work and various jaunts around the ATL.

It rides so much better with the replacement pipe on the right side. No more exhaust leaks and much more power. Just need to get the MPGs right.

EDIT: and to answer Steve's question about the air filter, stock box, just the K&N filter. Looks like this: http://www.powersportsplace.com/part...FTMQ7AodencAqA

[Spyder]

I get an average of 42 MPG from my 1100T, and I ride it like I stole it as often as I can. If it isn't exhilarating, then what's the point?

[Steve]

EDIT: and to answer Steve's question about the air filter, stock box, just the K&N filter. Looks like this: http://www.powersportsplace.com/part...FTMQ7AodencAqA

Take the tape off the filter, you are choking it. The stock airbox will limit the amount of air that can get through, that will be enough regulation for the intake system.

Any chance that critters have taken up residence in your left muffler? An "Italian tune-up" will help you find out.

You should probably have stock main jets, maybe one size larger. Stock pilot jets. Might help to shim the needle just a little, but that is not so easy for a newbie to determine.

All of this assumes that the carbs are properly cleaned, adjusted and synchronized.

.

[Brendan W]

If I may chime in here, on my 550L, I'm only getting mid 20's even driving like granny. I just replaced the right-side pipe as the old one was severely rusted out. Sounds better and runs beautifully, but only getting 20 now.

I do have a K&N on it as the stock filters couldn't be found anywhere. After doing some reading, I did cover about 50% of the K&N with tape to see if that made a difference. I'm now on my first full tank with the new exhaust to see what happens...

Right now, I'm thinking I may need to adjust the carbs but I've never done that before. Any advice?

If I might make a suggestion. Check out the supply voltage to the coil and the resistance of both coil windings. Weak or late sparks will increase fuel consumption. What do your plugs look like ?

[Trinnypig]

I think i have figured it out, i put the pilot jet in that came with my carb kit. I tried them before and the bike would not start. i don't think it had enough vacuum to pull the fuel, so i fixed that and now they work. i got to 50 miles on about a gallon and a half before my speedo stopped working. so i think i am ok. ill fix it and do a MPG test.

[tom203]

Sounds low ( I get about 45-50 mpg in hilly terrain in 50 mph range). Maybe your odometer is messed up- borrow your wife's gps , tape it to gas tank and double check your odometer

[Revjoel]

Of course, I do have a small carb leak that could cause some mileage drop. I'm going to take her in to the shop and have the leak repaired and the carbs checked again... More money...

[Kerry]

Of course, I do have a small carb leak that could cause some mileage drop. I'm going to take her in to the shop and have the leak repaired and the carbs checked again... More money...

I can tell you that I regularly get 4.5 l/100km or better on The Flame! (which is about 52 miles per US gallon). I can get that to under 4l/100km if I'm backroads cruising.

[mrbill5491]

Of course, I do have a small carb leak that could cause some mileage drop. I'm going to take her in to the shop and have the leak repaired and the carbs checked again... More money...

Fix it yourself and save a ton a $$$

[cowboyup3371]

Fix it yourself and save a ton a $$$

This; and plus you'll know it's done right

[Revjoel]

This; and plus you'll know it's done right

Honestly, I'm a little fearful of doing it myself. Living in an apartment, I don't have a garage to work in nor do I know what I'm doing. Any suggested guides for working on them if I do decide to fix it myself?

[cowboyup3371]

Have you been to Basscliff's site yet and read the rebuild guide located there? http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff

Read the CV carb rebuild tutorial from Nessism

[Phred]

As you are living in an apartment, and a bit timid to do it yourself, I would check out if there are any other GSR members that live nearby. If you lived near me I would suggest bringing the bike over to my garage and it would take an hour or so to go through the problem with you. Most of us are very resourceful, and are quite willing to part with our time and knowledge, particularly when it comes to fellow members. Here in Ottawa, Canada it is time to put the bikes to sleep for the winter and work on the things that we never got time for during the summer months. As I am writing this there is an occasional flake of snow falling. Had the bike out earlier this week, but I think that is it for the season.