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By Frank
#58111
2cvandy, when the Electra X was launched the press reviews said 100 mpg was quite possible so my figure is not too far off. I think I studied enough maths at school and college to be able to have some confidence in my calculations but basically I don't push the bike beyond what I think it is comfortable with, or myself for that matter. I did learn on a Honda 100 which Honda said should achieve around 80mpg and which I got 158mpg only dropping to about 120mpg when I got my confidence and wrung it's neck off. All my other vehicles have been as or below manufacturer's spec!
By pd110961
#58114
last year when I had the 2006 card / points/4 speed model, I really tried hard one week on the commute to work and managed 100mpg.

last weekend, on the 2015 new Classic, not taking it too steady, 73mpg.

just fitted an exhaust can from our hosts to replace the OEM one.. sounds proper now!
By jefrs
#58118
Load is a considerable factor. The C5 weighs some 187kg plus what I've added, panniers and so on. But then I plonk my 100kg on top. I don't think in pounds much any more but say that's around 6-cwt, so I don't think taking the mirrors off or drilling holes in the frame (I've seen that done, eek) will make much difference.
The power [watt] of the engine tells us how many kilograms it can shift



Air resistance increases with the square of velocity, I don't find lying on the tank is very dignified at my age, and rather uncomfortable.
By Reg
#58127
My tuppence worth: when I first got my 05 bullet, six years ago, I reckon it would give me up to 80 mpg, mostly two up. More recently this has dropped to around 65-70..and now I ride solo most of the time. The only changes I've made to the bike are higher rise bars, which give me a more comfy riding position, but has made me more aware of wind buffeting. I think in my case wind resistance could be the culprit.
By sofiaspin
#58130
Good point Reg. All the chat is about carbs and engines, not about wind (why do car companies invest so much in wind tunnels) or weight. These things make a huge difference and render redundant comments such as "my EFI can do 73 mpg". We need a chart showing drag do-efficient, weight of rider, weight of bike, engine, carb set up etc to get a clear view of the variables. Regardless, I don't care as I have just done 800 miles round the Scottish Borders and enjoy the bike that is the main thing!
By TheShaggyDA
#58139
So, finally got a chance to take a look. Main jet is a 240, needle jet 107, slide 3, needle is on bottom ring, and pilot screw is only 1 turn out. Took the opportunity to put the Goldie silencer on, as the straight through slash cut jobbie is quite obnoxious, and any work I do will need to be on the silencer I'm going to stay with. Was going to do some plug chops, but also found a nut missing for the centre stand which I don't have a spare for, so that will have to wait for now. Not had a chance to check the float height either, but there's plenty to play with; I have a spare 230 main and a 2.5 slide. With a bit of luck I can get away with dropping the needle a bit and redoing the pilot, fingers crossed.
By TheShaggyDA
#58140
Additionally, I found our hosts charge £70 an hour dyno time, and I only live an hour away :-)
By Bullet Whisperer
#58141
What about the gearing? Maybe you can go up 1 tooth on the gearbox sprocket, just a thought.
By TheShaggyDA
#58147
Temptng, I'll see what the bike feels like once the fuelling's sorted as changing the sprocket is a bit of a faff, and I'd rather be riding it than working on it :-)
By jefrs
#58148
I'm pretty sure my bike would pull an extra cog, there's a fair bit of extra torque there now but I like its acceleration and don't use its top speed. However when it's time I think I shall go for the fatter rear tyre as the 120/80-18 is about half a cog's worth more than the 110/80-18.



What I'm trying now is using the autotune AT-200 to fill in the gaps around the Hitchcocks dyno map. A quick down & dirty showed me it does cure the lumpiness outside of the map zone but that the map does provide better power than a flattish "Target AFR", so it's a combination. It can also cure popping on deceleration and smoother pick up from closed throttle (which can be a little jerky off-on with the injector). A case of fiddling the AT-200's Target AFR until is doesn't adjust the dyno map but provides economical but smooth pickup in the cruise region.
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