Fuel Consumption

wacky · Post by **wacky** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 11:24 pm

I know that this is a pretty common post here, but mine seems worse than expected.

RLOD after 78 miles and stone cold empty on 86miles from a full tank.

Probably not a record but still pretty awful.

Secondly, does anyone have standard tyre pressures (fronyt & back) for a '98 model?

cheers
Tony

RedStormV · Post by **RedStormV** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:29 am

Hi Wacky,

You're fairly new to forum are you also new to Firestorms / V-twins?

Could be the way you're riding her, IMO 'most' newbies tend to be heavy on fuel when they first start off, especially if they're used to 2 strokes or 4 cylinder machines.

As your technique improves (smoother) then your consumption will improve. Although you're never going to get fantastic fuel consumption from a Storm.

If not, then could be any number of things from leak to set-up. Has tank been repaired? If it's had a ding filled then it's capacity will be down etc etc.
Tank capaity is supposed to be 16L (more like 15 and a bit!) - can't remember reserve, but you should certainly be getting more than 8 miles on it!

As to tyre pressures, here's what the handbook from a '98 Storm says:

HTH

Graeme.

*

wacky · Post by **wacky** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:01 am

Thanks Graeme.

I've had the bike since just before Christmas, and consumption seeme to vary widely, seemly have got much worse since I put the loud Blue Flame cans on.

I'm not too worried, just wanting to understand where things should be.

cheers
Tony

fritz · Post by **fritz** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 11:30 am

take it on a track day!!!!!!!

its scary how fast the idiot light comes on!!!!!

i managed 3 tankfull in one day!!!!

lee67 · Post by **lee67** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:18 pm

if im riding alone, ive seen 65 miles to rlod....riding with sue on back, ive seen 120+ to rlod..its all in the wrist like graeme says, as for fitting cans etc, if you have it set up on a dyno, you will get back some mpg..

Beamish · Post by **Beamish** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:38 pm

Yep if I go out with the loons I get 85-90 before RLOD with the old knudgers I can see 125 mpg, all I can say is stop enjoying yourself if you want to save cash

RedStormV · Post by **RedStormV** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:08 pm

L M F A O

Well spotted Mike, I'd love an MPG half that!

lee67 · Post by **lee67** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:15 pm

guess who ran out of juice today, on my way to squires..

but get this..162.9 miles

..was dry as a bone tho, lickily i managed to freewheel into a petrol station

storminateacup · Post by **storminateacup** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:14 am

I weigh only 9st 7lb and I find the storm a bit hard, I have the forks on soft and the rear on 1st position I still find the back skipping about especially on bumpy corners/roundabouts. Would it help to reduce the tyre pressures a bit and if so by how much.

Stormin Ben · Post by **Stormin Ben** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:42 am

My twopence would be

Get an aftermarket air filter

On the VTR the airbox is too small and as a consequence the Storm fails to breathe properly
I fitted a Pipercross and didnt rejet it for over a year.
It ran OK and I consistently got 125 before RLOD out of a 16l tank and ran it dry at 153 miles (still only took 15.6 litres)
However, it had a flat spot at 4000 so I got it setup by Roger and had the valves done at the same time
Since then it goes 110-120 miles depending on abuse
It only drops below 100 on track

Best Â£50 I ever spent as I reckon it paid for itself within a year

Storminateacup
I ran mine at 32/ 36
But tbh it wont make that much difference -the rear is too hard anyway
That said, have you stripped and greased the rear linkages?
Its not a difficult job and really does make a difference to the suppleness of the rear end

storminateacup · Post by **storminateacup** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 11:59 am

Thanks for the tip Ben.

Beamish · Post by **Beamish** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:09 pm

FirestormMike wrote:
Beamish wrote:with the old knudgers I can see 125 mpg
Wow, what you riding ? a cub90?

Ooooops

125 mpg I wish

you know what I mean

fritz · Post by **fritz** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:17 pm

storminateacup wrote:

I weigh only 9st 7lb and I find the storm a bit hard, I have the forks on soft and the rear on 1st position I still find the back skipping about especially on bumpy corners/roundabouts. Would it help to reduce the tyre pressures a bit and if so by how much.

you need feeding!!!!!!!

i have pets heavier than you!!!!!!