So I just moved from 7,200' elevation to 1,100' elevation and suddenly I lost 6-8 MPG.
I am trying to decide if its from the bike running super lean or the fact that the side fairings literally ripped off while I was running down the road, so I made my bike a Streetfighter (still using the OEM headlight and windscreen though) I was on the first ride at the lower elevation and apparently I was enjoying the extra power too much.
At 7200' I was getting 26-32 MPG in town and ~36 MPG hwy
At 1100' I am getting 30 mpg hwy, I dont really have any towns to ride in anymore.
Also, what are the factory settings on the carbs? clip level, pilot turns, jet sizing I have been researching, but I keep finding what everybody is changing to and not much on factory. I would rather go back to that and work from there than try to guess about adjusting from wherever it is set now (I have no clue on what is in there now, I was told it was adjusted to race in Denver, CO)
Other than the fairings being removed and different turn signals, the bike is stock (even the mufflers).
Huge drop in MPG's? Elevation or Fairings?
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jollykreiger
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2016 4:20 am
Re: Huge drop in MPG's? Elevation or Fairings?
Generally, the higher you go, the less power the engine develops, and the rider naturally opens the throttle more to keep the same speeds.
I've never heard of fairing detaching by themselves, perhaps they weren't fitted properly?
You'll have lost some of the streamlining effect, so as you day, it's less efficient.
But countering those factors, your bike is lighter, and there's led air resistance at altitude.
Haynes or shop manual gives all of the standard jet sizes.
It may be simpler to buy a set of 2nd hand std carbs to swap.
I've never heard of fairing detaching by themselves, perhaps they weren't fitted properly?
You'll have lost some of the streamlining effect, so as you day, it's less efficient.
But countering those factors, your bike is lighter, and there's led air resistance at altitude.
Haynes or shop manual gives all of the standard jet sizes.
It may be simpler to buy a set of 2nd hand std carbs to swap.
It's not falling off, it's an upgrade opportunity.
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jollykreiger
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2016 4:20 am
Re: Huge drop in MPG's? Elevation or Fairings?
I get what you are saying about the elevation and mpg, my car lost 2 mpg hwy up there.
I bought the bike at that elevation and LOST mpg bringing it down to the lower elevation. Opposite of what should have happened.
As far as the fairings. The P.O. had dropped it, so there was a crack in that side down by my knee, but from what I can tell. It looks like the tabs up in the front broke (by the headlight) and the air had gotten in behind it and then it just became a sail after that.
I will also just say my road speed at that time wasnt helping anything.
I bought the bike at that elevation and LOST mpg bringing it down to the lower elevation. Opposite of what should have happened.
As far as the fairings. The P.O. had dropped it, so there was a crack in that side down by my knee, but from what I can tell. It looks like the tabs up in the front broke (by the headlight) and the air had gotten in behind it and then it just became a sail after that.
I will also just say my road speed at that time wasnt helping anything.