Cruising speed and mileage.

[Deleted account 190117001]

Evening all,
Just a quick question to see what other people think .


I currently use a newly purchased 96 R1100r for commuting
but I'm getting terrible Mpg out of it.

I tend to do around 85-100 mph on fast sweeping European roads
on my daily commute.Nice and steady with no huge acceleration.

I'm getting around 130 miles between the fuel light coming on,
It's a 21 litre tank and the most I put in is 18 litres.

Is there something wrong with the fuel level sender unit,
as I thought I would get more miles between re-fuels.

I'd be much obliged if someone could tell me where I'm going wrong.

 

[Deleted account 190117001]

I've done the maths and it comes out around 35 MPG,
Is this the norm for a wanky old beemer.?

 

[mrsroynie]

The GS's are heavy ol' bikes ... not really best suited for high-speed commuting. They'll do it comfortably enough, but don't expect good mpgs.

I brought my very heavily-laden '02 1150 back across France at the beginning of June and was shocked by apparently poor consumption at 80-85mph. Dropped my speed to 70mph and the consumption improved dramatically.

I haven't done a very scientific comparison against my 1200, but I have a feeling that the newer bike is more economical.

ETA: Sorry, just noticed you are on an R1100R. Still the same probably applies with an older Beemer.

 

[Packer]

Most boxers have the aerodynamics of a brick.

Try doing the trip at a steady 60mph and then advise your fuel consumption. If it's less than 60mpg some attention to the engine may be required. I'm assuming that you've checked that the brake calipers aren't partially seized, tyres underinflated, 12" ally panniers fitted etc.

It can make a big difference just rolling on and off the power gently insteady of full bore acceleration and violent braking.

 

[bowser]

The GS's are heavy ol' bikes ... not really best suited for high-speed commuting. They'll do it comfortably enough, but don't expect good mpgs.

I brought my very heavily-laden '02 1150 back across France at the beginning of June and was shocked by apparently poor consumption at 80-85mph. Dropped my speed to 70mph and the consumption improved dramatically.

I haven't done a very scientific comparison against my 1200, but I have a feeling that the newer bike is more economical.

ETA: Sorry, just noticed you are on an R1100R. Still the same probably applies with an older Beemer.

Just come back from a bit of a trip, we went with an R1100GS, R1150GS, R1200GS, we decided to do a bit of working out of fuel consumption and at 70-75 we got almost exactly the same consumption out of all three, we all filled up at the same time and all used more or less the same fuel for the same milage. We all got about 46-47 miles to the gallon, and that was over 1400 miles

 

[Steptoe]

Any speed over 75 mph and the big twins drink fuel like it's going out of fashion.

 

[Deleted account 190117001]

Thanks everyone,
I don't think I'll be able to cope with crawling along sub 85 Mph.

I'll just have to live with it supping petrol.

Cheers.

 

[MattW]

Only having a 5 speed box, 1100's are quite revvy and like Steppers says, cruising above 4000 rpm makes a big difference to mpg. Even two up with panniers, if I stick to 75 ish my 1100 does 50+, If I ride it like I stole it, it does 40 or less.

There's no future in revving the nuts of big twins - I stick to 75ish, I've also balanced the stupid single throttle cable so that its sweet spot is between 3 - 4.5k rpm - its like a sewing machine at my cruising speed so is nice and relaxed to ride.

If you want to cruise at 85 - 100, you might have the wrong bike....

 

[mrsroynie]

Most boxers have the aerodynamics of a brick.

Try doing the trip at a steady 60mph and then advise your fuel consumption. If it's less than 60mpg some attention to the engine may be required. I'm assuming that you've checked that the brake calipers aren't partially seized, tyres underinflated, 12" ally panniers fitted etc.

It can make a big difference just rolling on and off the power gently insteady of full bore acceleration and violent braking.

Ah yes, just to add ... on the Moscow trip, we were with a guy on an ex-military Harley MT350 with a top speed of 60mph. Cruising along with him, the '05 1200 just barely sipped fuel. Not realistic for the OP, and admittedly dull for long stretches, but very economical for a 6,800-mile trip. Better even than Roynie's '08 1050cc Triumph Tiger!

 

[Steptoe]

Ah yes, just to add ... on the Moscow trip, we were with a guy on an ex-military Harley MT350 with a top speed of 60mph. Cruising along with him, the '05 1200 just barely sipped fuel. Not realistic for the OP, and admittedly dull for long stretches, but very economical for a 6,800-mile trip. Better even than Roynie's '08 1050cc Triumph Tiger!

I rode down morocco on my 1150 (with a 31 litre 1150 ADV tank fitted) with eight C90's - so the speeds were around 40ish mph day after day.

I'd done 360 miles and still had 4 bars showing on my fuel guage before i decided i'd best fill it up before i forgot how to. I reckon i'd have 500 miles out of a tank at those speeds.

 

[Steptoe]

Thanks everyone,
I don't think I'll be able to cope with crawling along sub 85 Mph.

I'll just have to live with it supping petrol.

Cheers.

Work out how much sooner you arrive by going at 75mph rather than 85 mph.

Over a 100 mile distance you'll get there approx 7 minutes quicker.

Factor in the speed adjusted shorter range and over a longer distance and the fuel stop you'll need you'll arrive later by going faster.

 

[jimbo]

I would have thought cracking nearly a ton on a naked bike is never going to be be economic.
On my surrey to Telford commute I found that if I cruised around 80, I could do it on one tank (1150gs), but if I pushed on much harder then I'd need a fuel stop.

 

[GS TRV]

never thought they'd get near a ton

 

[Deleted account 190117001]

Last week I rode the bike like a nun,never over 75 mph.
I managed 160 miles to 15.75 litres (3.5 gallon)
when the fuel light came on.

Anyhow it comes out at 45.7 Mpg,
not to bad for a 16 year old 1100.

 

[leftofcentre]

never thought they'd get near a ton

Almost missed the bloody ferry this last august bank hol weekend when returning from Galway in Ireland.

Had the bike sat at 110mph with full luggage and Mrs hanging on for about half an hour! (Ireland has nice empty new motorways).

Arrived at Dublin Port just as the last cars were embarking at 16:15 for the departure at 16:30

The 1200GS not so smooth at that speed but still had loads of torque and would have given more if asked.

 

[darrenptalbot]

Regularly commute from Bristol to Swansea, 160 mile round trip. If taking my time (70-75mph) gives about 260 miles to fuel light coming on (Adv tank - 30 litres), so about 300 miles to tank. 45mpg ish.

If I make progress, can drop to 200 miles before light comes on - so about 230-240 to tank - not sure I want to work that out!

Steptoe makes a good point - just look at how much time you don't save with the fuel stop factored in!

 

[bowser]

Regularly commute from Bristol to Swansea, 160 mile round trip. If taking my time (70-75mph) gives about 260 miles to fuel light coming on (Adv tank - 30 litres), so about 300 miles to tank. 45mpg ish.

If I make progress, can drop to 200 miles before light comes on - so about 230-240 to tank - not sure I want to work that out!

Steptoe makes a good point - just look at how much time you don't save with the fuel stop factored in!

also factor in the extra time/cost for the fag/coffee/can of coke/bar of choc/packet of crisps etc during the extra stops for fuel.

 

[leftofcentre]

also factor in the extra time/cost for the fag/coffee/can of coke/bar of choc/packet of crisps etc during the extra stops for fuel.

Fuel stops not so much of a factor for me, more the anal hurting from the ever so uncomfy seat !

 

[Pauly S]

1150 gs with narrow panniers

i can do 85mph and i get 45 mpg, if i do 75mph is goes up to 50mpg, if i cruise at 60mph i get around 58mpg.
You twists the gas and makes yer choice
Last fill up i recall was 16.9 lts for 185 miles and the light hadnt come on(22lt tank)
Paul
edit ..last run was a mix of motorway and pottering round town.
convertor here

 

[Canuck]

Running across the continent last summer, around 5000 miles... averaged 285 miles for 26 litres of fuel (Fuel lights just came on so we filled up within 5-10 miles each time). Two bikes, one 04 1150 GSA and one 97 1100 with GSA tank. Very little difference between the two though the 1100 consistently used about 1-3% less. Speeds varied but most time was spend above 3rd gear.