Fuel Consumption

[chesuk]

OK I know I'm opening myself to all sorts of abuse by starting a new fuel thread but I have a serious question

I recently traded in my old 1150 GSA for a brand new 1200 GSA. First impressions were that fuel consumption was poor then it improved marginally - a trend I was hoping would improve as the engine loosened up but now it has taken a huge dive. Currently it is indicating 36 mpg! That's less than 8 miles per litre - the 1150 was turning in 10 or more.

I'm assuming that is not normal - if it is, it will be up for sale pretty soon. It means I can't reliably do my 260 mile commute without a refill and it will cost me at least £500 per year extra in fuel

So questions:

1. What mpg figures are others getting? I want an indication of how far off the norm this is

2. does consumption improve significantly with use?

More info - currently about 1500 miles on the clock - commute is a steady high speed (less then 80) trek on A roads and motorways

 

[cookie]

was getting up to 54 on the computer while running in my TC GSA, but that has now dropped to 47/48. odd as i don't think i cane it much more now than i did whilst running in

my old 07 GSA used to do a couple of mpg less generally, and never went over 50.

my 1150 GS would do 46 if you were lucky, but generally less.

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Mine averages mid 40's and has done since it was new in 2006. I've had it down at 31mpg and as high as 60mpg

You have an issue with set up somewhere so would let the stealer have a look at it

 

[flatdog]

Unless it's something to do with the newness, sounds wrong, when I'm out with a mate and we fill up at the same time, his 1200 uses on average 3 to 4 litres less than my 1150.
That is starting with full tanks, then after a ride @160miles.

 

[(RIP) Miff]

My 2005 1200GS does approx 50mpg.

 

[Blobby]

2011 GSA 6k miles on clock averages 44mpg, mainly A/B roads.

 

[chesuk]

Unless it's something to do with the newness, sounds wrong, when I'm out with a mate and we fill up at the same time, his 1200 uses on average 3 to 4 litres less than my 1150.
That is starting with full tanks, then after a ride @160miles.

Thanks the direct comparison helps - the 1150 is the only reference point I have

Judging by the replies it looks like I need to get it to the dealer

 

[(RIP) Miff]

You do know the 1200 has SIX gears don't you???

 

[boatman]

Somewhere around 50mpg is about what i have had on the last 3 gsa

 

[wideparting]

48-50 on average.

 

[chesuk]

was getting up to 54 on the computer while running in my TC GSA, but that has now dropped to 47/48. odd as i don't think i cane it much more now than i did whilst running in

my old 07 GSA used to do a couple of mpg less generally, and never went over 50.

my 1150 GS would do 46 if you were lucky, but generally less.

Highest I saw was 47 as i rolled it off the dealers forecourt - down to 42 by the time I got home - dropped to 39 as I could push it a bit harder - hovered around 40 for a while and now 36

46 was about par for the 1150

 

[JJH]

45 mpg on mine do not rely on computer only way to test is brim it reset trip ride it brim it do this at least 3 times to get a good idea only works if trip is accurate and pump not telling lies JJH

 

[chesuk]

You do know the 1200 has SIX gears don't you???

Mmm - joking aside I do find I need to kick it down a couple of gears for the 50-70 overtake - it seems particularly gutless at low revs compared to the 1150

 

[chesuk]

45 mpg on mine do not rely on computer only way to test is brim it reset trip ride it brim it do this at least 3 times to get a good idea only works if trip is accurate and pump not telling lies JJH

I have discovered that indicated MPG is an accurate indication of how much my wallet will be lightened at the next refill

Actually the indicated reading is optimistic (reading 41=actual 38)

 

[beatmeier]

average 44 mpg gs 1200/ 2004 / b roads /one up /

 

[TeaPig]

Over a distance exceeding 100,000 miles, on three 1200s with a mixture of commuting, A roads and motorways, I reckon I always expected better than 50mpg unless doing 90+ with panniers which would knock it back to closer 40mpg. Can't trust the petrol gauge, only a full tank and the odometer. I could usually expect to get a maximum of 250 miles from overflowing full to bone dry empty

 

[snerkler]

Mmm - joking aside I do find I need to kick it down a couple of gears for the 50-70 overtake - it seems particularly gutless at low revs compared to the 1150

The twin cam shouldn't, this is one of the areas they've improved it.

As for mpg I get mid 40's commuting in fairly heavy traffic. On open A&B roads I've got it up to mid 50's. I would say Im pretty heavy on the throttle as like to get up to speed as quickly as possible. I also have the throttle adapter which opens the throttle more than standard per degrees of rotation of the throttle. It doesn't alter anything with the engine/ecu, just reduces throttle travel. Arguably this makes it less economical.
I've not done particularly long motorway stints but at 75mph you should get mid to high 40's. Start going above 80mph and the mpg starts going down rapidly.

 

[BeamishTripleBlack]

Twin Cam with 1800 miles, hard riding, showing 47 MPG.

 

[markymark]

My 2011 GSA is sitting @ 43.4 MPG according to the computer

 

[walrus]

2009 GS typically indicates 51