I called two BMW dealers here in Southern California, and both service departments didn't think 37 mpg was bad mileage. I just wonder if there are anything out of adjustment. It does not have a chip, and the cat code plug is still in place. California gas is probably to blame. I used to get 10% worse mileage in the winter. I guess I will have to go to San Diego and back to check road mileage. 180 miles round trip. Oh well, if I have tooooooo.
"We're surrounded, that simplifies our problem."-Chesty Puller
I finally was able to do a road loop and check road mileage. I did a 184.2 mile loop and got 48.783 mpg using 3.739 gallons of gas. The gas light never came on. So, I guess the problem with city driving, is my driving. I didn't think I was heavy handed, not that was I trying to be....but I was. I will keep the engine under 4K rpm and try another city tank. These bikes are very different from the old Airheads in so many ways. Thanks to everyone's help and input with this FNG question.
"We're surrounded, that simplifies our problem."-Chesty Puller
Hey guys, I'm new to the forum. I was wondering what octane you guys are using. I'm ridin' a '02 R1150R at the moment and the user's manual recommends using premium. I read a post here that someone was using 87 octane. Any adverse effects of using 87octane instead of the premium? Which octane will get me more mileage?
Use the lowest octane rating that does not result in knocking or pinging. If you can use 87 and it does not ping, great, no need to waste money on more expensive gasolines. I use 87 or 89 during cooler times and need to use premium when it is hot out.
Octane ratings will not change your milage by any noticable amount.
I was dreaming when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray...
tcm,
Welcome to the site! I pretty much always use the mid-grade 89. In the summer, I will do every other tank with premium 92 because of pinging when its really hot.
I used to live in Naples 10 years ago and it's pretty much hot all the time. You can try all three grades and see what works best for you. The mileage should be about the same. I also use Seafoam in the winter in just about every tank and in the summer I put it in about once a month.
Enjoy your new R and watch out for the snowbirds! You will find a lot of great info on this site. Consider becoming a member and make a donation. It is money well spent for the amount of knowledge and know-how you will learn from it.
As Challey said, I actually experienced better mileage on my 03 single park with spirited riding in the mountains than just cruising around. My light would consistently come on at about 167 or so. Of course the open highway with a tail wind at moderate constant speeds will get you the best (I'd get 50+ sometimes)...but that's very boring riding also.
An engine performs most efficiently at the peak of the torque band - optimum work for optimum inputs. For both single and dual spark models of the R1150R's that occurs around 5200-5400rpm. Try some running around without going below 3500 rpm and without shifting before 6000 rpm. If you do it right, you should see some improvement in your overall mileage performance. Of course, nothing can cure the poor mileage achieved when you stop, idle, or do tortoise starts. And among the U.S.'s 50 some blends of what we used to call gasoline, there is no accounting for the drop in efficiency using less than well formulated fuel.
Hi, I just bought a 02 R1150R with 30k mi. on it. My first couple of tanks of gas are running about 35/36 MPG. This is 75% city driving. Is this normal?
Normal for our west coast 10% ethanol, combined with city riding.
Not to worry.
Buckster wrote:tcm,
Welcome to the site! I pretty much always use the mid-grade 89. In the summer, I will do every other tank with premium 92 because of pinging when its really hot.
I used to live in Naples 10 years ago and it's pretty much hot all the time. You can try all three grades and see what works best for you. The mileage should be about the same. I also use Seafoam in the winter in just about every tank and in the summer I put it in about once a month.
Enjoy your new R and watch out for the snowbirds! You will find a lot of great info on this site. Consider becoming a member and make a donation. It is money well spent for the amount of knowledge and know-how you will learn from it.
Thanks for the advice Buckster. Yes, I have been dodging old folks down here in FL everytime I get on Tamiami. I can't tell you how many times i've almost gotten killed by bad drivers. Anyways, I think I'll go with the 89/91 (mid) octane and stick with that. Thanks.
