How To Improve Fuel MPG on R3T

[GPMAZ]

You're pushing a big hunk of plastic through the air at 10 MPH over the speed limit. Assuming a 65 MPH speed limit that means you're cruising at 75 MPH. Drop that to 10 MPH under the speed limit and watch your mileage improve significantly. I routinely got mid 30's on my R3T. I once found myself many miles from a gas station and had to stretch a tank of gas. I kept the speed to around 50 MPH and got between 45 - 50 MPG. That was tuned, with triple K&Ns and Jardines. Took forever and was incredibly boring.

Bottom line is it can be done, but you could also get a Prius.

 

[rocketjohn]

Yesterday I rode about 200 miles and speed varied 35 to 60 mph...I may, judging by the LCD display have gotten the best mileage of any trip lately, but I'll see for sure when I top up.

 

[alpental]

Yesterday I rode about 200 miles and speed varied 35 to 60 mph...I may, judging by the LCD display have gotten the best mileage of any trip lately, but I'll see for sure when I top up.

A few weeks ago, I... umm, someone I know was riding a few hours through the empty desert, cruising around 115 and hitting 140 a couple times. That person wasn't even making it 100 miles between fill-ups!

 

[Claviger]

If you're serious about getting high mileage, go see a tuner that knows how to tune, and not one that just sets the AFRs to 13:1 and calls it good. I get 28mph consistently +/- 1 mpg, 100% city driving of which its about 60% commute 40% play, and my map is intentionally setup a little rich everywhere for better throttle response, except a very narrow 14.3:1 cruise area between 2250-2750 range in 4th and 5th gear.

A good tuner can get you some pretty significant increases in MPG by tuning everything under 15% but between 1500-4000 RPM for lean cruise, which would use about 15% less fuel at those regions than the stock tune. It'll run warmer if you have aftermarket headers, but the trade off is a good bit more mileage.

I've had the R3 running at 16:1 AFRs on the freeway with no adverse effects. When my motor was opened up, the pistons and chamber looks perfect. 15.3:1 with +3-5 degrees timing in cruise area of the map is completely acceptable from a safety standpoint. This setup won't do any favors for a catalytic converter though.

Do keep in mind the Touring is about as aerodynamic as a bus and its a car size motor that is trying to keep the catalytic converters safe and functioning.

 

[warp9.9]

You would b e amazed at how inacurate a O2 sensor is no matter who sells it. And I of course they all deteriorate and or decay with use.

 

[Claviger]

While I totally agree with you, I've 3 different widebands here, LM-2, PC-AT, and an LC-2, they all agree on readings so I'm pretty confident about them. For that exact reason though, I'll be pulling the wideband off the bike now that I know the tune is dialed in, and putting it in storage until the Carp stuff arrives.

The new Bosch sensors are quite a bit better than the last generation stuff.

Really though, it's another reason, among many, an exhaust gas analyzer vs an O2 sensor is so much better.

 

[sonny]

Ok, Let me think about this for a minute. Gas milage and how to improve it? Lets see went out and bought the biggest **** motorcycle on the market and now can not figure why it is getting such #rappy gas milage. Ok, back to thinking about it for a minute. Well that did not work either. Bought a ROCKET X about a year ago and still do not have a clue what kind of gas milage we are getting do not care either. I ride about 115 miles a day and now have 18,500 miles on the bike. When I ride I love it and just flat out get it on the Highway (most of my riding is done on open Highway) I usually only have to add about $5.75 to $6.00 dollars a day for gas. #ell I have spent more money on amusement rides and did not have have as much fun as I do riding the ROCKET X.

 

[warp9.9]

Not trying to burst anyone bubble hear and I only used the bosh units which when compared t o a multispectrum gas analyser iwase able to comp for the inaccuracies. As for the stock 02 narrow band sensor it only works in the 14.25 to 14.5 range if my memory sreves me right but as I am typing I ak also partaking in a mason jar. Even if I am off a few points ( which those that know me know I am retired and earned being off) a little any way its like dealing with someone who reads like in fractions and can't measure. I just wanted to point out that if the wide ban bosh O2 sensor says 13.8 its more like 14.3 and well the ecu is limited to narrow ban but not limited to its inefficient capabilities.

And now for another swill of corn. Did I mention how much I enjoy you guys and your thoughts.

As it would be pretty boaring at my age without you !!!!!!!

 

[rocketjohn]

Well, Sonny I agree in principle...we just aren't gonna get what a Yamaha 250 will get, and should not ever expect it. But, there is a range that is achievable depending on tuning, riding style, location and so on. And it's only natural to see if you can do better than what you are doing now. Some of us are trying to get the most bang for the buck, but it's sure nice if we unlock a few ponies and keep fuel economy too. Within a certain envelope it's doable. If you are going to stay stock and really are happy with that...then economy is still a game you can have fun with, even though we are riding the biggest regular production bike made!

 

[Rick McC.]

Trade it in on a Bonneville; it sounds like you made the wrong Triumph choice...