109 fuel mileage

[jtrich]

Hey guys, what kind of fuel mileage do y'all get with y'all 109? I know its a big motor but my first tank was 42 mpg and it's been going down ever since. My recent fill up was 34mpg. It seems to run the same but the mileage should get better as it breaks in not worse.
Even at 32mpg a $16.50 fill up for a week back and forth to work sure beats $94.00 in my truck. And I have more fun as a bonus.
James

If anyone is interested I have a spread sheet that figure and keeps a record of your fuel mileage and expense. I can upload it for y'all.

[Ctatyk]

I usually average right around 35mpg.
1. I have quite a few factors that make it to where I don't get better mileage.
2. I weigh about 350lbs.
3. I have a penchant for speed, my bike regularly sees trips (triple digits).
4. When I take off, I'm not a grandpa...generally, it's more of a launch than anything.

However, when riding back from South-western Missouri, I managed to get 188 miles on 1 tank (I put in almost 5 gallons). I rode from Ozark, MO. to Kingdom City, MO. on a single tank. There must have been a tail wind or something, because I was doing 80mph most of the time.

[jtrich]

Ok so I guess I doing about normal. I ride this thing very easy most of my cruising is done at 60 mph. I usually take off easy but I am learning the launch. It's much easier than taking off slow. I was starting to think I'm too easy on it so I've been accelerating a little harder so I can at least hear the pipes talk.
James

[new109rider]

Keep us posted. I was hoping to get btwn 45-50. I didnt get the bike for the speed but rather the look and feel, so I hope I can do a little better than 35. I am finding that being a little harder on the throttle at "launch" makes it easier to handle too. Thanks for the insight. I have a new love in my life. Been riding it for about 2 weeks.

[jtrich]

I just filled up again and got 42 mpg like my first tank. 1) I used Exxon gas, and 2) I have been accelerating a little harder and getting the rpms higher than I was. I think I was lugging it and causing it to burn more gas from straining.
I will try a few more tanks like this and then try a different fuel and see if that was any difference.
If I can get consistent 42 mpg back and forth to work which is only four miles I should be able to get over 45 mpg on a highway trip.
James

[BigDave]

Like Ctatyk I'm a big guy(330). Are you in any hills?? Also, any
small trips in between will lower your MPG. I get 35-40 average. But If on a long ride, 40-44. I too like to launch.

[Ctatyk]

Nope...not too many hills. I just have this penchant for avoiding speed limit.
Without fail, I'll look down while riding on the interstate and see triple digits on the speedo. NOT the best way to conserve fuel.

I really really really need to slow it down some. I'd probably be getting excellent mileage then. I'll let you all know how things go when I put my bike on a diet this weekend...LOL

[jtrich]

Nope...not too many hills. I just have this penchant for avoiding speed limit.
Without fail, I'll look down while riding on the interstate and see triple digits on the speedo. NOT the best way to conserve fuel.

I really really really need to slow it down some. I'd probably be getting excellent mileage then. I'll let you all know how things go when I put my bike on a diet this weekend...LOL

Triple digits! Do you have a windshield? I haven't been on the interstate much because the wind is so bad. I think I need a different helmet, I have a 3/4 with a shield and at 80 mph it starts to pull off my head. Would a full face helmet not do this and cut through the wind better?
James

[Ctatyk]

Nope, no windshield. I actually like the buffeting of the wind. It makes for a more aggressive feel to the ride. ALso, it's just FUN!

I wear a full face helmet from HJC because I wear a XXXL & they're one of the few to offer one at a decent price. I wear the black/white/silver Draco model. So long as I'm not lazy & strap the helmet down snugly as you're supposed to, no problems with it trying to come off. If I just give the strap a little pull...it tries to come off or slide around on my head. So, yeah, I'm pretty careful when I put on my equipment.

A few people that I know complain about visibility with a full face helmet on. I've not noticed since the opening/face shield is so large on this one.

I've had the bike up to an indicated 135 for a very short shot trying to catch up to Jim & Tim on their Busa's. They both have 9's and Busa's...Must be rough eh? Anyway, I had NO chance of catching either of them until they let out of it...then, I went ahead and blew by them... They were still moving at a very good clip, but I couldn't let them have all of the fun!

Yeah, Trips is nuts...but so am I!

[2006moy]

Nope, no windshield. I actually like the buffeting of the wind. It makes for a more aggressive feel to the ride. ALso, it's just FUN!

I wear a full face helmet from HJC because I wear a XXXL & they're one of the few to offer one at a decent price. I wear the black/white/silver Draco model. So long as I'm not lazy & strap the helmet down snugly as you're supposed to, no problems with it trying to come off. If I just give the strap a little pull...it tries to come off or slide around on my head. So, yeah, I'm pretty careful when I put on my equipment.

A few people that I know complain about visibility with a full face helmet on. I've not noticed since the opening/face shield is so large on this one.

I've had the bike up to an indicated 135 for a very short shot trying to catch up to Jim & Tim on their Busa's. They both have 9's and Busa's...Must be rough eh? Anyway, I had NO chance of catching either of them until they let out of it...then, I went ahead and blew by them... They were still moving at a very good clip, but I couldn't let them have all of the fun!

Yeah, Trips is nuts...but so am I!

Your a bad man i cant ride with you at BB @ BBQ! You law breaker ;)

[jtrich]

I've been up to 120 mph just to see it do it but I'm still scared of it. Never been that fast on two wheels. It had more throttle than I had road though.
I've been wanting to get a full face helmet, those HJC's look pretty cool. I like the one with the integrated sun shield. I wear a XXL right now, are all helmet sizes pretty much standard? Any place online you would recommend to order one?

[Scooter]

I would try a helmet on first, sizes vary among manufacturers. then if you find one on line cheaper you know there is no second guessing

[INFERNL]

My first two tanks have been right at 36 mpg... a little less than I was hoping for. My GSXR1K gets better mileage but I suppose that the comfort of the 9 is worth a few mpgs.

[jtrich]

So far I have gotten from 35 to 42. My running average on my spread sheet is 38. This is still back and forth to work, I haven't taken any long trips yet.
James