Gas Mileage

Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 3

I bought a 2005 Sabre 1100 Monday and was told to expect 60 - 65 mpg. I filled up today and got 150 miles out of 3 gallons of gas giving me 50 mpg. I have seen elsewhere that some people are getting 35-40 mpg on older models.

Was I lied to? What should I be getting? How about a 2005 Rebel 250?

Is there a website available that has information on fuel effieciency for different bikes?

Thanks

Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 45

Congrats on the new bike. I have an 1100 Spirit - a little different gearing, but pretty much the same bike. I get around 50, too, and I'm happy with that. It's going to depend on your driving - city vs hwy, all that stuff that you already know - and how much you can resist twisting the grip! But 50 is pretty good.

Joined: 22 Oct 2005 Posts: 53 Location: NC

Just curious, what is normal for a new VTX1300? I thought I would be getting around 45, but I don't think it's doing that well. I only get "twisty" on the throttle once or twice on avg each time I ride, so I'm guessing it's because it's not broken in yet. Does the gas mileage on bikes improve after break-in like on cars?

David

Joined: 02 Jan 2005 Posts: 339

My 05 Rebel gets between 72 and 84mpg. On the interstate at a constant 75mph it gets 80mpg.

Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 3

Thanks for the input. For what it's worth, the 50mpg I quoted was on my first tank of gas, so if it gets better after break in, I'd be one happy camper, but I'm thinking it'll only go south from here.

I've been having a little trouble with the bike. It died on me yesterday and they said it was a pinched fuel line, but I'm not sure if I'm buying that explination or not. Today on the way home, it slipped out of gear for just a second when I was shifting from 3rd to 4th , and the speedometer seems to be off by about 10mph or so when I get up around 70.

I love riding the bike, but I hate wondering if it's going to get me where I want to go. If I didn't care about that, I would have bought a Harley. Hopefully the bugs are worked out.....

Keep riding

Posted: Fri May 05, 2006 8:20 pm

When I had my ACE 1100 I used to get between 39-41 mpg's. My VTX 1300 has been getting 43 mpg's but I only have 500 miles on her. I suspect that will increase slightly.

Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 11 Location: Warroad, MN

My nighthawk went 100 miles on a tank and it has a 4.something gallon tank..it's not getting the best gas mileage. It's still running kind of rough, going to try the carb rebuild kit I think.

Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 45

Hey Serv -
A pinched fuel line? Have you played with anything that would have caused that? It's always possible, you'll just have to keep riding to see if that's what's actually happened. Slipping out of gear? That's unusual, as far as I know. How many times did this happen? Could be an adjustment is all that's needed.
They all seem to have a discrepancy with speedometers, though. That's a fact.
Your bike should perform better than most of it's type out on the road. Don't let a couple of instances throw you off if that's all they are.

Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Hudson Falls, NY

I also have a 05 Saber. With the pipes and a twisty right hand I get anywhere from 40-45 mpg.
Not the best but it sure beats the 10-14 mpg on the truck, so I'll keep smiling everytime I ride the bike the 20 miles each way to work.

Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 286 Location: Washington

I noticed the mileage on my 750 Aero got better as I rode it.

Type of fuel used is also a big factor. Meaning regular fuel vs ethanol. I was getting a consistant 65-70 mpg on the bike until I took a trip to the midwest. Since ethanol doesn't have the BTU's that gas does, you're mileage will drop. Mine dropped down to 45 mpg.

Having a 'lead hand' will also suck up the fuel. I don't race from red light to red light, and I don't try to impress anyone with how fast the bike will accelerate from a stop and on the highway I keep it within 5-10 of the posted limit.

My 2005 Rebel gets a consistant 85-90 mpg, UNLESS I have the throttle firewalled, then mileage drops to the mid 70's. My better half gets a consistant 95-100 mpg out of his Rebel.

Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 7:23 pm

Congrats on the Scoot, great choice. I have yet to get better than 44 mpg on mine. Be sure to only run regular gas, that's all that is required. Your mileage may vary depending on weather, terrain and how hard you get on it.

Oh yeah, in my opinion you were lied to.

The speedo is off by about 10% at all speeds except 0. The slip out of gear sounds like an improperly adjusted clutch or shift linkage. I had to "fix" the linkage on mine within 1 week of purchase.

The motor of that bike is usually referred to as "Bulletproof". For very Sabre specific answers http://forums.delphiforums.com/sabregroup/start

That doesn't mean there aren't Sabre owners/riders here, just more Sabre only folks there.

Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 286 Location: Washington

Imstilcrazee wrote:

The speedo is off by about 10% at all speeds except 0.

I've noticed that on all three of our Hondas as well. However, ours are accurate until about 30 mph, then the 10% error. At least, that's what my deputy with the radar gun told me....backed up by my Garmin GPS.

Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Oregon

I think it is important to remember that the motorcycle salesman is a very close relative of the car salesman species. Since bikes tend to be even more emotional purchases than cars, many of us are less suspicious of the bike salesman than we would be of car salesmen. Not that all are of questionable integrity, most are highly honest.
I have been shopping for a 750 Aero and when I asked about gas mileage I was told to expect 70 or so mpg. I was suspicious so a few minutes later I asked about the fuel capacity and then what kind of range I should expect, the answer? about 150 miles or so. 8)
But, that is why I am here, I want to find out what real world mpg I should expect from the 750?

Joined: 05 May 2006 Posts: 3

Thanks for all the input. I guess time will tell. As much as I tell myself not to be gullible, I guess I still am sometimes. I asked the salesman today, and he still swears by the 60-65 mpg statement. I guess if it gets that bad, I can just ride the wife's Rebel. He also recommended 89 or better octane, but I tried to set him straight on that.

Hey Imstilcrazee, where did you get those hard bags? Those are nice. I'm guessing $700-800 plus $150-200 for brackets?