My NC gas mileage last tank

[mtbmike]

Guys I decided to push my tank a bit and managed 270.9 miles in just 3.4 gallons of gas. It cost me less than 10 bucks to fill up that's what I'm talking about. I tried really hard not to exceed 60mph and it paid off. I have ran the tank down to 3.6 so I was on pace for a 285 mile tank. Why the hell would I ever get rid of a bike that pulls mpgs like that.

 

[670cc]

Yup. She can do it. I did 300 miles on a tank once, just to prove to myself it could be done. If you're trying to do 300, it's best to carry some spare fuel along.

OTOH, push a strong headwind at 75 mph and your range is barely 150 miles.

 

[belrix]

Awesome range, congrats!

I'm happy with 180.

 

[Deleted member 5383]

I'd love to recreate my highest fuel economy days (mid- and high-80s) when I was riding more for fuel economy and not pushing things as hard. But I'm real satisfied with my lowest where I'm riding fast and accelerating hard relatively speaking. This is probably aided by my aftermarket pipe/silencer a bit, something the previous owner also remarked on -- and the fact that I don't currently need panniers which adds a fair amount of wind resistance. I usually just slow down to 65 or so when the headwinds and grades get to be too much.

 

[SergeantChuck]

I give zero thought to fuel economy and ride this bike hard. I still average between 52 - 62 MPG depending on the time of year. Even at 52 MPG, you just can't beat that. I rode CBR's prior to this bike and didn't come close to 52 MPG. You made a wise decision if you bought the bike for fuel economy. I bought it to commute.

On a side note, fuel is expensive there. We are paying $2.06 right now. You must be close to $3 a gallon.

 

[anglachel]

It's one of the cheapest ways to get around...

I am in the process of doing the math on electric cars right now, and the NC is cheaper (for fuel) than the electric cars per mile. (but if my wife can drive the electric car most days that'd be a money saver over the life of a car.)

Even the bicycle fuel costs are higher than the NC...
I measure put the bicycle at ~80 mpg but have you priced out a gallon of craft beer lately (I don't know about the "motor" on other bicycles but mine complains if I use the cheap fuel) craft beer comes in at ~330 calories a pint, 8 pints in a gallon, ~330 calories for one hour of biking at 10mph, so ~80mpg and at $5 a pint that's 50 cents a mile... compared to 5 cents a mile for the NC (assuming $2.75 a gallon for gas and 60mpg)

 

[rmezei]

can you show us your bike when you did this or tell us? did you have luggage set on? what windshield you got?

 

[670cc]

It's one of the cheapest ways to get around...

I am in the process of doing the math on electric cars right now, and the NC is cheaper (for fuel) than the electric cars per mile. (but if my wife can drive the electric car most days that'd be a money saver over the life of a car.)

What drags down the economy of riding a motorcycle vs driving a car is the cost of tires. Motorcycles eat tires and the tires are relatively expensive. I didn't do the math on the NC, but on my old ST1100 the tire cost was as much as the fuel.

 

[Deleted member 5383]

Not the only way motorcycle maintenance costs are higher. The higher volume and competitiveness of the automotive field makes more affordable products and services available.

 

[ld_rider]

It's one of the cheapest ways to get around...

I think motorcycles are probably one of the <most> expensive ways to get around. Especially considering total cost of ownership and the fact that you need a second vehicle.

 

[rmezei]

I think motorcycles are probably one of the <most> expensive ways to get around. Especially considering total cost of ownership and the fact that you need a second vehicle.

for the NC though ... wouldn't you say it's the tires only? at 12 K interval oil change it's not so bad - provided the chain lasts a while...

 

[Red NC]

It's one of the cheapest ways to get around...

I am in the process of doing the math on electric cars right now, and the NC is cheaper (for fuel) than the electric cars per mile. (but if my wife can drive the electric car most days that'd be a money saver over the life of a car.)

After I was riding my NC for a few months, getting phenomenal gas mileage (75+mpg) vs. my previous VTX1300C (45), it occurred to me, "Could I get similar, or even better fuel economy in a car?" That fall, I picked up a new Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), that allows me to plug in and for most of my driving I am able to drive on electricity while still having a gas engine when I need to go farther. Depending on my driving, there have been several "tankfulls" of gas where I have driven well over 1500 miles on only 12 gallons of gasoline and a few hundred kWh of electricity. It generally comes out to less than a Nickle per mile to drive. I also have a fully electric car that also has a per mile cost of 3- 5 cents.

All because of my NC !!

 

[ld_rider]

Depending on my driving, there have been several "tankfulls" of gas where I have driven well over 1500 miles on only 12 gallons of gasoline

Quite a few Chevy Volts running around with 10,000+ miles on them and they <still> haven't burned a tank of fuel!

 

[PortlandZinMan]

Quite a few Chevy Volts running around with 10,000+ miles on them and they <still> haven't burned a tank of fuel!

Love my Volt! 30,000 miles and in that time I have burned a TOTAL of 112 gallons of gas (and only because we take it to Canada 4 times a year).

 

[Fuzzy]

Michelin tires on my Honda pickup cost under $1,000 a set and last 110,000 miles. Bought truck new and at 405,000 miles depreciation is under 8 cents a mile and dropping. Honda dealer will change oil on truck cheaper than dealer will on NC. Tineups on truck are at 100,000 miles. It goes on and definitely truck is cheaper vehicle to own and operate.

BUT THE NC IS MUCH MORE FUN TO DRIVE.

 

[77GL]

My average for my first 3910 miles on a leftover 2012 bought new in 2016 is 82.7271056

 

[ld_rider]

BUT THE NC IS MUCH MORE FUN TO DRIVE.

^^^^^^ This! ^^^^^^^

 

[mtbmike]

My bike has a Honda touring windscreen and the side racks were installed I didn't use any of my boxes and I weigh about 165 lbs. I run Shinko 705s they are cheap as dirt and are lasting a long time.

 

[mtbmike]

My average for my first 3910 miles on a leftover 2012 bought new in 2016 is 82.7271056

I think I can do better by taking my side racks off and be a bit easier on the throttle I want to be in the three hundred club. I text my buddy those picture who brags about his mileage on his vstrom 650 and he had no response lol.

 

[dduelin]

I've done 80 mpg or better for up to 100 miles but 45-50 mph for 300 I'd never make it.....I'd fall asleep and run off the road.