12NC700X
New Member
I posted in the "Join Fuelly" thread about my initial experiences with the NC and fuel economy, but I wanted to post here to try to get some ideas about how to ride for fuel economy.
So, a bit about the bike. I picked up a used 2012 with 1315 miles. It has a very large set of square side cases. The top box is also the biggest I have ever seen and its elevated a bit to clear the enormous side cases. I'm not a fan, changes ARE coming. It also has the larger Honda windscreen and I think all of this may add a bit of drag. On my ride there was also a bit of a head wind, maybe 10mph consistently.
Now a bit about me. I'm ham fisted, what can I say? But I do know how to ride and get good gas mileage. I recently had a Raider and always got better than the numbers posted by Yamaha and other Raider riders, 52MPG on average but occassionally higher (if I really worked at it like I did today). That said, I bought this bike hoping to achieve some of the numbers I have seen.
Now lets talk about road conditions and ride technique on this trip. I road from Dallas to Houston but took the long way down I-35 (interstate), 77 , 6 (both 4 lane) and 1488, 359, 1093 (all 2 lane). All smooth roads with Speed limits ranging from 30 mph for a brief time in the small towns to 75 mph on the 4 lanes and Interstate. No traffic any where other than the occasional red light in the small towns. Every stop/start, I short shifted like CRAZY. ALL shifts were between 2-3k rpms which means I am in top gear around 50-55mph (or even before most times). Never once did I exceed 3k rpms while accelerating. Once I achieved top gear I rolled on slowly to the speed limit and set my cruise control. I never once exceeded 4k rpms.
The first fuel stop I averaged 45.99 mpg I spent about 10 minutes in a neighborhood but most of the riding was interstate with speeds of 65-75mph. Mostly held it around 70.
The second fuel stop I averaged 54 mpg with more of the same, but at overall slower speeds on 4 lanes roads. Short shifting like mad, never getting above 4k rpms. Most of this leg was spent around the 60 mph range on average. At every red light I pulled in the clutch and coasted to a stop (no revving or down shifts) and a couple of times I actually turned the bike off while stopped at red lights.
The 3rd stop will be sometime tomorrow and I know its going to suck because I was closer to Houston and home. Everyone in Houston drives like they have a terminal illness and after dark you're just a target. So my speeds, acceleration, everything, was like I meant it. Shifts were hard to 5k rpms, freeway speeds were 80mph. I bet I get below 30mpg on this leg.
Now then, that said, knowing the way I rode on the 1st and 2nd leg of my trip (because I honestly don't think I could have ridden any smoother or consistently. In fact I'll be glad to challenge ANYONE in the Houston area to a ride off but it has to be face to face, no fuelly only numbers, sorry), leads me to a few of observations about the numbers I am seeing on fuelly; (SARCASM ALERT!!!) 1.) The numbers are suspect 2.) Some people practice voodoo or dark magic 3.) Everyone rides below 70mph and accelerates like driving miss daisy making my short shift attempts look like childs play. 0-60mph in the 60 second plus range.
I may take some video tomorrow so you guys can see exactly what I am talking about with my shifting and acceleration. I swear to god if I rode my Raider like I rode the NC today I would have gotten close to 60mpg or better. Same for my DRZ400SM, not the 50mpg I saw on the NC. What gives? Advice? Questions? If anyone could share ride technique or tricks. It would be greatly appreciated.
So, a bit about the bike. I picked up a used 2012 with 1315 miles. It has a very large set of square side cases. The top box is also the biggest I have ever seen and its elevated a bit to clear the enormous side cases. I'm not a fan, changes ARE coming. It also has the larger Honda windscreen and I think all of this may add a bit of drag. On my ride there was also a bit of a head wind, maybe 10mph consistently.
Now a bit about me. I'm ham fisted, what can I say? But I do know how to ride and get good gas mileage. I recently had a Raider and always got better than the numbers posted by Yamaha and other Raider riders, 52MPG on average but occassionally higher (if I really worked at it like I did today). That said, I bought this bike hoping to achieve some of the numbers I have seen.
Now lets talk about road conditions and ride technique on this trip. I road from Dallas to Houston but took the long way down I-35 (interstate), 77 , 6 (both 4 lane) and 1488, 359, 1093 (all 2 lane). All smooth roads with Speed limits ranging from 30 mph for a brief time in the small towns to 75 mph on the 4 lanes and Interstate. No traffic any where other than the occasional red light in the small towns. Every stop/start, I short shifted like CRAZY. ALL shifts were between 2-3k rpms which means I am in top gear around 50-55mph (or even before most times). Never once did I exceed 3k rpms while accelerating. Once I achieved top gear I rolled on slowly to the speed limit and set my cruise control. I never once exceeded 4k rpms.
The first fuel stop I averaged 45.99 mpg I spent about 10 minutes in a neighborhood but most of the riding was interstate with speeds of 65-75mph. Mostly held it around 70.
The second fuel stop I averaged 54 mpg with more of the same, but at overall slower speeds on 4 lanes roads. Short shifting like mad, never getting above 4k rpms. Most of this leg was spent around the 60 mph range on average. At every red light I pulled in the clutch and coasted to a stop (no revving or down shifts) and a couple of times I actually turned the bike off while stopped at red lights.
The 3rd stop will be sometime tomorrow and I know its going to suck because I was closer to Houston and home. Everyone in Houston drives like they have a terminal illness and after dark you're just a target. So my speeds, acceleration, everything, was like I meant it. Shifts were hard to 5k rpms, freeway speeds were 80mph. I bet I get below 30mpg on this leg.
Now then, that said, knowing the way I rode on the 1st and 2nd leg of my trip (because I honestly don't think I could have ridden any smoother or consistently. In fact I'll be glad to challenge ANYONE in the Houston area to a ride off but it has to be face to face, no fuelly only numbers, sorry), leads me to a few of observations about the numbers I am seeing on fuelly; (SARCASM ALERT!!!) 1.) The numbers are suspect 2.) Some people practice voodoo or dark magic 3.) Everyone rides below 70mph and accelerates like driving miss daisy making my short shift attempts look like childs play. 0-60mph in the 60 second plus range.
I may take some video tomorrow so you guys can see exactly what I am talking about with my shifting and acceleration. I swear to god if I rode my Raider like I rode the NC today I would have gotten close to 60mpg or better. Same for my DRZ400SM, not the 50mpg I saw on the NC. What gives? Advice? Questions? If anyone could share ride technique or tricks. It would be greatly appreciated.
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