[gremlin]

The latest lab report in the on-going saga.

I sure wish I could get at least 90% of the old oil out each change.

I rode the bike about 1 mile, filled the tank, added stabil, rode it 1 mile home ..... then ....  changed the oil.   The oil that came out wasn't even as warm as my hand.

[barenekd]

I suspect your fuel could have been high because you didn't get it warm enough steam that excess cold start gas out.
Bare

[GlennF]

On a related note. There have always been claims the iron bullets suffer from oil starvation if you lug the engine.  This is of course an issue in any engine with a mechanical fuel pump running under load at lower revs. Ironically, despite most riders tendency to keep revs down if they want to preserve the engine,  many engines are more reliable if run at higher revs where oil pressure is higher and more stable.

It would be very interesting to see a pair of these tests run on a UCE bike, one tests where the engine is run at around 4000 rpm for 1000 km and the other test where it has been lugged for the same distance.

[Ducati Scotty]

I rode the bike about 1 mile, filled the tank, added stabil, rode it 1 mile home ..... then ....  changed the oil.   The oil that came out wasn't even as warm as my hand.

These bikes are cold blooded but you don't really notice it since the EFI does a good job compensating and it alwasy seems to run smooht.  I ride about 30 minutes and 11 miles to work.  My bike feels like it warms up just about when I get there.  In cold weather I don't think it even gets fully warm.

Scott

[gremlin]

It would be very interesting to see a pair of these tests run on a UCE bike, one tests where the engine is run at around 4000 rpm for 1000 km and the other test where it has been lugged for the same distance.

Well,this one is your high-speed sample.   (notice my fuelly economy)  this bike commutes 25 miles each way the first 2 miles (in both directions) is residential the remaining 23 miles are run at 70 MPH indicated.

that's why my pipes are soo blue, and, my mileage is so low.

[gremlin]

I suspect your fuel could have been high because you didn't get it warm enough steam that excess cold start gas out.
Bare

spot-on !

[gremlin]

These bikes are cold blooded

Almost like they were engineered for a tropical climate!!

[Arizoni]

With this topic in mind, I rode my bike a total of 9.5 miles this morning to heat up the oil before changing it.

The outside temperature was about 80 degrees F and most of the riding was at an indicated 50 mph with a few 25 second stops at some red lights.

When I got home, the engine case was too warm to let my hand rest on it without discomfort and the exhaust/muffler was very hot.
The oil that drained out however wasn't over an estimated 115 degrees F.
In other words, it was warm but not hot enough to cause any discomfort to my hands.

[trimleyman]

Same results here in the bay last time I changed mine. One of those occasional hot spells road it back from work , 13 miles mainly freeway at an actual 65-70 . Oil was only warm not what you would actually call hot. But we must remember that temperatures in India are generally higher than here all year and what we call hot is mild for this machine. Have noticed it runs more happily when it's climbed into the mid 90s and is not overly impressed by chilly (it does not get cold here , despite what the locals say) mornings.

[mattsz]

So what are the implications of this for those of us riding into winter?  I'm already out in slightly-below-freezing temps, but my bike seems to run just fine.  Is a cold-weather oil formulation that's different than a summer weight a good idea?

[gremlin]

So what are the implications of this for those of us riding into winter?  I'm already out in slightly-below-freezing temps, but my bike seems to run just fine.  Is a cold-weather oil formulation that's different than a summer weight a good idea?

Nah, the excess fuel is a result of the enrichment programme that runs until the O2 sensor comes up to temperature.   Even in the bitter cold, the excess fuel is related to the number of start-ups .......   not the distance run.

And the aromatic nature of fuel will help it to disperse, even without extrememly elevated oil temperature.

[mattsz]

Thanks Gremlin!

Actually, I guess I'm guilty of hijacking the thread.  I forgot that the original discussion turned to fuel in the oil.  The talk of oil heating (or not) and engineering for a tropical climate had me wondering.  But aren't they also engineered (or at least EFI mapped) for riding to the top of Everest or something?  It's not tropical there...  I guess I won't worry about it.

[gremlin]

I guess I won't worry about it.

+1

[Alan LaRue]

Well,this one is your high-speed sample.   (notice my fuelly economy)  this bike commutes 25 miles each way the first 2 miles (in both directions) is residential the remaining 23 miles are run at 70 MPH indicated.

that's why my pipes are soo blue, and, my mileage is so low.

Are you saying that the low mileage is the result of running at freeway speeds? My commute is 10 miles further than yours, and I run at an indicated 70 mph (which turns out to be 65 mph). On the tank before last I found myself wringing it out a bit and only got 62 mpg, but normally I get 65 or better. (Actually, since I went up one tooth in front, I've mostly gotten between 65 and 68.)

Maybe your speedometer is more accurate than mine! Or maybe the climate makes a huge difference. My worst mileage ever was 56.9 in January when temperatures were in the 60s and 70s. I deliberately slowed down back around April.

I'm rather surprised you're averaging only 55 mpg.

[Ducati Scotty]

Running 10 miles more gets the engine more warmed up, at that point it runs leaner and gets better mileage.  Bikes with EFI don't have a choke, the EFI just runs them a bit rich until the engine is fully up to temp.  My Ducati got 44mpg on my short 7 mile commute but would get 500mpg on longer rides, even though I was at full throttle most of the time.

Also, above 45mph you're mpg goes down the faster you go.  Air resistance increases exponentially with speed.

Scott