Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum

Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Bullet with the UCE engine => Topic started by: idk on March 02, 2012, 01:03:13 am

Title: MPG
Post by: idk on March 02, 2012, 01:03:13 am
I have read that the RE will get around 80 - 85 miles per gallon. Is that a US gallon or a real one? The reason I ask is that I am getting about 65mpg (in the USA) which is around 80 miles per Imperial gallon. I have around 1,400 miles on my G5.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: singhg5 on March 02, 2012, 01:08:42 am
I have read that the RE will get around 80 - 85 miles per gallon. Is that a US gallon or a real one? The reason I ask is that I am getting about 65mpg (in the USA) which is around 80 miles per Imperial gallon. I have around 1,400 miles on my G5.

Yours is fine at 65 to 70 miles per US gallon.

The 80 miles figure is for Imperial Gallon.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: idk on March 02, 2012, 02:03:45 am
Thanks. I was getting worried, but it is good to know that all is as it should be.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Alan LaRue on March 02, 2012, 03:47:23 pm
I'm averaging 59 mpg with mostly freeway use. Some folks in the U.S. do get over 70 mpg, but they spend less time at 70 mph, I believe.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: barenekd on March 02, 2012, 08:39:56 pm
I find two things that really vary my mileage. Speed and altitude. The faster I go the more it goes down. The higher I go, the more the mileage goes up. If you keep your speed down to 55-60 and keep your acceleration to a moderate, you should easily be able to get over 70 (US) mpg. If you want to cruise 60-65 on the freeway, expect the mileage to drop to about 68. If you what to do 70, look for it to drop to near 60. If you can spend a lot of time above 4000 feet or so, you can look for mid to high 70s.
Or so my experience goes on a 2011 G-5.7200 miles.
Bare
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: idk on March 02, 2012, 10:11:11 pm
That all makes sense. Thanks.  :)  There aren't any 4,000' mountains over here, so I may have to take it for a ride to the Rockies. :) My Triumph RIII got phenomenal mileage at 14,000' when I rode up Mt Evans a couple of years back. Ir would be fun to ride the RE up there.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: DaveT on March 02, 2012, 10:53:16 pm
I'm UK Based with a 2010 C5......I daren't calculate my MPG as the price for fuel here at the moment is just too depressing. Currently £6.23 ($9.86) per Gallon !! Ouch !! & it goes up on a weekly basis, so it's just a case of stick £10 in on a Sunday morning & go for a ride & wait for light to appear. I've got three classic cars & the RE to try & keep fuelled, not funny at these prices !! To all our USA RE comrades, don't rush over to the UK & expect to tour the country cheaply, 'cos it ain't going to happen !!
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: barenekd on March 06, 2012, 05:38:37 pm
Quote
Currently £6.23 ($9.86) per Gallon !!

Was that an Imperial gallon, or  US sized?
This is what I like about the Enfield. Even though the gas has gone up a bunch around here. The average is something like $4.30.gal, It's still only costing me about $1.40 more after 200 or so miles. If we were paying for Imperial gallons, it would equate to about $5.15/gal. I still feel like I'm paying a couple of bucks a galleon compared to any other vehicles I drive.
Bare
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: GreenMachine on March 07, 2012, 12:17:31 am
Yes I;m glad to have my enfield , hyosung 250 and yamaha....Weather should be improving here to ride regularly...Jeeze 10 bucks a imperial gallon...Just a matter of time before we see similiar (hope not)...I've been nursing my accent and geting close to 30 mpg average...Think my next car will average closer to 40...Times are a changing..
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: DaveT on March 07, 2012, 09:17:10 pm
Uk / Imperial Gallon......I cycle to work everyday passing two gas stations, it genuinely is going up by approx 1/2p - 1p per day on the price of a litre of standard unleaded (we don't have gallon measures at the pump anymore !) Currently £1.39 per litre !!
You gotta love the taxation that the UK Govt put on our fuel. For work I drive a 2.0 tdi Ford Transit Van, filling the tank is £122 !! approx twice a week......fortunately I don't have to pay the fuel bills !!
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: gremlin on May 24, 2012, 05:24:51 pm
I commute 2-up near full throttle (70 mph) 20 miles each way twice a day = 52 MPG.

When I keep the speed down to 55 mph I get 63 mpg.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: ace.cafe on May 24, 2012, 08:04:24 pm
It's rated on an Imperial gallon.
That translates to roughly 70 miles per US gallon.
And it's probably rated at cruising speed which is favorable, as opposed to our normal use of combination riding.
And as others have noted, as the speeds increase, the fuel economy decreases.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Rich Mintz on February 08, 2013, 03:18:45 am
I'm a new rider with a 2010 C5, just breaking it in. I've ridden about 800 miles, mostly in city traffic below 40mph with a lot of stop-and-go, some intermittent short stretches of highway. Almost all my riding has been in New York City.

The best I've achieved is about 42 MPG (US). Is this normal? Should I be expecting better?

For what it's worth, I'm a heavy person (250 lbs).

My shifting technique is probably fine - I have 30 years experience driving a manual transmission car.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Arizoni on February 08, 2013, 04:08:34 am
That's way below the mileage my 2011 G5 is giving me but I weigh about 100 pounds less than you do.

The average I've been getting for the last 10 fill-ups is 71.88 mpg.
Most of this has been in light traffic on Phoenix streets.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Jack Leis on February 08, 2013, 04:48:24 am
I'm a new rider with a 2010 C5, just breaking it in. I've ridden about 800 miles, mostly in city traffic below 40mph with a lot of stop-and-go, some intermittent short stretches of highway. Almost all my riding has been in New York City.

The best I've achieved is about 42 MPG (US). Is this normal? Should I be expecting better?

For what it's worth, I'm a heavy person (250 lbs).

My shifting technique is probably fine - I have 30 years experience driving a manual transmission car.
Rich, I'm 6' , 240 lbs. I usually get 62 to 65 mpg. around town. Long rides take me up to 7900 Ft. sometimes where I get 70+ mpg. Your fuel economy sounds low but get the bike broken in properly and your gas mileage should improve over time.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Royalista on February 08, 2013, 09:26:29 pm
I'm a new rider with a 2010 C5, just breaking it in. I've ridden about 800 miles, mostly in city traffic below 40mph with a lot of stop-and-go, some intermittent short stretches of highway. Almost all my riding has been in New York City.

The best I've achieved is about 42 MPG (US). Is this normal? Should I be expecting better?

For what it's worth, I'm a heavy person (250 lbs).

My shifting technique is probably fine - I have 30 years experience driving a manual transmission car.

I doubt whether weight would have such an effect. With pillion still averaging 65 mpg and more from adjusting riding style.

Over 10,000 miles the mileage is 62 mpg. Monthly averages vary from 56-75 mpg. 68 mpg is common. Mostly stop and go traffic, probably a tat more fluid than NYC but still not ideal conditions. Best average was the breaking in period (75 mpg). With a more sedate style results would be even better.

Do try some rides of 200 miles on country roads, away from city traffic. See what average you make then. That would give a better idea of the bike's normal fuel usage.

Title: Re: MPG
Post by: gremlin on February 10, 2013, 12:54:57 am
I'm a new rider with a 2010 C5, just breaking it in. I've ridden about 800 miles, mostly in city traffic below 40mph with a lot of stop-and-go, some intermittent short stretches of highway. Almost all my riding has been in New York City.

The best I've achieved is about 42 MPG (US). Is this normal? Should I be expecting better?

For what it's worth, I'm a heavy person (250 lbs).

My shifting technique is probably fine - I have 30 years experience driving a manual transmission car.

I'm guessing your exhaust pipe seal (at the head) is leaking. 

in between exhaust pulses, a leaking flange gasket will allow fresh air to be drawn into the pipe.  The O2 sensor will saturate, and, your computer will drive the mixture overly-rich in an attempt to balance the O2 signal.

the above discussion assumes your machine is running well, and, the MIL is not illuminated.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: trimleyman on February 10, 2013, 08:03:04 pm
I have a 2011 G5 . When new I would get around 55-60 gallon whilst running-in.  This improved to mid 60s after. Now having upped the front sprocket to 18 tooth and changed the OEM silencer to an Indian short bottle + a K&N air filter I am up over 70 to the US gallon. My riding is a mix of stop/go surface streets and 65-70 mph freeway on my commute to work (13 miles) mid 70s if I stay on the freeway longer. I only scale around 180 lbs geared-up.  So anything under 50 mpg (US) sounds rather rich.  Would have the dealer check it out.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: barenekd on February 10, 2013, 09:37:05 pm
In the last 11,000 miles that I rode for a total of 16,000 miles,  I averaged 69.58 MPG I could easily average over 70 out on the country roads or in the mountains (Over 75 above 5000'). On the freeway cruising 65-70, the mileage would drop to about 65 mpg. 2011 G5 with 18T sprocket, EFI Exhaust, K&N Filter.
I weigh about 190 suited up.
Bare
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: motorat on February 11, 2013, 03:40:21 pm
In the last 11,000 miles that I rode for a total of 16,000 miles,  Bare

ok you got me...how did you ride an extra 5000 miles without your bike??
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: barenekd on February 11, 2013, 08:10:58 pm
It had over 4000 miles on it before I started keeping mileage records. However, my first tank of gas on a very slow breakin run yielded 80 mpg. I've had several tanks that got well over 75, usually in the mountains.
Bare
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: no bs on February 11, 2013, 08:15:28 pm
getting 55-68 mpg, 12 mile commute one way, indicated 70 mph+ to keep from getting ran off the road. the main reason i got the RE and sold the bonneville(35-48 mpg).
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: barenekd on February 11, 2013, 08:30:38 pm
I stay over in the truck lanes and try to hold about 62. Gets a lot better mileage! If I stay at 70, my mileage will drop to about 62 mpg.
Bare
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Rich Mintz on February 13, 2013, 10:52:18 pm
Well, I hit 54 MPG on the last tank, which was about two-thirds highway (NYC highway, meaning 55mph and some intermittent stop-and-go between the open stretches). This weekend I'll do an all-highway tank and see if things get even better.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Royalista on February 14, 2013, 12:50:02 am
See, getting better already  ;D

And once the trees start budding you'll be in the ballpark, hitting homeruns all the time. Cheers!
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Rich Mintz on February 17, 2013, 01:03:29 am
OK, I'm not concerned any longer. I did a hundred-mile tank today that was mostly NYC-area highway (meaning: average speed while on highway about 50mph) and got 63mpg (US). So the bike's capable of performing as advertised if I'm not constantly having to shift and slow.

Route: A loop from lower Manhattan to Jones Beach and back, followed by a loop from lower Manhattan to Staten Island to Bayonne and back. I'll write the trip up on another thread.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: wildbill on February 19, 2013, 06:50:46 am
working on 4.5 litres to the imperial gallon i get 98 mpg on highway running at 55 to 60 miles per hour.
as for around town running - never done that - too dangerous riding around town so it's the highway or nothing
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Royalista on February 19, 2013, 10:51:54 pm
working on 4.5 litres to the imperial gallon i get 98 mpg on highway running at 55 to 60 miles per hour.
as for around town running - never done that - too dangerous riding around town so it's the highway or nothing
Fantastic result!
I only got that one over the initial weeks, basically the break-in period. But without going over 50mph. So, does it count?

Ever since I consider a result of plus 85mpg (71mpg-us) as a succes. Which occurs, at times, on long hauls, but never over 90mpg.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Boots on February 23, 2013, 06:41:55 pm
I've got a 2012 B5 with 3,333.3 and I usually get 60 or just below. My average freeway commute is 10 miles there and back again with a top speed of 70, but usually 65. Sadly, I weigh in at 195 and can't seem to lose more.  :P
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: gremlin on February 24, 2013, 04:46:38 am
I've got a 2012 B5 with 3,333.3 and I usually get 60 or just below. My average freeway commute is 10 miles there and back again with a top speed of 70, but usually 65. Sadly, I weigh in at 195 and can't seem to lose more.  :P

 at 70 mph I get 55 mpg.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: BRADEY on February 24, 2013, 09:47:41 am
These bikes can be very frugal if you are able to ride them at low RPMs
without lugging the engine. On a very recent ride, mine returned an
amazing mileage of over 80 Miles per gallon (US). I had the OEM
settings with the original bazooka exhaust. It was calculated on a
tankful basis (refilled at the same gas station).
Yet under city conditions it only manages 65 Miles per gallon.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Rich Mintz on February 24, 2013, 03:52:08 pm
Perhaps that's why my city MPG is so disappointing in stop-and-go NYC traffic -- because of the traffic pattern I'm either over-revving in 1st gear or on the verge of lugging in 2nd gear practically all the time.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Gypsyjon on February 28, 2013, 12:55:50 am
I've got a 2012 B5 with 3,333.3 and I usually get 60 or just below. My average freeway commute is 10 miles there and back again with a top speed of 70, but usually 65. Sadly, I weigh in at 195 and can't seem to lose more.  :P


That's what I call a light weight!
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Royalista on March 01, 2013, 12:01:50 am
Check this one out:
http://www.royal-enfield.com/component/content/article/169-bvm-royal-enfield-annual-economy-run (http://www.royal-enfield.com/component/content/article/169-bvm-royal-enfield-annual-economy-run)

If one can't make 100mph one could still aim for the 100mpg.  :P

Note: 100mpg-uk = 83mpg-us = 35kpl
I'm feeling a little bit embarassed.  ::)
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: barenekd on March 01, 2013, 05:22:18 pm
Quote
Perhaps that's why my city MPG is so disappointing in stop-and-go NYC traffic -- because of the traffic pattern I'm either over-revving in 1st gear or on the verge of lugging in 2nd gear practically all the time.

I usually short shift out of first gear. I'm usually in second before I get across the intersection. In fact, I usually short shift in every gear. Not to the point of lugging the engine, but probably not over about 3500 RPM. Over revving an Enfield is a waste of time and gas. The bike, after 4000 RPM, isn't going to accelerate any faster, unless you've got the throttle wide open. Puttering around, I seldom go over half throttle. But that's why I average about 70 mpg. It's still enough to stay ahead of most traffic.
Bare
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Rich Mintz on March 01, 2013, 05:35:49 pm
Bare, I'll try a tank of all-city riding with the behavior you're describing -- upshifting early -- and see what it does to my MPG.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Ice on March 02, 2013, 08:12:44 am
I think the milage estimates are based on the US gallon but at conservative speeds and riding styles and here's why.

I figure since I can bust 65 mpg with my carbed Iron Barrel that tips the scales at 504 pounds, a fuelie bullet weighing 90 pounds less should do 75 mpg or likely better given the same (boring) riding style over the same route.
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: barenekd on March 02, 2013, 05:49:15 pm
At 75mph, it's going to get pretty crappy mileage. How did you get one up to 504 pounds?
Bare
Title: Re: MPG
Post by: Ice on March 02, 2013, 07:42:38 pm
Easy;
2006 E/S military, full tank of gas, paniers full of tools,spares, oils, emergency and first aid kits.

 504 pounds curb weight on a certified commercial scale.

 Rolling weight would include rider and passenger.