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chief
05-26-2009, 09:32 AM
I went on a trip last weekend to Sonoma,Ca for the superbike races, which was the first time I have been on a longer ride since I changed the following: debaffled, Valkyrie tips, and changed oil from Kawasaki 10w-40 dino oil to 10w-50 Kawasaki semi-synthetic oil. Prior to this I was getting 30-31 mpg. On this trip I got a solid 35 mph. Checked it every fill up. I'm a happy camper. http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww100/ChiefMkc/valkerietips.jpg
schoeney
05-26-2009, 09:48 AM
Good job Chief. Pretty much the same mods and oil as mine. I found the tips made the tone much better (more muffled) at freeway speeds...how about you?

Any problem with installing the tips? I screwed up and pounded mine on too hard which created a pimple (barely noticeable) on each tip.

35 mpg sounds about right for a 1600. I get a little bit better (38-40) probably because of the smaller engine (1500) and I don't do alot of city driving.
chief
05-26-2009, 10:09 AM
Thanks. Yeah it's like you said with the tips a little quieter now, but it's a nice sound. I only had a little trouble getting them lined up straight and even on both side's. There is a gap but not bad. Over all I really like it, and so do all the people that see it. Heck my buddy that has 3 really nice HD'S says it's the best looking Kawasaki that he has ever seen. My gas mpg will no doubt drop some if I'm doing a lot of in town riding also.
moenko
05-27-2009, 07:00 AM
Hmm, I get around 38 mpg with mixed riding and I am throttle-happy. On longer stretches of Interstate at around 70 mph I would hit 40 no problem. Don't think the oil is really that much of a factor (someone correct me if I'm wrong), I used both automotive dino and now Amsoil, don't see any difference in mileage.
dank
05-27-2009, 07:12 AM
. On this trip I got a solid 35 mph. Checked it every fill up. I'm a happy camper. http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww100/ChiefMkc/valkerietips.jpg


Glad it appears you finally got it into 2nd gear. Most of us hit 35 mph pretty regularly, though. Just wait until you try 3rd, 4th, and 5th!!! ;)
Top Cat
05-27-2009, 07:16 AM
I get 40-42 MPGallon on my 1600.
Debaffled,Fishtail tips and Rotella T synthetic oil.
ringadingh
05-27-2009, 07:38 AM
Im not sure what the reason is but I find that after a couple weeks in the beginning of the season my bike gets better mileage, then in late fall it drops a bit. I use my odometer to measure mileage, and I was getting only about 150 miles to the tank. As of the last two tanks it gone up to 180 miles. It may be the warmer weather causing the ECU to run the bike a little leaner.
dogdoc
05-27-2009, 08:18 AM
I have gotten a record high for me of 42 single rider beore my TFI. Dont know since TFI.
chief
05-27-2009, 10:13 AM
Didn't see anyone else that added to the conversation that rides in California with Calif emission package on a stock motor riding two up in 90 Deg weather at 75MPH. It's all good . I'm happy and thats all that really matters.
Top Cat
05-27-2009, 10:58 AM
Didn't see anyone else that added to the conversation that rides in California with Calif emission package on a stock motor riding two up in 90 Deg weather at 75MPH. It's all good . I'm happy and thats all that really matters.

Now that's a different story.
I ride in NY without Calf. emissions on stock motor ,solo ,in 70 to 80 degree weather at 60mph. I'm also happy. Especially on days I an ride http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
bucko72
05-27-2009, 01:42 PM
I wish I could get anywhere near that. I get 30mpg. No matter how I ride it. Same when it was stock. Now have Cadman mod, tfi, cobra duals, wide open customs fairing, still 30 mpg.
caddman11
05-27-2009, 01:50 PM
I don't know---I ride in Indiana, with a bike bought in Ohio, with all the California crap on it, open air and pipes with a Fi2000 and if I take it easy back and forth to work, I get 38 mpg, twisting the hell out of the throttle---31 mpg; major difference. Haven't tried long miles on the slab to get max highway MPG and I can never concentrated enough to really go for high mileage around town---for some reason there is always a time or two, or three or---what ever---that I just have to hot rod the mother on every tank.
meat
05-27-2009, 02:29 PM
Just rode 325 miles last Friday and checked the MPG. Got 43, best I've gotten. Average speed was around 70. That was all highway riding no in town riding.
ponch
05-27-2009, 03:12 PM
In colder climates oil companies change the formulation of the gas so it has a higher volatility at lower temps. This kills the gas mileage. I call it winter gas. May be I am wrong, and someone will point it out, but that is my guess.


Im not sure what the reason is but I find that after a couple weeks in the beginning of the season my bike gets better mileage, then in late fall it drops a bit. I use my odometer to measure mileage, and I was getting only about 150 miles to the tank. As of the last two tanks it gone up to 180 miles. It may be the warmer weather causing the ECU to run the bike a little leaner.
ponch
05-27-2009, 03:14 PM
The best I have gotten is 42, but it is normally 37-38 in the summer. Lately, not so much, although it did improve after cleaning the throttle bodies. Funny thing is I cleaned them last september and I haven't put that many miles on the bike since then.
cactusjack
05-27-2009, 03:35 PM
Didn't see anyone else that added to the conversation that rides in California with Calif emission package on a stock motor riding two up in 90 Deg weather at 75MPH. It's all good . I'm happy and thats all that really matters.

I ride in AZ on a CA emissions bike in 100+ degree weather at 75MPH, but never two up.
ccmjr77
05-27-2009, 03:38 PM
What is different on a CA emission bike? I think I got my bike from the same dealer (Kawasaki Superstore in Chandler) as you CJ. I did not realize it would be a CA bike.
egetaseb
05-27-2009, 03:44 PM
. On this trip I got a solid 35 mph. Checked it every fill up. I'm a happy camper. http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww100/ChiefMkc/valkerietips.jpg


Glad it appears you finally got it into 2nd gear. Most of us hit 35 mph pretty regularly, though. Just wait until you try 3rd, 4th, and 5th!!! ;)

Very funny, it appears chief missed your joke. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
cactusjack
05-27-2009, 03:55 PM
What is different on a CA emission bike? I think I got my bike from the same dealer (Kawasaki Superstore in Chandler) as you CJ. I did not realize it would be a CA bike.

I guess the charcoal canister. Not sure what else. I didn't realize I was buying a CA bike either.

I think that's why our bikes tend to lean to the left. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
ringadingh
05-27-2009, 04:10 PM
What is different on a CA emission bike? I think I got my bike from the same dealer (Kawasaki Superstore in Chandler) as you CJ. I did not realize it would be a CA bike.
I think they're the slower ones, ;);D but you breathe easier while riding one. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif
drno
05-27-2009, 06:32 PM
Im north of the border and havent heard of winter gas as of yet, winter diesel yes, but you never say never. I just ride downhill all the time and I get great mpg....lol kidding aside, im getting 38.5 on the 1700 nomad with about 700 miles on it so far. Mostly town driving , mayby 200 miles of that on highway.