Newbie with POOR mileage

[killerznomad]

Hello all, I am stumped! I have been reading other posts on the mileage they are getting and i cant figure out how they get so good. I bought a 2004 Nomad this spring and have put less than a 1000 miles on it so far, I love the bike, but I am getting only 28 MPG on average. I do get on it a little bit, love that power, but I am getting tired of searching for a gas station every 115 miles. Anybody have some suggestions or tips?

[corona]

I use 93 octane, and full synthetic oil. Other than that, I just keep to regular maintenance, and drop in a good fuel additive every 3000 miles or so. I get on it pretty good as well some times, but with everything, I still average at least 38 to the gallon, and if I'm just out cruising, I've gotten up to 45 to the gallon.

[mercianbike]

Hello all, I am stumped! I have been reading other posts on the mileage they are getting and i cant figure out how they get so good. I bought a 2004 Nomad this spring and have put less than a 1000 miles on it so far, I love the bike, but I am getting only 28 MPG on average. I do get on it a little bit, love that power, but I am getting tired of searching for a gas station every 115 miles. Anybody have some suggestions or tips?

Be gentle on the throttle for at least one tank of gas. If your mileage improves to up around 40mpg, then it's you and not the bike. If you continue to get 28mpg, then there may be other problems like clogged air filter, bad spark plugs, etc. How many miles were on the bike when you got it. Do you have any history as to when it was last serviced?

[coloradontexas]

im with the newbie, i barely get thirty

[naugaman]

I could always get 32 running at 80 down the freeway. Better when just having fun at 55 to 60. Worst I got was running into a strong head wind. Got around 25.

[ringadingh]

Clean the throttle body with a spray type carb cleaner like Kleen Flo. I bet that will get your mileage back up where it should be. I had the same issue on my bike, and within 10 minutes it was running like a charm. Youll probably have to turn your idle way down after you do this, as it will be revving rather high.

You got a lemon. Dump it. ;)

[billmac]

I have got 2300 miles on my 2007 and it gets about 35mpg. I ride it pretty easy.

[watchman]

Do what the others have suggested and clean your air filter or install a new one, install a new set of NGK plugs and air the tires up to 40 psi. Does your bike have an aftermarket air kit and fuel procressor? Is the processor set correctly? Blowing any black smoke when taking off? If you are running 65+, riding 2 up and romping the throttle the milage is not going to improve much.

[caddman11]

1400 miles on an 07, 37-41 depending on roads. K&N filter and baffelectomy. I drive pretty easy--if it's hot I get some pinging at higher RPMs so that keeps me in check. I have to pull in a gas station every 110 miles anyway for gas, my wife rides a Harley.

I use 35 mpg as a guideline. I have gotten as much as 41 and as low as 30 depending on speed I'm riding and wind conditions. My bike is completely stock as far as the engine is concerned.

[flavor]

I get between 37 and 41 with my 2007.

[killerznomad]

I am running the 93 octane also, i pulled the plugs and they looked good, tips were white with very little carbon. Still has stock air filter, looks good also. Bike only has 11,500 miles on it, was bought used from dealer last summer, but i dont know what they might have done to it, and the guy i bought it from only put 150 miles on it. I have run injector cleaner thru a couple tanks. I sprayed down the throttle body the other day and just filled the tank, but havent had a chance to ride yet. I was looking at buying a fuel processor, but dont want to spend the money not knowing how well they work.

[watchman]

Reading your first post and the last one I am going to assume you mean 1,150 miles not 11,500. So, although your rings are seated your engine is still very tight with only 1150 miles on it. My 1500 classic I had didn't loosen up until around 3600 miles and my 1600 Nomad didn't until around 2800 miles. Neither of the bikes got very good milage until then. On the first tank of fuel on my Nomad I only got 25 mpg. I remember this becaused I was really pissed. Also your stock exhaust system hurts your milage a little.

I suggest that some time between 3000 and 6000 miles, change to synthetic motor oil, install a lower restrictive exhaust like V & H Duel Baggers or something simmular, install a K & N air filter and marble your Reed Valves. This is exactly what we did to the wifes 04 Nomad and she got a consistant 40+ mpg. Hope this helps!

[killerznomad]

Hi Watchman, no the mileage is correct at 11,500. I am the 3rd owner, first put all but 150 miles on it, the second hardly rode it to only get 150, and now me. So the bike hasnt been rode much in the last year i know, but i am not sure how long it sat at the dealer before being purchased by second owner. The paperwork says it has an Outback exhaust system installed, and i have done the marble trick but didnt notice anything. I did just change oil in it, but i didnt use synthetic.

[watchman]

Well Pardner, I am sorry but I have run out of suggestions other than to be easy on the throttle. Maybe someone else will think of something.

After thought: Your are not running oversize lowers or highway bar chaps all the time are you? These will also hurt your milage.

[killerznomad]

No i dont have any chaps on the bars and my lowers are not very big, at least i dont think so. If i could figure out how you guys got pics of your bikes in your signatures i would put a few there for all to see. Sucks being a newbie!!! ??? Thanks for your help!

[ice793]

i would like to know also cause i have the pc111 and i dont know if thats causing my mileage to be only 31mpg.ill have to try the throttle clean and plugs, and i do get a little black smoke when i step on it.

[dank]

I think you need to take it in and find out what modifications have been made. Something has to have been changed for it to be that low. I have literally done that well riding 75 miles per hour largely uphill as I climbed into the rockies with a 30-40 mile per our headwind due to an oncoming storm system. (By far my lowest mpg for a tank ever.) Find out what was modified and put it back to stock.

Then again, I guess we should ask.....does it rip asphalt ands snarl when you roll on the throttle? ALl that fuel has to be doing something. You may have the baddest Nomad around!

[redeye]

"I was looking at buying a fuel processor, but dont want to spend the money not knowing how well they work."


A fuel processor will only add to your woes. They do nothing to improve your fuel mileage. They are designed to make more horse power & for going fast, FAST. Find the problem before you start throwing money at the bike.

On my bike I have a K&N air filter, and Vance & Hines baggers exhaust, & use synthetic 5w-40 oil. I constantly get 40-43 mpg @ 65-75 mph, more if I baby the throttle................-Rich

[dogdoc]

good advice sir Nico.

[killerznomad]

Then again, I guess we should ask.....does it rip asphalt ands snarl when you roll on the throttle? ALl that fuel has to be doing something. You may have the baddest Nomad around!

Well i dont know about being the baddest Nomad around, I love the sound and power this bike has and the Nomads are sharp looking bikes!
I bought a K&N air filter for it today after inspecting mine a little closer, and noticing it really isnt in great shape. And i am going to replace the plugs in the next couple days, and hopefully i will get some kind of change.
Thanks to all for their coments and advise! Would still like to know how to put pics in the signature!

[flavor]

I've been thinking about your mileage and wondering how your spark plugs are burning. They tell a lot.

[billmac]

Killerznomad, my mileage is only 34mpg on a bone stock 2007. Hope it goes up with age. I do ride two up alot and I am too big of a guy.

How to put pics in the signature is described in the FAQ. Check this url

http://www.kawanow.org/forumfaq/footer.htm

[ruruson1]

The nomad is not the most impressive bike for milage. I get around 38 to 40 on average with synthetic oil, K&N air filter, and bafflectomy. but it dosn't seem to matter if I'm riding in town or through the mountains. A storng headwind does decrease my milage a bit. I also run SEAFOAM through my tank every three or four tanks of fuel.

[killerznomad]

I've been thinking about your mileage and wondering how your spark plugs are burning. They tell a lot.
I pulled all the plugs, and all the electrodes were white with a little carbon at the base of the plug.

[nomad1600]

I just filled up today after a ride and got 43. I usually stay around the low to mid 40's. I did get 47 one time on a ride that was done at 55 mph and no traffic and very few stops. I use Premium gas at every fill-up.

My bike is a stock 2007 with a bafflelectomy done, Maybe it's the Red/Silver color?

[killerznomad]

Thanks mcdonell, i got the pics figured out and up. :)

2500 miles on 2007 I bought new in February. I consistently get 42 mph when riding alone, and 38 when two up. I have noticed shifting, speed, no sudden braking, and no " jack rabbit " starts from stop, help increase mileage. Otherwise, I agree with Nico.

[skeeter]

Sir Nico was kidding. Since it sat for some time,

1)drain tank when it's close to empty (into a big glass jar so you can see if it's got junk in it.
2)you might have a gallon can of fresh gas handy
so you don't have to do this at the pump
3) fill tank with fresh gas and add some SEAFOAM for a tank this will help clean any varnish build up in your fuel system and clean your injectors.
4) change the fuel filter, run some more seafoam and inspect filter or just change it again on general principles. likely OK
5) clean throttle body, air filter, plugs, etc,etc........

Sir Nico was kidding. Since it sat for some time,

1)drain tank when it's close to empty (into a big glass jar so you can see if it's got junk in it.
2)you might have a gallon can of fresh gas handy
so you don't have to do this at the pump
3) fill tank with fresh gas and add some SEAFOAM for a tank this will help clean any varnish build up in your fuel system and clean your injectors.
4) change the fuel filter, run some more seafoam and inspect filter or just change it again on general principles. likely OK
5) clean throttle body, air filter, plugs, etc,etc........


I am very disappointed, skeeter. I always take Nico's word as gospel. This has shattered all of my faith in Sir Nico. ;) http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif Having said that, I agree wholeheartedly with your post.

[rflnomad]

We have a 05 that now has 8000 miles. I JUST figured the gas mileage today and it is 39MPG on this tank. I drove to work every day (30 mile round trip) and I am pretty easy on it. When we got it the mileage was not this good either.

[killerznomad]

Hi again and thanks to all who responded, just a update, i have installed a K&N air filter, done the marble trick, made sure tires are at correct pressure, ran injector cleaner in tank, cleaned the throttle body, put new plugs in, and have been easy (as possible) on the throttle.
With all the rain we have been getting here i havent had much riding time, but hopefully that will change this weekend, and i can see how my mileage has been affected if at all. I will post again after the weekend.
Happy Fathers Day! http://s2.images.proboards.com/cool.gif

[nighthawk700]

done the marble trick,

What's the marble trick? I must have missed that one...

[killerznomad]

HI all, we got some nice weather this weekend in Wis. and i got a chance to ride, checked mileage twice, got 36 and 35 MPG. A hell of alot better than the 23 i got a couple weeks ago. Thanks again to all.