1500 Nomad Fuel Economy

[Harleysaki]

I haven't found any recent threads on MPG for the fuel-injected Nomad 1500. So I wanted to share an experience last week on my 2004, for which my motorcycle experiences have no explanation. I just bought it in March of this year, while it only had 20,000 miles on the ODO. I have consistently got 40 mpg in eastern Oklahoma, using 91 octane, and am totally happy with that number on an 800-lb. V-Twin.

Last week I rode this beast up thru the Texas panhandle, across NM and into Pagosa Springs, then on to Moab, Utah. My route and riding speed was matched exactly with my friend on a fuel-injected Yamaha FJR1300. Having put 29,000 miles on an FJR myself, I know that it can attain 50 mpg on long trips. So I compared the Nomad mileage to his 2007 Yamaha on every fill-up.

Across the flatlands, I got 40 and he got 48-50. The 2 bikes were loaded similarly, but my friend outweighs me by 70 lbs. This is where it gets interesting: in Taos, my mileage went up to 46, while his remained 50. By the time we got to Durango, I was getting 50 mpg also. And this trend continued until we got back to Raton, NM, 7 days later. Once we got back into Texas, my mpg dropped back to a perfect 40. My partner's Yammy was consistent at 50.

So I ask y'all: Why would the altitude increase my mpg, but not that of the 4-cylinder Yamaha?

[hammer]

I am guessing you are talking about a Royal Star Venture. 4 cyl. with Mikuni carbs? The carbs don't adjust to altitude your simple but effective fuel injection does.

[Harleysaki]

No, the FJR is a fuel-injected sport-touring bike . . .

[Bud2rat]

Hey Harleysaki, I can't answer your question. But, I can add that my bike does not get no where near 40 mpg unless I keep the speed down under 55 mph. I constantly average 32-35 mpg on the interstate. If I'm traveling the backroads (slower speed limit) I might get between 38-40 mpg. However, my bike is a carb'd model. I have did the big 3 mods. (open air filter, re-jetted carb'd, and true dual exhaust)

[Chuck A.]

Fuel injection is a monitored system that constantly checks the air temp, the humidity in the air, and will self adjust by the temp of the engine. Maybe you had a more constant cruising speed with temps the engine liked. Maybe you where burning better fuels in that area. Maybe we where running lean due to partial stopped up injectors.

[Ridefree]

My nomad is very inconsistent. I regularly travel back and forth to my home town which is about 2 1/2 hrs away. I have experienced anywhere between 35 and 45 mpg . I figure it's all about the temp that day or how I feel like riding. Sometimes I ride the limit and enjoy a nice relaxing cruise and the next time it's all about getting there.

[duffy]

I have an 05' 1500 Classic FI, bagged, trunk and fairing and I routinely get 40+ on the road running the speed limit. Mine varies a little, low 40 to over 50 depending on hills, temp, etc.....

[cactusjack]

I used to get better mileage riding around Flagstaff (7000') and other higher elevations than I did in the Phoenix area (1200') with my 07 Nomad 1600. I think lower air density at higher elevations has something to do with it.

[cnc]

Normally on a carbed motor unless you drop jet sizes you would run richer as altitude increases due to less oxygen in the air. Since both bikes are fuel injected and mixture is supposed to be controlled by the ecu, then I will throw out a wild guess that his bike did a better job of managing the mixture and yours maybe overcompensated for the altitude and ran leaner than normal.

[dan313]

On my 03 1500 fi I get 41mpg on a regular basis. That's hwy/city driving. On the open road I have gotten as much as 49mpg.

Lenny

[ringadingh]

It depends on the barometer reading of the air. My 1500 would always get in the mid 40's for mileage. 180 -200 miles per tank was normal. When I noticed the mileage dropping it was usually time to clean the throttle body.

[redjay]

Originally Posted by hammer

I am guessing you are talking about a Royal Star Venture. 4 cyl. with Mikuni carbs? The carbs don't adjust to altitude your simple but effective fuel injection does.

The Yamaha FJR 1300 is a 630lb 145hp sport tourer and was my last bike.
Very quick and agile but too cramped for me and my gammy legs.

They are very good on gas considering the performance available.

[pjandbee]

2003 Nomad 1500fi, I've had the bike over 3 years and the best I've gotten is about 35 mpg, pretty much high average. These figures do not account for the 5 mph difference (60mph = 55mph), tach is around 3000 rpm at 70 mph, gauge. I'm not a real hot rodder, prefer nice smooth acceleration, just sounds better to my ears. That said, I would really like to know where these high mpg figures come from.



2003 Nomad 1500fi

[Harleysaki]

Originally Posted by pjandbee

2003 Nomad 1500fi, I've had the bike over 3 years and the best I've gotten is about 35 mpg, pretty much high average. These figures do not account for the 5 mph difference (60mph = 55mph), tach is around 3000 rpm at 70 mph, gauge. I'm not a real hot rodder, prefer nice smooth acceleration, just sounds better to my ears. That said, I would really like to know where these high mpg figures come from.



2003 Nomad 1500fi

This '04 was fitted with Vance & Hines, + K & N air when I bought it. As far as I know, it has no other enhancements. I'm using synthetic oil, and live in a rural area, so no traffic lights most of the time. Oh -- there is one other thing which may help my fuel economy: Mine came with a batwing fairing, and I suspect that improves aerodynamics considerably. I've owned a helluva lot of motorcycles, but this is the first one that does not get buffeted when passing semis in the wind! My riding buddy was getting his FJR rocked when we rode in on a strong wind in TX panhandle.

[redjay]

I put a larger than stock windshield (CalSci) on my FJR and it blew the FJR around like a schooner. It was so scary I took off the CalSci windshield.

Wind noise and buffeting was not fun on the FJR even after trying several windshields, ear plugs, and a different helmet.