New 2013 voyager and MPG

[ironape2]

Hello everyone. Just bought a leftover 2013 voyager and I've only put on 500 miles so far. The mpg indicator shows I'm only getting 29.9. I'm fairly light on the throttle and after reading a couple threads it's probably lower than that by a fair margin.

Will the MPGs get better after first service and I put more miles on it? Will I need the big 3 upgrades to see the high 30's or low 40's others are getting?

Thanks

[recumbentbob]

MPG will get better after a few thousand miles.

[redjay]

Between 5,000 and 10,000kms the motor will loosen up and the mileage should improve.
Mine has gone from 17.5 to 19.5 kms per litre.

[tonik]

Seems normal for the first 500, you should see 32ish after 1000 miles. After about 7500 mine went to 36 and after putting a better aftermarket windshield on it...it went to 38 which is where it has stayed. But I have a heavy wrist, especially on the highway.

You doing a lot of highway? This bike eats gas on the highway if you are running 75+

[Vulcanrider03]

redjay,,, r u running stock set up ? I am running an open air intake, V&H slip with the cobra auto tune and get no more than 17 kms per litre on my 2010 nad

[bigdave]

I have 3200 miles on my 2013 voyager and am finally getting between 36 and 40

[robjob]

Originally Posted by Vulcanrider03

redjay,,, r u running stock set up ? I am running an open air intake, V&H slip with the cobra auto tune and get no more than 17 kms per litre on my 2010 nad

Stock set up on my Nomad and get consistently over 19 and usually 19.7km/ litre

[ironape2]

Thanks everyone for the replys. I do mostly stop and go city but will do longer highway trips in the near future.

I have another question. Service manager told me I should use Dino oil at first service instead of synthetic? Anyone have an opinion as to why at the first oil change? He said after that synthetic will be fine. Just curious I know on most forums oil is a sore subject.

Thanks in advance

[tonik]

Woooo, now it's an oil thread!! I'll play.

The theory is that Moly added to synthetic's will slow down the break in and seating of the piston rings because of the extra lubrication. Since motorcycle synthetics don't contain Moly it does not matter if that is true or not.

Put in what you want.

[jesse d]

I have a 2010 voyager and i get about 36.0 it has 17000 miles on it. Im not real happy with the gas milage .........................

[landman]

Originally Posted by jesse d

I have a 2010 voyager and i get about 36.0 it has 17000 miles on it. Im not real happy with the gas milage .........................

so you buy a 900 pound,fully faired bike with a large windshied and big motor and your not real happy with 36 m,p.g.

[tonik]

Originally Posted by landman

so you buy a 900 pound,fully faired bike with a large windshied and big motor and your not real happy with 36 m,p.g.

Most other bikes this size get over 40 and have 6 gallon or more capacity. Our range is 190 tops, their range is 252 tops. So yea, I am unhappy with the overall range of the bike between fill ups. All bikes have their downside, Kaws is range. Not enough to make me consider switching at all. But it is an area MaKaw should to improve on.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by tonik

Most other bikes this size get over 40 and have 6 gallon or more capacity. Our range is 190 tops, their range is 252 tops. So yea, I am unhappy with the overall range of the bike between fill ups. All bikes have their downside, Kaws is range. Not enough to make me consider switching at all. But it is an area MaKaw should to improve on.

Part of the problem is a small gas tank. At 5.3 gallons it's the smallest gas tank on a touring bike. HD is 6 gallons, Victory is 5.8 and Goldwings/BMWs are well over 6 and some over 7. It makes a difference.

[markc9503]

Originally Posted by tonik

Seems normal for the first 500, you should see 32ish after 1000 miles. After about 7500 mine went to 36 and after putting a better aftermarket windshield on it...it went to 38 which is where it has stayed. But I have a heavy wrist, especially on the highway.

You doing a lot of highway? This bike eats gas on the highway if you are running 75+

I have had a similar experience. Cruising about in the country or in the mountains where speed tops out at 60 I can push 50 mpg. Cruising on the interstate at 75 the fuel consumption plummets and I am lucky to get over 30.

Air resistance (for the most part) goes as the square of the velocity so increasing speed will increase drag quite a bit. The best fuel consumption, I have found, happens when you can stay in 5th or 6th with the engine at around 2200 rpm.

[tonik]

Originally Posted by markc9503

Air resistance (for the most part) goes as the square of the velocity so increasing speed will increase drag quite a bit. The best fuel consumption, I have found, happens when you can stay in 5th or 6th with the engine at around 2200 rpm.

When I turned west on I90 in South Dakota into a 30 mph head wind this spring my mpg dropped instantly by 4 mpg. I was stunned, but there is no doubt wind resistance is a big part of this. And yea OD/6th at 2200 is the best I can get...near 50 if I recall correctly. That speed and gear is my plan if I ever need to get to a gas station.