Average RPM

[macroars]

Where are you guys riding your Vs in terms of RPMs?

I am riding it between 5000 and 7000 rpm when the roads are winding, in practice 4th gear, and between 4000 and 5000 when the roads are straight, in practice 5th gear. I have Euro-gears.

Any experiences regarding fuel consumption, oil consumption, need for maintenance etc???

[Brian Moffet]

I am riding it between 5000 and 7000 rpm when the roads are winding, in practice 4th gear, and between 4000 and 5000 when the roads are straight, in practice 5th gear. I have Euro-gears.
Any experiences regarding fuel consumption, oil consumption, need for maintenance etc???

That pretty much matches my style.  If it's in the morning I'll keep the RPM more toward the 3500 - 4500 in the family neighborhoods.  I have standard US 83 gearing, so 4000 is 40 mph for me.

I've been doing this riding in San Francisco for a few months now.  I get 40 mpg (a tiny smidge less, like 39.98) city driving.  Over the life of the bike, 42000 miles that I have put on, my compression has dropped to around 120 in each cylinder.  I almost never add oil until I change it, I don't think it uses much at all.  I change about 2 times per year when I'm riding it. 

I tend to be lax in the maintenance department. I'll change spark plugs, oil, but I usually won't bother checking the valve shims.  The last time I did, during a rebuild of the frame, only 1 was off.  That was over 20,000 miles worth of driving. 

Brian

[macroars]

Any experiences regarding fuel consumption, oil consumption, need for maintenance etc???

Mine runs between 35 and 45 mpg (euro-people: you can convert here: http://www.teaching-english-in-japan.net/conversion/mpg) dependent upon where and how I ride it - but I am to new to this bike to know exactly how and what this influences upon.

I was in special interest of how the number of revolutions per minute influences upon fuel consumption etc.   

[Brian Moffet]

I was in special interest of how the number of revolutions per minute influences upon fuel consumption etc.   

Anyone have fuel burn per HP and RPM graphs out there?  I have one for the Franklin 165HP engine, but not the Vision engine. 

Lucky?

Brian

[Rick G]

During a ride at 65 mph, mostly freeway  I got 49.95 mpg, on a 200 mile trip.  While riding to Phoenix and back, a 440  mile trip at 80 to 90 mph, I got 36 mpg. Probably at 50  mph steady speed, It might get 60 mpg.

[Coil Coyle]

Probably at 50  mph steady speed, It might get 60 mpg.

Sure, Rick.
:D
The only way your bike would go a steady 50mph would be on a tow truck.

;D
Coil

[Rick G]

I've slowed down some , got tired of changing out the bottom end. Besides  I ride with the CMA  ocasionally and their pretty slow.

[jasonm.]

I have euro-gears on my '83. Having had an '82 I can say my '83 with the bigger carbs always beat my 82 in miles/gallon. '83 With the smaller pilot gas jets and larger air jets Yamaha figured something out. My '83 gets overall 45-50 mpg. I have seen 55mpg. Yesterday after 100 miles. That with cruising 75mph+ highway for 40 miles and back roads the rest. Filled up to see if it would take 2 gallons. I could only get 2.1 in.I am prudent with the throttle. Letting the torque do the work. I get it into 3rd or 4th  below 5000rpms then give it the gas to whatever speed I desire. Then get it to 5th and cruise. On the back roads we have a lot of deer. So accelerating around twisties can kill you. There was one Bambi last night that I had to scare with my siren horn.
  I don't know why people ride a bike with such a wide torque band in 3rd or 4th and run it over 5000rpm for long periods?  Mine in 5th pulls hard from 3500rpm. Remember I have euro-gears that slows acceleration a bit.Bit riding behind me, you would not know it. Someone may need a tune up...?