What gas mileage?

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by RGonVFR, Jan 18, 2008.

  1. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    I know this may be off topic, but I really don't care what kind of mileage my bike gets. I've actually had a good time making mods to it that hurt more than help it, LOL! If I was buying the bike to realize some crazy cost savings - I would have bought a Prius or a scooter. Sorry.
     
  2. junktionfet

    junktionfet New Member

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    I use 87 octane since the manual states "86 or higher". The engine runs beautifully on it and I've never heard it ping. Indeed this is the first Honda product I've owned that doesn't ping when fed the manual-recommended grade of fuel. I'm glad they tuned at least one of their modern engines properly. :rolleyes:
     
  3. Action

    Action New Member

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    The manual recommends 86 octane. It's been pretty well proven that using a higher octane then recommended by than manufacture will not improve your mileage. If you do a search, the sites that claim otherwise are usually individuals. I couldn't find any reputable sites that say anything different. I'm sure there a few exceptions and I'm not talking about horse power or dealing with modified engines.

    Ok, now all you Premium Gas users - Flame On! :israel:

    Action

    PS - I prefer to waste my money on synthetic oil. Now everyone should have something to comment on :biggrin:
     
  4. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    "No Flaming Zone"

    "Premium" fuel rating has to do with the octane rating and detergent additives compared to standard (regular) and blended (midgrade) fuels. Higher octane is required to prevent detonation in higher compression engines, and or higher RPM engines (compression greater than 9:1, RPM's greater than 6K RPM). The detergent additive increase is also beneficial. If you have excess carbon buildup on the valves and piston crowns (from lower detergent levels) it can lead to pre-ignition (detonation) of the fuel charge caused by latent heat from the carbon buildup, resulting in the latent heat igniting the incoming charge before the actual timed spark does. I won't elaborate any further than that, but for an additional $1.00 to $1.50 per fill up why would you skimp? I am prepared to add to this if anyone wishes me to do so.....
     
  5. Michel

    Michel New Member

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    I'm one of those drivers who sets his odometer back to zero with each fill-up and tracks the gas consumption. When I did A-B tests with my Audi Allroad and before that my Pontiac Vibe (both recommended premium) I found that Premium gave me slightly better mileage but only enough to compensate for the higher price. Cost wise, it was a zero sum game, so I just got in the habit of using premium.

    Is anyone here interested/willing to do an A-B test? It would probably take 2 or 3 fill-ups of each to get an 'average'. Same rider/similar road conditions/similar outside temperature.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2008
  6. junktionfet

    junktionfet New Member

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    The marketing hype around premium unleaded and these so called detergents is often just that... marketing hype. Even if your oil company of choice threw in a few ounces of Naptha or something with their batch of premium unleaded, the quantity they can use is so small that it would have a negligible effect on deposits.

    The best advice is to use fuel from a station with a high turnover--the likelihood of particulates and water in the fuel from such a station is very low, and that will keep your injectors, intake ports, and intake valve seats in the best shape.

    As a former auto mechanic, I can say that there is absolutely no practical reason to use premium unleaded in a vehicle that is "designed" for regular, and that doesn't ping on regular. Running premium won't hurt obviously, and if you simply like the principle of "premium", then go for it.
     
  7. junktionfet

    junktionfet New Member

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    The mileage advantage with premium there makes sense... Both cars recommended premium and both have knock sensors. The engine management systems on both cars probably had to ratchet the timing back a few degrees when you used regular, thus resulting in less power/torque, and requiring you to depress the accelerator just a little bit more on average.
     
  8. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Detergent additives in fuel is a reality and not hype. Premium fuels have better additive packages and that is fact. Is detergent that is added to motor oil marketing hype also? Throughput amounts at gas stations has little or no bearing on the quality of the fuel. Garbage in - garbage out.
     
  9. David02VFR

    David02VFR New Member

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    can we please keep working on this? i know what people are saying about riding conditions and heavy throttle but i went from 42-46 down somewhere between 28 to 32 MPG. a little background info...
    i have never stored a bike until the 06 winter for approx 3 months, and made the mistake of doing a few mods. this is an 02 model w/staintune cans, well just prior to storing the bike i put motad pipes on and had the powercommander tweaked by local shop. at this point is where i stored the bike. in summer of 07 the first tank went down to 32mpg. since then the gas mileage has not improved and even has dropped to 28MPG. i have riden a full tank above 7k, never going above 7k, only freeway and only city riding but nothing seem to work. I cannot see how pipes could reduce mileage like that!
    Local Honda shop cannot find anything wrong with the bike and tell me that 32MPG is not bad. Going from 220 to 240 miles per tank down to 117/130 is a problem for me!
    i did find an artical where someone with a honda (non-VFR) said he had the same problem and plugged some of the emissions hoses and his mileage came back up. Within the next few weeks, I will try plugging some of the hoses including the pair valves. If anyone wants, I will post information on what I have done.
    I have ridden Interceptors since the first VF750F (1983, still have if anyone needs parts). I love all VFRs and Interceptors a like, but this is really upsetting to the point where I want to sell the bike. Then someone else will have to deal with the problem.
     
  10. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    If it is a PCIII USB that you have, I would try running a different map downloaded from the website as an experiment. They have a base map for Staintunes with or without baffles, after market air filter, and O2 eliminators. It won't be perfect but it will give you an idea if your custom map has somehow affected your gas mileage. If your mileage comes back with a different map then you gotta take a hard look at your custom map. I have all of the mods you have - cans, PCIII USB, BMC Airfilter, O2 elims (I don't have my Motad yet, it's in transit to Jet-Hot) but I would have to say that the mapping would probably be the best place to start. Cans shouldn't affect the mileage that much, I would check that the O2 elims are functioning properly and then try a base map.
     
  11. David02VFR

    David02VFR New Member

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    NorCalBoy, I did disconnect the PCIII altogether but have not tried going back to using just the map w/staintunes. will give it a shot, thanks
     
  12. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    Make sure you check out your O2 elims too! If it isn't the PCIII and it does it with the stock mapping then it could be another issue. I know it sounds stupid but did you disconnect and reconnect your battery after removing the PCIII and went back to the stock set up - this will reset the ECM sensors.
     
  13. fuldog

    fuldog New Member

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    Have you verified that the gearing is stock ???
     
  14. NorcalBoy

    NorcalBoy Member

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    David02VFR, do you have any updates on your problem?
     
  15. chris in va

    chris in va New Member

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    44k miles on my 99 with fresh filter and plugs, I get about 35-40mpg.
     
  16. R.W.

    R.W. New Member

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    I finally had to filled up after a week and a half of of pure commute miles, my ride back and forth to work is about 75% in town and about 25% highway, It probable doesn't help my mileage that I always warm up my bike 5-10 minutes every time I throw my legs across her, But I was actually semi shocked to find out the VFR only got 31 mpg, I've always checked my mileage on the freeway and typically get between 44-48 mpg, so i was expecting around 35-38 mph on my commute, Just where you know my bike has Staintune exhaust with a dialed in custom mapped PClll and a K&N filter ...
     
  17. JRotten

    JRotten New Member

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    Same here. Tank after tank, even crusing down the interstate 80mph, I still average over 50 mpg. I have never tried it, but I almost think I can get 300 miles to a tank full.

    The only mod I have to my engine is a K&N air filter. I also use AMSOIL oil if that is worth mentioning. My exhuast is still stock.

    Being a smooth and controlled rider does help a bit on extending your mpg when riding (especially in the twisties). Learn how to carry momentum through the turns so you can have higher exit speed which means you won't have to be on the throttle as much.
     
  18. RVFR

    RVFR Member

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    245 miles on 4.6 gallons = 53.2 though I get around 51-52 pretty regular. worse I saw was on a certain blast on 25 behind Mt.St Helens where I'm down 2 gears and keeping the Rs up, that one saw like 42-44mpg. other wise it's pretty good considering how I ride. thou I must say I didn't get the bike for it's fuel sipping ability.
     
  19. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    I rarely get better than 35. I think the 98 does a little worse, though. I am heavy with the throttle, too, and I like to let it rev quite a bit. I also eat tires like candy, but hey, I ride a 10 yr old bike that's paid for. I guess I can afford a little on gas and decent tires.
     
  20. powderrecon

    powderrecon New Member

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    I think I am getting on average about 35mpg on my 96, which usually is about 50% downtown riding and 50% freeway riding. Stock filter and full synthetic oil.

    However being a fairly new rider, I am fairly heavy on the throttle, and love opening the bike up often. I live downtown, and have usually come to a complete stop at least 10 times before i find a freeway.

    I didn't buy the bike to save on gas, so to tell you the truth, if I only got 20mpg on the vfr and I owned a hybrid car that got 60mpg, I would still ride the crap out of the bike and use it as my main transportation.
     
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