Kawasaki Concours Forum

The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => The Bike - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: mikeyw64 on March 01, 2017, 11:44:13 AM

Title: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: mikeyw64 on March 01, 2017, 11:44:13 AM
like Miss Daisy more often. My normal slightly more enthusiastic commute is typically 40-42 (imperial) MPG

(http://sharetheexperience.co.uk/images/gtr/mpg.jpg)
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: MrPepsi on March 01, 2017, 01:36:21 PM
Not bad.
But was that for only 34 miles?
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: mikeyw64 on March 01, 2017, 02:43:58 PM
Not bad.
But was that for only 34 miles?

Aye , thats my daily round trip commute, had just filled up and reset, doubt it will last lol
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: maxtog on March 01, 2017, 02:59:15 PM
My average MPG is always about 42, just like the tire pressures :)
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: mikeyw64 on March 01, 2017, 03:24:21 PM
My average MPG is always about 42, just like the tire pressures :)

If thats 42mpg (US) then in real money thats 50mpg , not too shabby :)
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: maxtog on March 01, 2017, 03:31:50 PM
If thats 42mpg (US) then in real money thats 50mpg , not too shabby :)

Yes, US gallons.  42 is pretty reasonable... I wouldn't expect much more from such a large engine and large motorcycle... although some do better with a more recent/modern ECU flash than what I am using.  42 is mostly highway and some spirited acceleration (but mostly just cruising).

It can certainly go DOWN from 42 when I ride aggressively (lots of unnecessary throttle/etc), but that is pretty rare for me.

I think my G37S gets about 22MPG highway.  Both vehicles require high octane.  But at least the G37S has a 350 mile range; the C14 is only about 240 (which I think is too low for this class of motorcycle).
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: mikeyw64 on March 01, 2017, 10:54:06 PM
Yes, US gallons.  42 is pretty reasonable... I wouldn't expect much more from such a large engine and large motorcycle... although some do better with a more recent/modern ECU flash than what I am using.  42 is mostly highway and some spirited acceleration (but mostly just cruising).

It can certainly go DOWN from 42 when I ride aggressively (lots of unnecessary throttle/etc), but that is pretty rare for me.

I think my G37S gets about 22MPG highway.  Both vehicles require high octane.  But at least the G37S has a 350 mile range; the C14 is only about 240 (which I think is too low for this class of motorcycle).

A lot depends on where you are and local traffic conditions.

Here in the UK(especially on the dail commute) the majority of my riding is point & squirt , dart & dive, in & out of traffic.

Best comparison I have is with the Birds (cbr1100xx). Typically in the UK I would be averaging around 36mpg/30mpg(US) on the daily run rising to around 43mpg/36mpg(US) if I was taking my GF out for a run.

On a 3 week 5000 mile holiday in Oz on a borrowed Bird i was regularly seeing 45mpg/38mpg(US) plus without even trying :)


That said at least the FI Bird has a 24 litre tank instead of the tiddly 22litre tank fitted to these fine machines, a bike like the GTR really deserves a much larger tank (29 litres on the ST1300, the old ST1100 was 28 litres, the FJR is around 26 litres) as even the most ham fisted rider should (if needed) be able to get 200 miles minimum to chicken light :D

a 26 litre tank with 4 litres reserve would even at my normal commuting MPG just about fulfill that requirement. 28 litres more so (as on my old ST1100 which regularly saw 200 plus and ridden gently 300 miles to chicken light)
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: jimmymac on March 02, 2017, 04:40:02 AM
Who the heck gives a rat's rip what fuel mileage you get?  :loco:

Geezers! ;D
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: JerBear on March 02, 2017, 04:48:04 AM
Who the heck gives a rat's rip what fuel mileage you get?  :loco:

Geezers! ;D

That seems like a reasonable question given it is a sport bike however, the engineers put a display of MPG on it so that must be for the TOURING half of this bike.
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: maxtog on March 02, 2017, 05:49:30 AM
I really don't care much, other than it affects my range and it is an indicator of engine health (if you ride it the same, generally the MPG should be the same)
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: jimmymac on March 02, 2017, 06:30:31 AM
Just giving you guys some grief. 8)

But mine is never above 35, ever. And I don't care much.  I know it could be higher, I could ride slower... Naaa! No thanks! ;D

Is it Spring yet?
http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp236/Jimmymac25/003_zps7f4bc42b.jpg (http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp236/Jimmymac25/003_zps7f4bc42b.jpg)
[imghttp://(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp236/Jimmymac25/003_zps7f4bc42b.jpg) (http://s415.photobucket.com/user/Jimmymac25/media/003_zps7f4bc42b.jpg.html)][/img]
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: mikeyw64 on March 02, 2017, 06:37:50 AM
Im actually more bothered how far I get between tankfuls, the MPG is fine its just that the fuel tank is 4-7 litres too small ;)
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: MrPepsi on March 02, 2017, 09:05:50 AM
I have a 40 mile commute each way. So because of the size of the tank I am forced to fill up every other commute day. Which means I have to fill up at 160 miles, because I can't make it to 240 reliably.
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: Classvino on March 02, 2017, 11:31:52 AM
I have a 40 mile commute each way. So because of the size of the tank I am forced to fill up every other commute day. Which means I have to fill up at 160 miles, because I can't make it to 240 reliably.

I have an 80km (49.8 miles) one way commute to work, and I fill up every second day.  I've never run out, but have gotten the low fuel warning a couple times. On the slabs, I usually use ECO mode to try to eke out a little more time between fillups... With the dash set to metric, on "Current" display, you don't get mpg, you get km/litre (which is weird, since it's usually litres/100km) and I'm usually in the 17 - 25 range- which works out to about 40 - 49 mpg.  If I'm not in traffic, and feeling bored, I'll sometimes see how high I can get it to go - hit 31 kml a couple times (downhill with a tailwind).

Fortunately I have a tailwind most mornings, and little or no headwind in the evening. I haven't checked the non-"Current" settings in a while...

Jamie
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 02, 2017, 01:50:00 PM
Who the heck gives a rat's rip what fuel mileage you get?  :loco:

Geezers! ;D

I really cared when I was riding through Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada...
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: maxtog on March 02, 2017, 02:57:56 PM
Im actually more bothered how far I get between tankfuls, the MPG is fine its just that the fuel tank is 4-7 litres too small ;)

Exactly.  This bike should have had a 7 gallon tank, not 6.  Oh well!
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: B.D.F. on March 02, 2017, 03:01:07 PM
Yeah, an aux. fuel tank is really the only cure for that.

Not sure how your fuel stations work in the UK but here in the northeast of the US. finding fuel is no problem, day or night, or even on holidays. That changes in the western part of the US where there can be 50 or more miles between gas stations on the highway (motorway). This is exactly why I conjured up the low fuel warning indicator eliminator..... to use the WHOLE fuel tank when riding in the northwestern US through the night when station are few, far apart and a lot of them close.

Brian

Im actually more bothered how far I get between tankfuls, the MPG is fine its just that the fuel tank is 4-7 litres too small ;)
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: B.D.F. on March 02, 2017, 03:10:11 PM
Yeah well, you know that is all really one big state, right?

Like Wyomintannadoho in the north west.......

 :rotflmao:

I believe it is something like 840 miles (statue miles) from northern Scotland to the southern tip of the UK, the longest distance that can be traveled in the UK in a straight line. The distance on I-90, entering South Dakota from I-29, to the Pacific is about 2 1/2 forever's. Fuel was a big concern and I always made the trip with aux. fuel, although most times it was in a separate container. Still, the thought of running out of fuel at 3:00 AM is a bit scary in Wyoming, Montana or Idaho is a bit unnerving 'cause 1) they only have one street light between them and it was not working when I went through and 2) they have really big bears. Sure, you can shoot them but that just whets their appetites and attracts them to the muzzle flash....

Brian

I really cared when I was riding through Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada...
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: mikeyw64 on March 02, 2017, 03:40:18 PM
Yeah, an aux. fuel tank is really the only cure for that.

Not sure how your fuel stations work in the UK but here in the northeast of the US. finding fuel is no problem, day or night, or even on holidays. That changes in the western part of the US where there can be 50 or more miles between gas stations on the highway (motorway). This is exactly why I conjured up the low fuel warning indicator eliminator..... to use the WHOLE fuel tank when riding in the northwestern US through the night when station are few, far apart and a lot of them close.

Brian


With very few exceptions (like the far north of scotland) you're never very far from a fuel station in the UK, its just a PITA .

Europe is pretty much the same, just have to watch out for the unmanned automated stations that only "like " certain bank cards, which is why I always carry two there plus cash
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: MrPepsi on March 02, 2017, 03:43:52 PM
I have an '09, what's ECO mode?  ;D
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: mikeyw64 on March 02, 2017, 03:54:34 PM
I have an '09, what's ECO mode?  ;D

It's where your bike repeats back everything you say to it.

Oh hang on........
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: maxtog on March 02, 2017, 08:11:36 PM
Yeah, an aux. fuel tank is really the only cure for that.

Not sure how your fuel stations work in the UK but here in the northeast of the US. finding fuel is no problem day or night, or even on holidays.

Same in the mid-Atlantic.

Quote
That changes in the western part of the US where there can be 50 or more miles between gas stations on the highway (motorway). This is exactly why I conjured up the low fuel warning indicator eliminator..... to use the WHOLE fuel tank when riding in the northwestern US through the night when station are few, far apart and a lot of them close.

You can still use the WHOLE fuel tank, with or without the indicator eliminator.  You just don't have to reach up and fiddle with the buttons to try and get your screen display back again (hopefully without crashing) if you use the eliminator (and will still have access to the somewhat dangerously inaccurate range indicator).
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: maxtog on March 02, 2017, 08:13:27 PM
I have an '09, what's ECO mode?  ;D

Technically there is no such thing as an "ECO mode", it is a "FEAM" (Fuel Economy Assistance Mode).... (it displays one of the two "ECO" icons when in FEAM, which was a stupid design)... but whatever :)
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: Hooligan on March 02, 2017, 10:53:08 PM
Just giving you guys some grief. 8)

But mine is never above 35, ever. And I don't care much.  I know it could be higher, I could ride slower... Naaa! No thanks! ;D

Is it Spring yet?
http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp236/Jimmymac25/003_zps7f4bc42b.jpg (http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp236/Jimmymac25/003_zps7f4bc42b.jpg)
[imghttp://(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp236/Jimmymac25/003_zps7f4bc42b.jpg) (http://s415.photobucket.com/user/Jimmymac25/media/003_zps7f4bc42b.jpg.html)][/img]

Love the paint job on the ZX14 in the photo, but geez man, lose the original can, and fit a nice carbon fiber Two Bro's or something....I hate the stock cans on these performance machines..... they are just FUGLY!!!!
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 03, 2017, 04:33:20 AM
And heavy.
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: maxtog on March 03, 2017, 05:41:43 AM
And yet work fine, are nice and quiet, and cost nothing.
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: mikeyw64 on March 03, 2017, 11:32:13 AM
And yet work fine, are nice and quiet, and cost nothing.

If the OEM cans were a girl you picked up on a drunken night out you would still have to put a brown paper bag over her head!!
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: sanmo on March 03, 2017, 02:31:18 PM
If the OEM cans were a girl you picked up on a drunken night out you would still have to put a brown paper bag over her head!!

You underestimate the mad powah of beer goggles... 8)
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: lather on March 03, 2017, 03:11:35 PM
I normally average 38 mpg. I thought a full tank would get me the the MSTA/COG track day at JenningsGP last week. WRONG!
It was an educational track day, I was not going full throttle all out, was trying to learn some skills. Still, Low Fuel Light came on midway through 4th of 6 sessions! I think that comes out to about 20mpg :-\ Luckily some kind soul gave me a couple gallons.
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: maxtog on March 03, 2017, 04:19:01 PM
I normally average 38 mpg. I thought a full tank would get me the the MSTA/COG track day at JenningsGP last week. WRONG!
It was an educational track day, I was not going full throttle all out, was trying to learn some skills. Still, Low Fuel Light came on midway through 4th of 6 sessions! I think that comes out to about 20mpg :-\ Luckily some kind soul gave me a couple gallons.

When you open up the throttle constantly on an almost 1.4 liter 4 cyl 16 valve engine, it does tend to drink a lot of fuel!
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: MrPepsi on March 03, 2017, 04:28:21 PM
Technically there is no such thing as an "ECO mode", it is a "FEAM" (Fuel Economy Assistance Mode).... (it displays one of the two "ECO" icons when in FEAM, which was a stupid design)... but whatever :)

My ECO mode is in my right wrist, and it's clearly not very reliable.
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: VirginiaJim on March 03, 2017, 05:00:03 PM
+1
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: maxtog on March 03, 2017, 07:42:55 PM
My ECO mode is in my right wrist, and it's clearly not very reliable.

Nothing on my body is very reliable anymore :(
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: martin_14 on March 06, 2017, 10:51:11 AM
And yet work fine, are nice and quiet, and cost nothing.

And you get what you pay for.
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: maxtog on March 06, 2017, 03:34:17 PM
And you get what you pay for.

I paid $15K  :)
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: connie14boy on March 06, 2017, 09:34:36 PM
I paid $15K  :)

I paid 350. for a V&H CS-1 and threw the black donkey-dong bazooka in the dumpster- it made a great big noise. ;D
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: Hooligan on March 06, 2017, 10:25:11 PM
I paid $15K  :)

Loud Pipes Saves Lives......... nough said...... :chugbeer:
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: maxtog on March 07, 2017, 12:51:41 AM
Loud Pipes Saves Lives......... nough said...... :chugbeer:

OMG   ::)
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: lather on March 07, 2017, 06:34:58 AM
I paid 350. for a V&H CS-1 and threw the black donkey-dong bazooka in the dumpster- it made a great big noise. ;D
I have two of those to get rid of. Do you think they are worth anything at a metal salvage place?
Title: Re: Maybe I should Ride
Post by: B.D.F. on March 07, 2017, 03:10:29 PM
Mostly steel but 'mixed scrap' at that- nope, not worth the fuel it would take to drive them there IMO.

It is in imperfect world; I like the stock muffler and almost needed a new one and you have two you do not want. And the packaging and shipping is more effort than they are worth too.

Brian

I have two of those to get rid of. Do you think they are worth anything at a metal salvage place?