XJ700N owners

I'm trying to get an idea of what mpg I should be getting. I would appreciate if you would let me know what mpg you are getting. Right now I getting about 30 mpg, and I think that's too low.

 

Am I the only XJ700n rider that knows what mpg his bike gets?

 

I just wrote down my fuel today for that very purpose. I suspect I am quite low as well, but not sure how low I am. I should have an idea this weekend if the weather dries up a bit.

 

my airhead 700 get 45 consistently. If i am in top gear for long rides i get close to 50. I know what mpg all my bikes get.

dave

 

I get around 35. One of the guys i work with who has an 85 says he always gets 45 though.

 

Mine got 45 when it was stock, now I get 42 with the round slide conversion.

 

I've stayed out of this for quite a while, since my experience is with the Mikuni-equipped 550s. I know you've made a run at this a few times, like http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=40298.html without getting an answer that worked, so now I'm chiming in:

Dave's results are consistent with magazine road tests when the bike came out.

Both of my 550s get right at the same mileage that the magazines got in their road tests back in the day.

But there is one BIG "variable" and that's riding style, and conditions.

If your bike is properly tuned; everything works as it should, ride-ability wise; idles fine, snappy response and return to idle, floats and valves in spec and your compression is good, plugs look fine, proper tire pressures, etc., etc., etc. then it has to come down to where and how you ride. It's not all YOU; traffic loads, speed limits, trip duration, etc., all play into it.

Your "usage pattern" simply may not BE the "mixed bag" necessary to produce higher mileage numbers.

Or you're not keeping the engine spinning in its "happy zone." (Anything above 4K rpm.)

 

The bike seems to run fine, but I am comparing it to my Honda 750 Shadow which has no where near the power. The reason I am concerned is that I did a 70 mile road trip--all on the highway-- at between 60-65 mph and only got 35 mpg. (At 68 I learned a long time ago not to abuse machinery, and that's how I ride. ) Even though I think I've done everything correctly--and some things several times--I just think I'm missing something because 35 mpg seems so low. But at least I know I'm not the only one with the problem. Thanks for the input.

 

BigFitz52 " Your "usage pattern" simply may not BE the "mixed bag" necessary to produce higher mileage numbers.

Or you're not keeping the engine spinning in its "happy zone." (Anything above 4K rpm.)"
Its called," Lugging the motor"

 

Heres an example real life I have a 4runner it has 230,000 on it I have always maintained it myself so I know this vehicle any how had some friends visit for 2 months and they drove it the whole time I asked them to keep all the gas receipts as I do, I like to track milage I get right at 17 when I drive it mixed driving When i figured their milage it dropped down to 12 now that includes a trip they took down to Santa Barbra and back. Another thought come to think of it HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR ODOMETER?

 

On that 70 mile ride the odometer was exactly what the GPS indicated, so I ruled that out. I just find it strange that there could be so much variance in moderate highway riding. I still think I've missed something. javascript:emoticon('post', 'message', ':roll:')

 

When in doubt tune it. Start with the valvesand go from there

 

I'm sure you recall, I got my 86 700 late season, and ran a few tanks through, and it was showing 48, 50, and I think another 50+.

I will take a look at the filter this weekend, and let you know what i find.

 

Man, am I jealous!

 

I looked it over ( actually went for a 1/2 hour spin on saturday, as it was 50+ degrees ) and didn't see a quick and easy way to see the air filter. I'll have to investigate further.

 

Just remove the seat and look in the opening of the airbox. Easy to see.

 

I saw the inlet tube, and didn't think I could see the filter. I'll look closer tonight when I'm at home.

 

It is just a small opening in the top. Should be able to see with a flashlight. Sounds like yours is probably paper, because my foam (red) is easy to see. Anyway, I'm interested in what you have.

 

So, the last two weeks I have averaged 40 mpg. I am okay with that for now, but I intend to adjust the valves and synch carbs in the next couple of weeks and expect to see some improvement.