Fuel consumption - Faired / Naked

[bluenova]

I'd like to find out whether there is a big difference between the naked and faired bikes when it comes to fuel consumption.

Please take your average fuel consumption over time, so not just city or just motorway riding but an average over a period of several months.

Terms:
MPG = Miles per US Gallon
KPL = Kilometers per Litre
Faired
Naked

Sorry UK folks, you'll have to work it out in MP(US)G or KPL because I couldn't be arsed to convert Miles per Litre as well.

Here are some related threads:
Saving Gas- Riding in 6th at 40 mph?
Worst MPG per litre ever.......
real gas mileage for FZ6
New Bike, Poor Mileage

Obviously there are lots of variables involved such as rider weight, temperature, road surface etc, but hopefully this will give a general opinion of whether the Faired bikes fair better and by how much.

 

[mastakilla]

I have 2007 FZ6 Fazer (so a faired one), and I get around 37-39 mpg.

Yeah I didn't buy it to commute to work on the highway, I bought it to gun it

I wonder how the guys ride that get 50 mpg out of it

 

[HowlFZ6]

I've got a faired 2005. I commute to and from work and consistently average 50mpg or more.

It came as quite a surprise when I put the first tank of gas in it. I wasn't expecting mileage like that when I bought it.

Makes it hard to justify stepping up to an FZ1 with its claimed 36mpg highway.

I really love this bike.

 

[Rushiku]

I wonder how the guys ride that get 50 mpg out of it

Speaking only for myself - conservatively, usually cruising along in 6th at any speed above 35-40. I usually take off hard though...I think it just comes down to _not_ winding it out in 3rd or 4th to cruise for 30 min at 60mph.

I was trying to explore the upper RPM range yesterday, but, sheesh, 60MPH+ in 2nd at about 10K? Where can I even use that? Anyway, that thing goes!

 

[fast blue one]

Commuting is in the 50s Hooning is in the 30s.

 

[BobSchmickle]

I've checked it the last 2 tanks... seems around 34 MPG or so. I mainly use it for commute. The FZ6 just doesn't seem to have enough low end. Any time I slow down (yield sign) I have to go into 1st. 40mph in 6th gear give me the stutter when I try to accelerate any at all. I know it's a bit of a step down from a GSX-R750 (I still got around 40mpg), but I expected better from the FZ6. Thinking about trying some injector cleaner.

 

[Rushiku]

I've checked it the last 2 tanks... seems around 34 MPG or so. I mainly use it for commute.

Did you take your bike in for the TPS recall? (you have a 2004, you qualify, it's free other than being without your ride for a few days) Before I had mine done, I was getting low 30s.

 

[weswood151]

Did you take your bike in for the TPS recall? (you have a 2004, you qualify, it's free other than being without your ride for a few days) Before I had mine done, I was getting low 30s.

Hey Rushiku,
What's the TPS recall? I have an '05 I just bought a month ago w/ 1200 miles and no service records. I am getting 47 MPG, but I would want to get anything done I can to bring it up to spec! If there are links about this, just shoot those.

Thanks, WesWood151

 

[BobSchmickle]

Thanks a bunch Rushiku!!

I called the dealership after finding the recall on the yamaha site (what a pain). They said it has not been done, so they are going to check and see if they can get the part. You would think they would check something like that when I took it in to get the tires put on.

here's the link for weswood ('05 are included)
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/fmc/factory_modification_letter_M2006-016R.pdf

I had noticed it had died a couple of times when I pulled in the clutch. I thought maybe it was just me. Hopefully this will help.

 

[Rushiku]

Hey Rushiku, What's the TPS recall?

TPS = Throttle Position Sensor, for 2005 only certain VINs were affected, the easiest thing to do is call your local dealer, with VIN in hand, and see if there are any open recalls on your bike.

You would think they would check something like that when I took it in to get the tires put on.

Yes, I would think that Given that they get paid by Yamaha for doing recalls, I'm actually surprised it's not the first thing they do when you bring in your bike.

 

[CHEMIKER]

41.7mpg average for the last 24 tanks. I have a fairing but I wonder how much of it is my fairing and how much of it is my driving. I have always felt that it's more my driving. I'm at >7k 80% of the time.

I coincidentally started an experiment after getting a tank of gas on the way home tonight. I'll try to stay under 7k for an entire tank. I'll let you know how it goes... It might take me a couple of tanks to actually complete this experiment; <7k all the time is hard!!

 

[mdr]

Faired (ie half naked). I ride moderately hard, ie I don't TRY to conserve gas but I don't spend much time over 10k RPM either. I just ride it appropriate for the current conditions - and got 52 mpg average over the last 4 tanks. I don't ride in the city much so I'm sure that helps.

 

[cv_rider]

I'd guess speed and rpm matter a lot more than fairing. I get 42ish, most of the miles on CA freeway, so you're either going 80 mph or 8 mph, neither are probably the best for mileage. I'm something of a lug nut, and tend to be in <7k rpm all the time. On my previous bike, I noticed much better mileage (+20%) when I did a tank under 50 mph compared to 80 mph. I haven't yet on the FZ6 managed a tank mostly under 50 mph. I've also wondered if windshields matter. I'd think a big shield (I have the CalSci +9.5) lets you cut through cleaner than the stock or Puig.

 

[damnpoor]

I get just over 50mpg (52 to be exact). I ride 70% freeway at about 80mph, 20% country roads, and 10% going to the grocery store and such. I typically shift at 5k. My general rule is shift to correspond with speed. When I pass through 30mph I shift up into 3rd, when I go faster than 40 I shift up into 4th, etc. It keep everything in the 4-5k range.

 

[reiobard]

i get 50-55mpg and do a good mix of riding/commuting

 

[huxy]

I only passed my bike test in June this year and consistently got 60-62 mpg (english gallons) every time I filled up while I got the hang of the bike.

However, I've started going out for rides with some other seasoned bikers which has involved "spanking" it a bit more (mostly accelerating hard up slip roads getting up to speed with the traffic or quickly overtaking things) and I now get 45-50 mpg.

And a lot more grins per ride :rockon:

 

[hk_fz6_05]

ok so I stumbled on this (ooold) thread b/c I started doing my km/l regularly now and I get an average of 14,6 km/l or 34,4 mpg which is way lower than I'd expected.

So I've heard about the TPS recall. But does that in any way apply to EU bikes (I ride an 05 and by no means ride it hard).

This is disappointing me somewhat so please offer any advice you might have.

 

[Nelly]

The TPS recall covers all bikes that are affected.

Nelly

 

[Timbostang]

Wow this thread did get dug up from the grave. I've been averaging 52mpg with mixed riding with the fairing. I just did the naked conversion this weekend so I will be able to post a good comparo at the end of this week.

 

[hk_fz6_05]

ok so apparently my vin is not in the range...so what else? I seriously doubt riding style accounts for it....I mean I keep it around 3500rpm when cruising in the city (most of the time) and never go crazy fast or rev insanely except on the odd overtaking....so what am I missing?

oh and ps: Nelly - my compliments on your current avatar, best one in a long time