Was getting 20mpg... will update you on this next tank

[roboto65]

Ahhhhhh come on now it is possible if you average below 40 MPH the whole way  but I did not say 50 MPG thats a stretch heck the only time I even got close to that was when riding in a group and the speeds were kept down for the slow riders !!

[lragan]

... and the speeds were kept down for the slow riders !!

Like me!

[drkngas]

The best mpg I've gotten was the final leg of the CHICKEN FRIED BACON ride when we went to Roundtop to eat PIE and had that long slow ride home in the torrential downpour.  That tank came out to 45 mpg.

[Charles S Otwell]

I've just changed the exhaust from stock to drag pipes on Brenda's Magna so I have no idea what kind of mpg it is going to get. It's been to cold to ride enough to tell. But, since we have had this Magna it's has consistently averaged 50 mpg. I posted this once before on one of our mpg threads and someone always says that 50 mpg on a third gen is impossible. It is obvious that the mpg of magnas varies more than just a little in some cases, and I'm not claiming that 50 is normal for all or even most Magnas, but it IS possible. And no my wife does not ride like an old lady, she keeps up with me on the Valk and a few of you know how I ride. So in my nicest voice  I'll ask that when someones post that they get 50 mpg, please refrain from saying it's impossible, it's almost like your being accused of being less than honest, thanks ..

[DavidJRoberts]

Thanks again for all the feedback. I'll try and get a hold of me mechanic tomorrow and get a few answers to your questions.

Sometimes the bike seems to not have nearly as much power as other times too. Like it hits a wall around 5k rpms. At that point, I can keep twisting and it has a big delay before it delivers. It then screams from 6k up. I just rode into work (argh) and it didn't 'seem' much better (I was still occasionally hitting that wall) than when I had the old spark plugs in so it must be one of these other items that you've brought up. I bring this up because I can just 'feel' the petrol being sucked up during this 'wall' as I keep twisting with little response. However, if I rabbit start and get to 60 fast the 'wall' never really shows itself. It only appears if I'm cruising around 4k and want to pick it up a little.

I'll read through the material tonight so I'm a little more educated on the whole matter. Cheers for that.

It seems like this is all related so hopefully I can get to the bottom of it.

Here's the answers I do know today:

Jet Kit - installed. It was a Cobra Stage one specifically for the VF750C 94-03. It's made for them by dynojet. They don't make a stage 2 for this model (verified by calling both cobra and dynojet).

Pipes are Cobra slash cut - full pipes, not just the slip-ons - if that makes a difference?

Filter is K&N

Will post as soon as I get more info for you and ta again for the help. 38mpg would be just fine for me!

[MarylandMagnav45]

I've just changed the exhaust from stock to drag pipes on Brenda's Magna so I have no idea what kind of mpg it is going to get. It's been to cold to ride enough to tell. But, since we have had this Magna it's has consistently averaged 50 mpg. I posted this once before on one of our mpg threads and someone always says that 50 mpg on a third gen is impossible. It is obvious that the mpg of magnas varies more than just a little in some cases, and I'm not claiming that 50 is normal for all or even most Magnas, but it IS possible. And no my wife does not ride like an old lady, she keeps up with me on the Valk and a few of you know how I ride. So in my nicest voice  I'll ask that when someones post that they get 50 mpg, please refrain from saying it's impossible, it's almost like your being accused of being less than honest, thanks ..

I'd have to see it to believe it....

and if I lose my job at my investment bank, don't worry, i'll be visiting the lone star state very soon!

*cough*  need to *cough* go to MOOT wrench session *cough* for Allen's saddlebags/top case *cough* and darkside rear tire* cough*



*cough*!

[roboto65]

David the stutter well flat spot between 5000 and 6000 is a known thing on the Magnas and the solution is to put a shim on the needles and raise the needles about .20 of an inch that may solve that we will get the Magna screaming in no time!!!!

[DavidJRoberts]

David the stutter well flat spot between 5000 and 6000 is a known thing on the Magnas and the solution is to put a shim on the needles and raise the needles about .20 of an inch that may solve that we will get the Magna screaming in no time!!!!

Nice one. Will have to do that. Cheers for the tip. Will hopefully get this bike properly dialed in soon. I didn't know if the mpg and that flat spot were linked so thanks for clearing that one up for me. Still learning. I've only ridden off-road and always used my mates extra bikes so this is my first on-road bike and my only wheels so I need to take care of it!

[lragan]

I've just changed the exhaust from stock to drag pipes on Brenda's Magna so I have no idea what kind of mpg it is going to get. It's been to cold to ride enough to tell. But, since we have had this Magna it's has consistently averaged 50 mpg. I posted this once before on one of our mpg threads and someone always says that 50 mpg on a third gen is impossible. It is obvious that the mpg of magnas varies more than just a little in some cases, and I'm not claiming that 50 is normal for all or even most Magnas, but it IS possible. And no my wife does not ride like an old lady, she keeps up with me on the Valk and a few of you know how I ride. So in my nicest voice  I'll ask that when someones post that they get 50 mpg, please refrain from saying it's impossible, it's almost like your being accused of being less than honest, thanks ..

On the Colorado trip last summer, I consistently got 55+ mpg on my blue '96.  It has Cobra pipes, K&N Filter, DD jets and shim kit per Greg's instructions on the web site.  The carbs are carefully synchronized.  I have never changed the plugs.

Around Austin, I typically get 45 mpg, sometimes as much as 50, once only 38.  I have speculated about the difference -- altitude, gasoline formulated for higher altitude, slower riding in the twisties, who knows. 

Charles is right.  My calculator works, and I use the gasoline readout at the pumps just like everyone else.  You can ignore the truth if you wish to, but it does not change the facts.

[MarylandMagnav45]

I've just changed the exhaust from stock to drag pipes on Brenda's Magna so I have no idea what kind of mpg it is going to get. It's been to cold to ride enough to tell. But, since we have had this Magna it's has consistently averaged 50 mpg. I posted this once before on one of our mpg threads and someone always says that 50 mpg on a third gen is impossible. It is obvious that the mpg of magnas varies more than just a little in some cases, and I'm not claiming that 50 is normal for all or even most Magnas, but it IS possible. And no my wife does not ride like an old lady, she keeps up with me on the Valk and a few of you know how I ride. So in my nicest voice  I'll ask that when someones post that they get 50 mpg, please refrain from saying it's impossible, it's almost like your being accused of being less than honest, thanks ..

On the Colorado trip last summer, I consistently got 55+ mpg on my blue '96.  It has Cobra pipes, K&N Filter, DD jets and shim kit per Greg's instructions on the web site.  The carbs are carefully synchronized.  I have never changed the plugs.

Around Austin, I typically get 45 mpg, sometimes as much as 50, once only 38.  I have speculated about the difference -- altitude, gasoline formulated for higher altitude, slower riding in the twisties, who knows. 

Charles is right.  My calculator works, and I use the gasoline readout at the pumps just like everyone else.  You can ignore the truth if you wish to, but it does not change the facts.

I'm not ignoring the truth, just stating the 50+ is rare.  We wish it wasn't. 

If you're so inclined to speak the truth, share the secret for everyone to share .

My bike only gets 50 for specific reasons already mentioned above.  I only see it on the highway.

Like I already stated, 40 is probably a good average to shoot for. 

Frankly, I don't keep track nor can I lol...(no odometer).  I just judge 100 miles...and I've been lucky.

Definitely on a 3.4 gallon tank, and you're getting 20 mpg...that kinda hurts.  That's like the upper end of an unloaded F-150 hahah, and man what a difference.

[roboto65]

David I made a boo boo not .20 it is .020 which if you stop by radio Shack and pick up a bag of small asst washers they will have enough shims for a few Magnas LOL

[BA]

The Radio Shack assortment comes with 100 washers, 20 of which are the correct diameter.  I measured the thickness of all 20 and 3 or 4 were a little thicker than the others.  Just make sure the 4 you use are the same.

[DavidJRoberts]

Thanks for the tip on the washers mate, will definitely be looking into doing that since it's very noticeable at times.

Today, I drove 180 miles round trip for a client meeting and I had 17-22mpg depending on the tank (had to fill up twice on the way and twice on the way back - defo lessons the appeal!). Glad I don't do that very often but it was a nice ride despite the fill-ups. So, obviously the spark plugs weren't the issue since I changed them on Saturday to E3's as the old ones were black on black with black to spare (they were bad).

Will email my mechanic your questions today and will check in with you when I hear back from him. Just a small update on the spark effect, or lack thereof.

Cheers again, DR.

[hootmon]

Jet Kit - installed. It was a Cobra Stage one specifically for the VF750C 94-03. It's made for them by dynojet. They don't make a stage 2 for this model (verified by calling both cobra and dynojet).

OK.. I'll bite.. does Cobra kits come in different Main jet sizes?? I think they have clips on the needles, so does he need the shims??

Again.. I think the main thing we need to know is what size main jets were installed..

[dgc67]

Frankly, I don't keep track nor can I lol...(no odometer). 

A whole lot easier to get good gas mileage this way...