I have driven over 800 miles since I got my 95 magna 6 weeks ago. At least three times I drove straight freeway, and never got better than 29-30 mpg. All three times I was going 70-75 on a flat West Texas highway. The new Metzler tires are inflated to specs and I had no noticeable headwind (went both directions on round trip). The only thing on the bike is me (read: no bags, windshield, etc). I weigh 180 though I am a little tall at 6'2" so that might add some drag.
Speaking of drag, I do have drag pipes, but I didn't think that would hurt the mpg. I have a receipt that the previous owner spent $500 on a tune up just a couple of months ago, which included a carb clean. I don't know if he had them re-jetted or not, but thought they would have done it when they were put on or at the tune-up.
In addition, there are a few times (once or twice between fill-ups) that the engine sputters, losses a good deal of power, and pops (or even backfires)! There seems to be no rhyme or reason as to when this occurs . . . speed, temperature, length of trip do not seem to play a role.
Can someone relate to this problem? What do I need to do to alleviate the problem? One of the big reasons for getting a bike was for fuel economy . . . 29 is a far cry from the 45+ I was expecting. Thanks for the help, dc
Considering how reliable these bikes are I would look at the last thing done, the "tune-up". Was it done by a reliable shop? They possibly could have something adjusted wrong or not put it back together corectly. Where in West Texas are you located?
I regularly get 45 mpg with mixed riding and even topped 50 mpg a few times so even with pipes, you should be getting better. Find out for sure what (if any) modifications were done when the carbs were cleaned. It sounds like you may have the cobra jet kit which has been a problem for the majority of people who have had it installed. Let's hope not, because the mods are not easily reversable without $$$ (new carb slides). I can't think of anything else besides carbs that would cause what you describe.
Curtis
Well I have much to my dismay the kit where you drill the slides as we found out at Mootmag 3 anyhow my gas mileage is good at around 40 or so that is if I keep my hand in check and don't run flatout like I am known to do hehehehehehe but I also have different gearing which I am changing this time on the boat.....
On the Vstar 650 web site I found some good diagnostic tips. I put a set of V&H Cruizers and a hypercharger on it and it would not accelerate afterwards. I had the local Yamaha dealer install the #122.5 jets that Kuryakyn recomended for my combo. The Vstar then ran like a bat but,,,,, at constant speed it slobbered and sputtered. The experts said to find a straight strech of road and in 4TH gear twist the throttle wide open. If it sputters, back off to 7/8 throttle. if it picks up speed, your jets are too small. Also if your riding and it stumbles, try putting the choke on about 1/4. If it smoothes out, your jets are too small. It works on the Yamahammer. I changed to #128's and solved the problem.