Norton 961 Fuel Mileage ?

Joined
Jan 16, 2015
Messages
5,858
Country flag
Hello , I took my 961 out on a long drive this past Sunday and I wanted to report my fuel mileage. My drive took me out into western WI. about 275 mile round trip. I filled up at my usual gas station with the 10% ethanol mid grade and started off. The early afternoon was windy and I was getting buffeted around quite a bit. When I reached my turnaround point I noticed that they had ethanol free gas in premium grade only . So I filled up with that . My trip out I calculated 43.9 MPG. When I got back I calculated 49.8 MPG and I was very surprised it was so high.! I took essentially the same route back but the wind had quieted down. Do you think that the ethanol free gas could account for such an increase ? ?
 
You must have been riding like a saint. I average 40-41 mpg. I changed the wires and the plugs. Last tank (when I ran out of gas due to my fuel light failing) I only got 149 miles which is roughly 33 mpg. I do admit riding at 80 mph and hitting 120 a few times though. That makes quite the difference. :twisted: :!: :mrgreen:
 
That's the only fuel I use. We have a gas station a couple of miles from where I work so I keep it filled up. I haven't figured my fuel efficiency yet, however. I know it's under 50 MPG. :roll:
 
In average I achieve about 43 MPG (US gallons). As far as I know there is no ethanol in the fuel you get here in Switzerland...
 
Unfortunately, 10% ethanol 93 octane is the best I can do around here. There IS a guy with 110 octane ethanol free gas for $12. per gallon, but that's an expensive habit. Bought a 5 gallon can for the old Bonnie and cut it 2:1 for the octane boost.
 
Man, I'd love to ride Switzerland. Might be my next Eurotrip. I am fortunate enough to live close to Billy Joel's collection of bikes that he displays for the public to view. Lots of English bikes, vintage American and he loves the Guzzis. His full time mechanic Alex is a really talkative and friendly guy, shared the info on the 110 octane ethanol free gas which is right around the corner from the "museum". That was a good find for me.
 
Running ethanol fuel will always give you higher fuel use - the ethanol has less energy, so you need more of it to give the same output.

For what it is worth, I was getting around 4.5 litres per 100 km before the bike (2015 Sport) was updated to Mk 2 standard. Now it runs a bit better - sort of - but now burns more like 5 litres per 100 km. Significantly more thirsty, so now I think I know why it ran so rough before :-)

Sorry US member, I have no idea how many miles per US gallon those figures are.
 
I don't have figures to support my claim so the following is speculative and from gut feeling. During my 500 mile running in I refilled tank from jerry cans in the garage at home with 95 RON 'regular' unleaded. I would typically go out for 60 to 70 mile runs and afterwards would top the tank up with approx. 6 or 7 litres of fuel... an imperial gallon and a bit.... in my head looking to be around 50 and a bit UK miles per gallon. After my 1st service (and remap) I stopped for fuel with 65 miles left to drive home. Today I topped my tank up to brim and could only get in 4 and a tiny bit litres of fuel.... not quite an imperial gallon.... in my head that looks to be 65+ UK miles per gallon :)

I need to be a little more precise in my measurements before committing to fact but this surprised me!
 
Just filled up. 97 miles 2.5 gallons. 38.8 mpg. Used to get 44 before the remap. That's riding 65-75 mph but I don't wind it out much from a start. Maybe 5k.
 
Back
Top