Stinky BMW gas mileage ?!

Uncle Ernie · 07-16-2008, 10:52 AM

Started out with a full tank. Took a passenger that weighs around 120 pounds up the hills, through the dells, along the river. A fair amount of twisties and gear-changing. Put on 62 miles, went into the gas station and put a little over 2 gallons in the tank.

BTW- this is a BMW R100/2 conversion w Steib S500.

Is it possible I'm only getting around 30mpg ?!

Blue Ridge Wheeltor · 07-16-2008, 12:43 PM

I guess it's possible. Most Urals get high twenties/low 30's. Any ethanol in the gas?

muschelschubser · 07-16-2008, 12:49 PM

That's around 8l/100km, sounds normal.

Dirk, on a R100/Ural

scottro · 07-16-2008, 06:28 PM

R69 w/ R90 engine & Sputnik sidecar w/ 50-100lbs of ballast. 32ish when ridden gently and 29ish when ridden like a fiend.

But when people ask, I tell them 75 mpg

Heehee F'em !

gregbenner · 07-16-2008, 09:34 PM

I get around 30 (less on the interstate) on both my GoldWing/GTL and V Strom/Ural. Neither bike is a mileage queen solo, however. As near as I can tell, the sidecar reduces mileage by 20-25% in local riding conditions, and maybe more than that running high speeds, which might make sense due to the significant drag of the car. 40 mpg on either a 1000 Strom or a Wing are in the ballpark (without a sidecar).

Sidecardoug · 07-16-2008, 10:04 PM

Sounds about right to me. If I am flogging my R100/Ural rig I get about 28 mpg, treat it gently and I might get 36 mpg.

Sidecars do not lend themselves to good fuel economy. Something about hanging 250 pounds of air brake on the side of an unsuspecting motorcycle does not equal high fuel mileage.

Uncle Ernie · 07-17-2008, 04:56 AM

That's funny

Well, this is re-assuring. I was afraid I had major tuning problems and couldn't figure out the problem because it runs good. I DO know that BMW's have never been great gas mileage bikes, anyway.

(I'm reminded of a time several years ago when i was showing a guy a TR3 I was selling. Over the roar of the engine and wind he yells, "What kind of gas mileage does this get?" I looked over briefly to see if he was laughing. He was serious, so I yelled back, "Are you nuts?!"

07-16-2008, 10:52 AM	#1
Uncle Ernie ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Asheville NC Oddometer: 3,978	Stinky BMW gas mileage ?! Started out with a full tank. Took a passenger that weighs around 120 pounds up the hills, through the dells, along the river. A fair amount of twisties and gear-changing. Put on 62 miles, went into the gas station and put a little over 2 gallons in the tank. BTW- this is a BMW R100/2 conversion w Steib S500. Is it possible I'm only getting around 30mpg ?! __________________ LOOK OUT IT'S COMING THIS WAY!

07-16-2008, 12:49 PM	#3
muschelschubser Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Kuddewörde Oddometer: 283	That's around 8l/100km, sounds normal. Dirk, on a R100/Ural __________________ Central East Tour http://gespann.wordpress.com The fastest way to yourself leads arround the world! Richard Hoffmann (*1938 ),

07-16-2008, 06:28 PM	#4
scottro Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Oddometer: 390	That's about what I get R69 w/ R90 engine & Sputnik sidecar w/ 50-100lbs of ballast. 32ish when ridden gently and 29ish when ridden like a fiend. But when people ask, I tell them 75 mpg Heehee F'em !

07-16-2008, 09:34 PM	#5
gregbenner Beastly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Glendale, Wrightwood (SoCal) Oddometer: 1,131	I get around 30 (less on the interstate) on both my GoldWing/GTL and V Strom/Ural. Neither bike is a mileage queen solo, however. As near as I can tell, the sidecar reduces mileage by 20-25% in local riding conditions, and maybe more than that running high speeds, which might make sense due to the significant drag of the car. 40 mpg on either a 1000 Strom or a Wing are in the ballpark (without a sidecar). __________________ 2011 Victory Cross Country 2005 Suzuki Burgman 2007 Dyna, 1947 45 2007 VStrom, DL1000 1975 BMW R75/6,1981 BSA Lighning

07-16-2008, 10:04 PM	#6
Sidecardoug Pleasantly pleasing Joined: Dec 2002 Location: Raincity, Warshington Oddometer: 1,795	Sounds about right to me. If I am flogging my R100/Ural rig I get about 28 mpg, treat it gently and I might get 36 mpg. Sidecars do not lend themselves to good fuel economy. Something about hanging 250 pounds of air brake on the side of an unsuspecting motorcycle does not equal high fuel mileage. __________________ The best lack all convictions, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.

07-16-2008, 12:43 PM	#2
Blue Ridge Wheeltor Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2006 Location: Western North Carolina Oddometer: 406	I guess it's possible. Most Urals get high twenties/low 30's. Any ethanol in the gas?

07-17-2008, 04:56 AM	#7
Uncle Ernie ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Asheville NC Oddometer: 3,978	That's funny Well, this is re-assuring. I was afraid I had major tuning problems and couldn't figure out the problem because it runs good. I DO know that BMW's have never been great gas mileage bikes, anyway. (I'm reminded of a time several years ago when i was showing a guy a TR3 I was selling. Over the roar of the engine and wind he yells, "What kind of gas mileage does this get?" I looked over briefly to see if he was laughing. He was serious, so I yelled back, "Are you nuts?!" __________________ LOOK OUT IT'S COMING THIS WAY!

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