Were you using it as designed or using it as a MX bike with 300 pounds on it? Sounds awful...but at least brand new it was under warranty.
I was trail riding. I replaced the bars and adjusted the spokes then sold it. I am 6'2" 200lbs I get the wheel spokes needed to settle and be adjusted but I don't think it's normal in one ride.
Those that ride CSCs (specifically the 250s) - how accurate were the mileage estimates from CSC? What do you generally get when you're fully loaded? The SG250/TT250 literature says they get ~60-65mpg - how realistic is that with what you find? We're estimating/planning fuel stops based on 50mpg. Should we estimate lower?
To that end, also find out the speedometer error. My SSR was off 6.5 percent, and the gas mileage was calculated from the speedometer reading not from actual miles traveled. I went from a measured 60-65mpg to 56-61mpg just by correcting the speedo ratio. And then a k&n and aftermarket exhaust reduced that even further. So keep that in mind too when planning gas stops. Distances on the odometer may not match up with distances on the map. Charles.
Was that a gear change to adjust the ratio or did you just calculate it differently? I wasn't expecting this to be an issue for fuel mileage, but it does make sense. Luckily, we won't need to really rely on accurate fuel estimates until the second day as we will be tooling around LA for the first day. Hopefully we can get a decent idea of mileage before heading out to Death Valley. We're also planning on carrying extra fuel for the LA to Mahogany Flats to gas to Rachel to gas legs of the trip.
In my experience with a vast array of vehicles the speedometer was often off but the odometer has always been spot on. There would be a huge law suit if the odo was off, regarding mileage reporting, servicing and warranty.
On my SSR, it uses a common universal speedometer which was reconfigured as an OEM unit. (Different trip meter location and a slightly different software). I was able to enter service mode and reprogram the ratio for my bike. But if I didn’t have that ability, I’d have bought a universal speedo healer and wired it into the harness. That’s what I plan to do for my Yamaha. FWIW my odometer was off just as much as the speedometer, because it is all controlled by that ratio setting. Charles.
I have a '19 SG. I think 50 mpg is conservative.. I've not measured a tank and got less than 65 mpg, mine are usually 68 or 69mpg. I'm 5'11" and 220 so the bike is not lightly loaded and I'm not really very aerodynamic. You may, however, be in the lower 60s from spending a greater amount of time in upper speed ranges. My odometer seems to read pretty true against gps. Speed is a different story, indicated 40 is really 36, 45 indicated is really 40 (@5000 rpm, CSC recommended max break in speed) and 50 indicated is really 44. I can get you higher numbers if you'd like. Don
The speedometer is off by TWELVE PERCENT?!? That’s insane! There’s fudging the top speed numbers, and then there is outright bold-faced lying. I thought a 6.5% difference was pretty bad, but 12% is the worst I’ve ever heard of. Usually the big four under-report speed by only 4 to 5%. Charles.
My numbers seem right but expressed as a percentage it is the highest discrepancy I'm aware of as well. I'll check my numbers again. Don
How long do they recommend for the break in period? Our Day 1 will be all LA city stop and go, so I think staying under 5000rpm will be fine. The end of Day 3 should see about 500-700 miles on the clock - we are planning on the first oil change then and checking the valves. Then I think change again at 1500-2000. Then normal changes every 2000-3000 miles after that. I'm guessing sustained 60mph speeds would be very taxing on the engine. How does it handle those?
Following is from the owners manual.. Engine Break-In Procedure When an internal combustion engine is new, it should not be subjected to hard acceleration, lugging, overheating, or running for long periods at a constant engine speed. You should avoid these situations during the first 500 miles of service. Caution! Do not violate the guidance provided here, or you may damage your motorcycle engine. We recommend the first oil change when the motorcycle reaches between 200 and 500 miles. We recommend a second oil change at 1,000 miles, and every 2,500 miles thereafter. We recommend using only 10-40W motorcycle oil. Caution! Never use any oils intended for automotive use, or any oil that contains friction reducing additives (use of these oils will induce clutch slippage not covered by the CSC warranty). Use only non-synthetic oils during the first 1000 miles of use. After that, you may wish to change to synthetic motorcycle oil. ..not sure where I got to avoid engine revs over 5000.. I changed my oil first at 350 miles. I had a piece of white sealer about the size of a pencil eraser in the screen.. nothing else. As far as engine speed, on my 01/01/20 run to the bridge, I was at WOT for a fair amount of the time.. I expected the worst but there were no I'll effects. I'll do a run at a steady 7000 and see where that puts me on gps to give you a speed reference. Don
@dp064 That would be great! And I'm happy to hear our planned service stops just about coincide with what the manual says.
Sorry this is late.. lots or rain in middle Tennessee and a new V-Strom have conspired against me getting new data. I have to stick with my original numbers regarding speed.. they seem right. Additionally, at a steady 7000rpm, my indicated was 61/62 and my GPS speed was 55. I'm unfamiliar with the redline but I don't think mine will pull much past 8000. Having said that, however, I think a 7000 cruise is pretty realistic.
@dp064 Thanks for verifying this! We figured the claimed top speed of 65ish was fairly unrealistic and were guessing 55-60mph would be more in line with reality. It's kind of fun planning such a slow trip; not something I have ever had to worry about with the BMW.
Time for an update! With the uncertainty of the pandemic, we have been holding off on doing anything more about the trip, but with restrictions easing and camp sites opening, we are going for it. Friday we ordered the bikes because inventory was getting low. I got my SG and James got their last TT until July. When he first called, he was told they would call him back if the person on the phone didn't take it. When they called back, they had another person on the line waiting for it, so it sounds like they are selling like crazy right now. 39 days until departure. Hopefully things get better between now and then.
@dp064 - The only thing that has kept this trip together so far is that we will be spending the vast majority of time camping away from people. And on motorcycles. If this had been more hotel oriented, it may have been cancelled already. I've been camping in my backyard to make sure everything works since we can't go to real sites. It's something at least.
Good stuff. Let us know when you are coming to California...I'll come and take some pics and buy you a donut. We live close by.......