Archives

These two are technically scooters by styling, yet motorcycles by performance.

On the Yamaha Majesty, I was able to increase my mpg from 54 to 64 just by accelerating more slowly and reducing my speed 5 mph on the interstate.

I have similar results on the Burgman 650, but I don't have the final numbers in yet.

Most of my miles on these are discretionary (25,000 miles in the last year) so I'm not really saving any gas. But it's fun to try new things.

Hi Gershon:

___Welcome to CleanMPG!

___I have done a few stories including the Majesty 400 and other scooters/bikes of similar size lately and the more the merrier in my book. I suspect Yamaha will be increasing the FE of its entire lineup other than the sports bikes in the near future as FE ratings of the bikes become more publicized. Let us hope so anyway given the cost of fuel as of late?

___I am still waiting word on receiving a Yamaha XT250 for a review as well ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I have a Burgman 650, and it is tough to work on increasing mileage by driving properly.

The centrifigul clutch, and RAPID deceleration when letting off the throttle really conspire against you. Neutral coasting is impossible, since you can't control clutch disengagement.

Using the kill-switch, you can run ICE-off, but the deceleration is abrupt. More abrupt than you would do under normal braking. It frustrates me that I must keep some throttle-on, even as I approach a known full-stop.

It's also frustrating to have to leave throttle-on when I'd rather be coasting to slow, in DWB situations.

So far, I average only 45 mpg on the 650 Burgman. A standard motorcycle could be hypermiled MUCH more easily.

Agreed that the Burgman 650 is difficult to hypermile. About all we can do is plan lights so we don't have to stop and slow down some on the interstate. An alternate parallel route where the speed limit is 45 will get me an mpg that is close to 60. Especially if I go to higher altitude.

Limiting acceleration doesn't seem to help at all. I think the CVS transmission is so efficient it does what should be done for you. But limiting accelerations that will result in unnecessary slowing down will certainly help.

On two wheels, I'm more concerned about hypersafety than hypermiling. When I'm on the Majesty in place of the car, I'm already boosting my gas mileage. This doesn't imply I consider the hypermiling techniques in a car unsafe. But motorcycles don't have a good view to the rear, so it's dangerous to be going too much slower than traffic. Also, with traffic at a light when I'm first, I like to accelerate a little more quickly than the cars to gain separation, but not so much that they lose sight of me. I try to get in that empty space between packs and stay there. (Which is also a good way to get the next green light.)

No Clutch or Neutral on my 650 burg exec. is frustrating. I have tried to work around the engine braking but with little success. I use man. Overdrive alot and it seems to have less braking than auto. I need to do more checking but think the manual mode staying in as high of a gear as I can keep it in may work the best. I have only tried the Power button for accel. a few times to see what it would do but I do think it would tear the hell out of the fuel millage. I really have no need for the power button that I have found. I have found running back roads and highways from Whitney to the south and west in Texas with little traffic I can set the throttle lock and with small easy changes can get good milage. I have hardly any experience in heavy city traffic as I avoid that. NO---much more enjoyable on the hundreds of miles of little traveled back roads. It's an easy quick run to the Three Sisters which I plan on making as soon as the tripple diget temps. ease off a bit. Got to spend a few days in and around Junction in Oct. during the Cushman Rally (can't immagine Cushmans riding the Three Sisters!!!!!!!!!) My first scooter during the late 1940s was a 1947 Cushman.

I traded in the Majesty 400 on a Suzuki C50 today.

Anyway,on the Burgman, I find if I use 3500 RPM for accelerating until about 45 mph and increase RPM as necessary above that to merge into traffic, it helps.

Shifting to overdrive at speed actually reduces mileage, so I always use automatic. On the interstate, I cruise at 65. This is a good balance between safety and mileage.

If I can stay off the interstate, I get high 50's or low 60's. If most of the ride is on the interstate, then it's about 57 mpg.

It's REAL key to make very small and smooth adjustments on the throttle. Otherwise it seems to sense that you want more power and drops the RPM.

I think the automatic transmission may also adjust to your driving habits, using a lower RPM after you have been smooth on the throttle awhile. But I'm probably wrong as I haven't read anything on it.

Shell Gasoline gives me an exta couple mpg. If you have to get a tank that isn't Shell, that's OK, but I at least use Shell most of the time.

I ride a Suzuki V-Strom 650, and believe it has the same engine as the Burgman except a manual 6 speed transmision. I consitantly get 58 mpg @ 65 mph while commuting to work. Sounds like the auto trans is taking a pretty big toll on mpg. Wonder if the 6 speed could be used in the scooter?

Today I read the Burgman 650 has half a Hayabusa engine. I don't know how true that is. But I'd agree the automatic transmission takes a toll in the city especially as it has engine braking. This is a feature I really like, so I wouldn't want to give it up.

On the road, I get high 50's to low 60's depending on my speed. I'm ok with that. One thing I've found is the automatic is much more efficient when it's not stop and go than manually shifting. (It has an electronic shifter you can use.)

I also have a Suzuki C50. I have to say, I MUCH prefer the Burgman 650 for overall performance and general comfort. I don't know what kind of mileage I get on the C50 as I'm still learning it and I spend lots of time in the parking lot.

I had a SV650- same motor as the V-Strom, but I only got about 40 mpg in pure city-short trip,2,3 miles riding. My SR500 was capable of 60 -62mpg when I commuted with it during the 2nd gas crunch in 1980-83.

The Buell Blast with the nice low seat height would be a pretty good choice for relatively new riders looking for FE. I've heard credible reports of 60-75 mpg in "normal" riding with no attempt to max FE.

I like the feel of scooters- low seat height for my stubby legs,and the low CG, but the little wheels tires(13,14,15") give me pause on our crummy streets.

There is a Blast for sale-$2300-tempting, but...

Charlie