Average fuel consumption for carb'd 900SSs - Ducati.ms

number9 · Oct 25th, 2006, 1:57 pm

I'd like to make a somewhat large, accurate poll for measuring 900SS fuel consumption. Think y'all would want to help out? Have at it!

I'm getting an average of 115mi out of my tank (mostly city riding), and I put about 3.5 gallons in it when I fill up. I use regular gas, stock airbox & exhaust, stock gearing.

Macn900ss · Oct 25th, 2006, 3:51 pm

I have a 91 SS. I alway fill up around 100 miles and haven't ever seen the low fuel light. Usually it takes 2.25 to 2.5 gallons to top off. I voted for the lowest numbers but I get about 45 mpg, so it should be 120 to 130ish.

I have Stage 2 jet, K&N w/o airbox cover, and full exhaust. BTW, I'm running very rich currently so my mileage should be just a little better when I have it retuned.

Edit: I use 93 octane and also have stock gearing.

**SouthsideDuc** · Oct 25th, 2006, 4:16 pm

Hmm, somewhere around 240+ miles to the tank.

Given the accuracy of my speedo, though, I think it's best I stay out of this poll.

Tony

**ess-ess** · Oct 25th, 2006, 4:29 pm

I get 125-130 miles to low fuel light when running 41 tooth on back, 140+ when running 37.

I usually run 10-20 miles while light is on but have gone nearly 40.

Even full bore beating on it I can't get it below 120 to fuel light.

Filling at the fuel light is 3.1-3.3 gallons US

RichD · Oct 25th, 2006, 4:47 pm

I get 60MPG highway cruising at 80+MPH... which gives me about 210 miles 'till the fuel light comes on, with a gallon to go. Chris Kelly at California Cycleworks (Who sold me most of my mods) says its the highest he has heard of!

Basic engine work included: '97 900ss/cr, JE hi-comps, 15/40 gearing, 41FCR's, K&N filter, stock headers -w- 2 Bro's C2 CF cans, airbox-lid modded. Tweaked the timing and carbs to suit...

Ducoddy-SS · Oct 25th, 2006, 5:03 pm

My 1996 900SSCR has the 41mm FCR Carbs , lightweight NIchols flywheel.
When the odo says 150 miles I fill up and it takes 3.6 gallons...only changes a little from that.
Mike S

billyb · Oct 25th, 2006, 5:21 pm

I get around 140 now before the low fuel light comes on, with 41t. I can go until about 170 before I have to fill up, but usually do so around 150. Takes around 4 gallons I guess.

**SouthsideDuc** · Oct 25th, 2006, 6:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichD

I get 60MPG highway cruising at 80+MPH... which gives me about 210 miles 'till the fuel light comes on, with a gallon to go. Chris Kelly at California Cycleworks (Who sold me most of my mods) says its the highest he has heard of!

Basic engine work included: '97 900ss/cr, JE hi-comps, 15/40 gearing, 41FCR's, K&N filter, stock headers -w- 2 Bro's C2 CF cans, airbox-lid modded. Tweaked the timing and carbs to suit...

See my post. That does seem high. How confident are you about your speedo?

Tony

**edwyun** · Oct 25th, 2006, 10:29 pm

depends on the type of riding.

on long distance rides on highways and using GPS miles, I regularly get 180 + miles on a tank with reserve. I will usually have about half a gallon left in the tank too.

on twisty roads I can bearly manage 140-150 miles on a tank with reserve.

RichD · Oct 26th, 2006, 6:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthsideDuc

See my post. That does seem high. How confident are you about your speedo?

Tony

I checked it with my Lowrence GPS, and with a 120/70 up front, it was amost dead-nuts on... a little over 1% fast. On my last run from DFW to South Padre Island, riding with a friend (I've gotta' witness!) who was cruising on an 1100 Shadow, I got a best of 60.5mpg "Indicated". (Corrected would be about 1.5% less). It was starting to piss him off he would go 100 miles or so and stop for gas and ask me "aren't you going to fuel up?", and I'd be like "Nah, maybey next time...". At one point in the trip he tried to push his luck and ran his reserve out of fuel! Being the nice guy I am, I drained some gas out of my tank to get him to the next town

I still give him crap about it! ..and several other "events" from the ride

A carburator set up for best emissions will not give best performance OR mileage. It takes MORE of the wrong (Lean) fuel/air mix to get you down the road than 'the right stuff'. A bonus is you can set WOT for best power too. The "slow" air bleed screws on the FCR's are AWESOME for trimming 1/3 throttle mixture -and that's exactly where you cruise

Most dyno shops only care about setting your bike for max WOT power as long as it does 'okay' else where, because if the customer doesn't see an improvement there he thinks he got gyped. In my opinion you should tweak your carburator in this order: Idle quality and starting, closed to part throttle transition, cruising economy, and WOT testing LAST. If you do the WOT testing first you can never go back and and fix the bottom end -because the fuel delivered down low effects the top end mixture.

Of course, none of this applies to fuel injection...

Rich D.