Newbie with POOR mileage

[killerznomad]

Hello all, I am stumped! I have been reading other posts on the mileage they are getting and i cant figure out how they get so good. I bought a 2004 Nomad this spring and have put less than a 1000 miles on it so far, I love the bike, but I am getting only 28 MPG on average. I do get on it a little bit, love that power, but I am getting tired of searching for a gas station every 115 miles. Anybody have some suggestions or tips?

[corona]

I use 93 octane, and full synthetic oil. Other than that, I just keep to regular maintenance, and drop in a good fuel additive every 3000 miles or so. I get on it pretty good as well some times, but with everything, I still average at least 38 to the gallon, and if I'm just out cruising, I've gotten up to 45 to the gallon.

[mercianbike]

Originally Posted by killerznomad

Hello all, I am stumped! I have been reading other posts on the mileage they are getting and i cant figure out how they get so good. I bought a 2004 Nomad this spring and have put less than a 1000 miles on it so far, I love the bike, but I am getting only 28 MPG on average. I do get on it a little bit, love that power, but I am getting tired of searching for a gas station every 115 miles. Anybody have some suggestions or tips?

Be gentle on the throttle for at least one tank of gas. If your mileage improves to up around 40mpg, then it's you and not the bike. If you continue to get 28mpg, then there may be other problems like clogged air filter, bad spark plugs, etc. How many miles were on the bike when you got it. Do you have any history as to when it was last serviced?

[coloradontexas]

im with the newbie, i barely get thirty

[naugaman]

I could always get 32 running at 80 down the freeway. Better when just having fun at 55 to 60. Worst I got was running into a strong head wind. Got around 25.

[ringadingh]

Clean the throttle body with a spray type carb cleaner like Kleen Flo. I bet that will get your mileage back up where it should be. I had the same issue on my bike, and within 10 minutes it was running like a charm. Youll probably have to turn your idle way down after you do this, as it will be revving rather high.

You got a lemon. Dump it. ;)

[billmac]

I have got 2300 miles on my 2007 and it gets about 35mpg. I ride it pretty easy.

[watchman]

Do what the others have suggested and clean your air filter or install a new one, install a new set of NGK plugs and air the tires up to 40 psi. Does your bike have an aftermarket air kit and fuel procressor? Is the processor set correctly? Blowing any black smoke when taking off? If you are running 65+, riding 2 up and romping the throttle the milage is not going to improve much.

[caddman11]

1400 miles on an 07, 37-41 depending on roads. K&N filter and baffelectomy. I drive pretty easy--if it's hot I get some pinging at higher RPMs so that keeps me in check. I have to pull in a gas station every 110 miles anyway for gas, my wife rides a Harley.

I use 35 mpg as a guideline. I have gotten as much as 41 and as low as 30 depending on speed I'm riding and wind conditions. My bike is completely stock as far as the engine is concerned.

[flavor]

I get between 37 and 41 with my 2007.

[killerznomad]

I am running the 93 octane also, i pulled the plugs and they looked good, tips were white with very little carbon. Still has stock air filter, looks good also. Bike only has 11,500 miles on it, was bought used from dealer last summer, but i dont know what they might have done to it, and the guy i bought it from only put 150 miles on it. I have run injector cleaner thru a couple tanks. I sprayed down the throttle body the other day and just filled the tank, but havent had a chance to ride yet. I was looking at buying a fuel processor, but dont want to spend the money not knowing how well they work.

[watchman]

Reading your first post and the last one I am going to assume you mean 1,150 miles not 11,500. So, although your rings are seated your engine is still very tight with only 1150 miles on it. My 1500 classic I had didn't loosen up until around 3600 miles and my 1600 Nomad didn't until around 2800 miles. Neither of the bikes got very good milage until then. On the first tank of fuel on my Nomad I only got 25 mpg. I remember this becaused I was really pissed. Also your stock exhaust system hurts your milage a little.

I suggest that some time between 3000 and 6000 miles, change to synthetic motor oil, install a lower restrictive exhaust like V & H Duel Baggers or something simmular, install a K & N air filter and marble your Reed Valves. This is exactly what we did to the wifes 04 Nomad and she got a consistant 40+ mpg. Hope this helps!

[killerznomad]

Hi Watchman, no the mileage is correct at 11,500. I am the 3rd owner, first put all but 150 miles on it, the second hardly rode it to only get 150, and now me. So the bike hasnt been rode much in the last year i know, but i am not sure how long it sat at the dealer before being purchased by second owner. The paperwork says it has an Outback exhaust system installed, and i have done the marble trick but didnt notice anything. I did just change oil in it, but i didnt use synthetic.