View Full Version : The Fuel Experiment
Just though you might like to see a little fuel experiment that I'm running, the updates are going to be on my blog but here are the first 2 days posts:
Just lately my GT has be running rather rough, possibley due to the cold weather and carb icing and possibly bad spark plugs. This is giving me some rather awfull fueling. I sometimes get home with the reseve light flashing, which normally never happens. So other then replacing the spark plugs which I'm doing later this afternoon I though I'd give some of the BP Ultimate fuel a try. After all its ment to give you a cleaner engine, better performance, Better fuel economy, and less polution. I've also been told it may even inprove the problems with carb icing, so I thought what the hell.
The fuel is rather more expensive at 94.9 per litre, compared to the 86.9 I get from Morrision, but maybe just maybe that cheap fuel is not doing my bike much good. The bike can't drink the fuel much worse then it is and it was almost empty due to a rather hungry trip. £17.51 later for 18.45 litres the bike is full and I'm off, I can say when I got to work the bike appears to be running better with less cut outs and what appears to be more fuel left. Lets see what happens over the next few days.
Current fuel figures. (newest - oldest)
(Mpg 34.5) KM per Litre:12.21 Pence per mile:11.45 (very cold day)
(Mpg 38.7) KM per Litre:13.7 Pence per mile:10.21 (cold day)
(Mpg 43.03) KM per Litre:15.23 Pence per mile:9.07 (nice - bit wet)
Looking good, notice a much more responsive bike, and what seems a better economy. So I manage my 130 round trip and get back to the pump this morning. Fill up and manage £13.13 for 13.84 litres, much better. Almost like what it was before this bad weather set in, lets see those figures then:
(Mpg 42.7) KM per Litre:15.11 Pence per mile:10.10
Much much better, now that may have been due to a number of factors so I'm going to have to run this for a few days. As maybe I was just taking it easy due to the problems with the bike, also when I replace the plugs I may even get better performance. But I am happy so far, the bike is back to the £13 fuel mark that its was at for now. Which means the extra cost has been equally offset by the improvements in economy and performance.
This is all on my other blog 'Bikers View (http://bikersview.blogspot.com/)'
Interesting, I also heard that the premium fuel helps with carb icing and fuel economy.
Never really tried it though cause the price for the premium fuel is a lot more than the regular stuff, mind you I do a lot of miles so maybe every now and then I should chuck some premium fuel in the bike to keep the engine in good nick..
Interesting, I also heard that the premium fuel helps with carb icing and fuel economy.
Never really tried it though cause the price for the premium fuel is a lot more than the regular stuff, mind you I do a lot of miles so maybe every now and then I should chuck some premium fuel in the bike to keep the engine in good nick..
The reason I did it when the bike was empty was to limit the amount of cheap fuel running my results and canceling out any bonus. So you may want to be careful of just adding it every now and again. Also I have no idea of how effective this would be on a modern engine, as the GT I'm on is 11 years old now. Most modern engine managment may cancel these gains out.
The Shell garage in Farlington (near the Hilton) is cheaper than BP and it is 98 ron over BP's 97 ron.
The Shell garage in Farlington (near the Hilton) is cheaper than BP and it is 98 ron over BP's 97 ron.
I did think about that.. I may try it after my experiments have ran for a little while, I don't want to polute the results. :wink: Plus at the moment I'm getting necture points.. :lol:
Does it make much of a difference if say there is 35% fuel left in the tank that is on the regular fuel, then top it up with premium fuel?
I guess my question is does this effect the engine in any way? I have mixed fuel types in the past and have not had any trouble, but then I never really thought about it :!:
Does it make much of a difference if say there is 35% fuel left in the tank that is on the regular fuel, then top it up with premium fuel?
I guess my question is does this effect the engine in any way? I have mixed fuel types in the past and have not had any trouble, but then I never really thought about it :!:
Well all the info I've seen say it should be fine.. though I want to get the best results I can so I wanted to ensure I had the least old fuel in it as possible.
This is the site I use the get the mpg figures:
http://www.torquecars.co.uk/Tuning/uk-mpg-calculator.php
Thanks, that is a pretty cool site.
Will make a note on next fill up and see what I get..
Good luck with your experiment.
Thanks, that is a pretty cool site.
Will make a note on next fill up and see what I get..
Good luck with your experiment.
it also stores the last 4 results.. which is handy...
If its hot open the window rather than turn on the air conditioning, if it's really hot open another window and turn the blowers on, if your steering wheel starts melting then turn on the air conditioning.
Thought this was pretty funny!!
If its hot open the window rather than turn on the air conditioning, if it's really hot open another window and turn the blowers on, if your steering wheel starts melting then turn on the air conditioning.
Good luck with your experiment.
Thought this was pretty funny!!
lol..
I was under the impression that opening the windows will create more drag, thus cancelling out the saving made by turning air con off.
That one was covered by Myth busters. Basically it got busted big time!
Biker Biggles
26-01-06, 06:59 PM
I go over to BP ultimate when the weather gets cold and it stops the carb icing on the SV.Works a treat,even when there was about 5 litres of old fuel in the tank..in the last cold snap I set out for work and rode about two miles with much spluttering and poor running.I pulled into the BP and filled up with ultimate and it took about 12 litres.Within a mile or so it was running fine.I hav'nt checked the consumption,but if that is better that's a bonus.
Grinch, I'll be interested to see the result of this. But how can you discount other factors - like do you check your tyres, does weight carried make any difference (i.e. has Jax made you a nice lunch), headwind, etc.
Why don't you write to BP/Shell and ask them their view on relative economy?
KATIE_SV
26-01-06, 10:46 PM
me and xvs are intrested in this so please keep us posted
Grinch, I'll be interested to see the result of this. But how can you discount other factors - like do you check your tyres, does weight carried make any difference (i.e. has Jax made you a nice lunch), headwind, etc.
Why don't you write to BP/Shell and ask them their view on relative economy?
Well my tyres are rather good and tend to stay at a constant 36 psi. But I will give them a check tomorrow. I'll also try to keep notes of the weather and traffic as these are factors, even more so as snow is forcast for tomorrow. Also I didn't get those spark plugs, as they hadn't arrived so they will be going in tomorrow with the results for next week.
have you considered looking for 99ron tescos?
Its getting about now i think.
have you considered looking for 99ron tescos?
Its getting about now i think.
Yes I have seen it about.. though I've not seen any hype about it cleaning your engine and stuff, so is it just higher octain level or something?
I'm corrected...
Greenergy supplies the new 99 Octane Super Unleaded petrol now on sale at selected Tesco forecourts. This performance fuel has the highest octane rating (RON) of any petrol currently on sale at UK forecourt chains and contains an enhanced additive package to help remove engine deposits and ensure smooth engine running.
The fuel contains a specially formulated mix of high quality petrol components, carefully blended to achieve 99 Octane. These typically include 5% bioethanol, a renewable but also high-octane product.
They sell it at North Harbour Portsmouth and Havant Tescos...
'Bikers View' (http://bikersview.blogspot.com/)blog has been updated with the latest results.
Filipe M.
27-01-06, 10:39 AM
It could be interesting if you could throw in some average speeds in the measurements. "Real" average speeds, as in start counting the time as soon as you turn the engine on, measure distance, then stop counting when you cut the engine. That might help us to better relate to our own experience, and at the same time give you an extra control over traffic influence on your mileage (as it will necessarily lower your average speed - just look at any Ghost Rider movie :wink: ).
It could be interesting if you could throw in some average speeds in the measurements. "Real" average speeds, as in start counting the time as soon as you turn the engine on, measure distance, then stop counting when you cut the engine. That might help us to better relate to our own experience, and at the same time give you an extra control over traffic influence on your mileage (as it will necessarily lower your average speed - just look at any Ghost Rider movie :wink: ).
Well it takes me about a hour 15 to get 65 miles.. which is 52 mph
But as at the moment I have no clock on my bike.. so I'm just guessing and removing the time for fuel stops. If I get a clock sorted, I'll add it in.
average speed calc (http://www.machinehead-software.co.uk/bike/speed_distance_time_calc.html)
Grinch
I wrote a small fuel consumption calculator a few years ago... I'll forward the installation ZIP file if you're interested. It's very thorough.
Grinch
I wrote a small fuel consumption calculator a few years ago... I'll forward the installation ZIP file if you're interested. It's very thorough.
That would be great.. :D
I wrote a small fuel consumption calculator a few years ago...
BILL!
Get out more. :wink: :lol:
Although I am watching with interest. :oops:
The Mass
28-01-06, 09:08 AM
With a full run from the house to work, or vise versa
I have in the past put some rocket fuel in from the Texaco garage atthe bottom of our road on the way to work.
I can honestly say that the bike runs a lot better, and when I fill up on the way home, it doesn't cost me as much at it would on just the normal fuel from Asda.
I remember not so long back putting the Texaco stuff in and filling back up on the way home at Asda in High Wycombe, and putting in £8 :shock: and the tank was full. So there has gotta be some saving there somewhere.
But good on ye Grinch, keep us posted mate. As I would be very interested, and I wouldn't mind a copy of Billy's Zip file. Cheers Bill
Mass
My postings about this might be a little light next week as I'm not feeling that well. But I'll be sure to keep you posted on my developments as and when they happen.
GT's also just had new wheel bearings put in, 4 new spark plugs, and I new tyre next week, along with the rear pads.
So these things may all have a little affect on the results.
amarko5
29-01-06, 12:51 AM
i found that the SV definately gave me more MPG on ultimate and it really did run smoother.
The TDM is very similar in my findings :lol:
there is no scientific analasis to my findings but i do recken on 30 or so miles out of a tank more on average tank being 20 litres on the TDM
one would have to set up a controlled enviroment to get accurate results but suffice to say I feel its worth the extra dosh :lol:
GSXR Carlos
29-01-06, 01:35 PM
is super unleaded better/worse/not suitable for us?
higher ron = higher cost = better running?
I rode the bike home the other day ater having its wheel bearings done, and the back brake freed up. It ran like a pig, but I think that was due to the cold weather and the fact it had stood a bit. So even this premium fuel will not fix all carb iceing, when those temps really drop you'll still have problems (it was about 0-1c). Plus I think my spark plugs are only recomended above 5c.
I rode the bike home the other day ater having its wheel bearings done, and the back brake freed up. It ran like a pig, but I think that was due to the cold weather and the fact it had stood a bit. So even this premium fuel will not fix all carb iceing, when those temps really drop you'll still have problems (it was about 0-1c). Plus I think my spark plugs are only recomended above 5c.
My mechanic put in a hotter plug, starting my bike with 123k in below zero F temps is the same as it was in July of 1999 when I bought it
I've tried the different grades, but your gas is formulated different than here in the US, all gas is the same differing only in their resistance to detonation, unless you buy racing fuel at 3x the pump price
Best answer I have found for carb icing is get on your bike from the beginning of your journey, ride about 3 miles, hopefully traffic will be light to nonexistent like mine, buy then, you noticing hiccupping in the motor, now you come into light to sometimes moderate traffic depending if yor running on time. As soon as you get tothe traffic, the engine will bogg, backfire, stall at tickover but start easily with throttle.
NOW
stop at the pastry & tea or what ever coffee, coco, espresso you drink, get a small hot drink and a donut whe your done, go back out, your engine will have been shut off long enuf without the cooling effect of the air intake (carbs make good refrigerators) engine heat will have migrated to the carbs and warmed them up,
sometimes it's real bad and about 10 miles you will have to repeat the proceedure,
Only problem is it tends to make you get fat
I hate carb icing
This will be starting again soon as I have been rather sick over the last few weeks, but it might be with a different bike. So I was thinking about collecting a few more results on the the GT and reseting everything for the new bike. But I will be sure to keep you all posted.
but it might be with a different bike.
What bike you gettin?
but it might be with a different bike.
What bike you gettin?
I'm sure it will be a surprise to both me and you... :wink:
northwind
20-02-06, 12:03 PM
Mystic Northwind predicts... A Chrysler Tomahawk.
Mystic Northwind predicts... A Chrysler Tomahawk.
Me thinks your off by miles..
Me thinks your off by miles..
And about 7.36 litres.
Day 1 on the SV, 120 miles
(Mpg 40.05) KM per Litre:14.18 Pence per mile:11.00
This was with what ever fuel was left in the bike and the fuel light came on at about 110 miles, not very good figures, though much better then the old GT
Day 2 on the SV.
(Mpg 53.28) KM per Litre:18.86 Pence per mile:8.27
So this is the figures I got from filling up this morning after 138 miles and no fuel light. Much better, even with 3 litres of normal unleaded.
120 miles in todays road conditions! :shock: :notworthy:
120 miles in todays road conditions! :shock: :notworthy:
I've only done 65 so far.. but when I leave at about 6 tonight it will add another 65.
Good luck to you mate, that is one long a$$ distance to work!
Good luck to you mate, that is one long a$$ distance to work!
Cheers... I'm at work all this weekend to... should be fun! :(
Day 3 with the SV, all the old fuel now gone.
(Mpg 53.92) KM per Litre:19.08 Pence per mile:8.17 for 139 miles £11.35.
So same distance, same journey, similar weather (cold/ice but dry) may have ridden the bike a little harder and still a saving.
Day 4 still cold.
Well after riding the bike how I felt I seem to have manged to get the reserve light to come on, it was at 133.4 miles and I did take some back roads home. I've been running the bike allot harder then the last few days, so lets see how it affected the MPG.
(Mpg 47.27) KM per Litre:16.73 Pence per mile:9.32 for 135.8miles £12.66
So it looks like I lost about 5 miles per gallon, not bad. Hopefully when the weather warms up this figure should go up as the engine is now at it most inefficient.
Day 5 bit warmer.
(Mpg 48.41) KM per Litre:17.13 Pence per mile:9.10 136.1 Miles £12.38
Light came on a 131.8.
Still been riding the bike a bit hard, so I'll see how things improve as I ease off again. Maybe even get that magic 60mpg.
I've been told by a friend that works at BP if I keep the fuel in there long enough then it should clean the engine and improve the mpg more. So one more week and then its on to the Optimax or Tesco Super.
I have had 200 miles out of a tank of gas on that bike. Ridden like a girl of course and well into the reserve tank (solid light).
Normally managed 130 before the light came on.
Only manage about 100 on the CBR on the same amount of petrol.
what fuel where you using?
what fuel where you using?
On the 200 it was just standard unleaded (on the whole) maybe a bit of super if I was feeling flush. I was really pottering and sticking it in 6th and riding gently.
130 was about average before the light came on.
CBR runs on super (97 - 99RON) depending on which petrol station I am near. I have run it on regular as well and I seem to get similar mileage whatever I use TBH.
what fuel where you using?
On the 200 it was just standard unleaded (on the whole) maybe a bit of super if I was feeling flush. I was really pottering and sticking it in 6th and riding gently.
130 was about average before the light came on.
CBR runs on super (97 - 99RON) depending on which petrol station I am near. I have run it on regular as well and I seem to get similar mileage whatever I use TBH.
Might well be still feeling the benifit of the super stuff as its ment to clean the engine.
I have had 200 miles out of a tank of gas on that bike. Ridden like a girl of course and well into the reserve tank (solid light).
Normally managed 130 before the light came on.
Only manage about 100 on the CBR on the same amount of petrol.
I got 186 out of doris last year. That was including Fizz's rideout and then a 'cant find a petrol station open in devon at 7am on a sunday morning' momnet. That was well into the reserve, like only id say about .3 of a Litre left in the tank.
I have done on a motorway trip when i 1st got the bike, got 208 miles out of the sv but that was to the point of conking out and having to walk to the garage. All on regular unleaded.
I plan on swapping back to the old stuff to see what it like...
skidmarx
06-03-06, 02:58 PM
I'm running in my K5 at the moment, Only 120 miles on the clock. But I only managed 110 miles between fill ups! Is this normal? I would have thought that nursing it around at under 5K would have resulted in 140PLUS!
I'm running in my K5 at the moment, Only 120 miles on the clock. But I only managed 110 miles between fill ups! Is this normal? I would have thought that nursing it around at under 5K would have resulted in 140PLUS!
Well as your engine is still not beded in I wouldn't panic to much...
Coldish and a little wet.
(Mpg 53.34) KM per Litre:18.88 Pence per mile:8.26 £11.24 for 136.1 miles
Still wet and not so cold...
(Mpg 52.57) KM per Litre:18.6 Pence per mile:8.55 £12.09 141.3 miles...
Might try to see how long I can run it before the light comes on when I'm taking it easy. As the only time its appeared at the moment is when I've raged. As I only used 12 llitresof fuel I should have another llitresbefore the light comes on. So atleast another 10 miles of tank range. Oh and the fuel price had gone up. its now 98.9 ppl rather then 96.9 ppl.
and the fuel price had gone up. its now 98.9 ppl rather then 96.9 ppl.
Where the 'kin ell you buying petrol???
and the fuel price had gone up. its now 98.9 ppl rather then 96.9 ppl.
Where the 'kin ell you buying petrol???
BP Petersfield.. its the cheapest BP 'Super' fuel. Next week I start on shell... I think thats a bit cheaper.
Are you plotting these results?
Are you plotting these results?
plotting?
plotting?
Graph.
Oh.. what for? fuel price? distance... useage? mpg?
Oh.. what for? fuel price? distance... useage? mpg?
Yeah!
Hmm - interesting stuff...am I correct in saying that your bike is carbed? If so, would a fuel injected machine see the same or similar benefits? Might seem like a daft question, but someone's got to ask it...I'm guessing the answer will be yes, of course, if you use a better quality fuel - you'll get improved performance form the donk. :wink:
Hmm - interesting stuff...am I correct in saying that your bike is carbed? If so, would a fuel injected machine see the same or similar benefits? Might seem like a daft question, but someone's got to ask it...I'm guessing the answer will be yes, of course, if you use a better quality fuel - you'll get improved performance form the donk. :wink:
In theroy the injected bikes should turn out better results... Though from what I've seen the figures ain't that different. I think carb's are a bit more forgiving with aftermaket can's which helps.
I'm_a_Newbie
09-03-06, 11:20 PM
Hi
I don't know much about SV650's, Pick mine up on Saturday (Pointy). If the engine has an ignition management system that uses a knock sensor, then you will definately get the full benefit of these high octane fuels. If the SV does not have a knock sensor, then you will need to get the ignition timing altered to get the full benefit and the best MPG figures.
Kind regards
Tim
Last of the BP....
Right filled up at Shell this morning with Optimax so this are the last of the BP figures.
(Mpg 50.56) KM per Litre:17.89 Pence per mile:8.35
Cost £10.01 for 130.9 miles... been runing the bike hard just lately so that explains the mpg drop. The shell is also cheaper at 92.9 ppl.
Nice day, dry and only a little bit cold...
Bikes been ridden hard and saw the fuel light again today at 144.1 miles, just before I got to the petrol station.
(Mpg 52.24) KM per Litre:18.49 Pence per mile:8.08 for £11.65 and 144.5 miles.
So even with my hard riding I'm still getting good fuel figures.
Right I've updated my blog... but here are the averages for the current fuels.
Averages: Over 6 days with just that fuel in the tank (no other grade or brand)
BP Ultimate:
Mpg 51.46 KM per Litre:18.21 Pence per mile:8.61 £11.87 137.7 miles
Shell Optimax
Mpg 52.87 KM per Litre:18.11 Pence per mile:8.27 £11.75 142.2 miles
I've been running the SV with the Optimax how I felt, with it in most gears at about 6-7000rpm, so rather good figures I thought. The BP was OK, though I was a little leaner on the bike maybe 5,5-6000rpm most of the time. Plus the high price has not helped.
Next I think I'll be trying one of the 'Stores' Super Unleadeds.
kwak zzr
22-03-06, 05:53 PM
filled up my dads yamaha cygnus x 125 today and is done 214miles to a fiver!
In order to balance things out I've decided that it time to use some 'cheap' fuel, namely some stuff from Morrisons for these reasons:
1. Because it on my route home.
2. I don't have to take a long detour/delay to get there.
3. I have a 'fuel saving' card from Morrisons.
4. Its cheap, cheap, cheap...
So is the cheap store fuel better price per litre then the 'premium' Branded fuel???
(Mpg 50.55) KM per Litre:17.89 Pence per mile:8.00 150 miles for £12
(Mpg 51.71) KM per Litre:18.3 Pence per mile:7.81 138.9 miles for £10.86
So at the moment it looks like I get less mpg but this is balanced out by the lower pence per mile. Though the weather is not as cold, it has been rather wet and windy.
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