Whats your R100 getting for mileage?

[airraceaddict]

On my /7, I get about 40mpg around town and I usually get 180-190 before I need to go to reserve.

Same with me on my 78 RS. On my trip to Redmond from Spokane, then Crater Lake, then Portland, then home, I was topping 220 before going to reserve. Guess all that work last winter paid off. I was getting around 170-180 before reserve, but still around 220 on a total tank.

 

[troyboy]

My 78 r100/7 gets between 36-39 mpg. I run 87 oct,run 89 if price is right. I hit reserve around 165-170 miles.

 

[RAColeman]

Went back to 87 octaine

Did the valves and timing after I got back from Redmond. Still about 42 MPG.

 

[Woodwise]

Whats your R100RT getting for mileage?

Original owner of 1981 R100RT... I have gotten ~ 53 mpg since the early days. Last checked it last year... I generally do a mileage check annually, and otherwise keep an eye on when I go on reserve. Can pretty much set my watch by the miles to reserve. Maybe I just got lucky.
~R~

 

[20774]

Woodwise -

Welcome to the forum! How many miles on that one-owner RT? Pretty cool to be the one and only owner.

 

[brewmeister]

I get on average 38 mpg. but I increased the stock jets that came with the bike originally with the next bigger size because of the crappy quality of the gas now available compared to 34 years ago. It pinged like crazy but stopped when more gas is dumped into it which does improve the drivability of the bike without going through the hastle of double plugging and such .So i.m happy with the results even though it uses more gas. originally the bike had 26,000 on it when I first bought it and it was getting upper 40's mpgal. but I could still get decient gas back then but not so much now. It is a compromise that I accept. also I suppose the 40 mm heads don't help much.

update ,I put in the new electronic ignition from rick at motorad electric and I took it to the slimy crud run and my mileage went up to 43 mpg,the charge system and electronic ignition is now completely replaced everything is just fine .I feel it has been a great improvement!

 

[chasmrider]

wow, I don't know how you guys run 87, my bike pings and feels terrible on 87. stock 90 GSPD K&N filter, I go on reserve real close to 320 mi everytime ( right at 8 gal ) I always start with super 92 cause you never know what you will find out in the boonies.

 

[20774]

wow, I don't know how you guys run 87, my bike pings and feels terrible on 87. stock 90 GSPD K&N filter,

Have you done anything to the engine? The stock bike is 8.5:1 compression...should be able to live fine on the lower grades. Any differences when trying the stock filter? I understand that K&Ns can flow too easily, maybe letting in grit until they get good and oily.

 

[chasmrider]

as far as I know it is bone stock, except for the K&N which I have been running for about 10 years. I have no complaints on how the bike runs, as long as I have at least mid grade (89) gas. next winter I will need to replace my pushrod seals, so I will get more info then. now its time to ride

 

[darryl cainey]

wow, I don't know how you guys run 87, my bike pings and feels terrible on 87. stock 90 GSPD K&N filter, I go on reserve real close to 320 mi every time ( right at 8 gal ) I always start with super 92 cause you never know what you will find out in the boonies.

My 1977 R100RS with 525,000 miles used 87 octane with no pinging and my 1993 R100Gs runs just as good on 87, must be the Canadian gas!

 

[MEAirhd]

I've always run the highest octane gas I could find through the years of different stock "airheads". They all ran smoother w/ less ping & hesitation blues.
My current and newest R100 averages 46MPG on Shell 91V-Power . When I had to settle for 87 or 89....yuck. . especially in the warmer months, she don't like it.
Spoiled I guess and the nature of the beast.

 

[JNCLEM]

'89 R100 GS with R80 top end. Gets right at 40 around the valley, or on short trips nearby, mostly slower mountain roads and some dirt. A little higher, 45 or so, on very slow, mostly dirt rides. With bags, gear, and 75 mph highway travel, 35 to 38. It seems to run just fine on anything, but I usually use a 93 octane premium, just because that's the only no ethanol gas I can get in town.

 

[lkchris]

Comparisons between old and new are maybe unfair, but it's good to know there's been progress.

My 2012 R1200RT always returns better fuel economy than the '84 R100RS I rode from new for 27 years.

It's got 110 horsepower versus the 60 of the Airhead, and while it weighs more it sure has more load capacity. I imagine the 1200 is a bit less aerodynamically efficient, too, as it almost has to be since it's bigger.

When you first switch to a fuel injected bike, you'll know it, as you'll need to learn different clutch/transmission control to avoid snatchiness caused by the fact the fuel injection shuts off on overrun while carburetors continue to send fuel (uselessly) through the engine when coasting. This of course reduces emissions as well as consumption.