Better mpg than my Transalp?

[DaveS]

XR400 standard tank I seem to get 120KM's full to the brim to reserve whether I thrash it or bimble about. But then again I rarely bimble as the lads I go out with will tell you, so perhaps I do thrash it everywhere.
I like to be on the back wheel to save tyre rubber.

And I've no idea what that works out to 'cause I don't know how big the tank is.

Ahh just read 9.5L to reserve (1.5L in reserve) so that's... 2.089 gallons.

120KM's is 74.56 miles

74.56 / 2.089 = 35.69 miles to the gallon.
Seems about right for an enduro bike.

And taking this a bit further this means that I could travel about, well, feck all on reserve, at 1.5 litres and 35 to the gallon. Crikey that's only 11.77 miles! Gulp.

[phil w]

This is all well and good, and interesting, but anyone any idea how many miles per gallon could I expect from an XR600 (or 400) pottering about the backroads?

Guess the thread did get a bit hijacked

[XR Mad]

Hi Fridge
I get between 40 and 50 mpg (depending on the type of roads) from my XR400 with 15 tooth front sprocket and 45 rear, i'm about to put a 40 tooth rear on my spare wheel i use for the road to give the bike an easier life at about 65mph when i do some miles i'll post what mpg i'm getting

[XR Mad]

Right done over 200 miles on the road with my taller gearing today and was getting 57mpg.

[Falp]

Just got back from Morocco and I quite fancy something a bit more capable/lighter offroad than the Transalp; the reality is that it will get used a lot on the road. Anyone know how an XR400 would compare for mpg when used for my daily commute? I'm getting 54mpg from the TA, dropped a bit when loaded but only by a fraction.

An XR4 or XR6 would have been a lot better in the sand or on the piste (although the TA performed fantastically) but given that it has to be a bit of an all rounder I'm worried that I'd be sacrificing economy by going the XR route, any thoughts?

Try the F800Gs...

[laurencecook]

great thread!-Im looking at buying a transalp, from the look of this thread its one of the better enduro bike for touring mpg wise- also looking at the bmw scarver. What other bikes are there that give great mpg? was looking at honda hornets but they do between 40-50mpg ive heard!

[Warthog]

I have an XR400. It runs SM wheels and has a smaller rear cog that the standard enduro wheel. I recently roide it across Germany, much to the chagrin of my rear end. I was loaded up but riding a steady 50-60mph.

My bike runs an Edelbrock Quiksilver II carb and a K&N. It has the standard can but minus the spark arrestor.

It consistently managed 75mpg over the 450 miles I rode that day! I am, of course, very impressed with this.

I have had the plug out previously after blasting around town and it seemed fine. The bike does back fire a bit on the overrun, but not masses. I guess it could be running a bit lean, but not enough to account for tyhis MPG, IMO. I think it mainly to mild acceleration and a steady throttle on the day, but on the whole it seems to be pretty light on fuel.

I have yet to calculate its urban or hoon MPG.

[Zenarchy]

Have you considered the bmw f650 bikes. They do a dakar model that's a bit lighter than the others I think. They're singles though. From what I've read they have good fuel economy (in the 70 to 80mpg range in some cases I think - though best to check as I've never owned one myself).

You can pick up the older funduro models pretty cheaply (though the GS I think is more off road oriented and newer and tends to be a bit more pricey).

[fridge]

Ooo, haven't checked in for a while, some interesting figures...

Checked my TA consumption again and it is 54mpg based on measurement not assumption!

Some encouraging numbers being achieved by the XR400s.

My mate had a BMW 650GS on our Morocco trip and it was no better than the TA off-road although a bit lighter, I just don't think the design is as well thought out. Dakar version appears to be a bit better but still not convinced. Obviously a skilled rider would make a big difference but until I get there (if ever) a bike which drops well, and picks up easily is an attractive proposition.

Tried an 800GS after we got back, nice bike but too much for me really considering I'm a novice off-road plus can't afford a new bike.

[Zenarchy]

Just after posting the bmw suggestion I read a moment later:

Why you buy a Honda, not a Beemer..

Which looks a bit scary. You may be right about the design (particularly the forks on that one!). I haven't had any off road experience yet myself though so was just looking at it from a fuel point of view. I was considering the funduros when I first passed my test, but couldn't resist the africa twin.