Sport vs Touring vs Fuel Quality and MPG

[KSH]

Has anybody else noticed that using Touring Mode and lower octane and/or poor quality Premium"91" gives worse MPG than using Sport Mode.

All MPG's are hand figured.
I had to fill with 87 "only station" and mileage was 40 in Touring. Filled at another station with 91 and it was 47.

My normal station is 91 and in touring mode it's 39 to 41. Switched it to Sport and it's in the 45 range for the same commute.

I'm going to try different local stations Premium and see if MPG's improve.
I have over 1500 miles on, so this is not just a gallon here, gallon there average.

 

[keeponriding]

I've been in Touring mode and running either 91 or 93.

Without freeway riding, so speeds below say 65...I average 45 or more.

With freeway (speeds between 75 and 80), my average drops to 41 or 42.

 

[motocephalic]

my experience has been touring mode at 70ish I get about 46-48 mpg, in sport mode doing the same I get 42 running 91.

 

[Kevhunts]

Might want to note the ethenol content in the fuel you buy. I found ethenol gas lowers my mpg in everything I drive.

 

[KSH]

The point I was trying to make is that Sport mode was giving me better MPG's than Touring on lower quality fuel in the same situation.

I was not trying to compare MPG's, due to the fact everybody's riding style is different.

 

[motocephalic]

The point I was trying to make is that Sport mode was giving me better MPG's than Touring on lower quality fuel in the same situation.

I was not trying to compare MPG's, due to the fact everybody's riding style is different.

I have no explanation then, I will have to try it and see if that is the case. I have been trying to use premium most of the time, unless like today, they had none.

 

[Combo]

Once I switched to sport I never went back. Getting 43-45 in sport on average. It takes off much better in S, riding two up. I don't like the way the motor lays flat on take off turning right or left from a stop sign or light in T and TC1. May be that's just me :question:

 

[martinh]

You guys must be light on the throttle or I must just be heavy on it. It does not matter what setting I am in T or S and I only get around 37 - 38 mpg. I do like the S mode much better, the bike comes alive.

 

[Buckeye56]

Sunday on the way home from Marietta, OH, we got pounded by a thunderstorm. It was nice to switch to T mode and smooth out the power delivery. Prolly won't use it much, but nice to have the option.

 

[3putt]

Wait, our bike has a SPORT mode? Wait till the HD guys hear about this!

 

[Combo]

Wait, our bike has a SPORT mode? Wait till the HD guys hear about this!

::025::

 

[Combo]

I must just be heavy .

You aint heavy your my brother........................Tenere rider ::015::

I did not share what avg MPG I get without my wife on the Big XT. ::26::

 

[1200ST]

Running 93 octane in Texas, I get 1-3 mpg better in Sport mode.
I am not sure if it has anything to do with the 100+ deg F days we have been having this summer or not.

 

[sail2xxs]

I haven't tried Sport mode yet.... afraid of crossing to the dark side. T mode and 93 octane (with ethanol) has been yielding a pretty consistent 48-51 mpg commuting 110 roundtrip miles/day to DC. The morning commute normally has the bike at an indicated 75-80 mph, afternoon varies from parked to 90 mph. This is without panniers. I'm curious to see what happens when the Zega Pros go on!

Chris

 

[tkad]

I will have to try sport mode, sooner or later. In T mode, I am averaging 55mpg at an average cruising speed of 70mph indicated. there is little, if any, city driving as I live in a very small town, no traffic or stop and go involved. I find the computer is within 1mpg to my calculated average. early reports had fuel economy as much worse in T mode, and I am never in much of a hurry...soon time to verify that info, I guess.
fuel wise, I have not noticed any difference between 89 and non-oxygenated 91, have not tried any 87 yet.

 

[spasm]

with the new mods ive done, power commander, and full system, the re-map has actually taken fuel out, which means in theory it should do more miles per tank. but u see now the bike is far more powerful because its running slightly leaner i find myself gunning it everywhere ::26::
because it just wants to go faster, so im no better off ::001::
mind u the fun factor is amazing ::022::

 

[markjenn]

With all the variables involved in fuel mileage, I'd venture that it would take at least ten tanks of fuel to draw any reasonable conclusions on variance in mileage with mode. Just look at the extreme variance in reported fuel mileage in this thread! If you don't have some fairly long-term data that will damp out the noise, you may just be tilting at windmills.

There was a discussion a while back about whether S vs. T actually changes fuel maps or just electronic throttle ramps/damping. I don't recall whether a firm conclusion was reached, but I would be surprised if different maps are used.

- Mark

 

[Koinz]

I like to think of it as:

Touring mode = Lazy throttle
Sport Mode = Normal throttle.