what are some usual (and simple) reasons that cause bikes to get pretty bad gas mileage?

I only got 84.5 miles to my last tank before the light came on... i've only been commuting, no high revs, pretty reserved riding. oil is fresh. I gutted and cut my exhaust down, could that be a reason? bike doesn't seem to be running funny. Im just looking for ideas so i can find the solution. shouldn't i be getting around 120-130 miles per tank?

 

I think there is something up because I am right around 140 on my tank right now and no light yet.

I couldn't tell you what's wrong though.

 

i put in 4.3 gallons the last time I filled up, and had about 158 miles on the tank when I did. If I remember right the light came on around 135 mile mark. 36 mpg

 

i always get terrible mileage, i get about 90 till my light goes on, but thats cuz i went -1 on the front sprocket, but even stock i only got like 110-115 i think it was

 

I'm usually in the 120's when my light comes on and I usually ride pretty agressive and am in the twisties alot...

 

check the air n fuel filters!

 

I live in Maine where towards the start and end to the riding season its a bit colder and i always let my bike warm up for a few min. When i was just going for short rides to commute i was only getting 20-25 MPG---If i go for longer rides i usually get around 35-40 about 140 miles off a tank give or take depending on how aggressive i ride. So how long are you letting your bike warm up if at all and how much time when your commuting do you spend at lights. that millage is pretty low though so i would definitely check your filters air, etc. i have a devil exhaust on my 954 but other than that for engine its pretty much stock. Try going for longer rides doing some high way riding and see what you get for millage. Hope that might help some

 

Dan954, that sounds like that's about it. lots of lights, campus is only a mile or 2 away, i wait til the bike is warm to ride.

 

fuel filter, air filter, also if you bought the bike used check tire pressure, they could have had it a little low for doin wheelies and that will hurt your gas mileage. Also, they could have changed the sprockets and that can do it too.

 

yup those are certainly some other things to check. when i got my bike the pressure was low in both tires but that's something you should be checking on a regular basis. Conrice did you ever go for some longer rides to see what your MPG was? But when i was having the same MPG i am even less than a mile from campus so it was very short rides much like you just a mile or two at a time.