Really poor fuel economy/range. FI WRs and YZ450s.

[MidlifeCrisisGuy]

Hi guys.

 

I've noticed that my 2012 WR uses fuel at an astonishing rate on tight trails.  I have disconnected my low fuel indicator, but there isn't much left in the tank at the end of a 25 mile ride.

 

Another guy in our group is riding a 2014 YZ450F.  The tank sizes are nearly the same.  He measured 1 liter left in his tank at the end of a 30 mile ride.

 

We are riding tight, technical woods.  Most commonly we are in 2nd gear zipping between trees.  When it opens up we are in 3rd gear.  Almost no 4th or 5th unless we are on logging roads.  There are several big, tough hills on every ride.  My GPS shows our average moving speed to be between 10 and 16 MPH, depending on the trail and conditions.  This isn't GNCC terrain !

 

The other rider and myself are pretty aggressive with the throttle.  When I'm on my game, I'm accelerating out of every turn and braking before the next.  Pretty smooth, but not lazy. 

 

The other rider and myself are both big. 220 pounds.

 

We are both running stock maps.  I've richened my idle mixture.

 

Is anyone else experiencing this sort of fuel consumption ?

 

How much difference would a non stock map make to fuel consumption ?

 

What are my options for carrying more fuel, aside from a really big, expensive aftermarket tank ?

[FORMA MOTO]

You should be getting 60 miles on the stock tank.

 

You probably are leaking fuel into the crankcase due to a dirty injector nozzle not closing all the way..........

 

If you have never serviced the FI system from top to bottom, that is the problem.

[MidlifeCrisisGuy]

You should be getting 60 miles on the stock tank.

 

You probably are leaking fuel into the crankcase due to a dirty injector nozzle not closing all the way..........

 

If you have never serviced the FI system from top to bottom, that is the problem.

 

 

Nope, no fuel leaking into the oil.  It's due for a change (10 hours) and the level is right on. And I checked it last fall. 

 

Both my WR and the YZ are getting about the same mileage. 

 

Both machines run really well too.  No stutters or hickups.  Lots of power.  300XCs feel meek after riding one of our 450s.  Maybe all that power and throttle response burns a lot of fuel ?

Edited August 28, 2015 by MidlifeCrisisGuy

[FORMA MOTO]

You are probably used to handfulls of two stroke power rather than just cracking the throttle in a really high gear,...........

[MidlifeCrisisGuy]

You are probably used to handfulls of two stroke power rather than just cracking the throttle in a really high gear,...........

 

I think you mean handfuls of 4 stroke power.

[FORMA MOTO]

I think you mean handfuls of 4 stroke power.

 

I don't think you know what you mean?

 

So hard to decipher......

Edited August 28, 2015 by KRANNIE

[stainless601]

I think it's better to gauge your rides in - gallons per hour, than gallons per mile. Sounds like your getting 2 hrs of hard riding with less than 2 gallons of fuel spent. Sounds about right to me.

[Hans Schmid]

Something isn't right...My 450 gets incredible mileage!

[RockerYZWR]

That 12 tooth front sprocket probably has something to do with it along with the type of riding and possibly your technique.

[stainless601]

Go pound on your 450 for two hours and see what's left in the tank?

[Hans Schmid]

Go pound on your 450 for two hours and see what's left in the tank?

Me?

[WouldsAssassin]

I have a 2011 YZ 450 running the "slippery conditions" map that leans the fuel off idle to make the throttle response smoother and will also improve economy where we trail riders spend most of our riding time. With the IMS 2.4 gallon tank I've done 70 miles days consisting of mostly single track spread out over 6 hours of the day. A lot of elevation change on those days too. If you're burning 2 gallons in 30 miles something's wrong. Even my Aprilia RXV550 would do better than that and it drinks gasoline faster than a two stroke. I would look to alter the mapping and see if you can't improve your economy there. There's no reason your WR should consume more fuel than my YZ. I weigh 250-260 fully dressed to ride.

[Mcflyz450f]

I have a WR450 and get 70+ miles on my tank 1.9 gallon with a rich fuel map, full system, uncorked. No matter if I'm on it or just riding it's always just about the same.

 

I would for sure say something is wrong, not sure what it is but I would defiantly look into it. I'm curious to know what it is, keep us informed.

[SteveThe Snakes]

I'm not sure about the F. I. bikes but a lot of it depends on the type of riding. On the tough stuff and hill climbs we do we can ride all day and use 2.8 gal or so in 25 miles. But it ends up a whole days ride.

[avlisj]

Its your gearing in combo with the tight woods. Add some climbing and sand its even worse. I upped my cc to 14 just to squeeze as much out as i can. Out of all my buddies rides. Cr. exc. kx. The wr is the worst for mpg. Wouldnt trade for nothing. Love the snappy power. Adjusting the maps seems to do very little. Always between 30-35.

[Summit]

I know there's a lot of variables but my ol carb wr is always good for 60+ miles with stock tank regardless of riding style. You'd think a fi would be even better.

Edited August 30, 2015 by Summit

[woods-rider]

I can squeeze 90 miles out of my 3 gal tank. I wish my range was closer to 110 though just to cut down on some worry, but I rarely would need that, just for piece of mind on 80+ mile rides.

[AtomicGeo]

I have an 3.0 IMS gal tank.  I get 100 miles when the low fuel light goes on, then I get an additional 25 afterwards to empty.  Running 14-50 gearing.

Edited August 31, 2015 by AtomicGeo

[SteveThe Snakes]

I believe if I rode my supermoto WR450 civilized I might get 150-180 miles on a 3.2 gal. tank.

 

So what this really boils down to is you will get different gas mileage all dependent on where and how you ride. Usually getting almost a day's worth of riding on a larger tank.

[OUTERLIMITS]

2012 WR here and mine is not much better.  Most all desert riding and it does not seem to matter that much what map I run.  Stock tank usually gets me about 31-35 miles before the low fuel light comes on.  I seem to have about another half gallon after that.  So yes, it's pretty crappy mileage and that's just goofing around with my 14 year old son, although we do get into some soft washes at times, although most of the riding is on harder pack.  The power is crazy fun, but there is a price to pay.