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  #1  
Old 27 Jan 2008
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KLE500 - fuel consumption ?? excessive
Hi Everyone,

I'm new to the board and to KLEs but have been biking for a very long time. I 'm hoping you guys that know these bikes can answer a question for me....

I have a 95 KLE (no cats) and like it a lot APART from the fuel consumption - basically getting around 40mpg commuting on tarmac. This seems a lot! I am travelling at an indicated 70-80 quite a lot of the time but on the same trip (60miles one way) my 1500cc car is the cheaper option fuel wise (and about same speed!).

Is this normal? The bike is fairly low mileage - 11.5k miles and is serviced well although I have to confess I have not yet replaced the air filter as it looks very clean.

I was hoping for 50+ MGP ....... but have found I can not do a 'whole' round trip without refueling whioch is anoying!

Has anyone any thoughts other than go slower?

Cheers

Frog
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  #2  
Old 27 Jan 2008
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Hi Frog,

Mines a 2006 KLE but is being strangled by the cat. I get about 130 miles before she coughs and I have to switch to reserve.

If I boot it, then it could be as low as a 100miles. At 70mph you should do the 120miles round trip without going to reserve. are the carbs in need of a balance or mabey theres a build up of carbon in the jets.

I run a one shot of fuel cleaner in my tank evey so often to stop the build up of carbon.

Hope this helps

Roy
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  #3  
Old 28 Jan 2008
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Just try it once sticking to the speed limits and maintaining a steady speed... It is my experience that the right wrist is the biggest factor of mpg. My own 1985 BMW R80RT mpg jumped froma bout 50mpg to 57 when I accompanied a diesel enfield to the german diesel bike rally. We were doin mostly 55-65 mph. Not bad for 9hp

Despite the increase in my mpg pleasing me, my companions mpg was somewhere between 150 and 180 mpg and he had to keep stopping to wait for me to refuel.
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  #4  
Old 29 Jan 2008
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Fuel consumption.
Hi Frog, it might be worth playing around with sprocket sizes. I believe earlier KLE's ran 46teeth rear, '05 models use 44teeth. It will drop the revs a bit for the same speed. I use a 42teeth sprocket and it's ok unless there is a strong headwind. I normally get 55-60 mpg at 70ish mph.

Enjoy the ride.

Regards, Richard.

p.s. I had to take out two links for the smaller rear sprocket.
Last edited by wobbly; 29 Jan 2008 at 00:05. Reason: Bad grammer.
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  #5  
Old 2 Feb 2008
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Thanks everyone.

I'll try a steadier run and see what happens.

The sprocket change is an interesting idea - I guess it would mean a new chain as well.........

I'll give the filter another clean and maybe dry it a little more (- maybe it's over oiled???) and resync the carbs while I'm there - they do feel a little out although only just done!

Cheers

Frog
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  #6  
Old 9 Feb 2008
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fuel
A few weeks ago I did a few calculations on fuel consumption.

When I was motorway riding at a stady 60mph I was getting 64mpg (14.3 miles per litre).

If I stayed at that speed for the complete tank capacity I would run out after roughly 210 miles.

When I rode at 75-85mph mph on a journey having filled up the tank full at the beginning of the journey I had to turn to reserve after 102 miles :-(

On town riding / commuting at speeds varying from 10 - 50mph, stopping and starting I am getting 50mpg (12.5 miles per litre), this is with cafeful riding, slow accelaration, smooth revs.
Last edited by voleurs; 26 Mar 2008 at 23:39.
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  #7  
Old 27 Feb 2008
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Hey guys,

in the german community a so called rimfire-conversion is famous to reduce the amount of fuel seriously. We usually count in liters used in 100 km. Usually it is around 6 - 7 Liter a 100km for the KLE and with that conversion you should be able to reduce it to 5 - 5,5 liter a 100km.
It consists of making holes in the airfilterbox. The only thing is that the early KLEs (1991- around 1996) have a different Airfilterbox than the newer onces (I dont know about the very knew KLEs). So be aware that the conversion is not the same for both.

here is the link: It's in german I know, I can translate it if someone wants me to... http://winweb373.sr23.firestorm.ch/t...ltertuning.pdf

It is not a legal modification! But I think it could be somehow usefull.

Cheers
Micki
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  #8  
Old 25 Mar 2008
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12 months of figures...
Bought my KLE new 15 months ago and decided to do the exercise myself. My riding varies from offroad to highway and has mostly been highway for the past 6 months. I travel at a moderate speed off road and have been known to give the girl a caning on the highway so have figures for a wide variety of styles.

My consumption has only ever varied from 20-22klm's/litre (that's 56-62mpg in the UK or 47-52mpg in the US). Distance per tank is 300-340 kilometres.

In order to better this I bought a new sprocket today (standard is 46 teeth/new one is 43 teeth). This will drop the gear ratio from 3.29 to 3.07. I've also switched from a knobby to a road tyre (not sure if this will have any effect).

Give me a week and I'll post results of the change.
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  #9  
Old 12 Feb 2009
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Excessive fuel consumption
I just registered today and don't know if you guys are still on the forum. My 95 kle only gets 13km/liter. I want to try the rimfire-conversion but I don't understand German at all. Micki, if you can help (or anybody) with translation to english it will be great.
Thank you
Neethling

Quote:
Originally Posted by Micki View Post
Hey guys,

in the german community a so called rimfire-conversion is famous to reduce the amount of fuel seriously. We usually count in liters used in 100 km. Usually it is around 6 - 7 Liter a 100km for the KLE and with that conversion you should be able to reduce it to 5 - 5,5 liter a 100km.
It consists of making holes in the airfilterbox. The only thing is that the early KLEs (1991- around 1996) have a different Airfilterbox than the newer onces (I dont know about the very knew KLEs). So be aware that the conversion is not the same for both.

here is the link: It's in german I know, I can translate it if someone wants me to... http://winweb373.sr23.firestorm.ch/t...ltertuning.pdf

It is not a legal modification! But I think it could be somehow usefull.

Cheers
Micki
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  #10  
Old 16 Feb 2009
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My '05 gives me 50mpg (17.7k per litre) around town.

Pump up your tyres and check if your pads are rubbing. Personally I wouldn't spend too much chasing better fuel consumption. It'll will only save you a €1 or two a fill.
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  #11  
Old 17 Feb 2009
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Sounds the same as my '06. Its all down to how much wrist action you apply!.

Ive had upto 160miles on mine with ease but only if you take it easy. Give it some stick and only 100.

goodluck

Roy
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  #12  
Old 19 Jun 2009
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On my last run out a couple of days ago, I got the following...

Full Tank 15ltrs

I covered 145 miles and filled up when I returned.

I put 9.65ltrs to top the bike back up, This works out at 68.31mpg.

This covered different speeds on motorway, A-roads and back roads upto 70mph.

So Im quite pleased with them figures.


Roy
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  #13  
Old 20 Jun 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by royzx7r View Post
On my last run out a couple of days ago, I got the following...

Full Tank 15ltrs

I covered 145 miles and filled up when I returned.

I put 9.65ltrs to top the bike back up, This works out at 68.31mpg.

This covered different speeds on motorway, A-roads and back roads upto 70mph.

So Im quite pleased with them figures.


Roy

Geez - The best I have ever got (aside from running in) was that exact mileage before going to reserve, so around 12 litres for 145 miles for me (usually consistent high speed travel though!)

Cheers
Ian
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  #14  
Old 21 Jun 2009
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Always get 20 km/L when heavy throttle, and 23km/L cruising at about 5000rpm. 2006 model stock gearing, 82kg rider, 24psi in tyres. 95 octane fuel.
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