Tuning for fuel economy.

[StevenD]

I'v seen lots of treads about how to take a 40 liters of fuel with you, but i'm more interressted is tuning the engine so that you dont need thost 40

Has anyone tried and perhaps succeeded in tuning the 950 ADV to be a bit more economical, i want to, even if it will cost me some of it's performance. It has way to much for me anyway

Currently a litre in 12 kilometres is more rule than exeption. 1 in 15 is the absolute best i've done so far.

[oldbmw]

the single best way is to modify the way your engine management system works. No not the black box stuffed full of electronics, but the thing on the end of your right forearm .
Seriously, a gentle right hand can make enormous difference. When tuning carbs, be careful not to over weaken them. I found with short stroke Triumph engines fitting a smaller bore carb made huge difference in mpg. Switching to CV type would probably help too. With real engine management, sometimes it is possible to get 'touring' chipsets. is always worth checking your air filters are not choked. do not be tempted to remove them.
run the ignition as advanced as possible without pinking. A real engine manage ment system will do this and compenasate for varying fuel quality. Mechanical units work fine ifthe fuel quality is fairly constant. The old idea of teh advance mechanism operated by cable was useful, but being manual needed rider input... not an in thing.
you could switch to a diesel bike, these all do in excess of 100mpg . see here for an idea DieselBike.net - Diesel Motorcycles

[StevenD]

Yes, diesel bike's are great and fortunately i can follow the EVA bike closely couse it's built 'around the block' here. It would consume a lot of the budget though and i dont trust it (yet) like my KTM.
Right now i have my bike tuned for Power, it works quite well but consumes more. I wonder if there's a tuning way to reduce this fuel consumption.
Ignition timing is on the edge with the 950 and it has 2 CV carbs on it.
Perhaps in reducing the Air box intake channel perhaps you can tune it a bit?
Exhoust is open right now, air box standard. All the emission crap is of.

[Sophie-Bart]

Originally Posted by oldbmw

....you could switch to a diesel bike, these all do in excess of 100mpg . see here for an idea DieselBike.net - Diesel Motorcycles ...

This company (evaproducts) has developed, besides this promising dieselbike, alot more interesting products for overland-travelers.
Crashbars, scarvers, tankprotection etc. or how about 2wd drive for your ktm? But more realistic: sumpguards, centerstands and luggagesystems, some in prototype-stage some ready to mount. Brows their sites evamotor.

[meat popsicle]

StevenD,

The best way is to have a tuner put it on a dyno and optimize the air-fuel mixture. Your tuner should be able to recommend airbox and/or exhaust system modifications to improve the mixture and therefore the efficiency of the engine.

Then, as one person already said, it is up to you and your wrist. I can give you one tip on that: once you have your dyno sheets (HP and torque) note where peak torque is on the RPM range because that is where your engine will be most efficient. If you don't do the dyno route, or you just want to try this out find the stock HP/torque curves for the 950 and note peak torque. It should be close enough to help.

[StevenD]

i did not and still dont trust any tuners and most mechanics with my bike. So i ended up installing a second air filter, modifying the carbs and adding some more shielding on the exhoust exit.
Getting steady 15 to 18.9 km's per liter now after all of africa and half of the arabian peninsuela.n I'm happy with that!!

[Frank Warner]

If you don't trust your right wrist control, a throttle stop that decreases your availble throttle travel will work. (reduces accelleration and top speed).

Most dyno tuners are only intrested in top speed - throttle wide open .. not cruise .. and definatly not economy.