MPG Reflex

[Leader]

I've found that people on Berger 400's and Buell Blast 500's get better gas mileage than I do on my NSS 250 Reflex. What's the deal?

I get in the low 60's with my lightened variator. before, I got 65. Not that great when a 400 or 500 can do better.

Leader
Lynnfield, Ma.

[scooterollie]

Leader;
Welcome to the ScootDawg Forum. Why not register and become a member?
I have noticed figures posted indicating the same thing for the Bergman as opposed to my Chinese "Honda-derived" 250. I think one aspect of it has to do with the fuel injection on the Bergman. Fuel injection is usually a more efficient method of fuel delivery if not used for just pure performance. Don't know how the drive train (variator, etc.) is tuned but that could also play a part in it. A recent review of the '07 400 indicated the clutch engaged at low RPMs and performance was not super brisk off the line. Probably means the RPMs are kept lower and better performance only comes when the engine gets in the most efficient torque/horsepower power band.

[Admin]

I don't know but it seems like low 60's isn't bad for a 250. I get around 75 on my 150's. My girlfriend's Vespa 150 only gets 45-50 mpg. It's all better than a Lincoln Navagator!

[Leader]

Thanks for the replies guys. Wow, I didn't expect to hear from Dawg hisself on such a boring subject.

I am a member, I just forget to log in, but thanks for the good wishes.

My Zuma only got 75 mpg. Still, I think that compared to other bikes, the Reflex should do better. Better than a Buell 500.

Leader

[ddillon]

Hey Dave (Leader),

All you Dawgs Leader is a friend of mine and a great guy. We go riding together whenever we get the chance. One other factor in the MPG is the way you ride. A more conservative riding style will probably get you a few more MPG's per tank. Also as Scooterollie mentioned the fuel-injected system in the Burgman is probably more efficient than the carbureted system in the Reflex. Not sure about the Buell Blast since that bike is not fuel-injected (40mm carbs). The other variable is the reliability of the information people give. Are their measurements really accurate or are they just guesstimating?

With that said I still think the low 60's is pretty good for a 250. I get about 55 on my Xciting but my weight and style of riding is undoubtedly causing me to lose a few MPG's. Other Xciting 250 owners I have talked to are reporting MPG's in the low 60's. Also the other thing I am noticing is that there does not seem to be as big of a gap between the MPG's on a 250 vs. 400 or 500 like there is between say a 50 vs. 150 or a 150 vs. 250. In any case MPG's in the low 60's seems just about right for a 250.

BTW if anyone else from MA or neighboring states is interested in riding with myself and Leader you are more than welcome to join us. We usually ride on a Saturday with at least one other rider. PM me for the details if you are interested.

[T W I S T E R]

500cc labors less so if you ride em easy they may very well do better in the mpg's.

I have a ford 460 engine that will do 75 @ 1800 rpm and gets 18 mpg. My Chrysler T & C @ 75 is near 2400 rpm and gets 19 mpg.
gearing also plays a role.

The reflex has a carb so try getting it adjusted along with the valves.

;D after thought: my scoot dealer has a 74 year old on a reflex that rides it to Florida every October and back in May. He claims 72 mpg on the trip and that's thru the mountains. they are capable of 70 mpg.

[mgreenfield]

500cc cycles will beat a lot of scoots because of the clutch/gear tranny which is much more efficient than a CVT. The rest has to do with riding style, carburetor vs FI, and engine SFC, ...Specific Fuel Consumption.

We know about riding style and carburetor vs FI.

SFC compares engine power output with mass of fuel consumed. Pounds of fuel per horsepower/hour. SFC is usually best around engine mid-range of power output. So, let's say I'm going 60mph on my Burger, and using 18 of the 30 available horsepower (60%) You're going 60mph on your Reflex and using 17 of your (say) 21 available horsepower (80%). Because I'm closer to midrange power, I'll get better mpg every time.

This is why the little 50cc units get such lousey mileage. Folks run them at 100% all the time, and SFC really! drops off at very high percentages of maximum power available.

[jwheelermd]

62 MPG today (10-24). Colder weather, idling, city traffic up to about 50 mph. Not really broken in yet.

[jwheelermd]

64 MPG last tank time. Time to fill again this weekend. Big tank--over 2 gallons, so takes a while to run it out this time of year.

[Leader]

Your tank is 3.2 gal. I usually go 180 to 200 miles between gas ups.

[dwestmodesto]

There is not a direct coorelation betwen engine size and fuel consumption. A smaller motor has to work much harder to go the same speed as a more powerful motor. The air resistance isn't that different between a 250 and a 150 and a 400cc cycle. I can get 110mpg on my Bajaj if I ride conservatively, short shifting, accelerating slowely from traffic lights and such. If I ride the same scooter like a sport bike it only gets 70mpg....I usually get 70mpg. My Suzuki VL1500 can get anywhere from 25 mpg to 50mpg depending on my carb tuning and riding style. My bmw can get fuel mileage anywhere between a low of 35mpg up to high of 60 mpg. I didn't discover that 60mpg was possible untill I missed a gas stop and had to stretch a tank of gas all the way across an empty desert to La Paz, Baja MX. Keeping rpms low, coasting down hills, smooth acceleration, avoiding the need to use my brakes about doubled my fuel mileage. If you want to increase the fuel mileage of the Reflex, check your tire pressure. Most people find that if they haven't checked for a while, it is too low. Ride conservatively, control your wrist. Blowing away cars at the stoplight is fun, but costs fuel mileage. Check your air filter, if it is old, it may be blocking airflow and costing you fuel mileage. I love seeing people accelerate all the way to a stop light only to have to apply their brakes hard. The vehicles you left at the last light will catch up to you at the next light...but wont get traffic tickets either.
Dave

leaderdmd said:

Thanks for the replies guys. Wow, I didn't expect to hear from Dawg hisself on such a boring subject.

I am a member, I just forget to log in, but thanks for the good wishes.

My Zuma only got 75 mpg. Still, I think that compared to other bikes, the Reflex should do better. Better than a Buell 500.

Leader

[jwheelermd]

When my Reflex gas gauge hits the top of the "red zone" it takes almost exactly two gallons. Didn't know it had that generous a reserve. I'll remember that...