Firestorm and fuel?

[vifferman]

BTW, still keeping it on topic, (Kinda) how does the VTR thou's economy compare to an inline 4's economy? say any given thou from the big Jappa manufacturers?

Here's a comparison of sorts.
I used to have a VTR1000 (97); they're apparently around 105hp. I used to get as little as 28mpg riding around town, and typically averaged the low 30s. I now have a VFR800, which although it's only 781cc, is also around 105 hp, albeit with less torques. It's got EFI, and even with running a not at all economical fuel map on the Power Commander, even if I give it a bit of a flogging, it tends to get around 45mpg.

[R-Soul]

I believe that the fault could be inherent in the design. Sometimes the "squish" technology for a particular engine is just not very efficient. The squish area on a piston is where the shape of the top of the piston is moulded to cause eddies (or small whirlpools) in the airflow as it compresses the air fuel mixture. As I understand it, typically you want to create as many eddies as possible, as the burning misture will then be caused to burn more evenly and cleanly throughout the cylinder, with less detonation (inefficient) and more ignition. This is why BMW and Porsche get such great economy with good power- their squish tech is good. "Your squish is strong, Luke"

Clearly whoever did that part of the VTR design for Honda was having an off day.
It would be interesting to see what running the bike lean/rich/changing the squish formations would do to performance (since it does have 4 valves per cylinder and can get decent airflow through) .

And bike tinkerers /dyno people out there willing to try?

[Hiflyer]

Here's a comparison of sorts.
I used to have a VTR1000 (97); they're apparently around 105hp. I used to get as little as 28mpg riding around town, and typically averaged the low 30s. I now have a VFR800, which although it's only 781cc, is also around 105 hp, albeit with less torques. It's got EFI, and even with running a not at all economical fuel map on the Power Commander, even if I give it a bit of a flogging, it tends to get around 45mpg.

So it's safe to say don't get a VTR thou if you want to save money on fuel? Get a prius?

[PeteJ]

What do you mean? the SV650 has more or less warranty claims?

No - the SV1000, according to my contacts in the trade, has had a lot more warranty claims than the VTR1000 (or, yes, the SV650). That's why, despite the less power aspect, I bought my VTR and not an SV1000.

BTW, still keeping it on topic, (Kinda) how does the VTR thou's economy compare to an inline 4's economy? say any given thou from the big Jappa manufacturers?

Basically, any I4 should be more economical on fuel. Probably not on tyres (my OE Bridgestones went 12,000km plus, front and rear, use including sealed and unsealed road, and also instructing at ART Days).

[vifferman]

And bike tinkerers /dyno people out there willing to try?

I was on a couple of VTR forums for a while, and there's a couple of things I learned about the VTR:
Even with spending HEAPS of money on the engine, there's not a lot of extra power to be had (and I mean, different cams, pistons, flow bench work on the valves, more expensive carbs, etc etc.
The second thing is even f you do wring some better performance out of the engine, the standard crankcases can't cope with more than about 125 horsies before they crap out.
In some ways, you're better off detuning the engine for economy and torque. But then there's no point in riding it, coz it'd be no fun anymore.

[R-Soul]

I was on a couple of VTR forums for a while, and there's a couple of things I learned about the VTR:
Even with spending HEAPS of money on the engine, there's not a lot of extra power to be had (and I mean, different cams, pistons, flow bench work on the valves, more expensive carbs, etc etc.
The second thing is even f you do wring some better performance out of the engine, the standard crankcases can't cope with more than about 125 horsies before they crap out.
In some ways, you're better off detuning the engine for economy and torque. But then there's no point in riding it, coz it'd be no fun anymore.

I guess you're right- just enjoy it for what it is - a fun twisties tool (and make the 'zorsts louder).

[e-boy]

yeh mate my mine is a 05. i can get between 220-240 before the reserve guage starts flashing. when i fill up the tank takes only about 14ltrs (19ltr tank) so must have pretty big reserve

Anyone got a reasonably recent Firestorm? Does it have a whirlpool in the gas tank? Or is the fuel consumption "acceptable" shall we say..?
Numbers would be good..oh and tank range too if I may.

T'anx.

[Webbfast]

Yep my VTR1000 02 with 19L tank got 54Mpg/257 km on a tank cruising at freeway speeds red LED reserve had not started flashing, on same trip did some more spirited riding & got 43Mpg/204 on tank over a couple of tanks, no red Led yet. My black VTR has highrise staintunes, love the sound, love the peformance , so much more soul than than my previous bike (VFR800 vtec) which was just too refined.
So my results agree with geoffc, if this sort of economy is not good enough for anyone from a 1000cc sports motorcycle, they should probably get a push bike.