posts may be a little mixed up in terms of the order that they were posted, but it's pretty straightforward

      >   I think it is another marketing ploy. Shell OPtimax has a very thick
      > consistency.  It may be ok to use once in every 6 fill ups but unleaded is
      > great for me.  I get 240km out of normal unleaded.  Leave it to the cars.

    ----- Original Message -----
    From: "Nathan" <[email protected]>
    To: <[email protected]>
    Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 10:09 AM
    Subject: Re: ####SuzukiAcross#### Fuel
 

    > Concerning fuel efficiency, Cate mentioned 240km out of a tank on normal
    > unleaded. I get about 160km. Any ideas out there or just tune-up time? :)
    > Thanks!
    >
    > Enjoy ur riding
    >
    > Fonze
    >
 

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Martin Thompson 
  To: [email protected] 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 1:49 PM
  Subject: Re: ####SuzukiAcross#### Fuel
 

  I have the same problem.  I can't get much more than about 150- 160 km from a tank of fuel.  I
originally assumed there was something wrong and got it serviced and looked over with that in mind,
but the mechanics can't work out why it uses so much fuel.  I've just given up trying to work out
what the problem is.  Mine is a '93 model I think.

  Marty.

Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 21:29:35 +1000
   From: "Nathan" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Fuel

Yeah, I might leave the tune up for now, mine is a '91 model.

I'll try easing off the throttle a bit too, but yeah I'd say there is a difference between models
and just how they have been treated. 

Ah well, it's still cheaper to run than the car!

Cya all

Fonze (Nathan)

   Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 21:38:48 +1000
   From: "Nathan" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Fuel

MessageI'll do a a little breakdown of the fuel/warning lights thing for my '91 across.

I got my '91 across 3 months ago, and used normal unleaded. It would do - 

Half-tank warning light : After 75km's
Half-litre to reserve light : After 150km's

I rode the bike everyday, it had ample warm up and climate was always between 18-30 degrees.

It did about 20-30 tankfulls doing those figures.

Then I put a tank full of premium unleaded in. Then it did - 

Half-tank warning light : After 112km's
Half-litre to reserve light : After 160km's

I went back to a tankfull of normal unleaded after a single tank of premium, and it continues to do
the figures above (112km's and 160).

Interesting, its like the premium flushed the system out, I think someone else was saying they use
premium every 5-6 tanks or something. Anyways, it's an interesting topic...I'll see how I go and
maybe a tune-up won't hurt once anyways.

Nathan

  From: Ivan Goh 
  To: '[email protected]' 
  Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 3:19 PM
  Subject: RE: ####SuzukiAcross#### Fuel
 

  Another factor is how often you ride your bike. If your bike only sees the light of day on
weekends then some of your fuel will evaporate during the week. When I used to commute daily, I
would get the orange light after 120kms and the red light at 190kms. Now that I'm living near a
train station I only take the bike out on weekends and my fuel mileage is poorer.

  Don't forget also that people are saying up to 240km off a tank. They're not necessarily saying
240km until they get the red light warning. Also the warning lights only give a rough indication of
how much fuel you have and may vary from bike to bike by a small margin (e.g. orange light comes on
at APPROXIMATELY half tank ~ 6 litres). Just to clear it up, how many kms can you guys/gals travel
before:

  1) you get the yellow light?
  2) you get the red light?
  3) your bike starts coughing and you have to switch the fueltap to reserve?
  4) your bike dies from zero petrol?

  These are my stats based on running BP Ultimate and commuting daily:
  1) ~120kms
  2) ~190kms
  3) ~220kms
  4) Never happened to me

  On another note, I don't run premium petrol in my bike anymore. I don't think it gives any better
performance or mileage. The Across engine doesn't have a knock sensor and can't adjust the ignition
timing (solid state ignition) etc to optimise use of better petrol - this is my opinion only (don't
flame me if you think different!). The only possible benefit I can see is the use of those cleaning
agents in the high-octane fuels but I'm not really sure how much merit to give it.

  krazy Ivan.
 

-----Original Message-----
    From: Mick G [mailto:[email protected]] 
    Sent: Wednesday, 17 April 2002 12:50
    To: [email protected]
    Subject: RE: ####SuzukiAcross#### Fuel
 

    hmmm, i'd just put it down to rider habits, and a heavy throttle hand!

    the most i've managed to get out of a tank is 210-220 km, and i've also managed to burn through
one in well under 150km...

    Mick G

   Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 21:42:26 +1000
   From: "Nathan" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: Fuel

Yeah, all the factors make for interesting thoughts. I weigh about 87 kg's
at 6'4 (which sometimes makes the across a little small!), new tyres pumped
to 30psi front and back.

Anyways, I'll go do some more fuel efficiency studies on the bike. Read 'any
excuse to go for a ride'. :)

Cya

From: "hermes_2k1" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2002 3:31 PM
Subject: Re: ####SuzukiAcross#### Fuel
 

> Bodyweight and weight in general would have an effect on fuel
> consumption for sure.
>
> Take in the weight of the bike at approx 163kg, weight of
> fuel\oil\coolants etc and then the weight of the rider\clothes\helmet
> and luggage and you might have a total weight of 250kgs or more.
>
> Therefore producing more drag, which in turn uses more fuel.
>
> Along with this you can count in the riders throttle habits, weather
> resistance (i.e: rain\wind), type of fuel used, motor oil weight,
> traffic, engine, tyre and chain condition and various other factors.
>
> Hope that helps...
>
> Rgds,
> H