Low mileage (70 mpg)

[313Matt]

So the last fill-up I only got 70 US miles per US gallon. I am told this is low.

So I am going through it to find any problems. It has a new iridium plug, so that isn't it.

I checked the air filter and it seems clean. (I'll replace it anyway.) I found some oil in the intake behind the air filter. I had checked the oil, but that was before I got a shop manual. Reading the shop manual, the high mark is anything above the 'checked' area on the dipstick. It seemed a little full, so I drained some off via suction. I need to read the book if there is a PCV system and something might not be working properly there.

I checked tire pressures, and they were a touch low at 23 and 27. I weigh 185 lb in riding gear, so brought them up to 25/31. Still, I don't think that will change the mileage much.

I need to do the valve clearance check, but I don't think that will affect mileage.

Anything else I should check?

Matt

[TommyXP]

I doubt the valve adjustment too. In ~30,000 miles between 2, I have made only 1 adjustment and that was only .001" to put one on the lower side of center and just to do the procedure......
I still think waiting for the light to go out before starting will greatly effect your results, maybe....
I assume your using 87 octane and maybe a different brand might help.
I am out of idea's for now.......

[313Matt]

I assume your using 87 octane and maybe a different brand might help.

Yeah, 87. Does the owners manual call for something else?

I'll see if the shop manual says anything about it.

Matt

[luxroller]

Hi Matt,
I ride several bikes (triumph street triple and a ktm 690 duke) but only on the SH150 with wich i go to work every day i care much about the mpg and over the last 16000 us miles have an average of 93,7 mpg. and in summertime often over 100 mpg.
Naked i am 73 kg, i never accelerate full trottle and i never exeed speed limits, i nearly never really have to use the brakes and i take maximum care of maintenance. Checking valve clearance is very important but not for your mpg.
Probably not all the sh do the same mileage but it depends a lot af your right wrist,but if you want to be fast dont look at the mileage
Cheers,
Toni