MPG - 14.3 mpg less with E10 petrol

[Malfos]

I am running in my pre reg 650 AM1, and it has now done about 500 miles. As with all my new ( to me) bikes I check the mpg. It is doing 65.7 mpg - taking it easy. When I was last running in a 650 V strom (AL5) in 2014 I got 80 mpg. This settled down to around 70 mpg after running in,which continued during my 4 yrs ownership, which was excellent. This current bike is doing 14.3 mpg less than my last one during running in. I sold that bike 3 yrs ago before E 10 petrol came in. Unless there is something substantially different about the engine,  or fuel system on my current bike, which I doubt, it can only be be the E10 fuel responsible for the drop in mpg. Having said all that I am very pleased with the bike and delighted I have gone back to a V strom.

[kwackboy]

Personally I've noticed no difference in mpg on my BMW , my car does slightly more.

My 2001 Honda CB500 is also the same however, there's a noticeable difference in power which is why I now run E5 super all the time.

[Joe Rocket]

But you have changed bikes!

Can it simply be that the computing calculation by your new bike is more precise whereas the older bike was more generous with it's readings?

I've always viewed the consumption as approximate. You'd have to do a properly measured and controlled experiment from start to emptying at constant engine speed, conditions and identical amounts of SP95 and E10. Bear in mind that E10 is a maximum percentage of ethanol in the fuel, it could be less!

Having had my L5 650 since 2014 I haven't noticed a drop in mpg readings but I do use mainly E10 now.

[TLPower]

The KTM has reduced by about 5 mpg and the greedy Volvo by 7mpg.

Quite bothersome.

[mr_diver]

The way fuel is going up at present and the e10 stuff causing issues - I'm looking to hunt down down a Track T800.

70mpg TDI 

[porter]

£33.00 to fill mine yesterday with super unleaded! Think that's the last tank full of that.

[mr_diver]

I used SWMBO's GSX yesterday. First time it's seen daylight since sept/oct last year.

Definitely E10 went in, I remember checking the pump knowing it was likely to be stored over winter.

Didn't miss a beat, run perfect from the moment I pressed the starter.

It would seem that it varies from bike to bike, Varadero was noticeably more jerky at low revs, but it's jerky anyway.
Though I did find it to be noticeable when filling up in Morrisons (closest) to when I fill up in Asda or Texaco. - GSX was filled in Morrisons but still ran fine.

[Brockett]

I think it's possible that carbs do not adjust to fuel efficiency like fuel injectors and of course a twin is always going to be lumpy compared to a four.

[dav]

Mine is a 2021 650 and your MPG is about right,  I get about 60mpg
two up, I don't ride solo, they have done changes since your model
in power, Mapping, and emissions I believe.
I will not use the rubbish E10, in my bike.

[steveg]

My 1050 seems to like E10

Averages approx 60 mpg on 50 mile commute which I'm pleased with

Cheers Steve

[Joe Rocket]

Mr Diver.......

You said: "The way fuel is going up at present and the e10 stuff causing issues "

Then you said: "Definitely E10 went in........... Didn't miss a beat, run perfect from the moment I pressed the starter"

It can't be your problem(s), so whose and what problems?

E10 is a continually used fuel now and I'm not aware of any 'issues' apart from older vehicules advised not to use it.

Have I missed something?

[mr_diver]

I have 2 bikes, the Varadero doesn't run very well on most unleaded and E10 it runs like a dog.
The GSX1400 doesn't seem to care what goes in.

but "The way fuel is going up at present and the e10 stuff causing issues " was reference to some saying its causing issues and rotting fuel lines and carb seals on older bikes.
you missed the bit I typed "I'm looking to hunt down down a Track T800"
which was a short live production run from a iirc Dutch company using a turbo diesel 800 engine from a smart car in an adventure bike frame.

[Barbel Mick]

The way I look at is this........... I very rarely run my tank all the way down & it's usually around 15l to fill it. Where I get my petrol the difference between E5 & E10 is £0.11p, so, 15l costs me £1.65p more! And that's more than enough for a good day out on the bike. Not as much as a cup of coffee & certainly not as much as a piece of cake, breakfast, fish & chips or ice cream, which I'm sure I'll be having on that same day out. (not all you understand, just one or two of them 
With the car if I'm putting 50l of E5 in it'll cost me £5.50 more!
I know I'm lucky enough not to be commuting now so it's all 'pleasure' I'm paying for. In my tests neither E5 nor E10 appear to make any difference in either vehicle. (650 2012 Strom & a Ford Focus Eco Boost) on miles per gallon nor performance.
I've read that the E5 is better for the engine so that'll do me.