Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Kawasaki Tech
KLE500 - fuel consumption ?? excessive KLE500 - fuel consumption ?? excessive
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Kawasaki Tech Kawasaki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Kawasaki riders only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 16 Jul 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NSW, Australia
Posts: 62
Just realised...

Last chain and sprocket change had a 44 on the rear - back to the 43 now AND switched to reserve at 205km! I am a fat bustarde (95kg) and have a givi top bix fitted (not the best aerodynamics),

Will - how is your airbox modded?

Cheers
Ian
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 16 Jul 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 28
Snorkel off and a about four drill holes on the opposite side. And a DNA filter. Part number KD5E05. But also my carburetor is rejetted and the bike was dynotuned when they did all that.


Will

EDIT: Also I only run the bike on premium fuel.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 12 Feb 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Oudtshoorn
Posts: 1
Excessive fuel consumption
I just registered today and don't know if you guys are still on the forum. My 95 kle only gets 13km/liter. I want to try the rimfire-conversion but I don't understand German at all. Micki, if you can help (or anybody) with translation to english it will be great.
Thank you
Neethling

Quote:
Originally Posted by Micki View Post
Hey guys,

in the german community a so called rimfire-conversion is famous to reduce the amount of fuel seriously. We usually count in liters used in 100 km. Usually it is around 6 - 7 Liter a 100km for the KLE and with that conversion you should be able to reduce it to 5 - 5,5 liter a 100km.
It consists of making holes in the airfilterbox. The only thing is that the early KLEs (1991- around 1996) have a different Airfilterbox than the newer onces (I dont know about the very knew KLEs). So be aware that the conversion is not the same for both.

here is the link: It's in german I know, I can translate it if someone wants me to... http://winweb373.sr23.firestorm.ch/t...ltertuning.pdf

It is not a legal modification! But I think it could be somehow usefull.

Cheers
Micki
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 16 Feb 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ireland
Posts: 106
My '05 gives me 50mpg (17.7k per litre) around town.

Pump up your tyres and check if your pads are rubbing. Personally I wouldn't spend too much chasing better fuel consumption. It'll will only save you a €1 or two a fill.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 17 Feb 2009
royzx7r's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Liverpool UK
Posts: 225
Sounds the same as my '06. Its all down to how much wrist action you apply!.

Ive had upto 160miles on mine with ease but only if you take it easy. Give it some stick and only 100.

goodluck

Roy
__________________
"Whats in that thing??", An R1 owner said.
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 19 Jun 2009
royzx7r's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Liverpool UK
Posts: 225
On my last run out a couple of days ago, I got the following...

Full Tank 15ltrs

I covered 145 miles and filled up when I returned.

I put 9.65ltrs to top the bike back up, This works out at 68.31mpg.

This covered different speeds on motorway, A-roads and back roads upto 70mph.

So Im quite pleased with them figures.


Roy
__________________
"Whats in that thing??", An R1 owner said.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 20 Jun 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NSW, Australia
Posts: 62
Quote:
Originally Posted by royzx7r View Post
On my last run out a couple of days ago, I got the following...

Full Tank 15ltrs

I covered 145 miles and filled up when I returned.

I put 9.65ltrs to top the bike back up, This works out at 68.31mpg.

This covered different speeds on motorway, A-roads and back roads upto 70mph.

So Im quite pleased with them figures.


Roy

Geez - The best I have ever got (aside from running in) was that exact mileage before going to reserve, so around 12 litres for 145 miles for me (usually consistent high speed travel though!)

Cheers
Ian
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 21 Jun 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 32
Always get 20 km/L when heavy throttle, and 23km/L cruising at about 5000rpm. 2006 model stock gearing, 82kg rider, 24psi in tyres. 95 octane fuel.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 21 Jun 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NSW, Australia
Posts: 62
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmy101 View Post
Always get 20 km/L when heavy throttle, and 23km/L cruising at about 5000rpm. 2006 model stock gearing, 82kg rider, 24psi in tyres. 95 octane fuel.

There you go... My average RPM in top is 5500-6000 17/43 gears from memory and I weigh over 100kg with my gear on and have a topbox...

Sounds about right to me....

Cheers
Ian
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 21 Jun 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Devon, England
Posts: 26
.
these are my figures.

Commuting into work =

20 miles of motorway at 85mph and 8 miles of town at 0-30mph i get 125miles before hitting reserve. (12litres)

Travelling 70mph on motorways for general use = 150miles before htting reserve. (12litres)

Town riding I get 45mpg

My worst ever ride was 104miles before hitting reserve, open throttle bombing on motorway.

# ECO RIDE #

when i travel long distances on motorway and stay religously at 60mph I achieve 180 mile before turning to reserve.

my best ever ride I was travelled 240miles on 14.5litres of fuel

overall it's not the best for fuel consumption, it completely depends on how i ride. and how much money i have.
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 13 Jul 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 3
I also get around 200km before hitting reserve, but the consumption is VERY dependent on driving style...

Not awfully impressed, but as some of the posters mentioned, shaving off 1 liter per hundred km is not exactly going to save vast amounts of money.
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 16 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ireland
Posts: 106
A bigger rear sprocket, or smaller front, could give better mpg.
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 16 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: England
Posts: 152
Quote:
Originally Posted by TommyT View Post
A bigger rear sprocket, or smaller front, could give better mpg.
I think you mean smaller rear sprocket and larger front sprocket
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 17 Jul 2009
royzx7r's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Liverpool UK
Posts: 225
Here, Here. If you put a smaller front sprocket on, the bike will rev higher thus using more fuel. Deffo the other way round.

1 tooth at the front = 2 at the rear.




Roy
__________________
"Whats in that thing??", An R1 owner said.
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 18 Jul 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ireland
Posts: 106
On my old F650 1 tooth less on the front sprocket gave me 10 - 15% better fuel economy. I don't do a lot of motorway miles though. The gearing was much better and you could ride it at lower revvs, and it had a bit more acceleration.

I noticed the older KLE's have bigger rear sprockets than newer models. They also have 110 link chains as opposed to 108. I'm changing to the older set up next time I do my chain and sprockets. Only problem is the bigger rear sprocket doesn't come in black :-(
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 2 of 3 1 2 3

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 2 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 2 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Fuel consumption & range Kpick BMW Tech 5 24 Sep 2008 07:35
Estimating fuel consumption...! danward79 Equipping the Overland Vehicle 20 15 Nov 2007 19:38
Bm fuel consumption and Bodge up floyd BMW Tech 2 9 Mar 2007 23:06
XR650L - What fuel consumption off-road in desert? mattmbishop Honda Tech 4 30 Jan 2006 01:32
Fuel Consumption highway Yamaha Tech 2 22 Dec 2003 18:50

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:28.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top