Bad MPGs for my XJ650J

Greetings!

I consistently get less then a 100 miles on a tank of gas on my 82 Maxim 650 before I have to switch to reserve (or prime). Isn't this rather low given the size of the tank and engine displacement? I rebuilt the petcock and carbs this past summer and adjusted the floats. My bike always starts right up and runs great with plenty of pep. The oil looks / smells good and there are no leaks or odors so I don't think it is dumping gas thru the carbs.

Could it just be that I'm running rich? I've been looking to buy a colortune kit but want to make sure I'm not damaging anything in the meantime.

Your thoughts on this matter would be appreciated.

Cheers!

 

Have you checked the actual MPG? I used to have to switch mine to RES right at 100 miles, less if I was riding hard.

 

Actually I haven't and will do so at my next fill-up. Just seemed rather low given the fact that I heard these bikes can get over 30 mpg's. As long as everything is working as it should I don't really care what the gas mileage is - glad to hear that you had a similar experience.

Thanks for the feedback!

 

I usually get around 160km before switching to reserve on my 650 max, so yeah 100 miles sounds about right. However I have no clue what the mileage should be for a perfectly tuned setup, which mine definitely is not.

 

Sounds like good news for me......

Just curious, how far do you think your XJs will run off the reserve???

Thanks again for the help!

 

I have a Maxim x and I have been getting 48mpg. When I switch to reserve, there is about a half gallon in the tank. Fuel light comes on at 130 miles.

 

100 miles or so is what i get (same bike). iirc stock s/b 2.4 tank, .9 reserve. I've never ran the reserve out but the math says we could ride 40 miles on reserve (i wouldn't try it tho). I've probably done 10 with my butt cheeks clinched. When i go to reserve i get to a station. The only time i use reserve is when i'm testing to make sure it'll work unless like earlier mentioned i ride some where that all of a sudden goes flat and i don't see a get gas exit for miles (from Tn through Kentucky toward Bowling Green).

Gary H.

 

Yes the big question is how far you can get on reserve? Also not to forget to turn the petcock back to the on position after filling up.

 

My 700 will go 105-120 miles before I switch to reserve, depending on how I ride. How far can I get on reserve? I don't care to find out. I'm too old to push the thing.

 

Anyone ever mount an auxiliary tank on their XJ? I had one on my old 883 Sportster and it made a huge difference. It is in consideration for the 700, I just don't know if the sport rack would be large enough.

 

Gasoline can be stored in empty oil bottles - each quart giving about 10 extra miles of range.

 

similar experience as the rest of you guys on my '82 650 Max. Normal riding switch to reserve around 100-110, but if I'm really getting into it, it's closer to 90. I try to fill up 15-20 miles into reserve if not sooner. When I was cruising around the Blue Ridge Parkway at their 45 mph speeds and a couple neighboring roads at 55ish, I was averaging around 50 mpg. Sounds like you are in the same boat as the rest of us.

 

on my 82 750 I get 32.2 mpg this last tank. probably a little more since I didn't have to switch over yet. I was at 113 when I rolled into the station. I fill up when My bike gets to the last tick on the gauge. One of these days I will run it dry to see how many actual miles I get.