Ack535 Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 OK, so I am new to the Blackbird. Overall, I love the bike, but one thing is bothering me. Although it has been cool around here (and getting cooler), as hard as I try, the temp guage needle on my BB only goes up at most 1/4 of the way. Is this normal? Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rockmeupto125 Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Although it has been cool around here (and getting cooler), as hard as I try, the temp guage needle on my BB only goes up at most 1/4 of the way. Is this normal? For a carbed version, yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackhawkxx Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 For a carbed version, yes. Yep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeXTrain99 Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Damn you carbies, my FI seems to run hot all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuffguyF4i Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Who cares? Running is running! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted October 31, 2012 Share Posted October 31, 2012 Going down the highway this time of year, the needle on my 99 is lucky to be an 1/8" into the "normal range". If the outside temp is below 80 degrees, my fan will never run, even in the heaviest (no major accidents) traffic Wichita has to offer. Unless I intentionally let it idle for several minutes after fully warm. I think this is one reason why the mileage sucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ack535 Posted October 31, 2012 Author Share Posted October 31, 2012 Going down the highway this time of year, the needle on my 99 is lucky to be an 1/8" into the "normal range". If the outside temp is below 80 degrees, my fan will never run, even in the heaviest (no major accidents) traffic Wichita has to offer. Unless I intentionally let it idle for several minutes after fully warm. I think this is one reason why the mileage sucks. Yes, that is the same with my Blackbird. Temp guage on the freeway runs about 1/8 up from cold. And yes, my milage is around 35 to 38 mpg. Not very good... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TuffguyF4i Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 So cardboard and ziptie up 25% of the radiator and see if that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Krypt Keeper Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 have they changed over to winter fuels yet in you're area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon haney Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 Going down the highway this time of year, the needle on my 99 is lucky to be an 1/8" into the "normal range". If the outside temp is below 80 degrees, my fan will never run, even in the heaviest (no major accidents) traffic Wichita has to offer. Unless I intentionally let it idle for several minutes after fully warm. I think this is one reason why the mileage sucks. Yes, that is the same with my Blackbird. Temp guage on the freeway runs about 1/8 up from cold. And yes, my milage is around 35 to 38 mpg. Not very good... I would love to get 35 to 38 MPG. Mine is more like 30 to 35. Only way I get over 37 is in the mountains of CO. Wish I had put on a Power Commander a long time ago. Hardly seems worth the money now since I don't ride more than 1500 miles per year. Commuting is more fun on the SV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryG Posted November 1, 2012 Share Posted November 1, 2012 My '98 carbed XX is about the same on the guage.....normal. I never ride it too slow (it is a Blackbird after all) and average about 36mpg. The way I see it: $3K bike + much faster and funner than 90% of anything on the road at any price + 36mpg on regular= :icon_love: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ack535 Posted November 2, 2012 Author Share Posted November 2, 2012 have they changed over to winter fuels yet in you're area? Yeah, they switch over by mid October. My '98 carbed XX is about the same on the guage.....normal. I never ride it too slow (it is a Blackbird after all) and average about 36mpg. The way I see it: $3K bike + much faster and funner than 90% of anything on the road at any price + 36mpg on regular= :icon_love: Why such crappy milage out of the Birds? I got around 42 out of my old FJR1300. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BarryG Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Why such crappy milage out of the Birds? I got around 42 out of my old FJR1300. I guess it depends on your perspective. I ride the Bird pretty fast all the time. I'm always revving it up on backroads and I never cruise in say 6th at 65 or anything like that on the freeway. Speed limit in San Diego is 65-70 on the hwy and most are doing 75-80. So I can cruise at 85 on my Bird all day and rarely worry about getting pulled over. So with my riding style on a big bore powerful bike like the Bird, 36mpg to me is awesome. If I rode an FJR, I personally doubt I'd see anything over 40mpg given the way I ride. I got 42mpg avg on my SV650 and V-strom 650. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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