(I know, I really need to get a life).
Long ago, when I used to visit VTXOA regularly, I recall some discussions about the time of the year affecting fuel mileage. Several factors were cited, such as cooler air being denser, winter humidities versus summer humidities, winter fuel mixes at fuel retailers, and other factors that I've long since forgotten. Anyway, I recently had one of those sleepless nights where I needed something to occupy my feeble mind. I decided that with over 50,000 miles on my VTX, I could total the mileages driven and fuel used for each calendar month and figure out whether there is any credence to the winter and summer mileage differences (I know, I really need to get a life). Is there a real difference, or is the difference insignificant? Does anybody even care? So, with the understanding that these results apply only to my bike, and yours may be completely different, I'll list the calendar month, total mileage driven during that month, and the average mpg for that month.January: 3120.8 35.3February: 2562.8 35.9March: 3753.6 36.3April: 3871.4 37.5May: 5606.6 37.4June: 4120.0 38.1July: 5798.9 39.9August: 4747.8 39.5September: 4299.9 38.4October: 4832.3 38.3November: 4733.6 36.3December: 2647.7 35.2So I ranged from a high of 39.9mpg in July to a low of 35.2mpg in December. That's an 11.8% drop (or 13.4% increase) - pretty significant, in my mind. I didn't expect that large a difference. Since this was not a strictly controlled experiment, and it involved only one bike, my numbers may be an anomaly. And since probably very few of you log all of your fuel and mileages, comparisons would be difficult. But if anyone who does log their fuel and mileages cares to check, I'd be interested to know if your results mirror mine. Any profound thoughts out there on the topic?
Now if you could just add in the average mph and temperature for each month I for one would be impressed. I have a theory that I ride faster when it is cold as I want to get where I am going cuz I am freezing my butt off Sherri
Wish I could get the mileage I get in Colorado. Usually run 35/43 mpg down here. Get 50 or better in Colorado.
Wish I could get the mileage I get in Colorado. Usually run 35/43 mpg down here. Get 50 or better in Colorado.Jim, did you figure the increase(decrease) in mileage ridden? Just curious. I too am amazed that you keep such detailed records. What do they call keeping stuff like that - I forget. (Not)