GSX-R1000 K1-K5 Fuel Economy on the road?
Discussion
I'm thinking of getting a GSX-R1000 as commuting mule (and Eurotrips), but if the fuel economy is going to be much worse than the 600 it is going to replace, I'll have to scratch that idea. I used to get a real world 160 mile range with the 600 averaging 16 litres of fuel, when used on country roads and fast motorway pace, which was manageable for the various placements I have had to visit over the years.
What real world range do past and present owners of that age of 1000's get when riding normal, ie making decent progress? Not Sunday morning blat at speeds plod will be displeased at. I did find on Suzuki forum quoting bad economy figures, but that may embellishing and willy waving, as it was from Americans.....
When I had a K6 Thou, the range I used to get was approximately until the fuel light came on, plus a bit. Then I put petrol in it again and had more range.
Surely nobody buys anything remotely like this with an eye on fuel economy?
FWIW, in the back of my mind I seem to recall it was maybe 120 miles-ish until the light came on.
Surely nobody buys anything remotely like this with an eye on fuel economy?
FWIW, in the back of my mind I seem to recall it was maybe 120 miles-ish until the light came on.
I took my K8 1000 to France a few years ago, I was touring for the main but the bike was doing 45mpg easily (160 miles without much effort), I was always putting in less fuel than the other bikes in my group (ZX9R, Varadero1000, KTM950) for instance. Ridden in the ample midrange I find it more than reasonable on fuel. I don't however have spreadsheets to back my claims up, life really is too short for that stuff. 
sc0tt said:
Does anyone buy a 1000cc superbike for fuel economy?
It's a factor for me, and one of the things that puts me off the cross plane crank R1. If the destination rather than the journey is the reward then a carb'd R1 will do ~50MPG at a steady NSL, which makes mine useful as a spare bike for commuting.K5 1000 - Was out with my sister on a 250 so taking it very easy. Managed 200 miles on a tank no problems. Would regularly get 160 with ease. Yes, I rode like a pussy too. It was more economical for me to ride it as you'd just ride the wave of torque and take it easy instead of thrashing a naked 600.
trickywoo said:
K1 to 5 covers three different models of bike.
However, for the type of riding you describe it shouldn't really be any worse than the 600.
Can't help but think something else would be better for the job though.
I know there are 3 models over that 5 year period, but more evolutions rather than radical redesigns. I would like to pick up a K5, but the inflated prices of those will rule that out.However, for the type of riding you describe it shouldn't really be any worse than the 600.
Can't help but think something else would be better for the job though.
I did find when I used an '04 CBR600RR on an old commute would drink more than the GSX-R600 as it would be pulling more rev's on the large percentage of motorway section of my trip.
3DP's old late model CBR600RR was great on fuel with him thrashing it, using loads less than my GSX-R and other PHers R1.
You are right, there are better for the job, but I'm stubborn, and insist on riding sportsbikes. And I have my old 600 I can pinch common parts off. But if you have any suggestions I'm all ears - 750 or 100 sportsbike, sub 4k.
xeny said:
sc0tt said:
Does anyone buy a 1000cc superbike for fuel economy?
It's a factor for me, and one of the things that puts me off the cross plane crank R1. If the destination rather than the journey is the reward then a carb'd R1 will do ~50MPG at a steady NSL, which makes mine useful as a spare bike for commuting.Along with having fill up every 3rd day rather than 2nd day makes a difference - still better than having to fill up twice a day for the commute to work which I did have for one job.....
If it helps (probably not) but on a AutoRoute at 85/90 the Hayabusa would often show over 12miles per litre. Gave a useful range of 180miles but saying that, with arse ache & distance between French/Spanish fuel stations you started looking for fuel around 120/130 miles.
Like said above, this sort of usage, not much between any of the cc's.
However, once the going got twisty, this sort of MPG was never achievable - more like 8/9 miles per litre.
This was with an analogue speedo & trip in miles. With a digi speedo (like my Fazer) you swap everything to KMs and start to panic when the trip clicks 200!!
Like said above, this sort of usage, not much between any of the cc's.
However, once the going got twisty, this sort of MPG was never achievable - more like 8/9 miles per litre.
This was with an analogue speedo & trip in miles. With a digi speedo (like my Fazer) you swap everything to KMs and start to panic when the trip clicks 200!!
My k3 Gsxr 1000 used to get around 115 to 130 mile before the light would come on depending on how you rode it.
As said above, why buy a litre bike to worry about fuel economy? My v4 light comes on at 85 to 90 mile. Yes it's a f
king pain in the arse having to plan in petrol stops every hour but what good fking fun it is! 
As said above, why buy a litre bike to worry about fuel economy? My v4 light comes on at 85 to 90 mile. Yes it's a f
king pain in the arse having to plan in petrol stops every hour but what good fking fun it is! Biker's Nemesis said:
Smack.
Hello.
Where ya been?
Hey John,Hello.
Where ya been?
Just been busy with work and gallivanting around the world when not, so I hadn't much time free time to drop in here, along with both bikes off the road - one the engine finally bit the dust, and the other in bits scattered around the garage mid overhaul, which has been going nowhere as I have been jetting off on airplanes when ever I have time free to escape winter.
STe_rsv4 said:
My k3 Gsxr 1000 used to get around 115 to 130 mile before the light would come on depending on how you rode it.
As said above, why buy a litre bike to worry about fuel economy? My v4 light comes on at 85 to 90 mile. Yes it's a fking pain in the arse having to plan in petrol stops every hour but what good fking fun it is!
I already have a litre plus bike, which I find run's about 10% worse economy that the 600, which isn't bad, but the smaller tank at 15.5l is what makes it unpractical for being a commuting/eurotrip mule limiting the range too much.As said above, why buy a litre bike to worry about fuel economy? My v4 light comes on at 85 to 90 mile. Yes it's a f
king pain in the arse having to plan in petrol stops every hour but what good fking fun it is! The GSX-R's up to 2008 had 18l tanks, so a 10% hit wouldn't hurt so much, and as I end up spending a significant time hacking along motorways at spirited paces, I was hoping the thousands pulling lower rev's wouldn't be too bad.
xeny said:
sc0tt said:
Does anyone buy a 1000cc superbike for fuel economy?
It's a factor for me, and one of the things that puts me off the cross plane crank R1. If the destination rather than the journey is the reward then a carb'd R1 will do ~50MPG at a steady NSL, which makes mine useful as a spare bike for commuting.The old carbed R1 (which feels like a comfy bus in comparison) can do 150-160 miles to reserve.
sc0tt said:
Does anyone buy a 1000cc superbike for fuel economy?
Probably not. Still, in my case, I was making note of the fuel economy figures because I regularly ride in Swiss Alps and one time all the petrol stations in my vicinity where either closed or in repair and I was on fuel light and faar away from home on Sunday.
Solution is either not to buy R1 and RSV4, which allegedly have the worst fuel economy of all superbikes, or just stop at petrol stations more often to refill.
Edited by Ho Lee Kau on Friday 23 February 12:00
smack said:
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You are right, there are better for the job, but I'm stubborn, and insist on riding sportsbikes.
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I think this is the right approach, that I also follow. You ride what you want, not what is sensible. You are right, there are better for the job, but I'm stubborn, and insist on riding sportsbikes.
...
What is really sensible about bikes, except for being able to filter through traffic (which is not allowed in most places anyway)?
I just bought new GSXR1000R. Total overkill for where I live and I am not big fan of going very fast in a straight line on German Autobahns either...but I just like GSXR1000 bikes, until recently had K3 and K6. Both were great, but K6 was more sporty and edgy, and K3 was better suited for taller people, so great long-distance horse.
xeny said:
It's a factor for me, and one of the things that puts me off the cross plane crank R1.
I average 42mpg from my cross plane R1 to and from work. Around 150 miles from the tank. Yes, when your ragging it you will barely get 110 miles from the tank but in day to day use its not too bad.The 2010 blade averaged 45mpg over 27k miles.
The 2004 R1 averaged 46mpg over 24k miles.
Fuel factor is a consideration if you use the bike for commuting any remote distance, and I use a 1000cc simply as its let effort to ride, lots of torque low down and only girls ride 600's...
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