The number 1 reason I got my Versys was to cut down on Gas consumption for my rather long work commute.

Ok. I lied. The number 1 reason I got my Versys is because the bike is cool as hell.

But mileage is good too!
I have been tracking the gas consumption since purchase date: 6.20 and I can say I am saving $170 Dollars a month in Gas only.

Check out the straight numbers here:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pxh-Wgxld9GgihPKbjKQaeg

disclaimer: You are looking at the "break period" numbers. Driving mostly under 60mph with two or 3 days punching 80 now and then.

So I'm dishing out +- $70 Dlls a month in gas vs. $250 using my car Accord(98).

I just thought this info may be useful to those crunching the numbers before taking the plunge. :thumb:

C.

Those are nice numbers. You are definitely getting better gas mileage than me.

cabazorro,

Thanks 4 the info. Everyone's pretty much getting about 50 mpg on the Versys it seems. If it isn't 2 personal how much weight is your bike carrying a day.

We average about 57 mpg (U.S.). Nice! And it's a hoot, besides that.

We average about 57 mpg (U.S.). Nice! And it's a hoot, besides that.

a hoot?

I've been spending about $150/week (that's right-$600 per month) in gas in my '07 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad cab. I purchased the Versys largely for a commuting vehicle. I parked my truck the first week I had the bike and spent right at $20 for the week. For those keeping score at home, that's
$80/month versus (Versys) $600/month. I ran the numbers before I bought too and I figured I can easily make my bike payment, truck payment and insurance payments on both vehicles, as well as put gas in both vehicles (while mostly leaving the truck parked) and still save $200-300 over what I was spending without the bike.

Plus, the V is so much more fun!!

I am in the same situation as boogdaddy. I have a 4x4 full size mitsubishi montero and it gobbles up at least $95.00 of gas every time I fill up. Because I have a somewhat long commute + just doing things that every normal person does with there vehicle, a tank tends to only last about one week if that. So it easily costs around $400.00 a month. Actually it tends to be closer to $500-$550 when all is said and done. So, just as boogdaddy mentioned. It is very easy to justify a moto payment and insurance. I guess in a way its kind of funny to think that my parked Mitsu is paying for my V and then some. :D

Man, everyone here has long commutes or drives a fully loaded tractor-trailer to work every day. Either that or I'm going to call shenanigans. My current car gets 25 mpg on average and my V gets 50. At $4.00 a gallon for 87, that means I save ($4.00/25)-($4.00/50) = $0.08/mile driven.

At approximately $7000 with state taxes figured in, I would have to drive my Versys 87,500 miles (!) before breaking even just on purchase price alone - not to mention tires, gear, luggage and insurance costs! By the same calculations, if you are comparing your V against a truck that gets 10mpg, you'll break even at about 22,000... and might actually come up positive if the bike makes it 30k miles without a new engine!

Man, everyone here has long commutes or drives a fully loaded tractor-trailer to work every day. Either that or I'm going to call shenanigans. My current car gets 25 mpg on average and my V gets 50. At $4.00 a gallon for 87, that means I save ($4.00/25)-($4.00/50) = $0.08/mile driven.

At approximately $7000 with state taxes figured in, I would have to drive my Versys 87,500 miles (!) before breaking even just on purchase price alone - not to mention tires, gear, luggage and insurance costs! By the same calculations, if you are comparing your V against a truck that gets 10mpg, you'll break even at about 22,000... and might actually come up positive if the bike makes it 30k miles without a new engine!

I can appreciate differing opinions, but I know for me the numbers work. If one was trying to justify the total purchase price of the bike plus all the mods we like to do (which I wasn't), then yes, it's pure folly. And yes, I know about tire wear and maintanance costs (I do have a prepaid maint. package). However, like many people these days, I am more concerned with my monthly outlay. With 5 daughters, 2 of which are in college, every little bit I can save in the short term WHILE HAVING AN ABSOLUTE BLAST IN THE PROCESS is what I'm all about! :thumb: I would've been happy to trade my truck in on a more efficient vehicle but I wasn't that wild about being paid virtually nothing on trade for my truck. The big 3 automakers are practically paying people to drive new trucks off the lots around here!

I'm sitting at either $0.27 per mile for the montero or $0.074 per mile for the versys. I tend to look at it this way. How many everyday situations arise which involve money, that allow us to enjoy another vehicle (motorcycle) at essentially no extra cost. Plus, I'm able to apply an extra $200.00 minimum to the motorcycle payment per month after all is said and done just using the monthly gas allowance for one vehicle. At 7.4 cents per mile that minimum of $200.00 = 2700 miles towards riding the versys to its "payoff mileage". Why gripe and complain about gas prices when you can have fun on a V while exhibiting no extra financial strain on yourself and lets face it, none of us really bought a motorcycle purely for the reason of saving gas. If we were really concerned with fuel prices and quick vehicle payoff we would have gone with a bicycle or vehicle of the electric breed.

Cheers!

cabazorro,

Thanks 4 the info. Everyone's pretty much getting about 50 mpg on the Versys it seems. If it isn't 2 personal how much weight is your bike carrying a day.

None. Just me. And 40% of the commute are not highway miles but country roads with few lights.

Like everybody also, I also found myself engaging in the "Gas savings: A motorcycle that pays by itself!" argument when I floated the idea to the clan.

That's why I posted the raw numbers... so you can see I'm the raw input and not some "feel good about myself" numbers.

And it happens that also I track the gas cost of my Accord...right here!

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pxh-Wgxld9GipsdOUH_bJbA

Which is ballpark $280/month.

So I can say, with the numbers to support it, that I save $200 dlls/month (good weather) by commuting to work in my motorcycle.

Then, the question of whether the bike pays by itself or not can be answered.

Not in my particular case.

I say here in NJ I may ride the bike from Apr to Oct.
Thats 8 months of the year.
That's 75*8 or $600.00

If I drive the car those 8 months I would pay 275*8 = 2,200.00.

So the net gas savings would be $1,600.00 for one year.
Subtract the insurance (300) and end w/ net savings of $1,300.0

That's about 40% of my total bike payments for 1 year.

So the Versys if gas doesn't climb any further, will end costing me around 4k
That's one big %50 percent rebate, isn't it?

But what if I was driving Nissan Armada putting over $500 a month in gas and lived in Arizona (Sunny most of the year) and my commute was over 25 miles?

Then I would say that yes Indeed!

The gas savings would pay up for the bike and a few dinners at The Red Lobster.:yeahsmile:

Good to know some people are seeing some pretty good savings. My versys mileage is hovering right at 50mpg - seems to stay there regardless of gentle break in period, or now that I have sped up a bit.

I guess we were pretty well prepared for the fuel - with all the driving we do, I've found it's usually cheaper to have a car for commuting, and a truck to haul stuff or go camping / to the lake, etc. But right now:

Wife's Honda Insight - 60mpg @$4.00 gal gas = $0.067/ mile
Versys - 50mpg @ $4.00 gal gas = $0.08/mile
My Acura RSX - 25mpg @ $3.00 E85 = $0.12/mile
Ford F150 4x4 - 12mpg @ $4.00 gal gas = $0.33/mile
(Yikes! Glad that one only sees a couple thousand miles per year!)

But what if I was driving Nissan Armada putting over $500 a month in gas and lived in Arizona (Sunny most of the year) and my commute was over 25 miles?

Then I would say that yes Indeed!

The gas savings would pay up for the bike and a few dinners at The Red Lobster.:yeahsmile:


You have described me almost to a T!

I live in AZ and I too have a big truck a Ford F150 Supercrew 4x4 (12mpg). All the reasons cited above are why I chose to buy the V and right now I am saving $200 cash money per month and I get the V. :thumb:

Even if it is just the fact that I get a motorcycle and my truck for the same money it is surely worth it. Not to mention the fun I have on the V which is priceless!!!

ETA: I am 250lbs and I am getting 51mpg on the V

I'm 245 and get 48mpg on the V.

a hoot?

Yeh. You know? Fun; a rip; a blast; too cool...A hoot.

Over the last 2 weeks I've ran the I-17 from Phoenix to Flagstaff twice. It's 160 miles one way. The first time around, I got nearly 54 MPG out of my V. The second time, I was runnning two up, and got right around 50 MPG or so...
Not bad in my book. And man is that ride a fun one :)

Look, I'm not trying to say Versys ownership is a strictly business decision. I definitely own mine for fun. But I get questions from coworkers on almost a daily basis, and nobody seems to "get it" when I say that bikes aren't as cheap as what everyone thinks they are.

Look, I'm not trying to say Versys ownership is a strictly business decision. I definitely own mine for fun. But I get questions from coworkers on almost a daily basis, and nobody seems to "get it" when I say that bikes aren't as cheap as what everyone thinks they are.

Yes, I'll second that. No one really understands that they are not as cheap as the general consensus seems to want to believe.
However, I can say for sure, that for me... owning the V is much cheaper than if I were to have bought a car instead. The Versys is my only vehicle... and with insurance, gas, regular maintenance, and my monthly payments... I am still paying much less than I would be paying for a new car payment.

Who cares if it pays for itself? How much is the fun worth? The savings in gas helps offset the cost of our goodies! Bags, boots, jackets and farkle.

Funny thing about gas mileage. My wife got 62 mpg last 3 times I checked it. I have been on that bike for last 3 weeks. 53 mpg is alll I can get. I know I out weigh her by 50 lbs but I think its the medical problem I have with my Right wrist. It keeps twisting on its own for no reason. Sort of like a spasm.:)

I figure a bike and a small car are about a wash on cost per mile however the upfront cost ($7k for Versys compared to $20k for decent new small car) or the amount you have to borrow may tip towards the bike being a better choice. However a bike is great option if you drive a full size pick up and need something cheap for errands and commuting. I could not justify owning my truck and buying a small car if I still need the truck. The fun factor cinches the deal.

My V gets around 52 MPG.

Bottom line is if you like to ride buy the bike, if it just for cost savings buy the car.

Another thing to make you feel good: The Versys (or almost any bike) has a fraction of the environmental impact over its usable life than nearly any four-wheel vehicle. Consider the use of petroleum (plastics, engine oil) and other materials, then consider the significantly reduced wear on roads and space needed to park or store a bike. Carbon emissions might or might not be another issue depending on how modified a bike is.

I lived in Europe the past few years and motorcycle culture (and acceptance of bikes) over there is vastly different from here in the States. There is a reason for it. Folks there recognize motorcycles as a viable form of transportation. I'm waiting for that day to come on this side of the big pond...

I lived in Europe the past few years and motorcycle culture (and acceptance of bikes) over there is vastly different from here in the States. There is a reason for it. Folks there recognize motorcycles as a viable form of transportation. I'm waiting for that day to come on this side of the big pond...

Depends on the area. In Cali, bikes are definitely considered transportation and not just toys.

I'm seeing a lot more bikes on the road now that gas is $4/gal. In fact, I've seen some really nice Harleys commuting. I'd imagine a few of those only came out on perfect Sundays a year or so ago. It's nice to see more bikes on the road.

I agree with hacktracker. I have been seeing quite a few more bikes on the road as well. People in the U.S. are just going to have to get used to seeing more bikes on the road and having a greater sense of awareness. The problem with the majority of the U.S. is that our cities and urban areas are built in a very "spread out" manner so its just been normal for so long for people to just get in a car for whatever purpose to get to their destination. Whereas most of Europe is more condensed, in terms of population density and urban areas, and everything is more or less in generally the same area so its normal for most people to just walk, ride a bike or motorcycle to their destination. The U.S. needs to become more friendly in terms of pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle traffic. I guess that gas prices being the way they are may force everyone over here to wake up a little.

The mpg of a motorcycle was one of the selling points for me when I bought my Versys. Having ridden the bike for the last month, I can tell you that in my case I ride for pleasure more than practical, (ain't riding a bike fun!), and as such my gas savings are in the negative numbers. The good news is that at 50+ mpg, factoring tire wear, etc., even the cost of my pleasure riding is nominal. I just installed my saddle bags today, so I suppose I will be using the V for more practical trips in the future since I'll be able to haul the groceries home more easily. Even so I'm leaving on a 5-6 day trip through southern Colorado next week with some buddies, and the net savings in gas are only hypothetical when compared to making the tour in my full size Dodge van as compared to the Versys. Cheers!

Since I have had my V, I have ranged from a low of 53 mpg to a high of 57 mpg. Average probably about 55 mpg. :thumb:

LOL!!! I'm not gonna lie and say i bought the V. just to save gas, although, I do save about $150-$175 a month in gas...assuming I am driving my Subaru. My F-250 Superduty 7.3 powerstroke...well, you figure it out, 16 mpg, $4.75 a gallon for diesel. I drive about 2000 miles a month, not including the extra trips I make on the bike now that I can afford it. But a gas saver that is a soul-rejuvenating machine as well, come on!!! I average about 55mpg on mine with a worst ever one time 47 mpg, and a best ever one time 62mpg. Part of the reason I chose the V. was for it's economy, cheap to buy, insure and better on gas than my other choices.I too have noticed a lot more people riding bikes over the last 10 years, since got my first bike, with nasty gas prices no doubt pushing this alot. Massive increase in scooters as well. With more bikes on the road, that makes more drivers aware of us, and less people driving killing cages!!!:thumb:
Wa-hoo bikes!!!
Fukken cheers,
Erik!!!

I wish we paid the same as you guys for Gas in USA , Come across to England , (just kidding)

Silverman

After reading thru the thread I'm wondering where you guys are getting your insurance, mine is currently w/ State Farm (along w/ 4 cars and the house) and $600/yr, I got a quote from progressive for $500. The guy at Farmers told my wife the Versys was a hot rod motorcycle, I was like, what the hell, this guy is off on the wrong foot, we did not transfer our insurance to Farmers. From what I have seem from the insurance co's they consider this bike to be a sport bike? Anyway, I do commute daily w/ a laptop backpack until i can get the side bags in the budget, and our gas expenditure has dropped dramatically.

I wish we paid the same as you guys for Gas in USA , Come across to England , (just kidding)

Silverman

yes but you can drive across your entire country in an afternoon...
where as it takes that just to get half way through my state!!!

yes but you can drive across your entire country in an afternoon...
where as it takes that just to get half way through my state!!!

I'll have to agree with that. There is a definite geographic difference between a country that you can fit in my entire state. Distances to get from point A to point B are vastly different economies of scale.

Plus, if I remember correctly, England doesn't even produce much of it's own petroleum - mostly imported.

but... you guys in Europe (well a lot of Europe anyhow...) are paying way more tax on your petrol so that you can have cool things like good healthcare!

VerSys - First tank - 51mpg. Second tank - 53mpg
Harley - 42mpg
Jeep - 30mpg on the highway. (diesel)
Ranger - WVO - 500 miles on $20

Cheapest to drive? the little pickup
Most enjoyable ride? No answer. They all have substantial merits.

VerSys - First tank - 51mpg. Second tank - 53mpg
Harley - 42mpg
Jeep - 30mpg on the highway. (diesel)
Ranger - WVO - 500 miles on $20

Cheapest to drive? the little pickup
Most enjoyable ride? No answer. They all have substantial merits.

Perhaps I'm being dense, but are you saying that your Ranger gets 100 mpg (at $4/gal)???:huh::huh::huh::huh:

Ooops, my math is off, I mean 125 mpg...:confused::confused::confused::confused:

My bad. Perhaps I should have not used an abbreviation. "WVO" is short for "waste vegetable oil." The truck has a small diesel engine that I have converted to run on diesel, biodiesel, and "WVO."

- S

BTW - diesel is much much closer to $5/g here in Michigan.

Up here in Ontario, Canada, insurance is a total rip-off (along with gas prices and just about everything else), and I used the excuse that the Versys is great on gas as my focus to buy one to replace my old Suzuki Madura 1200, which was a complete pig.
my math.....

gas - 50+mpg Versys, Car - 22mpg at about $1.35/litre = Big savings Versys

Versys = cheap maintainance.......cheaper gas.......loads of fun BUT
insurance sux. I pay $720 a year, have to pay for a full year but can only use (maybe)6 months when it isn't pouring rain, snowing, or salty on the road

Bikes, like all toys, rarely pay for themselves unless used as a sole vehicle in a warm climate. But the Versys is just so fun it is worth it. Buy it for the sheer enjoyment, the savings is just a bonus.

BTW, to all the US States, no offense intended but stop crying about the price of gas. We Canadaians supply you with a huge chunk of your raw fuel, and we have been paying more than $4 a gallon for years. Currently, its about $5.25-$5.45 per gallon, and our premium is closer to $6.10. You guys are just catching up with the rest of the world. Nuff Said, buy a bike for the fun, not for saving a few bux on gas.

You still gotta' rage against the machine sometimes...It's also cool to buy a bike to save a few bucks on gas (Or a lot of bucks.). To each his/her own.

Man, everyone here has long commutes or drives a fully loaded tractor-trailer to work every day. Either that or I'm going to call shenanigans. My current car gets 25 mpg on average and my V gets 50. At $4.00 a gallon for 87, that means I save ($4.00/25)-($4.00/50) = $0.08/mile driven.

At approximately $7000 with state taxes figured in, I would have to drive my Versys 87,500 miles (!) before breaking even just on purchase price alone - not to mention tires, gear, luggage and insurance costs! By the same calculations, if you are comparing your V against a truck that gets 10mpg, you'll break even at about 22,000... and might actually come up positive if the bike makes it 30k miles without a new engine!


Firstly, I think that most are just concerned with the monthly saving because most of us live with month-to-month budgets.

Secondly, shouldn't you add back the value of the bike after the purchase, after all it is an asset. Even at 30k mile value should still be at almost $3k.

Up here in Ontario, Canada, insurance is a total rip-off (along with gas prices and just about everything else), and I used the excuse that the Versys is great on gas as my focus to buy one to replace my old Suzuki Madura 1200, which was a complete pig.
my math.....

gas - 50+mpg Versys, Car - 22mpg at about $1.35/litre = Big savings Versys

Versys = cheap maintainance.......cheaper gas.......loads of fun BUT
insurance sux. I pay $720 a year, have to pay for a full year but can only use (maybe)6 months when it isn't pouring rain, snowing, or salty on the road

Bikes, like all toys, rarely pay for themselves unless used as a sole vehicle in a warm climate. But the Versys is just so fun it is worth it. Buy it for the sheer enjoyment, the savings is just a bonus.



Why do everyone consider motorcycles as toy and not as "REAL" modes of transportation. Consider the options:

Public Transportation - If you have ever taken it I don't need to explain.. but, it's slow doesn't always get you where you need to go and requires you to entertain people you may rather not have a conversation with.. or get close enough to to smell..

Walking - Good exercise but hard to stay on a good schedule.

Car - Not everyone has dedicated parking and if you don't then you pay one way or another, parking lot or parking meter or parking fine.

Helicopter - If you can afford one than by all means use it..


When can we, (North American and far Northern North Amercans) see 2-wheel vehicles as functional, reliable and smart forms of transportation??
And why does cars have to weigh as much as houses??

Where have I been? :confused: This is the first I've seen this thread and it's a good one.

I've ridden a bike most of my life - sometimes as my only vehicle. It's not just a toy to me - it's basic transportation (oh yah. And a blast!) ;) Eventhough my car gets pretty good gas milage (25mpg), I'm averaging 53 on the V, 57 on the highway (that 57 was with no attempts to make good gas milage. I just wanted to beat the storm home). I just put the 16T sprocket on and will see what I get then. With better highway driving I'm hoping to get about 60mpg.

And I agree with my counterparts across the pond and above the lakes that we in the US have been pretty spoiled with our gas prices. I think that's what has led to things like Hummers, 12 mpg trucks, etc (no offense intended to those who drive those. I'll bet, however, that you don't see a lot of them in other countries). Maybe now the folks in the US will get serious about energy efficiencies. Ooops. I'm letting my politics leak.

BAck to bikes, I traded in my Vulcan 800 for the V. 48 mpg on the big V. Plus this V is a lot more fun.

...I'll bet, however, that you don't see a lot of them in other countries)...

As an American who has been lucky enough to travel quite a few times to different corners of the planet, I can say that's a true statement.

I like to walk a lot in cities and I'm always appreciative of the lack of large trucks and SUVs in other countries. Whenever I come back to the States I'm amazed at how much bigger our vehicles are in comparison.

That and I wish we could lane-split/filter in the US.

but... you guys in Europe (well a lot of Europe anyhow...) are paying way more tax on your petrol so that you can have cool things like good healthcare!


Good health care? More like socialized health care. No one in the world compares to the quality of health care available in the U.S., socializing it would dilute it.
BTW I'm getting about 45mpg on mine, our gas has ethanol in it.

Good health care? More like socialized health care. No one in the world compares to the quality of health care available in the U.S., socializing it would dilute it.
BTW I'm getting about 45mpg on mine, our gas has ethanol in it.

This is a myth, maybe if you're wealthy. You're probably more likely to die from a Dr or hospital staff giving you the wrong meds or dose in the US than you are from riding.

"New York, New York - New information has been presented showing the degree to which Americans have been subjected to injury and death by medical errors. The results of seven years of research reviewing thousands of studies conducted by the NIA now show that medical errors are the number one cause of death and injury in the United States.

According to the NIA's report, over 784,000 people die annually due to medical mistakes. Comparatively, the 2001 annual death rate for heart disease was 699,697 and the annual death rate for cancer was 553,251.

Over 2.2 million people are injured every year by prescription drugs alone"


http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/sepp/2003/10/29/medical_system_is_leading_cause_of_death_and_injur y_in_us.htm

I observed my lowest MPG to date this weekend
38 MPG, doing sustained 80 mph riding in heavy winds.

i keep my tire pressure 36psi rear...32psi front.......consistently get 53 to 56mpg........keep a check on tire pressure!!!.

Tire pressure is at Kawi's recomended pressure, still getting 48mpg max. I think it's got more to do with riding style, followed by rider size and weight. My worst tank was the first or second at 38mpg during break in, but it quickly made it up to 48-50 and has been consistent ever since.

I observed my lowest MPG to date this weekend
38 MPG, doing sustained 80 mph riding in heavy winds.

Riding 80 mph plus in strong head winds dries my tank FAST. I'll get under 40 mpg too.

I am 175lbs nekkid. I have Happy Trail panniers on the bike which I think HURTS mileage. The last tankful I ran - mixed riding with everything from 4 lane to dirt I got 53.5 mpg

My wife rides a Super Sherpa - She gets about 70 mpg

WHEN WE RIDE TOGETHER THAT MEANS WE GET 123 mpg!!!!!!
How cool is that..............:eek:

Just picked up my "V" last week, and 325 miles so far, twice up the Apache Trail and back to Mesa driving it hard, plus some 80 mph freeway driving (breaking it in "like I stole it"!), so only one fill I could measure mileage on:
60 MPG!!!
133.9 miles on 2.2 gallons.:yeahsmile:

Ed

I'm noticing a downward trend on my Versys here lately. The last few tanks have been:

55 mpg
51 mpg
47 mpg
47 mpg
41 mpg

The only thing I see is that I flipped over 5000 miles after the last 55 mpg tank (that shouldn't have anything to do with anything, but simply demonstrates my frustration at not finding any other common denominator). I haven't gained weight, I haven't added weight to the bike, my riding style hasn't changed, I've kept everything lubed, cleaned, tightened, perfect tire pressure, and I've been getting gas from the same dealer every time (yes, with 10% ethanol). The weather hasn't changed much, the roads are all the same... I even switched to synthetic oil right before this last tank and it went from 47 to 41 (shifts a lot nicer though!). The engine humms along and there has been no change in how it performs.

As you can see, I'm perplexed. Any suggestions?

How do the plugs look? Okay or rich?

For the record, I'm really getting tired of all of you that get great mileage.
But I'm afraid to mess with my Power Commander III since the bike has been running so fantastic.

I am 175lbs nekkid. I have Happy Trail panniers on the bike which I think HURTS mileage. The last tankful I ran - mixed riding with everything from 4 lane to dirt I got 53.5 mpg

My wife rides a Super Sherpa - She gets about 70 mpg

WHEN WE RIDE TOGETHER THAT MEANS WE GET 123 mpg!!!!!!
How cool is that..............:eek:

I BELIEVE your math is faulty - I get 61.5 MPG average for you two:) when I do the math....
Cheers,
Ed

Good health care? More like socialized health care. No one in the world compares to the quality of health care available in the U.S., socializing it would dilute it.
BTW I'm getting about 45mpg on mine, our gas has ethanol in it.

Well, we have socialized medicine in Canada and a LARGE problem just happened in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

A guy was in emergency at a hospital for 34 hours (yes - THIRTY-FOUR hours!) before someone thought to check him.

He had been dead for "several hours". The excuse seems to be that, because indigents hang out there to stay warm, that was the reason he wasn't checked.

Medicare is broken, up HERE at least!!!:mad:

Ed

Well it seems like this thread has gotten political, so I'll throw in my penny (I'm not sure it's worth 2 whole cents). I work in a community hospital so I get to see the differences in insurances. Since we're a community hospital we take everyone regardless of ability to pay, but very few of the independent providers in the area will take Medicare or Medicaid. They pay so little that we literally lose money on each patient and the hoops we have to jump through are twice what any other payor requires. As a result, the people on gov't health plans tend to get less care (certainly fewer choices) than the rest of us.

I have pretty good insurance and I donb't want the government any where near it - they screw up everything they touch.

However, there was an article recently where a woman died in an ER in New York and no one noticed for 3 hours. They thought she was asleep. People make mistakes in every country.

I wont' pretend to know all the answers, but I do know personally of two people who've died due to medical mistakes while in the hospital. :(


I think the level of care you receive in the US depends a lot on how much $$ you make. As usual, the middle class gets the short end of the stick. I pay $500 a month and my deductible is $5000. That means I don't go unless I have to. I had a really bad wreck in the dirt a few years back, I never got anything checked out and I've got a bone sticking out of my knee, I think I tore my ACL and my shoulder has never been the same. I knew I couldn't afford it, I'd rack up $5k in no time. My kids, that's another story, they go. Period. I went and had a physical last summer and tried to get the Dr to look at a bunch of stuff I have been putting off, he rushed me out of the door so fast it was amazing. It's like they try and see as many people in one hour as possible. He had no desire to look at pretty much anything. So yeah, I still don't have a personal physician. Some great system.

If we can make something better, we should do it, instead of just assuming we're the best. It's this complacency that has gotten us where we are today. Makes me sick how our government passed a bill to prevent negotiation of drug costs with the pharmaceuticals. They sell the same drugs all over the world for a fraction of what we pay. Yeah, we flip the bill for research, and also for all the reps that take Dr.s out and bring them lunch etc, all the ridiculous ads in magazines and on TV telling us what we don't need.



I'm still getting 48mpg steady, unless I'm riding 2 up then it's 52mpg due to the more relaxed riding style.


:)

Ok, newb here to maximizing my gas mileage. How are you guys getting 50mpg + on the V? I am sitting around 45 mpg, and that is with 32psi front and 34psi rear.

Going 25 mph through town I am in 2nd gear doing about 4000 rpm, I believe. Doing 60 mph on the backroads/highways in 6th gear at about 4000 rpm. Could be slightly off on what rpm I am actually at, that is just what I think I remember being at. What speeds, rpms, and tire pressures are you all using?

By the way, I usually accelerate pretty leisurely unless I am feeling in the mood for a more spirited ride.

Oh, and I am keeping my hands out of the political debate. Although I am watching the debates and McCain is a moron. Obama wins by being lesser of two morons.

Our gasoline isn't what it used to be. A lot of the additives and ethanol will have an affect on fuel mileage. The formula changes with the seasons and varries due to geographical location. You could very well see your mpg change depending on time of year, city you bought the fuel etc.

I hover between 36 - 38 psi back and 32 - 34 psi front. The minimum I get combined is 50 mpg and on the highway I average 75 mph. If I'm on a day ride like on my last weekend's BRP ride, I'm getting about 54 mpg.

The bike feels more snappier these days in the mornings probably due to the effect of cooling temperatures!

Overall, I couldn't have chosen a better bike! :D

I would get 54 mpg when shifting below 5000rpm, but when romping a lot of shifts above 7000 rpm and pushing the back roads, I have been getting 48. Funny, how the more comfortable you get with the bike and your roads, you start wishing for 10 more hp.

I run 36 psi front, 42 psi rear.:clap:

Ed

I run 36 psi front, 42 psi rear.:clap:

Ed

Stock tires or something else? I assume the tire makes a difference due to compound, shape, tread pattern, etc. I mean, doubt I could get as good of mileage on road rides with knobbies.

Stock tires or something else? I assume the tire makes a difference due to compound, shape, tread pattern, etc. I mean, doubt I could get as good of mileage on road rides with knobbies.

These are on the OEM Dunlops!:yeahsmile:

FWIW: I run Kenda K270 knobbies on my KLR at 36 psi on the street and I get 56 mpg US (usually 'trolling' along around 55 MPH indicated), and my LAST rear gave me 11,160 miles before I changed it out (w/ 1/8" tread in the center). Your results MAY vary...!

Ed:thumb:

I used to get 60-65 mpg before the first service. Now I get about 36 mpg. This is riding back and forth to work. Long stretches between lights. I may be gunning it a bit more than when I first got it, but it seems to me that 36 mpg is pretty bad, like something is wrong with the fuel delivery system on the bike. I do not smell gasoline if the mixture is rich though. I only run premium to cut back on varnishing. I would expect at least 50 mpg out of a bike this light with a 649cc motor. I am not racing or popping wheelies, just driving it like a motorcycle, with fast shifts and keeping the revs somewhere between 3000 to 5000 rpm during the shifts, depending on conditions. I think that I broke it in OK. I never went over 5000 rpm with it, and if I did, it was only occasionally during the first 400 miles. Anyone else having this issue? I really don't get it.

Strange. Try going back to cheap gas. The premium fuel will varnish just as fast as the cheap stuff. Trust me. I've cleaned out more carbs for friends over the past few years.....

Oh, and I am keeping my hands out of the political debate. Although I am watching the debates and McCain is a moron. Obama wins by being lesser of two morons.

I had to chuckle at that. The last few elections my voting philosophy has been "vote for the lesser of the two evils". Now, I can't even do that. So, I've adopted a new philosopy "vote for the one who's slower at taking us to hell".

Where have all the leaders gone?

Okay, back on topic - my last tank of fuel has been doing much better. I'll get the mpg when I fill up in a day or two.

If I needed to find a "serious" reasono to buy a Versys, this is the closest yet. I'm spending $400 per month to put gas in my Ford 500 and it won't even pull a wheelie.

I continuously get 52-54 mpg every week commuting 25 miles each day M-F....