Poor Gas Mileage

[Boner]

Howdy all,

I just purchased a '99 Kawasaki ZX-9R and am experiencing very poor gas mileage from it. The bike has relatively high miles (31,000), but still runs very smoothly. I just filled up and calculated my MPG to be just over 20...Now my last bike (Yamaha FZR) was getting upwards of 40 mpg, and I had heard that the Kawasakis got similar.

But, 20 mpg simply can not be right. I havent been out there red-lining it all ride long either, I keep the tach between 3 and 7.

Does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this problem? Or where to start looking to solve it?

Thanks.

[Karaya One]

I would start with the obvious stuff like the air filter and plugs.

I found a huge critters nest in my Stroms air box and a dirty filter. Cleaned it out and with anew filter instant 6mpg easy.

[stoinkythepig]

Look for a fuel leak and check your math. Mine's got 65,000 miles and gets high 40s

[Ericthejet]

Something up for sure but not the mpg's.
My 84 Ninja 900 gets mid 40's.