The choice between fuel mileage and getting there on time

[butcher bergs]

I'm sure we've all run into it-- we have to be somewhere at a certain time but we are light on fuel and short on time. How do we handle it?

Do we adjust for economy in exchange for the guarantee of getting there, albeit a touch late, or do we dial up the speed in order to make it to our destination on time but at the risk of not getting there at all should the tank run dry?

I ran into this somewhat minor dilemma today as I was leaving for work today and made the decision to go with economy in exchange for the guarantee I'd be there. Thinking about my years as an operator, I have found myself typically erring on the side of fuel economy.....and that's what got me wondering...

[Turbocharged]

6k rpm in 4th gear consumes the same amount of fuel as 6k rpm in 6th gear. Getting to 6th uses a little more fuel, but I've never been THAT low on fuel.

[FirstDuc-1098]

6k rpm in 4th gear consumes the same amount of fuel as 6k rpm in 6th gear. Getting to 6th uses a little more fuel, but I've never been THAT low on fuel.

Not true, 6k in 6th would be worse because of wind resistance

[Rossco]

You see, my VT500c has this thing called a trip odometer. What I do every time I re-fuel is reset it to 0. When it gets to 100 or so I make plans to re-fuel. My bike doesn't even hit the reserve until about 140 miles from a fill-up, but I like to leave a safety cushion.

[butcher bergs]

Sure, I understand the tripmeter as well as the next operator however what if yesterday you said to yourself "I'll just fuel up on my way to (wherever I need to be) tomorrow" only to find that "tomorrow" has arrived earlier than you expected and now you must be at your certain destination at a certain time?

[R1]

No better excuse than "I ran out of gas and just had to walk "x" miles to get here"

[01xj]

I've run out of gas twice now. Always err on the side of caution. The last time I didn't, I pushed it to the pump.

[WordTooYoMamma]

Not true, 6k in 6th would be worse because of wind resistance

K but you would also be X number of miles further in 6th gear then 6k rpms at 4th gear.

Tuck and get to that gas station asap.

[obsolete]

I stop and get gas and be late.

[Awesome]

Only if it's 93 octane and synthetic oil that's been changed before winter. You also need a 1000.

[Stromper]

Wind resistance is a 3rd to 4th power equation so more speed more gas by a lot.

Lower rpms means less internal friction per unit time

Staying in the engine design dynamics RPM range results in higher combustion efficiencies

F*m they don't like you anyway so take your time ...get a donut while your at it.

[Paul_E_D]

I go for it. Speed with as light a foot as I can.

[obsolete]

F*m they don't like you anyway so take your time ...get a donut while your at it.

This may be the only time I agree with this crazy draft dodging death panel fearing coot.

[DucDave]

I go flat out...

....with the expectation that I'll be carrying enough speed to coast to wherever I'm going!!!

(Ask me about the time this happened to me. On the ExtraTerrestrial Highway in Nevada. Alone. At 1:00am. On an Electraglide)

[Manny]

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Damn Bergs you think about some boring shit.

[rbrais]

Let's put this in perspective. Say you have a 20 mile drive to work (all highway) and you travel at 65 mph for the entire ride, it will take you 18.6 minutes.

Now do the same trip at 80 mph and it will take you 15 minutes. We're talking a difference of only 3 min. 36 sec. How strict is your boss?

[SVRACER01]

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Split the difference?

[CBR929RE]

I stop and get gas and be late.

why not stop and get gas then drive/ride even faster to make up the time?

[Turbocharged]

why not stop and get gas then drive/ride even faster to make up the time?

+1
That seems to be the logical choice.

[TIMMYDUCK]

Mmmm Busa has 5.5 gallon gas tank, gets 45- 50 mpg at 80mph in 6th @ 4200 rpm.

Fuel light goes on with .9 gallons left , So it has never been an issue.

[butcher bergs]

Damn Bergs you think about some boring shit.

It's all about managing the numbers, Manny. Although, if I started a thread for all the other stuff I thought about..............

["Dangerous" Dan K]

Depends on the distance and just how low I am. More often than not I'll stop quick, swipe a card, put in a little bit and then drive like I want if I think there's a chance I'll run out. I really don't like being late, and can usually make up 30 seconds of pumping gas if I pick the right station, use a card and get in and out ASAP. It's not just going faster on the highway, it's stomping it whenever I need to accelerate.

[DuncanMoto]

I'd get gas the night before, so I could drive like I stole it and get there early.

[Stoneman]

I like pushing the limits of my 'low fuel' lights...

[The Magician]

Fuel economy. Beats getting stuck and making the embarassing call to a friend that you ran out of gas.