When i bought mine they told me around 34/36 mpg. i dont know how true it is though cause i really do not pay attention to it.

 

The dealer told me the same thing. I've only put just over 100 miles on mine so far and am getting about 40mpg, but I'm driving fairly conservative during the break in period.

 

40 sounds pretty good. i got 500 miles on mine.

 

I asked the same question on another Kawasaki forum, and got responses ranging from
"35 when I dog the snot out of it" to 47 average on a 1600 mile trip. I believe it's gonna be more about how you ride than what you ride.

 

My bone-stock 2006 1600 Classic gave me around 35mpg during the throttle varying break in. After the first 600 miles or so I have been getting 45 to 48 mpg in the mountains of Colorado riding solo and moderately on the muscle.

 

Your really getting 45 to 48 mpg wow, i have a 1600 classic stock right now until this spring hehe, that i was only getting max 38mpg i live in upstate NY

 

08 1600 classic mpg

Only have 900 miles on mine before winter set in. Looks like 39 on the highway so far. Have been takeing it easy for the 600 miles and now to the 1000 mile break in. Run 65-70 and got the 39 mpg

 

gas mpg

well i got a 2003 1600 c and i get 45 to 50 on mine when i took trip around the usa

 

I have a 2005 Vulcan 1600 with 15,000 miles and my average is 42 MPG.

Jim

 

Premium?

Do all you guys run premium in your 1600's ? I have so far but have one station near me that doesn't carry it. Only slight drawback i have with the bike. Not a big thing but just wondered. thanks

 

Use the good stuff!!!

Do all you guys run premium in your 1600's ? I have so far but have one station near me that doesn't carry it. Only slight drawback i have with the bike. Not a big thing but just wondered. thanks

In a pinch I would use what they had,but if the choice is there use the 93 octane even if it`s 30 cents a gallon more the 1.50 is a pretty cheap insurance policy...

 

91 in mine most of the time. Most of the stations around here have it. The only time I had problems finding it was on a trip to NW Iowa.

 

Mean steak is see you also have a 900. I test road one the dealer was useing for a demo and that one i really liked until i hit highway speed and it had a vibration at 60 mph. I told him i was all set to trade for it but that killed the deal for me. He said he noticed that also but was a great bike to just cruise at lower speeds. Told him i spent most of my time on two lane back roads at 60-70 mph. Is why i went with the 1600 clasic. My 750 Vulcan was smooth and the 1600 doesn't have a vibration in the bars at all. One dealer told me all v-twins had that vibration. Left him quick. Was told some 900 do and some don't. Any input from your end. Really wanted the 900 for the size.

 

I have absolutely NO vibration at 60mph. I ride a vn900lt. It seems (I could be mistaken) that most complain about the "buzz" ride a custom. I believe, (for one reason or the other) the classic/lt models are more stable at highway speeds. This is only conjecture on my part. In fact, my 9's "happy spot" is 72 mph. It hums along with no vibes or excessive rpm's. The 9 is built to rev though,and if your used to lugging along...it might dissapoint.

 

Nothing but Premium

Deano I have a 2006 1600 classic and Kawasaki says nothing but 90 octane minimum. Also has a decal at the gas cap stating so. I have never tried anything but premium so I cant say what would happen (knocking) with regular or mid-grade. The decal on the tank states that severe engine damage can result if 90 octane or bette is not used. Pays your money and takes chances, the few cents more is not a problem with me.

 

I have a 03 Vulcan 1600 and I only run premium in mine but it's how I get the best output from my bike. I have the Power Commander III usb installed along with K&N filter and the Vance Hines Bogshots. I generally get about 39-41 mpg and I am pretty steady with the throttle averaging about 70-75 mph.

 

Mpg

Me too my 2006 1600 Classic is bone stock as far as the engine is concerned and I consistantly get 44 to 48 mpg with every tank full. I am very easy on the throttle and am just a cruiser not a racer. griffy

 

I have an '08 Nomad with a hair under 1000 miles on it. Just checked my mileage for the first time yesterday. After a couple of days of cruising between 60-80 mph, I got about 37 mpg.

Our choices here are 87, 89 and 93 octane. I've been alternating between the 89 and 93 octane. I've had some minor knocking with the 89 so I might just stay with the 93.

Hate to spend the $$, but then again since I spent almost $11K on the bike, there's no sense chiselling on the fuel to keep it running.

 

I have an '06 Mean Streak and got 37 -42 stock, 28 - 40 with a k&n in the box and hard chrome 3" straights, 38 -46 with the k&n and hard chrome sideburners, and finally, 34 - 40 with the sideburners and a right side caddman kit with a pc111. With all that it still fluctuated a lot depending on driving conditions and how much testosterone got stuck in my right hand. Over-all GREAT bike.

 

2008 Nomad 1600 Mileage

Actually, I track my mileage very closely through an Excel app on my phone. I average 33.56 MPG with a min of 29.03 (parade and around town only) and a max of 39.8 (highway trip from station to station). I am the original owner and have just over 5k miles on the clock. I always use premium gas (Chevron/Texaco) and I am a conservative rider. Most of my riding is around town, but I make several highway trips with the Patriot Guard. I was expecting better mileage and have tried to alter my riding style to maximize my fuel economy, but my habits have little impact on my mileage. It seems the greatest factor remains with traffic patterns, distance, and stopping frequency.

I will share the spreadsheet if anyone would like a copy of the Excel app for WM6 (xlsx format), send request to: nonhog@gmail.com

 

Thanks but I had rather have a spread sheet where I get 50 to 60 mpg at least. Ha.Ha. bad Joke? Jerry

 

I probably average close to 35 mpg but I commute to work going about 80mph each way. I am sure that affects it.

 

I have a 2004 1600cc Meanie. She averages 43 to 44 mpg. She looks great and is very fast.

 

I have an 08 1600 Mean Streak Special Edition with Road Burner Pro Blackhawk pipes,
Thunder Mfg. Kuryakyn Hypercharger Type A filters and a Power Commander 3 USB. Had the Power Commander tuned on a dyno right on factory specs. I run 91/92 octane. I have averaged 35-38 mpg, but I'm a little heavy on the throttle. This bike has NO problem getting up and going.

 

I'm getting 38-40mpg right now, but I have less than 1000 miles on the bike. I'm hoping that improves a couple mpg once it's fully broken in. My bike is all stock, 1600 Classic.

 

vulcan gas mileage

I have a `05 1600 classic with vance & hines bigshots(baffled),K & n air filter & a cobra fi2000 fuel injection module & i get 40mpg around town & just over 50mpg on the hiway. I cruise MOST of the time. This is all figured out in imperial measures being Canadian & all. So i`m pretty happy with what i`m getting.

 

I have a `05 1600 classic with vance & hines bigshots(baffled),K & n air filter & a cobra fi2000 fuel injection module & i get 40mpg around town & just over 50mpg on the hiway. I cruise MOST of the time. This is all figured out in imperial measures being Canadian & all. So i`m pretty happy with what i`m getting.

hey guys me again, i just got back from my trip out to vancouver island from edmonton alberta. i put on 1950 miles(3150kms) in total & i`m happy to say that on leg of the trip i squeaked out 176 miles to a tank running most of the time between 75 & 80 mph & after topping up i figured out 45mpg. Remember this is an american bike i`m running up here in canada so i do things in mpg not liters per kilometers. Tolal money spent on fuel was somewhere around $200, so was real pleased with both the milage & the performance of the bike as it was loaded right down with me & i weigh in around 290lbs plus all my luggage so we were maxed out

 

My intro..Hi..long time rider.Meanie 2006

Well,if you want power it will kill your mileage.I have right now 27 bikes, mostly in Europe , 3 in the USA (Fl.-NY) I have 53 years riding all over the globe ..living in 35 counties for biz between 3 mos - 4 years in each location..always with a bike.I buy bikes at a wholesale price so I can afford to modify most.I am not a chrome/paint/ do-dad type guy(been there-done it) but I am a real power whore/suspension/ form-function type,old skool.I strip my old bikes of mine to fit pieces that work on newer bikes.So I wind up with "my way"type bikes. My Meanie -2006 is now 1608cc with very much work and 33.5 mpg of mixed use 80% hwy 20% street . I use RON 87 fuel with 10% E as found in the local gas stations,but I use Seafoam regularly.This is the best mileage in 4+ years.I did avg 27-29.5 .Yes, I record every drop ..for 53 years now, on every bike. I have been tweaking it with new maps , plugs,valves,head work,pistons-rod combos, fuel mapping the rail pressure,cam overlap /duration,lift etc on cams. CR is 10.6. about 15K miles on it.One of my favorite bikes .It is so mis understood. In stock form it needs some basic mods which are available from sites on the web.A Stage 1, easily done to get 82HP ,84TQ. with only 1000 $ in parts plus any outside labor/dyno time .Now,to get more like 105HP , 112TQ all real world rear wheel..that's work and money. I used my Magna 1995 fairing a rare thing then added simple brackets,Leather lyke bags , custom airbox with 2 (42 mm) Velocity stacks 3.6"H at 45deg angle to get cool air in, a large K&N, brilliant,custom maps (modified 1700 cc 2011 injectors ,cases split.milled,blueprinted.with a ceramic coated O ringed top end and heads re worked extensively , bigger hollow titanium valves, forged short skirt precision alloy pistons semi -hemi ,oil rings precision gaped on the pistons ,a new crank under with cut throws/ cut for clearance-strength, ..(that was a lot of trials) replaced plastic gear pump drive with titanium cut hi-po fabricated pump,made new stepped headers of a new design and mated to a Cobra 2/1 power pro exhaust.Fork oil was re mixed and a similar but modified internal big piston cartridge was fabricated with higher/lower viscosity,rear air shocks are stock.Tyres are130x7017 front new Dunlop D220( not the old Bridgestones-same model#) ,Rear Dunlop Roadsmart 190x50x17.( you can go 200/210 but rim is stock 5.5" and bigger gives smaller foot print(curvature lift)37 psi F/R. Larger sizes also mean less bead security,thus poorer handling or worse) A not often found clear perspex Laminar flow lip adds some 4" height to fairing. It moves air smoothly over full face helmet,rectifier moved, oil cooler adapted from Jaag(H-D)with metric Earls fittings as oil pan was modified to full 4 liters and baffles added.Lifters still hydrolic but precision re-worked Very comfortable stock saddle ,my butt is smaller and seat is A-OK.I kept stock pegs, grips are Avon cross cut(needed for fierce wheelies.) as they grip like hell.Bars are fine for me as they are fitted with extended risers 2" slightly down/back . Digital instrument for temps other wise stock clocks,HID head lite,New stronger clutch springs,brakes have stainless Teflon lines on bike..except fuel pressure lines which were enlarged due to injector changes.Brakes use ECB pads.Tank is only 4.12 US gal as fuel pump takes up space not 4.5 as spec says.I use a colder iridium spark plug.Instant 1 shot start up,smooth as a baby bottom,no surge or knock at 1000 rpm,in 5th,you can just roll it on from there to the max,no hesitation,limiter set to 6250,dyno A/F spot on,GPS top end 136. The MS will cruse all day at 95+and burst up from there..Added oil capacity really quieted the lifters,Mobil 4T10-40,always clean your screen blow out old oil then hand turn crank dampener when filled with new oil before a full start up. Examine old oil,smell it,look at color,run a magnet thru it,feel for grit.I run a custom stainless mess filter,reusable.Many performance parts are not available here in the states for big twin Kawi's.Get British motorsport-race info,these guys own the F1 race car design/machine shop industry and will do custom work.I am waiting now for my carbon fiber drive shaft.If only we had Autobahn limits here.Mileage has increased using normal everyday speeds to 33+mpg.WOW.I spend money on projects that really interest me.I always seem to find some poor guy who is disgusted at his bike.(this guy did not understand reed valves and EPA restrictions)I stole the 2006 Meanie with $1600 in list priced options thrown in for 5750 USD and sold a 85,000 mile Honda Shadow to a neighbor for $1800 . The Kawi it had 000140 miles and the optional 5yr extended wareente,he bought a H-D Road King CVO for 26k....pity.I knew the dealer who was wholesaling it out the door in 1 hr.He knows me I have 3 older H-D's,a check and we picked it up latter that day.It's been fun to take an unknown"dark horse",train it and win the Derby.

 

Well,if you want power it will kill your mileage.I have right now 27 bikes, mostly in Europe , 3 in the USA (Fl.-NY) I have 53 years riding all over the globe ..living in 35 counties for biz between 3 mos - 4 years in each loction..always with a bike.I buy bikes wholesale so I can afford to modify most.I am not a chrome/paint/ do-dad type guy but I am a real power whore/suspension/ form-function type..very old skool.I strip old bikes of mine to fit pieces that work on newer bikes.So I wind up with "my way" bikes. My Meanie -2006 is now cc with much work and 32.5 mpg mixed use 80% hwy 20% street ..this was the best mileage in 2 years.I avg 27-28 .Yes, I record every drop ..for 53 years now, on every bike. I have been tweaking it with new maps , plugs, fuel mapping pressure /duration, cams, CR is 10.6. about 10K miles on it.One of my favorite bikes so mis understood. In stock form it needs some basic mods which are available from sites on the web.A Stage 1, easily done to get 82HP ,QT. with only 1500 $parts plus labor/dyno time ..To get more 105HP , 112TQ ..that's work and money.Magna 1995 fairing, Leather Lyke bags , H-D Nite Train backreast , original(mydesign) custom airbox with 2 (42 mm) Velocity stacks 3.6"H at 45deg angle to get cool air,K&N,Custom maps (modified Beneli TNT),cases split.milled, ceramic coated O ringed top end and heads re worked , bigger valves, forged pistons 'new crank cut for clearance-stregnth, new rods,cams ..(that was a lot of trials) replace plastic gear pump drive with titanium cut ,headers new designed by me stepped and matted to a Cobra 2/1 power pro.fork oil re mixed higher viscosity,130x7017 front Metzler 880 ,Rear Dunlop Roadsmart 180x55x17.( you can go 190-200/210 but rim is stock 5" and bigger is poorer hanleing)Laminar flow lip adds some hight to fairing,moves air smoothly over helmet,Rectifier moved, oil cooler adapted from Jagg(H-D) after market. Very comfortable ,my butt is smaller and seat is A-OK.I keet stock pegs, grips. fine for me, extended risers 2" up/back . Digitl instrument for temps other wise stock clocks,HID head lite,stock pressure clutch-brake lines on bike..except fuel pressure enlarged due to injector changes.Brakes ECB pads.Tank is onlt 4.12 USgal as fuel pump takes up space not 4.5 as spec says..

Hi I just bought an 07 Mean Streak SE it had less than 600 miles Thanks for clearing up one thing that bothered me, the fuel tank capacity. The book said 4.5, as you said, the low fuel light light comes on with about .95 gallons according to the book. But when I fill up I only get 2.5 to 2.8 gallons to fill up.

Still seems the light comes on early. BTW How much of a problem is it to run out of gas with a fuel injected bike? I would like to find out what my actual range is.

 

On our ride yesterday we filled up @ 150 miles. I used a little less than 3.5 gallons to fill up- about 43mpg, my best yet. My wife only needed 3.2 gallons and she got 46mpg- her best yet. The main thing was speed- we didn't go over 60 (gps speed so it was actual) very often, and most of the ride was in the low 50mph range.