I just bought an '06 VT705DC in near perfect condition. Only 800 miles on it.
Since it has no gas gauge, I've been keeping a close eye on the trip odometer and looking into the gas tank before long rides or before I get on the highway.
.A few weeks ago, I ran out of gas with 75 miles on the odometer, which is not even close to the range it should be. I know I filled the tank to the very top when I reset my odometer. When I was pulled over, I even opened the gas tank and could see some fuel sloshing around at the bottom- looked like maybe a gallon or so was down there. The bike failed to restart until I added more gas to it.
I went to my honda dealer to get a "new buyers inspection" and asked them to look at the fuel lines as well. They said they couldn't find anything wrong and have no idea why I would run out of gas so quick.
Recently, I've been refilling the tank around 60-80 miles, just to be safe. Last time I calculated the gas mileage, I was getting 45mi/gal, which is where it should be.
I'm nervous to go on the highway now when my tank has 75 miles on it, which shouldn't be a concern. Anybody know of anything that could be wrong? I'm stumped and my Honda mechanic is, too.
How old are the spark plugs? If they're original, get new ones in there. I'd also be sure it's on all new fluids. If all that checks out, then it will come down to how you ride like others mentioned.
On my bike (same year/model as you) I have died on the road once at 90 miles. It was a very hot day, and I had ridden 80MPH+ most of my ride.
Usually, I'm 60-70MPH cruising and I can go much farther (120 miles?) before hitting reserve. But with a windshield, higher speeds really eat the fuel. I'm also 145lbs FULLY GEARED UP, so if you're any heavier adjust expectations accordingly.
If you were riding nice and slow and you weigh nothing I'd then say look at the carbs or air filter.
In 15 years with my Spirit I fuel up every 100 miles. Iv only had to use reserve twice in all that time. I ride mostly back roads at about 40 to 45 mph . This system seems to work fine for me.
2007 carbureted 750 Shadow Spirit. I get consistently 60 to 66 mpg. Bike is 100% stock and I am calculating via the stock speedometer mounted odometer. I weigh 180, have a small windshield, and generally ride 55 to 65 mph. The island is somewhat hilly. Very little stop and go traffic, I avoid such areas.
Is there some way I'm hurting my bike ? Running too lean or something ? Why high mileage compared to so many posting here ?
There is no doubt that 65 to 75 mph the mileage goes down radically. Kinda like pouring it out of the tank. Is my problem because there isn't much area here to do that fast for more than a mile or so ; the areas where you can go so fast are too tempting ? Doesn't take to many miles at those speeds to make a really big difference .
I don't have a handle on the computerized Phantom yet, but it doesn't seem too different.
All that being said , like bd* above , I try to fill up right around 100 miles. And I fill up to the tippy top, even rock my bike side to side to make sure there are no air pockets in the tank. Never had to use reserve yet, except the once when I bought the bike as I wanted to make sure reserve worked. The manual says not to fill into the tube.....I ignore that part.
Hmmm??
I regularly switch to RES...
My 750 will go 90-140 miles before I switch, depending on how full I fill the tank...
(I "drilled the neck" and this is fairly consistant above 120miles to switch to RES now)
My ball cap stays behind the windshield right at the speedometer, I have bumped the tripometer reset knob on several occasion and moved those numbers...
MAYBE you have done this??
I might suggest you get familiar with switching to RES - Fill the tank, Ride until you have to switch and make a mental note of mileage shown...
Do this for a couple weeks/few tankfulls...
I`m always saying, "Know your Bike" and I pretty well Know what mileage, I`ll be switching to RES...
114-140 miles regularly; a couple weeks ago, I only put a couple gallons in at a more expensive price, to get through the day, that ran out at 80 miles, but I was aware it would...
Are you switching to RES regularly???
Know Your Bike
D
EDIT
Oh, and coming back across Kansas, riding into a "Headwind", my mileage was depleted by 1/3...
Riding conditions, These factor in...
They really do...
It's also important to note the modern 750s are "show more than go" bikes. They're rather hindered in the oomph department compared to bikes of yesteryear. So when you're twisting them out to make them go, they get thirsty, fast. Even a 2 minute run at 80 to pass will suck the same amount of fuel your bike just sipped at 55 for the last 20 minutes or something. And high-rev thirstiness is kind of a thing with twins anyway.
Between the EPA, power-to-weight ratio limitations, etc., the 750 twins just don't have the same economical punch as some other machines.
That's the trouble with keeping a 30+ year old engine design in play without any real modernization. (That's not me insulting Honda - it's just the fact of a long-duration machine design.)
That's pretty much the reason the VTX engine design won out over the VT1100 engine design, and why it's in the new bigger twin Hondas. It was time to retire it. Just that simple.
And, cruisers have the aerodynamic signature of a brick. With a windshield, they become a brick behind a barn door. You might find you do better without the shield.
I think you have it right on, it is a dated engine design not truly designed for what it is being asked to do.
It is amazing it has lasted so long and says a lot for the original concept.
The later VT750 is based on the VT500 engine a bike that made a claimed 47 or so horsepower @ 9000 rpm.
Honda converted this design for the Shadow 600 and 750 into an engine aimed at low emissions and bottom end torque severely compromising the high end power and efficiency at high speed.
Over time it lost intake capacity, going from twin carbs to one carb and finally a small fuel injection throttle body.
I believe the target for the 750 was an around town cruiser with performance akin to a base model sportster, they achieved that and the bikes were/are popular in the target market.
The engine design at 750cc can produce a lot more power and be more efficient at speed at the expense of emissions, low speed fuel economy, losing its happy loping, pick a gear any gear, disposition and possibly reduced longevity. The NTx and XRV 650 and 750 variants of the same basic VT500 engine design show an also somewhat dated design, but adapting it with a little more go.
Without reading ALL of this 2 questions.
1. How much use of the choke? Is it all the way OFF?
2. How long does it sit still idling?
Another thing possible is your engine idle speed, that makes a significant diff in fuel mileage, I didn't think it, until I verified it!
Since it has no gas gauge, I've been keeping a close eye on the trip odometer and looking into the gas tank before long rides or before I get on the highway.
It might serve you well to spend some quality time with the owner's manual. In there you will find that your bike came equipped with a 3.6 gallon fuel tank divided into the 2.3 gallons you can use with the fuel petcock set to the "ON" position and the 1.3 gallons you can ONLY get to with the petcock set to the "RES" position.
Now that might lead you to conclude that leaving the petcock in the "RES" position makes sense because you can get to all the fuel that way. Trouble is, once the bike runs out you will be hiking because the tank is really empty. But it's your bike so you can do as you choose.
BarelyLucid. Your fuel tank holds 3.6 gallons with a 1.3 reserve. Fill the tank up and set the trip miles to 00000 and the petcock switched to the on position. Ride until you have to switch to reserve then find a gas station and fill the tank. Divide the gallons needed to fill the tank by the miles ridden. That will give you miles per gallon.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Honda Shadow Forums
1.6M posts
82.9K members
Since 2007
Welcome to Honda Shadow Forum. Come in and discuss any Honda Shadow models: VT1100, VT250, VT750 and the VT500.