Fuel consumption on KTM 950 Adventure S 2003

[jcorbett]

Fuel consumption on the orange machine is a shocker. Engine is standard other than the SAS/EPC being removed and have Acrapovics fitted (with appropriate jetting)

On the open road, cruising at a conservative 100 to 120klms per hour, I am getting 15.7 ltrs per 100klm... Bike has a some 26,000 klms on the clock.

Anyone got any ideas on how to improve the consumption?

Thanks in advance!

So I am an idiot....it am getting 15.7 Klms per litre, rather (Thanks for the alert Zappa)

[TA-Zappa]

Wow 15,7l/100km!!!

To compare I have a 2005.5 950S and I get around 7,5l/100km. Have ou check you airfilter? Choke cable?

/Zappa

[Waterbaby]

I have exactly the same bike 35000miles I get on average 150miles till the light, worst I have ever got 110miles till light all off road, best before balancing the carbs 170 best after doing the carbs 185 all motorway. I also use off road tyres, This was with standard exhaust, I have never looked at the jets but I think it’s running a bit rich I was thinking of lowering the needles one notch.

[jcorbett]

Originally Posted by TA-Zappa

Wow 15,7l/100km!!!

To compare I have a 2005.5 950S and I get around 7,5l/100km. Have ou check you airfilter? Choke cable?

/Zappa

Hi Zappa...brand new airfilter is fitted....have not checked the choke cable, but i don't suspect anything in that respect. Cable is not crimped or catching anywhere...

I think i need to have the shims done. You reckon that could improve things?

Tks for the suggestions...let me know if you think of anything else.

[jcorbett]

Originally Posted by Waterbaby

I have exactly the same bike 35000miles I get on average 150miles till the light, worst I have ever got 110miles till light all off road, best before balancing the carbs 170 best after doing the carbs 185 all motorway. I also use off road tyres, This was with standard exhaust, I have never looked at the jets but I think it’s running a bit rich I was thinking of lowering the needles one notch.

Hi Waterbaby...seems like you and I are in the same boat then. Balancing the carbs might be something worth looking into.

[grogger123]

I have an '03 S Model as well. I have fitted the Neduro tank (with FMF pipe as the 2-1) and on the weekend did 395 km using 28 litres (about 7l per 100km). This was a mix of 30% bitumen with the rest dirt roads. If it was all bitumen I would have expected a bit better fuel economy. As an earlier poster said 15.7 litres per 100km suggests a significant issue somewhere. My worst economy is about 10 litres per 100km. I get this if I am doing lots of slow stuff (40 km/h and below often in sand unfortunately). I dont think these big KTM's are particularly good on fuel. My 950 seems to get about the same or a bit worse economy as my old 2001 1200 Bandit. Which considering the lower performance and smaller engine size is a bit of a bummer.

For your information I have the standard airfilter with the Unifilter pre-filter. I have made no changes whatsoever to the jetting after fitting the 2-1. The bike runs quite well and seems a bit better down low and in the midrange.

[Waterbaby]

Don’t know if this helps or hinders but I’ve just fitted the Neduro tank and 2 into 1 system with a fuel exhaust (sounds fantastic ), in standard form with full choke it would tick over at 2200rpm, now on full choke it will tick over at 3800rpm so I’m thinking it was running rich before I put a free flowing exhaust on.
So jcorbett, do you know what jetting they put in, as it may have been running rich
Before the aftermarket end cans went on and you didn’t need to change the jetting.

[ADVJake]

i can pretty much guarantee its going to be your float height. But yes, c heck the choke isnt sticking as thatll do it too.

[thugdog]

All good advice. However, as 15.7 km per liter is 37 miles per gallon, that could be called normal, depending on his fill-up and measurement techniques, and several other factors. Bike may be a little rich, or perhaps the right wrist and ears are simply having a bit more fun than before. If it ain't broken, don't fix it. I do well getting 35 mpg with the new FCR39 setup, and seldom got better than 40 mpg with factory carburetors.

Just curious if you have stock front wheel/tire, and if correct size is chosen in digital speedometer...in other words are you rolling one km for each 1.0 km on the clock??

.

[Pete640]

Thats 15.7 litres for every 100 km thug - so 1.57 lt for every 10km. Think you may have read it incorrectly 15mpg
Im worried about my 03 950A and its returning 10lt for every 140 km around town. - I might be OK, but even thats low at 32.95mpg

Pete

[thugdog]

I'm basing my input on originator's edited remark, added to the bottom of his first post.



.

[jcorbett]

Originally Posted by grogger123

I have an '03 S Model as well. I have fitted the Neduro tank (with FMF pipe as the 2-1) and on the weekend did 395 km using 28 litres (about 7l per 100km). This was a mix of 30% bitumen with the rest dirt roads. If it was all bitumen I would have expected a bit better fuel economy. As an earlier poster said 15.7 litres per 100km suggests a significant issue somewhere. My worst economy is about 10 litres per 100km. I get this if I am doing lots of slow stuff (40 km/h and below often in sand unfortunately). I dont think these big KTM's are particularly good on fuel. My 950 seems to get about the same or a bit worse economy as my old 2001 1200 Bandit. Which considering the lower performance and smaller engine size is a bit of a bummer.

For your information I have the standard airfilter with the Unifilter pre-filter. I have made no changes whatsoever to the jetting after fitting the 2-1. The bike runs quite well and seems a bit better down low and in the midrange.

Hi Grogger....typo before...15.7 klms per litre is the correct measurement. Thanks for the feedback. cheers..John

[jcorbett]

Originally Posted by thugdog

All good advice. However, as 15.7 km per liter is 37 miles per gallon, that could be called normal, depending on his fill-up and measurement techniques, and several other factors. Bike may be a little rich, or perhaps the right wrist and ears are simply having a bit more fun than before. If it ain't broken, don't fix it. I do well getting 35 mpg with the new FCR39 setup, and seldom got better than 40 mpg with factory carburetors.

Just curious if you have stock front wheel/tire, and if correct size is chosen in digital speedometer...in other words are you rolling one km for each 1.0 km on the clock??

.

21 inch front wheel. Speedo is recognizing same, no worries there. Considering the feedback i am receiving here, perhaps I have unrealistically high expectation regarding fuel consumption. I do think it running a fraction rich and it does need a tune up so it is reasonable to suggest i will improve the consumption marginally, but nothing mind blowing. Rising with my Brother on his GS800, his consumption is half that of mine....The Beemer engine with the fuel injection and all is clearly ahead of the KTM...so just need to reset expectations it seems...

Tks for the feedback.
Regards
John

[ADVJake]

big twins naturally have shocking fuel economy. the reasoning, im not sure.

The 800GS sacrifices throttle response & power to get the good fuel economy. that engine is electric like, and makes it abit boring imo.

[jcorbett]

Originally Posted by Pete640

Thats 15.7 litres for every 100 km thug - so 1.57 lt for every 10km. Think you may have read it incorrectly 15mpg
Im worried about my 03 950A and its returning 10lt for every 140 km around town. - I might be OK, but even thats low at 32.95mpg

Pete

Yip Pete...i misread the consumption originally. Have corrected. Cheers for getting in touch.