Some Newbie Questions!!!

[chief]

So now it looks like 3-4 different recs in different places.

1) Owners manual - 90+ Octane
2) Service manual - just says use "HIGH octane - see owners manual".
3) On Bike - 95 RON (pump octane is going to be 91 I believe.)
4) Spec Sheet - The spec sheet from Kawasaki says: "Min 91 Research/87 Avg. Oct. Unleaded OK"

You can find the spec sheet(800 and 1500) on the vdr site, or on the kawasaki site.

Sounds to me we can choose what works best for us! Apparently, Kaw isn't too sure!! <LOL>

I used 87 solely during the last fuel shortage, but I typically use 91, and sometimes 93. I get some increased pinging with 87. I'm going to run a few tanks of each over the summer and see if my initial perceptions still hold.

[Varooom]

There must have been a reason for Kawasaki to have put the sticker by the gas fill that specified >91 octane fuel so I've used it since 1999 on my 1500.  I'm guessing that it's because it's relatively high compression, having a domed piston, and that the hi octane prevents pinging which can damage pistons etc.  No problems relating to this in 70k miles.
Re mileage, I get around 160 miles before the amber low fuel light starts to glimmer and over 45 mpg unless I race it around a lot or do a lot of low speed, in town driving.
Varooom

[locus]

Mine makes the whistling also, I'm pretty sure it is the gas tank vent. The bulb underneath is called the Milk Jug and it susposed to collect moisture and oil from your intake instead of it spraying back on your bike or leg.

[pcarrell]

Stein, sounds like you and I are about in line with each other.  I wonder why Bigbike4 is getting such a big difference in fuel economy.  I wonder if the problem isn't in his wrist?

[Stein]

My '01 1500 gets about 40-45 with or with out the shield. I use Premium, gas K&N airfilter and VH Longshots. Just figured I'd throw that out there!

[bigbike4]

Hey P Carroll:

My Drifter (99 1500) has always had about the same mileage.  Of course I have always had the large Fire and Steel windshield on it, and also the Fire and Steel lowers on it.  You are correct in that it is strange yours gets so much better mileage.  Even when I put the P.C. on it (after the switch to Roadhouse pipes) the mileage never dropped that much even though the bike was now running a bit richer.  But then again, I never thought mine was running that lean-the plugs were always a great color.  If anything I could lean my PC out a little bit, as the plugs are showing the bike running a little too rich.  But the lights on th PC indicate it is within acceptable levels.

I know the lowers really do use a bit more fuel, because they add more drag.  But then again, it makes the "headdress" actually look like a head dress on this bike!

If you ever get to Northeastern TN. extreme SW Virginia, give me a shout, would love to meet up with another Drifter owner and ride.  We'll show all those other bikers a great pair of bikes!

[pcarrell]

Thats interesting......I have a 2001 1500, and I'm running large saddlebags, the Nomad style windshield (all the way up), with Vance & Hines pipes and stock everything else, and I'm getting 45mpg, but my clutch spring is weak and due for replacement (parts on order).  I figure I'll probably pick up 1 or 2 mpg when I get that swapped out.  I run premium fuel, and I used to get some backfiring until I marbled my reed valves.  Since then it's been just the beautiful sound of that Vulcan engine through those wonderful looking pipes.

I was just thinking that our bikes sound similar in many respects, but thats quite an mpg difference.

[bigbike4]

I use to run premium in my bike, but after switching over to a Power commander and Road house exhaust, I was getting a lot of serious back firing issues.  I downgraded to mid level and the problem has gone away.  I do not have a reserve on my bike, as it is fuel injected, not carbed so there is no petcock at all.  But I run a hugh windshield, lowers, large saddlebags, and get about 35 mpg city and about 40 on the highway, before I am literally running on fumes.

[chief]

Be VERY careful messing with the fuel cap... if you screw it up you will get fuel leakage around the cap, even with less than full tank.

All drifters make that noise. You can determine if that's the problem by simply opening the cap while its making the noise... you will get a whoosh sound and the noise will stop immediately.

Usually heat makes the problem worse as well.

Cheers.

[Drifterdamien]

you can cut the spring inside it and it will stop the whistling

[pcarrell]

Maybe the breather is slightly blocked?

[Kawabunga]

Thanks. You may be right about the fuel tank breather. That makes sense. Just never heard that before on any of my other bikes.

[pcarrell]

"Why do I hear a high dog whistle sound when I get on the bike and straighten it up as I'm about to ride?? It lasts for about 5 seconds and goes away. Is it the hydraulics? Sometimes it does it even before I turn the bike on."

Fuel tank breather maybe?

Don't know on the other two.  I have a 1500, so I'm not a lot of help.  I do run Super Unleaded, and I try to get the non-ethenol stuff.  Even the 10% ethenol stuff I've heard is not good for our bikes.  I usually try to go to our local Sonoco station.  No ethenol at all, and they have 94 octane at the pump.

[Kawabunga]

Just bought an '06 Drifter 800. I searched this forum for some answers and couldn't really find any to my questions, so here goes.

Why do I hear a high dog whistle sound when I get on the bike and straighten it up as I'm about to ride?? It lasts for about 5 seconds and goes away. Is it the hydraulics? Sometimes it does it even before I turn the bike on.

Question#2: What is that little "bulb" under the front of the bike that has a hose attached to it? It looks like it has a bit of fluid in it. Is it some kind of run-off catcher?

Question#3: Do you guys run premium fuel in this bike? What mileage do you get before you have to switch to reserve?

Thanks All,
Eric