gas mileage

[Matt S]

My friend Kirk just picked up a 2011 200 six days just before the Sumter national. He ran out of gas at 16 miles and I had to listen to him the entire ride home to PA. I adjusted the float level and leaned it out to a 42 (from 48) pilot and lowered the needle (raised the clip) one position. Afterwards we tested the mileage around my enduro loop and it was about 12 MPG, not bad for my tight loop but with the small tank (2.4 gallon) this would make +30 mile enduro loops marginal. The plug looked light brown with the new jetting.

I purchased him a 3.3 Gallon IMS tank and installed it last night. The fit was ok but not great and it really takes away from the "thinness" of the stock Gas Gas ergo's. I typically don't like oversize tanks but it's better that listening to Kirk for another 10 hours after the next national in SC.

Upon putting the stock petcock in the IMS tank I discovered that the petcock filter is bypassed with a tube that allows for the reserve. I suspect based on this that the orginal problem in Sumter was from a piece of tank debris getting stuck in the float valve. I pulled the tube out of the filter and plugged the hole (6mm bolt) so the tank will completely empty when the gas is "on" although this shouldn't be a problem on a race bike and all of the gas has to pass through the filter.

My 2012 300 will be here soon and I will try the 2.9 gallon tank on his bike to check fitment and report back.

[Racing616]

Good to hear Matt, keep us updated! Of note, the 2012 tank is already larger than the 2011 etc......

[GMP]

Always, Always, flush a new GG tank out before riding it and install a fuel filter. Everyone of mine has had plastic shards in it.

The tank won't fit the '12, frame is way different. Good news is the stock '12 tank is bigger so you won't need it.

[Matt S]

My mistake, the tank is a Clark.

I was hoping my 2012 2.9 gallon tank would fit on his 2011 bike replacing the 2.4 gallon tank. We could then just order another 2012 tank from Gas Gas. Sounds like this isn't an option but I will try anyway and report.

Anyone have experience raising the compression and running race gas and the affect on mileage?

[TNT Cycle]

I got 55 miles out of my 2010 300 same tank as 2011 many times while practicing.

[gasgasman]

Originally Posted by Matt S

My friend Kirk just picked up a 2011 200 six days just before the Sumter national. He ran out of gas at 16 miles and I had to listen to him the entire ride home to PA. .

Maybe he forgot to top off the fuel tank.

[GMP]

Correct float level and jetting will get you there, RBD head mod to correct squish will get you more.

[roostafish]

Squish band mod the head and raising the compression significantly improves performance all around. Makes the bike easy to jet, and super snappy. Mine improved fuel economy by about 10% after doing so. (on a 250). I have run a local blend race fuel that is 110 octane, but wish I could just find a 100 octane fuel to try. I've tried Aviation fuel, it's cheaper, but I've been told it can gum the jets, so I went back to the more convenient R&S racing fuel. You won't be disappointed in performance.

[Jakobi]

Agree with all thats been said.

Float, Jetting and head.

My 300 used 4.5L to do 55km of mixed terrain on the weekend. Started full tank and filled up at lunch time.

Works out around 12 (kilometres / litre) = 28.22575 miles per gallon.

This was even running a main that burbled a bit. I've since dropped it 2 sizes (like I had the ride before).

[GMP]

Race fuel got so stupid expensive I had RBD mod my head maxed out for pump gas and it runs clean and hard bottom to top. I just add a little Startron. 190 - 200 PSI, 1.2mm squish. No running out of fuel issues even in sand enduros with the stock tank(I hate big tanks). This is the setup I will judge all future bikes by.