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Ural Gas Mileage: Apr. 13, 2008 Fill-up
Filed Under (Trip Journals) by Anthony StClair on 13-04-2008
Oregon Ural Road Trip: Eugene to Blachly/Triangle Lake via Highway 36
On Sunday, Jodie and I loaded up Ella the Hack Hound and a picnic lunch for our first road trip together. We ran a quick day trip, about 3 hours, up Highway 36 to Blachly, Oregon, and Triangle Lake. More to come on that, but here’s our pre-trip fill-up stats:
- Gas Price Per Gallon: $3.799
- Gallons: 2.614
- Fuel Total: $9.93
- Tripmeter at fuel-up: 200km/124 miles (approx)
- kpg/mpg (approx.) 77kpg/47mpg
- Odometer at fuel-up: 702km/436 miles
- Date & Time: Sunday, Apr. 13, 2008, 11:27 a.m.
- Gas Station: Santa Clara Chevron, 2785 River Road, Eugene, Oregon
- Fuel: Supreme (91 or 92 octane)
Notes on mileage: Sweet merciful crap! Including Thursday’s return trip from Corvallis to Eugene, I’ve been running the bike around town every day, with a combo of in-town and a bit of freeway travel. This jump in mileage from the 30s to 47mpg is a very nice surprise. I could get used to this! We’ll probably do about 100km or so on today’s road trip, which will be 45-55mph throughout the foothills of Oregon’s Coast Range, with both Jodie and Ella in the sidecar, so it will be interesting to see what the mileage is for my next fill-up. Still, 47mpg – wow, wow, wow.
Sounds like you guys had a great ride!!! You guys live in a beautiful place for riding - get out and enjoy it for me! It’s been pissing rain here since I got home… but is supposed to finally show some sun this weekend (we hope)!
It was very fun - still got to get around to doing up those posts and pics too, should hopefully have more up this evening. You were here at a good time too - though it’s too bad you missed the weekend. We had a record high on Friday (or Saturday, one of the two), and it was just gorgeous all weekend. Next time will have to try to get you down here in July or August - weather’s about as good as you can find!
How did you feel when you took (have you named your bike) your bike on the freeway? Not sure if I’ve asked this question before…I’ll be riding from Hillsboro to Salem when I get my 500 service and not sure about it. Did you run with sandbags your first time out?
Haven’t named the bike yet (actually, I’m working on some posts about naming a Ural). Haven’t been on I-5 yet either. So far I’ve run state highways and such, both with Jodie and Ella, and with an empty (no ballast) sidecar. Speeds ranged from 45-60mph, and I felt fine. But of course, the 5 is a different beast.
It’ll take longer, but be sure to look at some back road routes too. That can be a good way to help you work up your riding chops, so you’ll feel more prepared when you do venture out onto the interstate that first time.
I took lil bean out with jerri yesterday and we took Hwy 26 for a short go. 50 -60 and all was fine. Havin her weight makes a differents. Have you used your gas can yet? Found back way to get to Raceway Services and thinkin of fillin up the can just to make sure. Already ran out of gas once.(not fun)
Nice. Yeah, there’s definitely a difference with stability - running alone, I have to be more mindful of the sidecar, but not quite as much when I have Jodie in there. I actually didn’t get a gas can yet (they don’t come stock with the Patrol), but will probably be getting one at some point. What’s the back route you found to Salem?
I did Google Maps and from Hillsboro to Salem I can take 99W and OR-221 think it hits OR-22 and takes me right into 12th st. That will keep me off of 217 and I-5. Think it will be nicer than that straight ride on I-5. I need to call Jim about my 500KM service. How many days did you set ahead for your service?
That sounds like a nice ride. Time-wise, call him a few days in advance. He didn’t need to set a time or anything, just needed to coordinate what worked for you, with what he had open at the shop.
Anthony, at what speed do you change from 3rd to 4th gear? We have a few roads around town that are 45mph.
45-50mph for me, shifting from 3rd to 4th gear. Most of River Road is 40mph, and my Ural happily cruises it in 3rd. It’s only over 45 that the revs tell me to kick it into 4th. What’s it been for you?
Sometimes it feels like I should change gears at 40 but then the bike sounds/feels like its lugging. Would rather change gears at 45mph but don’t want to screw anything up with revs to high. Still not sure if I want to get rid of the Dunstall pipes. It’s hard for me to judge the sound of the bike with them. How many KM did you have on your bike at your 500KM service?
That is a tough one, and I don’t know if the different pipes influence it or not. I think you can safely hit 45 before shifting to 4th. Something I’ve seen over and over from veteran Ural owners is that you don’t need to fear revving them up. I’ve tried shifting from 4th while lower than 45 too, and my Ural just doesn’t like it. Going up to 45, there is some rev going, but it doesn’t sound too high, and when I shift into 4th from that speed, the shifting is smoother and the engine sounds, well, happier.
Far as km go, I had just a bit of 500km when I took mine in - Andy and I timed it pretty well. Are you about due?
Thanks for the reply. The bike does have high rev going on at 45 but your right when it come to going into 4th…the bike takes it better than 40. I’m at 561KM on my bike right now and set a date for the 24th just waiting to hear from Jim. Had a windshield nut come off the other day and now kinda freakin out about what else is loose on the bike. I’m going to start wrenchin. Started a thread at Soviet Steeds about it. Have you been wrenchin on yours yet?
Bye the way…Keep up the great work here,I check you out every day.
Glad you like the site, Dena, thanks for all the great feedback.
Yeah, I’d say it’s more important to go by feel - if the bike revs high but when you shift up it runs smoother and doesn’t lug, then you’re doing the right thing.
Haven’t had too much loose stuff yet. Had to tighten my front turn signal a while back, and the knuckle on the left exhaust when Andy and I went to Salem, but that’s been it so far. I’m going to check it again in other 50 or 100 kms though - probably once I hit the 1000 mark.