brake drag vs. MPG

Anything to do with 2 wheels...

Moderator: Staff

User avatar
thelastsuperpower
Learner Driver
Posts: 1161
Joined: Oct 30th, '07, 16:03
Location: Barnstaple

brake drag vs. MPG

Post by thelastsuperpower »

Just a thought....how much would a slightly dragging rear brake affect my overall fuel economy?

I ride a vfr750 and my average is about 34mpg,which isnt that great to be honest.I do have a fairly fuel-consuming riding style however im not changing that anytime soon :P .
My brake has a sticky piston which i just havent got round to sorting out.when i get back from a ride,the disc is hot enough to touch for a second or two before it starts hurting-it doesnt bind up though.
Bikeless again :/
Jonny
Learner Driver
Posts: 616
Joined: May 4th, '06, 11:25
First Name: Jonny
Location: Bristol

Post by Jonny »

I wouldent complain with that mpg. I used to get less than 30mpg on my gixxer6. If your a bit throttle heavy then its not going to be economic.

As for the binding disc.. I would get it sorted a.s.a.p. I had a binding disc on one of my older bikes and it eventually cracked from the heat. Expensive!
User avatar
VTR
Learner Driver
Posts: 350
Joined: Mar 2nd, '07, 17:15
Location: Dartmouth

Post by VTR »

hmmm, 34 mpg, that's a bit low. I've had 2 VFR750's & never got any lower than 42mpg....even on a trackday!!!
I'd certainly get the caliper sorted, it doesn't take much to do either.
If that doesn't improve your mpg & assuming that the rest of the bike is in good order, then I'm afraid to be a bit blunt you need to look at your riding style.
jason
Learner Driver
Posts: 1576
Joined: May 4th, '04, 09:51
Location: somewhere

Post by jason »

I wouldnt worry about your mpg its inconsequential. Get your bike sorted, binding brakes are not safe - leave it and eventually it will fail completely and that could be a locked rear wheel if your unlucky.

Personally I wouldnt ride a bike with a binding brake.
User avatar
thelastsuperpower
Learner Driver
Posts: 1161
Joined: Oct 30th, '07, 16:03
Location: Barnstaple

Post by thelastsuperpower »

jason wrote:Personally I wouldnt ride a bike with a binding brake.
I rode my last bike,an aprilia pegaso 650,for 9 months with a knackered master cylinder.i only used the rear brake in emergencies and then had to stop and let it unstick itself/cool it down/ring the fire brigade! :oops:

I think i probably will get off my arse and sort it out this weekend...

Also,MPG does matter when youve got about £30 to last you the rest of the month for food and petrol! :lol:
Bikeless again :/
User avatar
SteveR3
Learner Driver
Posts: 409
Joined: Aug 7th, '07, 21:54
First Name: Steve
Location: Bideford

Re: brake drag vs. MPG

Post by SteveR3 »

thelastsuperpower wrote:Just a thought....how much would a slightly dragging rear brake affect my overall fuel economy?
Careful application of Copperslip on the piston should do the trick but it means caliper off and a good clean 1st if done properly, might have rust, poo & spiders in there!
Steve.E
User avatar
thelastsuperpower
Learner Driver
Posts: 1161
Joined: Oct 30th, '07, 16:03
Location: Barnstaple

Re: brake drag vs. MPG

Post by thelastsuperpower »

SteveR3 wrote:Careful application of Copperslip on the piston should do the trick but it means caliper off and a good clean 1st if done properly, might have rust, poo & spiders in there!
Apparently coppaslip isnt good for the rubber seals..i normally use silicone rubber grease stuff. :wink:

I know what the problem is;when i overhauled the caliper i didnt clean one of the seal grooves enough,so when i put it all back together with fresh seals it still stuck a bit.....and then i couldnt be arsed to drain it,disassemble,clean etc.... :roll:
Bikeless again :/
Tom
Learner Driver
Posts: 739
Joined: Sep 10th, '05, 22:05
Location: Somewhere near Plymouth, Cornwall

Post by Tom »

thelastsuperpower wrote:
jason wrote:Personally I wouldnt ride a bike with a binding brake.
I rode my last bike,an aprilia pegaso 650,for 9 months with a knackered master cylinder.i only used the rear brake in emergencies and then had to stop and let it unstick itself/cool it down/ring the fire brigade! :oops:

I think i probably will get off my arse and sort it out this weekend...

Also,MPG does matter when youve got about £30 to last you the rest of the month for food and petrol! :lol:
Well done, would you like a medal, what if a kid stepped out infront of you? etc etc?

If anyone saw my van I drive, they think its a shed, but mechanically its sound, and I would never drive anything less, and I certinatly wouldnt ride a bike with any known problems, its asking for trouble.
[img]http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/Tommy_boy_1987/Thingy.jpg[/img]
User avatar
thelastsuperpower
Learner Driver
Posts: 1161
Joined: Oct 30th, '07, 16:03
Location: Barnstaple

Post by thelastsuperpower »

Tom wrote: Well done, would you like a medal, what if a kid stepped out infront of you? etc etc?
:shock: Dont get me wrong-i wasnt bragging about it!The brake actually worked fine everytime when operated,like i say i just had to let settle again afterwards s it didnt overheat.

If the brake didnt stop the bike then theres no way id even contemplate riding it!
Bikeless again :/
Post Reply