Hey guys, I need some help. I have a 2000 RS with 20,000 miles on it, rejetted by previous owner for low end performance (his words), Barron air kit, short shot pipes, everything else is stock. Not sure of the specific jet sizes. I just completed a 600 mile trip and was getting 25 to at best 33 miles per gallon riding single!. My first leg of the trip was going up hill for maybe 40-50 miles and reached an altitude of 4200 feet and got about 25 mpg. Going up Interstate 5 totally flat at best I got 33 mpg.

I do get the typical back fire sometimes coming off idle...not always. Spark plugs show a light brown to white on the insulator and black soot on the outside threaded shell surrounding the insulator and below the tip down inside on the insulator it's black also. Lots of black soot inside the tips of the pipes and behind the exhaust on the frame. Not sure how old the air cleaner element is? I may have some clutch slip in 5th gear...if cruising at 40-50 and I hit the throttle wide open it sounds like it may be slipping slightly...not horrible. I also changed oil to Mobile 1 Synthetic 15-50W. Tire pressure 36 front and rear.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Tom @ Seal Bch

45 to 50 is too slow to accelerate in 5th. 45 is really to slow to be in 5th at all. You can maybe cruise at 50 in 5th. I stay in 4th at that sped myself. If you are going to be in 5th you need to kick it down into 4th if you are going to twist the grip. The backfire off of idle could be from the acell pump squirt. You can't give these bikes a quick twist right off of idle. You give the carb too big a squirt of gas and flood it. You could try adjusting the acell duration screw and see if it helps. Really need to know what you have in there for jets and needle to make any calls on what the issues are with the mpg. There is also a tranny recall out for your bike. Give a dealer or Yami customer service your VIN and they can tell you if it's been done.

Thanks Musky, I will adjust the accelerator pump today. I reviewed one of the articles on the back fire and decided not to mess with it...but maybe thats part of my problem. I will check the jet sizes and report back. I called last week to check on the recall and said it wasn't done on my bike, so the dealer was very prompt and got the parts in a few days waiting for me to drop the bike off...probably tomorrow or Tuesday...what was the issue on the recall. I have not notices any problems with 4th gear.

The circlip breaks and jams the transmission.

Doc

Basically there is a circlip in there that can break and lock up your rear wheel. Not what you want to have happen at 70 mph. But hey. You get new piston rings as part of the recall along with all the other parts. Almost a rebuilt motor Sorta. You should order the new stronger oil pump gear and have them put that in during the recall too. They shouldn't charge you labor as they are in there anyway.

Wow...glad that circlip hasn't broken...that would not be fun locking the rear wheel at 70 or better in the LA area...it's crazy enough down here. Yamaha has a pretty big liability on that one.

So they replace the rings??? That's cool if the new rings seat right. I'll definitely call about the stronger oil pump gear.

I've notice a few of the other forums on jetting, so I'll be checking what my carb has.

Thanks for the help.

I have an '01 Midnight Star and get about 32mpg. I have to admit though, that living in NYC, I don't get out on the hiways too often.

I used to live at Beach & Talbert in HB and have friends that run Philly's Best and John's Philly Grille to name a few.

Can't wait to go back to Sun Diego this Sept!

Just to put my 2 cents worth in here , Im geting 50 to 55 combined mpg on my roadie , the previous owner put V&H longshots on it and a K&N air cleaner , Im not sure about the jetting.

Just for the record, I re-figured my mileage after putting on V&H longshot HS. Have Baron's B.A.K.
172.5 main, stock pilot, 4th clip on needle and 3.25 turns out on pms. Elevation here in Fl. is 100 ft on top of a hill. Did 152 miles and used 3.6 gallons, if my math is right should be 42 m.p.g. I don't remember exactly, but that was pretty close to what I got brand new with everything stock.

Just went to the stealer and had my vin checked my bike is on the list and hasen't been done. Takeing what I have to the shop today as all My tins are out for Paint, already been down 2 1/2 weeks now gonna be about 2 more weeks . Also gonna get the new oil pump gear while I'm at it.