Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => General Monster Forum => Topic started by: mdlb on June 12, 2008, 09:45:20 AM

Title: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: mdlb on June 12, 2008, 09:45:20 AM
I know by adding the PC 3 and remapping the purpose is to allow more air and fuel to mix, therefore producing more power.  I am assuming at higher revs you are probably going to see worse gas mileage, but in everyday around town riding how will the remapped bike use gas?  Theoretically the map will make the bike more efficient at any RPM, so will all RPMs be using more gas or will the better mapped bike be more efficient at some point in the power band? 

Sorry for probably a dumb question that I think I already know the answer to (the bike will become less fuel efficient), but Im looking for all possibilities after paying $4.99 for regular in Santa Barbara.  Thanks
Title: Re: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: derby on June 12, 2008, 09:57:27 AM
i've seen maps with negative adjustments in them so it's not a guarantee that you'll be using more fuel.

that said, unless you've geared your bike really short, you'll still get decent putt putt mileage around town.
Title: Re: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: Dietrich on June 12, 2008, 10:06:50 AM
On my GT1000 I got the exact same gas mileage, 43 MPG, after a PCIII install with custom map done on a dyno.  Bike made 5 more peak HP, has better ridability, and is running quite strong.
Title: Re: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: Capt baz on June 12, 2008, 10:19:51 AM
i have a pcIII with a custom map. also, i have a 14t front sprocket. the mileage did decrease after the 14t  install, but very small. that was done before the pcIII. after the pcIII install, i didn't notice any difference in mileage. i have a dp open air box/k&n that went in the same time as the pcIII. i  hope this is of some help. [coffee]
Title: Re: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: krolik on June 12, 2008, 10:22:25 AM
I have a PC III w/custom map & k&n pod filters along with 15/44 gearing, and my mileage is between 43 and 50 mpg depending on how I ride.
Title: Re: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: cyrus buelton on June 12, 2008, 10:25:14 AM
My mileage sucks after the bike was tuned with a PCIII

2004 S4r, turning about 114hp at the rear wheel.
Title: Re: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: S4RSSS on June 13, 2008, 12:31:35 AM
i was consistently getting 100 miles before the gas light would come on. after the custom map with PC3, the light turns on at around 88 or 90 miles.

Title: Re: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: slyfox on June 13, 2008, 02:04:18 AM
My 04 S4R ....... with PCIII & 117Hp at the wheel

I'd get about 100 to 110 miles before the warning light comes on

& my average cruising speed is 100 to 120 mph
Title: Re: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: wbeck257 on June 13, 2008, 04:06:26 AM
You could take the money that a PCIII and a good tune would cost and buy a 50cc scooter.
And get 80 - 120mpg.

You ride a 620 -- which should get about the best gas mileage out of any of our Ducs (sans the three people here who have 400's.).
Spending money for gas mileage is iffy. The money that you save at the pump can quickly get neglected by the extra money you spent getting the better mileage.

And chew on this... Plus w/ oil changes every 3k, Services every 6k, more expensive tires, etc. the cost of operating a motorcycle even though it gets 50mpg might be more expensive than a 30mpg car...
Title: Re: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: CountGreffi on June 13, 2008, 04:17:46 AM
Quote from: slyfox on June 13, 2008, 02:04:18 AM
My 04 S4R ....... with PCIII & 117Hp at the wheel

I'd get about 100 to 110 miles before the warning light comes on

& my average cruising speed is 100 to 120 mph

Way to go Speed Racer. Who "cruises" at 120 anyway?

Back to the thread, I don't know about for the Ducati (as I just got mine a month ago), but when I had my R6 with it my gas mileage went down a little bit.
Well whatever you do just make sure you watch out for people "cruising" at 120.
Title: Re: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: Qfactor on June 13, 2008, 07:37:27 AM
on my 06 800, I went from ~125mi/thank running somewhat rich (darker plugs), to ~140mi/tank w/ the PCIII, (nice  gray plugs).

Power is much more uniform all accross the power band. [thumbsup]

Q
Title: Re: PCIII - Better Gas Milage?
Post by: Alex on June 13, 2008, 09:49:03 AM
I think the PC3 should theoretically increase mileage if anything. It  works by decreasing inneficiency in the mixture by fixing places where there is an imbalance, which is good any way you look at it. Obviously, the most economy come from having the exact ideal mixture all the time.

It's not as simple as "the PC3 just adds fuel" or takes it away. It takes it away and adds it at specific RPMs and throttle positions, and almost universally a custom map will have to do both to varying degrees at different points.

There is no way an engine is more efficient before optimization. The only exception is related to how you ask to have the bike tuned... A mechanic can set things up for maximum horsepower by purposefully setting it up to be less fuel efficient on purpose, or they can sacrifice horsepower for efficiency. I'd say the best thing to do is tell the tuner you want them to just set it up so that it runs as perfectly as possibly with regards to smoothness and efficiency, not power, at each rpm.

That's just my understanding, based on the thoery that PC3's fix problematic mixture imbalances. A different way to look at it is that they just increase power (they do more than this, but in the real world this is why people get them), and having more power almost always means you are going to waste more gas.