Motorcycle Repair: Chris: In Dec.05 I bought..., bandit 1200, gas mileage

Question
Chris:
In Dec.05 I bought a low mileage (6k.), mint condition 03 Bandit 1200. Run's great; smooth, powerful,no problems. Gas mileage increased from approx. 38mpg to 42-43mpg recently (consistantly) which may have to do with the outside temps or oxyginated gas going away. However, during start up I get some white smoke and the stink of raw gas, until the bike warms. May be characteristic of gas draining into the heads overnight on sidestand, and I shouldn't be concerned (?) Local shops have opinions all over the place on this. Motor purrs/no "noises". Also, at 11k.(now) has never had a valve adjust... *ALL* shops tell me to disregard owners manual advise on this (every 6k.); "first valve adjust can wait til 14-20k, due to overbuilt nature of this engine and then every 30-40k"!  What do you think?
Thanks, Gary K.  Maryland.  

Answer
Hi Gary.

As long as the shops are Suzuki factory authorized, then follow their instructions.  They know the bikes, so they have the better opinion.  remember that the owner's manuals are padded a bit to protect the manufacturer.

With the white smoke and fuel smell, the white smoke could be from the valves being near due for adjustment, so some oil is getting into the cylinders and burning off at start.  Check your oil level periodically to see if you are losing noticable amounts.

The fuel smell could be from leaving the bike's fuel supply on overnight.  Just get into the habit of turning the fuel on at startup and off at night.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON