NJMike
60+ Posts
My brother and I are considering converting our ‘21 Goldwing Tour DCT’s at the CSC factory. We are wondering how much the average MPG might change after the conversion. We both are “conservative” riders.
CSC Encore gas mileage
- Thread starter NJMike
- Start date
Mike..Welcome to Trike-Talk…. My uneducated guess 2 to 3 miles per gallon but if you are worrying about gas mileage while you’re doing a conversion, maybe they could put in a auxiliary gas tank…. now is the time to do it….
- Moderator
- #3
Hello & :welcome: to Trike Talk. :clapping:
Jack Klarich
Gold Member
Hi Mike, :welcome:to Trike Talk and your first post
There are a lot of variables to consider, weight, riding style, tune of the engine, gear ratios etc
Bob hit it good, most can expect to see 2-5 miles less than a 2 wheeler
There are a lot of variables to consider, weight, riding style, tune of the engine, gear ratios etc
Bob hit it good, most can expect to see 2-5 miles less than a 2 wheeler
Welcome! My experience is a little different. But, I'm dealing with older Goldwings. My riding is/has been rather conservative. When riding the 3 different GL1800s (2 wheelers) I've owned, my fuel consumption was pretty consistent at 38-40 MPG unless I got on the interstate and cruised 70+ MPH. Then it went down a bit. Going to a trike of the same vintage, my MPG dropped to a very consistent 34. Same roads, same riding style, same GL1800 engines. I have the auxiliary fuel tank bringing my total capacity to 10 gallons. Very glad to have it. Good luck..... Jim
Very same experience here with the MPG on the 2008 GL1800...
I always wished I'd had an auxilliary gas tank on that Gold Wing trike as the gas gauge would drop slowly on the first half... then dropped like a rock on the 2nd half... leaving me panicking to get gasoline... on group rides I learned to fill up at every opportunity to be able to enjoy the ride. I never knew how far it would go on the 2nd half because I filled up at 1/2 tank...religiously. I never wanted to be the one to pull everybody over from the ride, hoping someone could siphon or go get gasoline for me. GET THE AUX FUEL TANK... you will be SO glad you did... !!
Back to answering your original question... I have a 2019 DCT with a CSC kit on it. I get 41-43 with the kit riding 55-60. And like many others, what few times I ride 70 plus I get around 37.
Woody
800+ Posts
Just got back from north Georgia for a week and ending up with 42 mpg on my 2019 CSC
NJMike
60+ Posts
- Thread starter
- #9
All great comments, thanks to everyone! If the mpg only drops less than 5 mpg, I consider that more than acceptable. At 47 mpg our tanks last about 240 miles. We rarely ride more than 100 miles before taking a break, then the next stop is about 80 miles for gas. If we only got 40 mpg after the conversion we could still do 180 miles with a 40 mile reserve. I do admit though that the extra tank wouldn’t hurt.
NJMike
60+ Posts
- Thread starter
- #10
Another question - my understanding is that the aux tank is installed somewhere that is higher than the existing tank, which is why it gravity feeds into the existing tank. So when you gas up, which tank does the gas go into first? And does the filling take extra long because of the gravity feed system?
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong….But I think it’s just opposite….The standard tank drains first and then the gas is pumped up
from the aux tank into the standard tank The Aux tank has it’s own pump.
Jack Klarich
Gold Member
Pretty sure you are correct on this, seems there was a thread a bit ago about a pump being bad on an auxiliary tank
- Moderator
- #13
according to the CSC website the tank is gravity fed with no pump.
I guess we’re gonna have to wait for Paul Harvey for the rest of the story…
Mea-Culpa.. I just looked it up and that particular model is gravity fed..
..
Last edited:
Ironhorse54
40+ Posts
Hi, I’m Ironhorse54, NJMike’s brother. My first post and happy to be here. Question: where is the aux tank located? What njmike is asking is when you gas up does the gas go into the aux tank first or 2nd? How is the aux tank filled?
Not Paul Harvey
Well, Here's the rest of the story..... The aux tank does not have any pump or separate filler. The bottom of the main tank is below the bottom of the aux tank. The top of the aux tank is below the top of the main tank. So with the trike being level, like in a gas station, the aux tank fits between the top and bottom of the main tank. Hope this makes sense. The aux tank vents into the main tank vent so there is no separate venting for it.
Imagine both tanks being completely empty. When starting to fill with fuel, the bottom of the main tank fills first. Then as the level rises, fuel begins to flow into the aux tank as both tanks get fuel. Then when the aux tank gets full, all the remaining fuel goes into the top of the main tank. Both tanks are then full. There is no separate fuel gauge for the aux tank. The first fuel used will lower the level from the top of the main tank. Gage will show a relatively quick drop. Then as more fuel is used, the level of both tanks goes down. During this period, the fuel gage moves very slowly. Once the aux tank is pretty empty and the fuel light comes on, there is between 1 1/2 and 2 gallons of fuel left.
This system works very well. No mechanical or moving parts. The only down side is it take a little longer (maybe a minute or so) to fill up. The main transfer hose between the aux and main fuel tank is 1" dia. so the fuel flows pretty well.
Hope this clears things up..... Jim
Well, Here's the rest of the story..... The aux tank does not have any pump or separate filler. The bottom of the main tank is below the bottom of the aux tank. The top of the aux tank is below the top of the main tank. So with the trike being level, like in a gas station, the aux tank fits between the top and bottom of the main tank. Hope this makes sense. The aux tank vents into the main tank vent so there is no separate venting for it.
Imagine both tanks being completely empty. When starting to fill with fuel, the bottom of the main tank fills first. Then as the level rises, fuel begins to flow into the aux tank as both tanks get fuel. Then when the aux tank gets full, all the remaining fuel goes into the top of the main tank. Both tanks are then full. There is no separate fuel gauge for the aux tank. The first fuel used will lower the level from the top of the main tank. Gage will show a relatively quick drop. Then as more fuel is used, the level of both tanks goes down. During this period, the fuel gage moves very slowly. Once the aux tank is pretty empty and the fuel light comes on, there is between 1 1/2 and 2 gallons of fuel left.
This system works very well. No mechanical or moving parts. The only down side is it take a little longer (maybe a minute or so) to fill up. The main transfer hose between the aux and main fuel tank is 1" dia. so the fuel flows pretty well.
Hope this clears things up..... Jim
Ironhorse54
40+ Posts
Awesome answer Jim. Thanks a lot for the info.
- Moderator
- #21
Just wanted to add my 2¢ worth. When I did my conversion, I couldn't justify the cost of an aux tank. My mileage on my 07, only dropped a few miles per gallon and I have heard exactly the same with the 18-23 models as well. When group riding with other 2 wheeled wings, we are all usually ready to fuel up right around the same time anyway. No one likes to run down to the point of the low fuel light on as if there was some kind of issue such as you could hit an unexpected detour or traffic getting shut down due to an accident, etc...
When alone and on a road trip, by the time I'm close to 1/4 tank, it's usually time to take a break anyway for a stretch, bathroom break, and refill of my favorite refreshment. At 1/4 tank, I have usually been traveling for 2-1/2 to 3 hours at regular highway speeds. Most areas, your at the most 5 to 10 miles from nearest gas station. Only once out west in the Texas panhandle did I get extremely close to running out and was down to less than 1/3rd of a gallon by the time I found an open gas station. Other than that 1 time, I have never wished I had the aux tank.
When alone and on a road trip, by the time I'm close to 1/4 tank, it's usually time to take a break anyway for a stretch, bathroom break, and refill of my favorite refreshment. At 1/4 tank, I have usually been traveling for 2-1/2 to 3 hours at regular highway speeds. Most areas, your at the most 5 to 10 miles from nearest gas station. Only once out west in the Texas panhandle did I get extremely close to running out and was down to less than 1/3rd of a gallon by the time I found an open gas station. Other than that 1 time, I have never wished I had the aux tank.
2022 DCT Tour CSC Encore here......My mileage is usually around 38 MPG solo and 2-up......doesn't seem to matter much. Pretty relaxed rider and take it easy most of the time. If it's windy with a headwind that seems to affect Trike MPGs much more-so.
The CSC Aux fuel tank....Seriously spend the $$ to get this....it is so much worth it. It works flawlessly and has no electronics involved to add fuel capacity to your Trike. (Roadsmith trike Aux tank setup is ridiculously complicated IMHO and a potential safety hazard). You have about 9-gallons total with the CSC aux tank.
Almost impossible to add later......the investment is so much worth it, I can't stress this enough.
The CSC Aux fuel tank....Seriously spend the $$ to get this....it is so much worth it. It works flawlessly and has no electronics involved to add fuel capacity to your Trike. (Roadsmith trike Aux tank setup is ridiculously complicated IMHO and a potential safety hazard). You have about 9-gallons total with the CSC aux tank.
Almost impossible to add later......the investment is so much worth it, I can't stress this enough.
The auxilliary gas tank makes for an EXCELLENT selling point when the time comes...
I think BigMick's comments are right on. Would I part with my Aux. tank and take the money....? NO WAY. If I were to have a new CSC built for me, would I add the Aux. tank...? ABSOLUTELY! I think it is one of the best options CSC offers. Like they say on TV..... Buy it now and avoid future regret..... Jim
I agree it is a great option. Since the aux tank is not available for the Harley, I wondered if I should perhaps go with RoadSmith or something else. Decided I really like the CSC.
As I thought more, my bike says gets 38 MPG X 6 so we are just under 240 miles. Even on 2 wheels, I don't really recall when I rode that far without stopping.
Just back from a 1400-mile trip; I was the lead. Total of 6 bikes - no gas issues. When I got gas, they needed it too.
- Moderator
- #27
As most already know, I'm in the "skip the aux tank" crowd for the reasons I mentioned. But I have a few questions. Sorry, not trying to hijack this thread...
First is when filling up when you have an aux tank, how much longer does it take?
And those with aux tanks, how often do you actually ride tank to tank without stopping?
Also do you usually ride solo or in groups?
Finally if in groups, is it mostly trikes or bikes and if bikes, do you usually top off when the bikes are fueling up?
First is when filling up when you have an aux tank, how much longer does it take?
And those with aux tanks, how often do you actually ride tank to tank without stopping?
Also do you usually ride solo or in groups?
Finally if in groups, is it mostly trikes or bikes and if bikes, do you usually top off when the bikes are fueling up?
1. I'm never in a hurry with filling the bike anyways as I don't want any fuel spray-back or spills. I would guess maybe another 1-minute tops? I fill normally until full, then wait about 15-seconds for it to equalize in the aux tank then continue to full. Seriously not a big deal at all
2. Aux fuel tank has very little to do with riding tank to tank IMHO......it has to do with not having to stop or find a gas station because you are running low. We take breaks at rest stops, parks, places to eat, etc. Not gas stations.....
We take a lot of longer day rides which I can ride without stopping for fuel.........I get fuel right before getting home and I'm ready for the next day ride whenever that may be.
It's also great for longer trips......again, seeing the sights and making stops where we want, not at gasoline stations.
The 2018+ Goldwing has a 5.5 Gallon tank......5.5 x 38 MPG (209 miles absolute max) so by around 175 you better be looking for fuel.
The aux tank adds a good 100 miles to your range.
3 & 4. Rarely if ever ride in groups.....riding is for fun, freedom and enjoyment.......group riding takes away too much of the freedom so I stopped doing that almost completely many years ago. Also not fond of the vast disparity in skill levels which IMHO makes it much more risky riding. Not to mention the possible alcoholic beverage issue....
I said it before.......the aux tank is a must have option IMHO even if you don't take long trips. The luxury of not having to stop for fuel so often and when traveling in more remote areas it's a welcome luxury. Not to mention resale.....
Not something you can add later either, at least not very easily.
I would NEVER purchase a new or used Trike without an aux fuel tank......the small initial $$ outlay is well worth the money.
Lots of discussion has been offered about the aux tank.
Let us know what you decide.
By the way, if you are on the fence about a rake kit, just ask.
Let us know what you decide.
By the way, if you are on the fence about a rake kit, just ask.
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