Gas mileage

[bommer]

My 2002 wing is in the shop as we speak having a Roadsmith kit put on. I was wondering about the gas mileage. I am getting about 45 miles to the gallon. How will the kit affect the mileage and should I use a higher octane gas?:Trike1:

 

[hbrogan57]

I run anywhere between 30 to 37 mpg with my Hannigan kit.....and I do burn premium when on the highway, but in town I go through fuel doing my errands that I usually burn the cheap stuff.

 

[JaysGone]

I for whatever reason and I guess its doing mostly in town riding 35-65mph with my 2010 GW/MotorTrike kit get about 30 mpg using regular gas.
Im not too happy with that and do at some point intend to have Honda check out the machine.
I dont believe the PO did much if any in the way of maintanence.
But the bike does indeed run well otherwise.

 

[hbrogan57]

Actually, 30 is what I get around town as well. That stop-and-go traffic kills the mileage in town. Almost like sucking gas through a straw!!!!!<img src="images/smilies/gah.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Gah" class="inlineimg" /><img src="images/smilies/gah.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Gah" class="inlineimg" /><br />
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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>JaysGone</strong>
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<div class="message">I for whatever reason and I guess its doing mostly in town riding 35-65mph with my 2010 GW/MotorTrike kit get about 30 mpg using regular gas.<br />
Im not too happy with that and do at some point intend to have Honda check out the machine.<br />
I dont believe the PO did much if any in the way of maintanence.<br />
But the bike does indeed run well otherwise.</div>

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[jfingalls]

I have been getting 35 mpg consistently since the trike was new. It does not seem to matter what kind of driving I do although most of our driving is in the 35 - 60 mph range. I can tell you that those rear fenders sticking out there are just like sails. For example, when driving into the wind, I can feel a noticeable difference in the engine rpm and "load" on the motor. I believe if the fenders were streamlined "aerodynamically" one could see about a 3+ mpg improvement at speeds greater than 35 mph. By the way, I always use 87 octane gasoline.

 

[bommer]

Thanks for feedback. I am courious to see how it compares to our friends new Harley Trike.

 

[SEABILL]

Not sure what the gas mileage is my trike since I have not run a full tank through it yet.<br />
<br />
Higher octane is not recommended on a GL1800 Goldwing. It retards the ignition, it does not increase horsepower. You might even notice that it is harder to start with higher octane.

 

[87Trike1200]

On my 1500, in reasonably good tune, I've been getting about 32 mpg overall - regular grade gas.. That's a combo of "around town" and 65-70 highway. My pre-trike mileage was about 38.

 

[bikerbillone]

2005 Wing with 2011 Road Smith conversion, riding two up. Getting 32 mpg most of the time. Was hoping for better, but it is what it is.

 

[riverrat]

32 to 36 mpg with my 2010 CSC

 

[Ozarkryder]

We have a 2004 GL1800 with a Champion kit. Mileage depends on how and where we are riding. Normally we get mid - 30's to about 40 mpg riding 2-up on the curves of Ozark roads. Speeds are usually under 50 at an average. On the highway, loaded, 2 up and pulling the Bunkhouse camper at freeway speeds we can go down to around 30 mpg. Last year on the way to Minnesota we hit headwinds of 35-40 mph on I-35. not wanting to hold up traffic we were still traveling at 70-75 mph and the average dropped to 25 mpg. Those numbers are based on mileage from the GPS, as the speedo on the trike with the Toyota rear end Champion used runs 4 to 6 mph more that the GPS shows.

 

[robval87]

Yea my gas mileage has gone out the window:Shrug:. Wish I would have had the external tank added to my build. Not to say that after a hundred miles or so my wife and I want off the bike to streach and take a break, but the fuel sure does seem to go pretty fast and that additional fuel would be nice to haveThumbUp. Not sure how hard it would be to go back in and add the extra fuel tank to the CSC Trike, guess I need to call them and find out what all has to be removed to add the tank (worth the time, aggravation and money?):xszpv:

 

[gr8phun]

I was getting 39 t0 46 mpg depending on my right wrist.

Usually wouldn't start looking for a station untill around 180 miles on a tank.
And slow to speed limit around 200 miles.

I now start sweating around 140 to 150 miles on a tank.
Last tank stayed at the speed limit and got 28.6 mpg.

$ 0.13 per mile for gas using 87 octane

 

[icedad]

I must be a bad boy and a hot rod. I get only 28-32 mpg and she was just tuned up.

 

[JaysGone]

Actually, 30 is what I get around town as well. That stop-and-go traffic kills the mileage in town. Almost like sucking gas through a straw!!!!!:gah::gah:

I still have yet to take any real highway ride. To get any indication of mpg. Im sure the added weight of the kit and the fenders as others have said doesnt help.
I cant help but be skeptical of owners who say they get high 30s, low 40s with this beast.
My 99 Valk has never gotten over 34 mpg in town. My Yamaha RoadStar on a good day will indeed get 43 mpg, but realisticaly 35mpg.
These vehicles werent and arent intended to be econo boxes.
So mid 30s would be nice 30-32 is OK for me.
But if the previous owner did any maintainece on the Honda end Id be shocked. So at 12K that is my next move.

 

[bommer]

Well no matter what the mileage, we can't wait to ride. The snow is starting to melt here in Michigan and our Trike is due to be completed the 15th. With any luck We'll get to ride it home from Central Motors Sports about a 2 hour ride.
Thanks for all the great input.

 

[FRR]

Anytime anyone uses premium fuel in an engine that only requires 87 octane is wasting their money. It doesn't help a thing, except in some folks mind, and can actually be potentially harmful for a GL1800.
As far as mileage, I got 40 with my Wing before I triked it and now get 35-36 MPG. I've only been able to put around 1600 miles on the bike since the conversion and I am looking forward to riding in warmer weather in town and in the country and see how my mileage is affected.

 

[jackpoet]

I run anywhere between 30 to 37 mpg with my Hannigan kit.....and I do burn premium when on the highway, but in town I go through fuel doing my errands that I usually burn the cheap stuff.

h-m-m-m-m-m, must be reading wrong,,,,,,CHEAP STUFF???. Can't be talking about gas. What do you suppose he is buringing??? LOL

 

[Don 1800]

09 with motortrike gets 35 with two up and pulling trailer my riding buddy with a triglude get the same we check about every time we fill up

 

[RRSCOTT]

My Motor Trike get in the low to mid 30's. The mileage is better with 87-89 octane gas.

 

[mhgoldwing]

06 Wing with '11 roadsmith. Around the Ark. twisties riding two-up I consistently get 37 mpg. On the highway fully loaded and two-up riding 65-75 mph mileage drops to 33/34.

I only use regular grade fuel as that is what the engine was designed to use.

 

[bikerbillone]

I "might" be able to get that kind of mpg at higher altitudes. I have the 2005 w/2011 RS, so it comparable to yours.

 

[hbrogan57]

"cheap stuff" Just the difference between the Premium and the lower end at the pump. Not MUCH cheaper but those pennies DO add up.....

h-m-m-m-m-m, must be reading wrong,,,,,,CHEAP STUFF???. Can't be talking about gas. What do you suppose he is buringing??? LOL

 

[JaysGone]

A little update.
Im running around with a gallon of gas in my trunk.
Im going to run it dry and see what I am really getting.
Odometer is at 150 miles and the fuel guage shows maybe an eight of a tank.
Im guesstimating Im in the upper 20s.......30mpg maybe.
So far no Low Fuel light???:xzqxz:
When does or is this supposed to come on??
2010 with MT kit.

 

[JaysGone]

A little update.
Im running around with a gallon of gas in my trunk.
Im going to run it dry and see what I am really getting.
Odometer is at 150 miles and the fuel guage shows maybe an eight of a tank.
Im guesstimating Im in the upper 20s.......30mpg maybe.
So far no Low Fuel light???:xzqxz:
When does or is this supposed to come on??
2010 with MT kit.

Ok ran the trike dry today, but had a gallon of gas in the trunk.
177 miles, took 6.1 gallons.
Not great, not terrible.
Low fuel light comes on at a bit past the 1/8th line?? before empty.
Ran the trike for almost 30 miles on empty.
So I know I cant trust the gauge.

Filled to the tippy top and will do the same one more time.
750Lb bike wet??
300-400lb trike kit
Me at 220.
1300lbs?? total.
Daily commute 27 miles 35-65mph.

30mpg is liveable.

 

[carbco]

2010 GL with a CSC Cobra XL kit. I'm not an aggressive rider but I've been getting 38 mpgs regularly and up to 41 mpgs. I normally ride 60 to 65 mph. not much in town riding as we live in a rather rural area. I'm delighted with the mileage so far. Have now 8000 miles on my trike. No problems. We're at 3400 ft. elevation if that's a factor?

 

[bustedwing]

Mine is like every one else, low to mid 30s depending on wind speed and direction. Burn low octane fuel.