Mileage experiences with the Trike

[kj5ix]

We just got back from a little run into Ark to the Changing of Colors CMA Rally pulling the Roll-A-Home ( a little heave unit when I get it loaded 75 or so tongue weight ) On this trip I was glad to see that I was getting about 22 MPG but compared to the 18/19 of the last trip,,, that is good. I talked to a couple of other Venture Trike riders at the rally to find that they also seem to be getting as little as 18 to 22. While just two up I seem to get 29 to 31... I am still getting use to the V-4 being a hi-rev engine, and have been staying in 4th for the most part up to 70 or so. I normally don't ride that fast 68 cruse set on the GL1800, just under 3000 RPM's great power, and good MPG with or with out the camper, and plenty of power. I have found that with no Tach on the RSV it is hard to tell just what you are doing, but this Trike just seems to want to go at 74/76 (GPS Speed 78/80 bike speed-o )

What are some of you getting on your Trike for gas mileage with or with out pulling a trailer.

 

[Carbon_One]

My experiences thus far have matched what you've found to be. Most times I'm in the 30-35 mpg range if staying on secondary roads 55 & under. I have even gotten as high as 38mpg but that was an exception rather the the rule. This is almost exclusively two up as well. I generally get mid to upper 20's on the freeways staying at about 68-70mph (gps verified). Sometimes I'll get better mileage then other times, especially dependant of whose fuel & type of fuel I'm burning. The 10% alcohol content fuel does get noticeably less mpg's. Some of my worst miles per gallon was recently going to NY and back. On this trip I was towing my trailer and pushing 15-30 mph headwinds and getting into the 18-20mpg range. . Going the winds were coming in at a 45* angle but coming home it was straight on. Brutal is all I can say about the winds effect on my Venture's gas mileage. Also brutal on me & the Mrs. Very tiring as we felt like a couple bobble heads going there. The bike itself was rock solid and seems to actually be less wind sensitive than either of my cars.
I've found too that the engine seems happiest at 2800 rpms & up with the 3k-3500 range to be about perfect. Anything less then 25-2600 and the engine feels like it's lugging, especially in 5th gear. 4th and 5th gears are overdrives on these Yamaha Ventures.
Larry

 

[kj5ix]

Thats what I am finding also Larry on the RPM, and mileage,, about 135 without the trailer, ans 105 fully loaded to when it quiets running, and have to transfer gas, or switch to R.... I am hopping to get Dave's ( Ponch ) gage set some time soon, and the main thing I want is the Tach and volts don't know what the third one will be,,, temp or oil....

 

[John Luciano]

Same as Larry 28 was the worst (2up 80MPH and pulling a 500+# trailer) to 41 MPH going 40 -45 on back roads chasing my Harley buddies . I always tell them That I ride behind so I can suck up all the raw gas that they send back to me thu the over jetted no muffler bikes they ride <LOL>

 

[Boscoporp]

I have a 2003 Gold Wing and I pull a 1940 Ford trailer ALL THE TIME! I always average between 33 & 37. I wish I could say that I drive at a speed that get s me good milage. NOT SO! i am always standing on it and making it go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[skuuter]

I hover around the "35 Mark" most of the time with my 2010 Gold Wing Motor Trike IRS.....2-up or just me doesn't seem to vary it much if any....ThumbUp