GL 1800 gas milage

[camplejeune]

Hello everyone, I just picked-up a new to me used 2008 GL1800 with the Roadsmith trike kit with 51,000 miles showing. I have installed a new air filter and spark plugs. This scooter is currently doing 25 mpg around town. Is this really all this Honda will do? My Suzuki c90 lehamn trike gets around 35 or more around town. What are others getting? Do I have an ECM or sensor issue? Seeing that this is my first R/S Goldwing I have not been heavy on the throttle. Thank you,

[tfdeputydawg]

Around town are the key words there.

Highway or interstate sustained speeds got me approx. 35 to 37 on my 06 w/a Hannigan conversion.

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I had a 2008 with Champion kit and I routinely got 28-30 around town and high 30's to low 40's on the road. If I did 75-80 mph on I70 or I15, it would drop to mid to low 30's.

You might check for some obvious stuff, dragging brakes doesn't have to be big dragging, if an emergency brake is installed it may be dragging, at 51K have the valve adjustments been checked?, might want to check the crank case breather.

Surprisingly, a lot of people with a new to them toy, will do the zroom, zroom, thing and that will significantly affect gas mileage around town.

Just some starting points.

[bikerbillone]

On the Road Smith, you should expect 30/35 mpg, remember the thing is a big sail, a heavy thing, a wind catcher, and if you have a huge wind screen... Before my conversion on two wheels, I was getting 40/42. It's the price we pay for 'age progression'.

[camplejeune]

I had a 2008 with Champion kit and I routinely got 28-30 around town and high 30's to low 40's on the road. If I did 75-80 mph on I70 or I15, it would drop to mid to low 30's.

You might check for some obvious stuff, dragging brakes doesn't have to be big dragging, if an emergency brake is installed it may be dragging, at 51K have the valve adjustments been checked?, might want to check the crank case breather.

Surprisingly, a lot of people with a new to them toy, will do the zroom, zroom, thing and that will significantly affect gas mileage around town.

Just some starting points.

I have no idea what all has been done to this engine. I purchased this GL off the showroom floor as a consignment deal. I sent the previous owner a letter asking what has been done to this engine and other questions about the trike kit. The PO has not replied even with the self addressed stamped envelope that was sent with the letter. I appreciate the suggestions and will try these. I have not been heavy on the wrist twisting around town.

Thank you,

Brian

[rhino 2]

I have no idea what all has been done to this engine. I purchased this GL off the showroom floor as a consignment deal. I sent the previous owner a letter asking what has been done to this engine and other questions about the trike kit. The PO has not replied even with the self addressed stamped envelope that was sent with the letter. I appreciate the suggestions and will try these. I have not been heavy on the wrist twisting around town.

Thank you,

Brian

In todays litigious society it would surprise me if the pervious owner does answer you...

When i sell/trade something .....I don't to hear anything more about it...

[turboman1354]

I have a 01 with CSC conversion. Almost 150k on clock. My mileage will run low to mid 30’s when I’m easy on the wrist. On interstate if I run 75+ I’ll only get high 20’s. I had the drive line upgrade done last summer and that has helped it a little. I’m all about miles and smiles and 3 wheels is the only way to go. Bruce

[Pooch]

My reverse trike Goldwing gets 30 on the freeways and 32-35 on back roads, gonna see if it goes down much when I add the auxiliary tank because of the extra weight.

[FRR]

I've owned two Trikes, both Goldwings. Both got 34 to 37 MPG. What you report seems awfully low.

[Dockem]

Reminds me of an old story about two guys bragging on their bikes, one was a H-D Ultra owner, the other owned an older model Honda Valkyrie.

Finally, the H-D owner says; "Well, I get a helluva lot better gas mileage than you do!"

To which the Valkyrie owner replies; "I got 6 carbs on this bike and it goes like a bat outta hell. You don't buy a sportscar for gas mileage!"



Best I've gotten was 40mpg on 55mph roads, behind slow traffic. Worst was about 30mpg, strictly around town. I've lost a lot of "lead outta my foot" (twist outta my wrist) though.