Gas Mileage

skibridg · May 26, 2011

I own a 2008 Honda Goldwing Airbag MDL with a CSC Trike. 3000 miles on on both. I am the orriginal owner. I ride alone. Highway and country roads average 50 MPH. Best gas MPG that I can get is 30 MPG. Does this sound Correct?

skuuter · May 26, 2011

Worse than mine....I tend to lead Tennessee TOI Chapter Rides at around the 30 to 50 MPH Pace (Sometimes 60 MPH on open, straight Highways) and have been averagin' around 35 MPG runnin' a lot in the 3000 RPM Range.

Lately I have been usin' Lower Gears, and runnin' in the 3500 - 4000 RPM Range, and mileage has picked up to 36-37 MPG. This is gettin' really close to my 38 MPG Average I normally got with my last 2-wheel Gold Wing 1800.....ThumbUp

tfdeputydawg · May 26, 2011

06-1800/Hannigan also taller/wider shield and all the Baker Wings including trike Wings.
99% 2 up. Usually 35/36mpg. However on 2 different rides w/i the last week in warm weather using ethanol free Shell regular unleaded got 39mpg!

skuuter · May 26, 2011

tfdeputydawg said:
06-1800/Hannigan also taller/wider shield and all the Baker Wings including trike Wings.
99% 2 up. Usually 35/36mpg. However on 2 different rides w/i the last week in warm weather using ethanol free Shell regular unleaded got 39mpg!

We're runnin' really similar mileages.....that "39" is really good.....ThumbUp

tfdeputydawg · May 26, 2011

skuuter said:
We're running' really similar mileages.....that "39" is really good.....ThumbUp

Quite true-I was amazed on the first tank that showed that 39mpg, so for the next tank I made sure where the gas level was in the filler neck and filled it to the same spot to re-figure the next one. Never seen more than 36mpg before but, then I've been filling up a 10%Ethanol pumps prior to the Shell! This was a ride from the Indianapolis area South to the Ohio River @ Madison, In. State roads, no Interstate, hills. curves and several small towns. I'm still wondering about those figures! If that continues, I will be using Shell Ethanol free every where I can find it!

1800 06 Champion Trike · May 26, 2011

Just checked mine since I got it out of winter storage.
I filled the tank 3 times running around here with out checking it.
I then filled it up Sunday and we took a senic ride.
Topped it off this mornng and got 34 mpg.
I have never seen better then 35mpg since I bought it new in 06.

Southern Man · May 28, 2011

Slight Hijack but related.

What is the actual tank size, usuable?
How far should a 2008 gl1800 Champ rig go?

Today I took it down low for the first time. 1/2 of the milage was pulling the trailer empty.
209 miles the warning light came on.
219 miles it was just touching the red when I filled up.
5.83 gal. to fill up. High test gas.

How many miles should you be able to go once the light comes on?
How close was I to walking?

I am getting prepared for the upcomming 2500 mile ride and I want to know my limitations in case I get caught short. Last year on the way home from Ark, somewhere in south Miss, we drove for over 50 miles without seeing a gas station and almost ran out.

jtilmon · May 28, 2011

Riding 2008 GW / Roadsmith and try to keep the rpm's in 3000 range on open roads.
Just competed 2 day/350 mile trip today in middle and west TN. riding 2 up and both trunks full with rack bag. Trip included straight and some twisties. Averaged just over 37 mpg with max speed 65 mph. This is a little above average from previous trips, usually get in 35-36 mpg range. Run 93 octane.
What octane do you'll run in you GWs?
jt - just sayin

Konrad · May 29, 2011

I almost always ride solo (and fairly non-agressively). 2006 GL1800 with 2010 Roadsmith/aux. tank. Many trips less than 5 miles, others from 5 to 50 miles, about evenly divided. Gas usually from Pilot or Kroger, 87 octane. Bike runs as steady as a digital Timex. But even without carrying any freight I get only 35.25 mpg (as of this morning).

secondroy · May 29, 2011

2011, GL 1800, Roadsmith here running 35-36 mpg. When traveling I try to keep it around 70 on the GPS gage and around town in the 2500 rpm range. This means I don't go into fifth often when I'm riding around town. The trike has 2,800 miles on it.

I always use what the books says to use--87 octane.

swamprider · May 30, 2011

2008/GW/CSC 37.2 mpg 87 octane 10% ethanol.

Skuuter
Little confused about riding in lower gears higher rpm better gas mileage?

TRIKERBOB69 · May 31, 2011

19K on my 08 wing 2010 conversion with the aux tank, when I actually know I HAVE gotten it full ave. 30 - 36, 30 on canadian gas which left a ton of black carbon on my turn downs, U.S. mix is usually 34! 3k miles on your bike, it will loosen up and do better, also I use honda full syn oil, think it adds to the milage even though its not MILAGE ENHANCED oil. Wait till the bike breaks in a bit, its still tight

epper::Monster:

ted in ncal · Jun 2, 2011

My 33 mpg on a 2008 CSC GL1800 does not sound too bad considering I am running the crappy California excuse for gasoline. Cost's more and gives less. We get a lot better milage as soon as we get out of state.

TRIKERBOB69 · Jun 2, 2011

ted in ncal said:
My 33 mpg on a 2008 CSC GL1800 does not sound too bad considering I am running the crappy California excuse for gasoline. Cost's more and gives less. We get a lot better milage as soon as we get out of state.

Sounds like that CRAP up in canada, honestly my turn down exhaust tips where BLACK WITH SOOT everyday, mean its not burning efficiently, I hoped it was the gas, when I got back to the States (pa),,,,,MAGICALLY CURED NO SOOT

epper::Monster: must be the change in latitude:Flag:

cmore · Jun 2, 2011

Since being triked, I have averaged about 32mpg and that is for about 10,000 miles. If pulling a 475-500lb trailer, I get about 31. Was averaging 41 before triking. 
 
I run at least 5 mph over the speed limit most of the time. 
 
03 with and 09 CSC kit.

Southern Man · Jun 2, 2011

Still did not hear anyone say what the usuable amount of gas in a 2008 1800 is?

and how many miles you should have left once the light comes on.

cmore · Jun 16, 2011

Out of the Honda owners manual: 
"Lights as a reminder to refuel soon. The indicator comes on when there is about 
1.16 US gal (4.4 liters, 0.97 Imp gal) left in the fuel tank". 
 
So if you are getting 32mpg, u should be able to go another 32 miles, safely. Leaving a safety of .16 gal. 
 
If getting 35mpg then 35 and so on.

bud · Jun 22, 2011

I try to run shell 93 when available seems to have a little better pickup. We ride 2 up most of the time pulling a hanagan trailer. I have always tried to stay in the highest gear keeping the rpm low without heavy lugging. We average 36-39 mpg Only once 42 yea. we ride a 02 GL 1800 with a motortrike kit.

skuuter · Jun 22, 2011

Southern Man said:
Still did not hear anyone say what the usuable amount of gas in a 2008 1800 is?

and how many miles you should have left once the light comes on.

I have ridden 44 miles after the light came on, and still "made it" in 4th gear at about 50 mph bein' conservative.....ThumbUp

jfingalls · Jun 23, 2011

I have a 2008 GW Trike (Independent Rear Suspension) always riding two up (420 lbs.) with 12,500 miles. I am the only owner and always use 87 octane fuel and have always got between 35 and 36 MPG consistently since it was new (I check it every time I fill the tank). Because I think 30 MPG is low, I would try Fuel System cleaner (not Fuel Injector Cleaner) accasionally, run Synthetic Oil (such as Shell Robella T6) in the crank case to improve lubricity and minimize wear friction, keep the front tire at 41 PSI and make sure the rear tires are inflated to at least 22 PSI. Your mileage seems low for a "one up" rider (5 MPG would be a 17% improvement). I am assuming that your EFI system is in good working order and has been checked by your Honda mechanic. Good Luck