BMW K1200LT wit Hannigan Gas Mileage

[prowler]

I did a long trip on Last Sunday, went to West Yellowstone Park it about 250 miles round trips, it seem to be I did not get a good gas mileage at all, my average is 25mpg, before the conversion I got 40 or more, and other thing is I have to run in fourth gear so I can get up to certain speed (speed limit is 75mph) otherwise I cannot keep up with the group. This is all strait open interstate excepted the last 40 miles before the park it all up hill I got 23 mpg.

Anyone can tell me is this normal? The Hannigan conversion is great, very nice, smooth running and comfortable.

[Carbon_One]

I don't have any BMW experience but from your descricption I'd say that the differential gearing is too high for the bikes transmission. If the gearing is right you should be in the low to mid 30 mpg range.
Do you have any info on what the differential gear ratio is? And the final drive ratio of the bike?
Larry

[haawg]

I have a 2000 LT with the Hannigan kit. On the interstate I'm getting around 31 mpg @ 70mph. Around town the mileage improves to around 32-33 mpg. I guess it's a lot less wind drag. I have to use 4th gear up til around 55-60 mph before shifting into 5th. 5th gear is really an overdrive.

[weewilly]

My 2000 K1200LT Hannigan gets about 35. I don't have the problem of having to use a lower gear. Don't know what differences there may be, but am completely satisfied with the performance... As an afterthought, I got a nice
50 mpg before I triked the bike....
Oh.... mine is still for sale....

[prowler]

I am very disappointed with gas mileage, I cannot get better than 27 mpg on the interstate with 75 mph which is our speed limit, I have to used fourth gear to get to the speed limit, if I up shift to fifth on the flat strait interstate I cannot keep 75 mph, speed dropped to 70 or less, my bike before covert to trike, I got 48 mpg.

[weewilly]

I would say that you have a tuning problem with your BMW. I have no problem running 80+ in top gear. Never had a problem of not having enough power..

[Ultra fred]

i have an ultra classic with a hannigan kit on it , its awsome , but don't forget you are hauling an extra 2-300 lbs more now " the kit " , so you will get less gas mileage , i lost roughly 22 mpg . plus i put in some screaming eagle cams and a power commander for more hp to pull the extra weight . lots of low end torque . just my 2 cents .

[jatokarz]

UF

I have a '05 K1200LT with Hannigan and Cee Bailey wind screen. Riding single mpg is between 35 and 41. Two up 32 to 38. The lower numbers are into the wind and high speed.

The LT engine likes to rev. Very differnt than my '05 R1200RT. When I first got the trike I rode in too low of a gear. Then I looked up the HP / torque chrrts and found that good power happens above 4k rpm and goes on unitl about 6200. This can be a bit concerning if your not accustomed to getting power at higher revs.

Regards
Joe

[Joey]

Hello

2nd post here. I just bought a 2009 K1200 LT BMW with a hannigan trike kit this week. I rode it 850+ miles back home and the best milage was 27 mpg. Now I was running 75+ mph all the way. most of the time I was running 78 mph by the GPS the speedometer was saying 84-86 mph, with 4800 rpms.

As fars as power this BMW has plenty of power in 5th gear from 30 mph to what ever you wish to run. I have two other motorcycles a 2001 K1200 LT BMW and a 2005 Rocket III Triumph. This Trike is way faster than my 2001 BMW motorcycle, but nothing like my Rocket.

I am sure I would not have any trouble keeping up with anyone I would ride with. Infact I would like one more gear up for the hiway.

I just hate the head shake I get from the trike from 0-50 mph which I was told was normal for all bmw's and some harley trikes. It is awful...that is all I can say.

Just my .02 worth.

Joey Fletcher
Durham NC

[Seavon]

I have a 2005 BMW LT 1200 with Hannigan. I got around 48 prior to triking, but now get 32/33 most of the time. I got the extra fuel tank so it is a bit more weight (30lbs) when full.

[kenwimer]

I have an '02 Hannigan conversion, done in 2010, by NECE in Windsor, CO. I, too, used to get 40-45 mpg as a two-wheeler, and now typically get 29 - 30 overall. Can't beat all the creature comforts of an LT. I just got back from a 4 day, 1600 mile camping trip, pulling a HF cargo trailer, riding solo. My average was just over 30 mpg for the entire trip. Went from sea level to over 5200' elevation, ran great, pulled hard, and made it home safe and happy!

[Veritas44]

It makes a difference what year the donor K1200LT is as far as gearing, mileage, tuning, HP-TQ-RPM relationship, and so on.

The 1999-2001 HMS trike uses a 3.08 gear ratio and the 2002 & Up uses a 2.73 ratio.

BMW also improved the tuning and other powertrain "tweaks" in the 2005 model year & Up.

Plus as stated previously the trike's performance is a slave to the bike powertrain's operational condition. Adding the trike will materialize and magnify any sub-par conditions and the limits that already exist whether from the factory or that have deteriorated or manifested since manufacture.

Combine that with elevation, grade, speed, throttling, driving habits, and other such variables inherently subjective and widely diverse for each and every owner/operator and there is no such thing as a "Normal" when it comes to mpg. Average Yes-Normal NO.

On the head-shake issue mentioned, there IS a problem with your unit. The K1200LT with HMS Steer-Lite installed Will NOT head-shake (if all is right and correct). Get your trike/bike checked out by a qualified HMS trained Tech ASAP.

[Cecil K5LO]

I had a lower rear end, 373 ratio, installed during the conversion on K1200LT. RPMs are higher which gives better torque in 5th gear at 70 to 80 mph. But, killed my gas mileage. So, there is a trade off here. Either run in 4th gear at low speeds for better gas mileage or give up the better gas mileage for the higher power curve. high rpms = higher power curve!

[malclingan]

I have a '03 K1200LT with Hannigan and Cee Bailey wind screen. My wife and I ride together and get 33 mpg at 55 -65 mph.

[Boatman0811]

This is an older post but I also experienced a similar drop in gas mileage. From about 48 to the high 30s. When I pull my trailer it drops further. Not unhappy, expecetd. A lot of additional weight and wind resistance.

[JamesKnt]

25 mpg sounds a low gas mileage. When was the last time you checked your fuel? If your conversion is great and runs smooth, your gas mielage should be high in long rides.