Ok, so this topic has been discussed quite a few times, but I just wanted to share this.
A couple of weeks ago, the schools here in UK closed for the summer (at least most of them) and about 90% of the 4x4's that are used exclusively to transport fat lazy kids to school a mile away have disappeared from the roads. I now see virtually no traffic between my home in the suburbs and my work in the city centre - apart from the very centre, naturally. So, of course, the fuel economy has improved - but I didn't expect such an improvement!
Usually I get to about 195-200 miles before hitting reserves. This morning, I forgot that I needed to fill up (didn't ride for a few days) and realised it only when I got on a motorway, going about 70 mph. I thought I was stuffed, as it was at least 15 miles to the nearest petrol station. As it turned out, I had no reason to worry. I did get to that station - and missed the turn into it - and then next one too. When I eventually got to the petrol station, I had almost 221 on the tripmeter. And I didn't hit the reserve yet! I was even more surprised when I filled her up - and it only took about 0.3 litter more than usual (about 1/12 of a gallon). Did the math when I got to the office - 55.6 MPG on that last tank - very nice!
If I keep my speeds constant and around 60mph, I get in the 60s. If I go 70+, I get 45.
Around town, normal driving I get 50.
I've checked my MPG for every fill up since new....09 gs 500.........now 4600 miles
Worst MPG was 57........(got his two times, riding in strong wind.........)
Best MPG was 71.........also got two times.........
Almost always get 66MPG........my weekend commute is 160 miles ...uses 2.4 gallons
Note........this is US gallons, not Imperial gallons.........Also using odometer on bike......may be error/optimistic...My riding is almost all open road, 50 ~ 55 mph..........no city, no stop and go.
Cookie
That's some impressive numbers! I guess, the fact that mine is a 97 with 45K miles on it and it hasn't been very well maintained by the 7 previous owners does have something to do with lower MPG.
Do you use imperial gallons over there? If so, it makes a big difference in MPG comparison to us gallons!
Cookie
Quote from: shchuka on August 10, 2010, 12:35:10 PM
That's some impressive numbers! I guess, the fact that mine is a 97 with 45K miles on it and it hasn't been very well maintained by the 7 previous owners does have something to do with lower MPG.
I don't care who you are 45k is impressive for this bike. My uncle doesn't even have that on his 91 Goldwing.
Lol actually 45k isn't impressive when comparedto gsjacks 80k gs500
my dad has over 60k on his 04 goldwing gl1800. it had almost 20k when he bought it in 06
Quote from: WorkingProject on August 10, 2010, 08:38:59 PM
I don't care who you are 45k is impressive for this bike. My uncle doesn't even have that on his 91 Goldwing.
Well, she had about 40K on the clock when I bought her back in April this year. Three and a half months - 4K miles - that's the daily commute to work.
Over the last 5882 kms (3676 miles) I have averaged 4.83L/100kms (58.37 mpg imperial). Most of my riding is done at 110-120 kph (70-75 mph) so my bike isn't getting as good of mileage as some...but it has 30,000kms on it (18,750 miles), and I am pretty big for it (5'11 and 275lbs)...I still get 300kms before reserve (188 miles), so the range of the bike is pretty good...just think how good it would perform if I lost about 75lbs...lol
Later.
I'm not sure how accurate this is but my last trip out of town was around 350km and I filled up before leaving and again upon returning. For 350km the bike used ~11ltrs. (85-90 mpg) My speed averaged at about 85 km/hr. Top speed was 115km/hr for a couple of minutes. In town driving was for around 20 minutes. I did not have a backpack or luggage. Wearing full gear but with jean pants.
I guess keeping your speed down really helps the mileage...I don't know if mine would ever be as good as that (350kms/11L...3.14L/100Kms, or 89.8mpg imp) :cheers:
All the roads around here have posted speed limits of 100 kph (60 mph), so if I was to go that slow I would be a speed bump for all the 1 ton trucks blasting around...I'm still pretty happy with mine...
Later.
Quote from: madjak30 on August 16, 2010, 10:08:58 AM
I guess keeping your speed down really helps the mileage...I don't know if mine would ever be as good as that (350kms/11L...3.14L/100Kms, or 89.8mpg imp) :cheers:
All the roads around here have posted speed limits of 100 kph (60 mph), so if I was to go that slow I would be a speed bump for all the 1 ton trucks blasting around...I'm still pretty happy with mine...
Later.
Drag due to air resistance is proportional to the square of the speed.........so twice the speed = 4 times the drag!
Mileage does suffer with speed........
Then there is acceleration!
Cookie
It is also effected by the surface area of the object...and I present substantial surface area, broad shoulders...lol You would think my, um, roundness would be more aerodynamic...lol
I think I will just put my wind deflector back on... :embarrassed:
Later.
I've been getting 57 riding 2 up the last 2 times I checked. One was a 520 mile trip Doing 65-70 mph most of the way. The other was going to Key West and did 260 miles not going nearly as fast 45-55 mph. Last I checked solo going to the keys where you really can't get into the throttle was 66-67Mpg.
Quote from: lilwoody on August 18, 2010, 05:35:05 PM
I've been getting 57 riding 2 up the last 2 times I checked. One was a 520 mile trip Doing 65-70 mph most of the way. The other was going to Key West and did 260 miles not going nearly as fast 45-55 mph. Last I checked solo going to the keys where you really can't get into the throttle was 66-67Mpg.
Those are huge trips for 2 up!!
Each took 2 days
Quote from: madjak30 on August 18, 2010, 05:23:08 PM
It is also effected by the surface area of the object...and I present substantial surface area, broad shoulders...lol You would think my, um, roundness would be more aerodynamic...lol
I think I will just put my wind deflector back on... :embarrassed:
Later.
True, but surface area does not ruin gas mileage as badly as increased speed does. OF course the SHAPE of the surface has a lot to do with drag too. lik a square or round cross section has way more drag than an airfoil of the same cross sectional area......
Cookie
Quote from: lilwoody on August 18, 2010, 05:35:05 PM
I've been getting 57 riding 2 up the last 2 times I checked. One was a 520 mile trip Doing 65-70 mph most of the way. The other was going to Key West and did 260 miles not going nearly as fast 45-55 mph. Last I checked solo going to the keys where you really can't get into the throttle was 66-67Mpg.
Extra weight ( two up) ruins gas mileage two main ways, during acceleration the weight requires a lot more power, and tire drag goes up (all the time) too..........inflating tires to recommended extra pressure for two up riding will help a little.
66-67 MPG sounds about right for single riding on that trip........steady speed for long periods, not too fast, and level roads..........What you have to watch in South Florida is the wind.........A steady strong headwind/crosswind will certainly ruin the mileage big time!
Cookie
I usually baby my throttle for gas mileage. I'm a hyper-miler of sorts when I drive a car so I guess that has transferred over.
95% of this area is flat with some hills of 100ft in height.
Did another 400K on the bike. Cost me 14$ in gas at 95 cents a ltr.
However... the last 11$ in gas (always seems to be 11$ when I think I need to fill up)... I was ripping around town and being silly. The ~11 liters allowed me around 140km.
Quote from: grahamlocklin on August 20, 2010, 10:11:49 AM
I usually baby my throttle for gas mileage. I'm a hyper-miler of sorts when I drive a car so I guess that has transferred over.
95% of this area is flat with some hills of 100ft in height.
Did another 400K on the bike. Cost me 14$ in gas at 95 cents a ltr.
However... the last 11$ in gas (always seems to be 11$ when I think I need to fill up)... I was ripping around town and being silly. The ~11 liters allowed me around 140km.
Are we talking Canadian here? Liters, Can $
I go 160 miles for exactly $6 US
Cookie
hahahahahahah, my best record is 55mpg. mixed