Mileage

dcolyer · 10-19-2015, 04:24 PM

Just got back from a bike trip to the Smokies. (Snake, Rattler, Dragon's Tail, Cherohala Skyway, Foot Hills Parkway. Took the Interstate home averaging 80 mph. My bike is stock except for PCV.(2011 Voyager) I averaged about 36 mpg (actual) driving in the mountains but only got about 31mpg on the interstate. I was with 5 others. 4 Ultras and a Goldwing. I was the reason for gas stops before anyone else was ready, about 150 miles. Usually had about .6 or .7 gallons left. We did 1100 miles in 3 days and the scenery and rides were amazing. The Smoky Mountains are at peak color and we never saw a cloud. We did have ice on our bikes Sunday Morning before heading out at 0800.

dlars · 10-19-2015, 08:00 PM

It's the 80 MPH that did it. I get my best mileage at 2500 rpm regardless of whether I'm in 5th or 6th. I regularly get 200 miles out of a tank. I ran it out while packing a gas can shortly after I bought it so I know i can consistently get 200 miles. I am running an auto-tuner too, so that may make a difference.

cactusjack · 10-19-2015, 08:09 PM

Above 65 MPH, fuel mileage on these bikes drops sharply. The mileage on my Harley doesn't drop as bad as it did on my Nomad, but these big v-twins get thirsty when ridden hard.

blowndodge · 10-19-2015, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Above 65 MPH, fuel mileage on these bikes drops sharply. The mileage on my Harley doesn't drop as bad as it did on my Nomad, but these big v-twins get thirsty when ridden hard trying to keep up with Blowndodge's Victory

.

Thanks CJ. I get 48 mpg's at a real 70mph. 44 at 75mpn and 40 at 80mph.

dcolyer · 10-19-2015, 09:05 PM

How much of an improvement if any would I see in the mileage at upper speeds with the addition of V&H slipons and a Chuckster"s BAK?

cactusjack · 10-20-2015, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowndodge

Thanks CJ. I get 48 mpg's at a real 70mph. 44 at 75mpn and 40 at 80mph.

I just let you ride in front to block for deer and elk.

gv550 · 10-20-2015, 11:37 AM

I went on a month-long cross continent tour with 2 buddies, one riding a 2013 Harley Ultra Limited and the other on a 2008 Goldwing. They were both riding solo and I was 2 up with my wife riding pillion. We rode the same roads at the same speeds, mostly 2 laners through mountains and freeways across the plains. Even though my Voyager was loaded much heavier we used the same amount of fuel each fill up as the Harley and always less fuel than the Honda. We do have the smallest tank so needed fuel at around 200 miles and they could have went farther but nobody was complaining about stopping at 200.

Scootergptx · 10-20-2015, 11:45 AM

About half of my commute is highway and half city streets. When I first got the bike and was getting the feel of it, and getting it tuned up a little better, I was probably getting about 40mpg average.

Now that it runs better and I have a much better feeling for the handling, I'm probably closer to 36mpg.

But I have a big smile when I stop for gas.

napom · 10-20-2015, 01:32 PM

On my recent 8,200 cross country run, I tracked my mileage closely and reset the guestimator before the trip. The best at the pump mileage calculation I got was 47.33351 mpg. My worst was 29.3679 mpg. Looking at those dates, the 29 was a lot interstate with the S/L of 80 MPH and we had the cruise set at 82 (GPS indicated speed), and the best was a nice roll through the mountains . . .

Overall, I rode 8,234.3 miles and took on 225.012 gallons of gas for an overall MPG of 36.59494 MPG . . . My guestimator indicated an overall MPG of 41.8.

I also noticed that the bike ran a whole lot smoother on ethanol free gasoline . . . I am a fan!

I rode with a 1998 Gold Wing 1500 who was towing a trailer - he always took on about a half gallon more than me at each stop and a 2015 Triumph Thunderbird LT (1700). I think he got gas twice on the trip - his range was amazing!

My bike is a 2011 Voyager, Cobra Tri-Ovals, Thunder air kit and Cobra Auto Tune . . .

dcolyer · 10-20-2015, 01:58 PM

Dear Santa,
Slip-ons and an air kit!

farmertk · 10-21-2015, 07:27 AM

Hello out there, this post caught my attention, cause I hate the range of my 09 voyager. I was always the reason we had to stop when touring, so I made a six and a half gallon tank. It is on the bike in primer right now, sorry computer illiterate, I'll have my kid help put pics up. Went through 4 tanks of gas so far and the low fuel light wont flash until about 170 miles which is what I was after, so I should have roughly half a gallon left at this point. It was kind of a tough job, but well worth it!! If any one has questions I'll try to answer as best as I can, farmertk

gv550 · 10-21-2015, 09:15 AM

farmer, did you cut the stock tank and expand it, or make a whole new tank from scratch?
I'd be very interested to see what you did, get ready for lots of orders😀

farmertk · 10-21-2015, 05:51 PM

Hey gv, yes I bought a used tank, didn't want to cut the original up if it didn't work! I basically cut it in half all along the bottom seam up over the tunnel. I left a small section under the seat mount. Lifted the top up about two and half inchs. cut and formed three pieces of sheet metal and started welding. wish I would of taken some pics of the process but just wanted to get it done, so far it works great, the only problem is the ignition switch is down in the dash, I'll work on that this winter

gv550 · 10-21-2015, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmertk

Hey gv, yes I bought a used tank, didn't want to cut the original up if it didn't work! I basically cut it in half all along the bottom seam up over the tunnel. I left a small section under the seat mount. Lifted the top up about two and half inchs. cut and formed three pieces of sheet metal and started welding. wish I would of taken some pics of the process but just wanted to get it done, so far it works great, the only problem is the ignition switch is down in the dash, I'll work on that this winter

Photos....... please.

farmertk · 10-22-2015, 06:33 AM

I'll try and post some this weekend, going to paint it hopefully on Saturday. One thing I didn't mention is it is really heavy when its full!! That didn't cross my mind till I filled it up the first time. This bike always seemed to wander around more than my Harley and with this tank it is a little worse, but I will adjust to it.

10-19-2015, 04:24 PM	#1
dcolyer Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Oxford, Ohio Posts: 27	Mileage Just got back from a bike trip to the Smokies. (Snake, Rattler, Dragon's Tail, Cherohala Skyway, Foot Hills Parkway. Took the Interstate home averaging 80 mph. My bike is stock except for PCV.(2011 Voyager) I averaged about 36 mpg (actual) driving in the mountains but only got about 31mpg on the interstate. I was with 5 others. 4 Ultras and a Goldwing. I was the reason for gas stops before anyone else was ready, about 150 miles. Usually had about .6 or .7 gallons left. We did 1100 miles in 3 days and the scenery and rides were amazing. The Smoky Mountains are at peak color and we never saw a cloud. We did have ice on our bikes Sunday Morning before heading out at 0800. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-19-2015, 08:00 PM	#2
dlars Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 89	It's the 80 MPH that did it. I get my best mileage at 2500 rpm regardless of whether I'm in 5th or 6th. I regularly get 200 miles out of a tank. I ran it out while packing a gas can shortly after I bought it so I know i can consistently get 200 miles. I am running an auto-tuner too, so that may make a difference. Last edited by dlars; 10-19-2015 at 08:05 PM.
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10-19-2015, 08:09 PM	#3
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Above 65 MPH, fuel mileage on these bikes drops sharply. The mileage on my Harley doesn't drop as bad as it did on my Nomad, but these big v-twins get thirsty when ridden hard. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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10-19-2015, 09:05 PM	#5
dcolyer Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Oxford, Ohio Posts: 27	How much of an improvement if any would I see in the mileage at upper speeds with the addition of V&H slipons and a Chuckster"s BAK? Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by dcolyer; 10-19-2015 at 11:21 PM.
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10-20-2015, 11:37 AM	#7
gv550 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Listowel, Ontario Posts: 642	I went on a month-long cross continent tour with 2 buddies, one riding a 2013 Harley Ultra Limited and the other on a 2008 Goldwing. They were both riding solo and I was 2 up with my wife riding pillion. We rode the same roads at the same speeds, mostly 2 laners through mountains and freeways across the plains. Even though my Voyager was loaded much heavier we used the same amount of fuel each fill up as the Harley and always less fuel than the Honda. We do have the smallest tank so needed fuel at around 200 miles and they could have went farther but nobody was complaining about stopping at 200. __________________ Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details.
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10-20-2015, 11:45 AM	#8
Scootergptx Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Grand Prairie, TX Posts: 654	About half of my commute is highway and half city streets. When I first got the bike and was getting the feel of it, and getting it tuned up a little better, I was probably getting about 40mpg average. Now that it runs better and I have a much better feeling for the handling, I'm probably closer to 36mpg. But I have a big smile when I stop for gas. __________________ 2011 Vaquero V&H slip ons Roaring Toyz intake PCV (removed) Ivan's ECU flash
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10-20-2015, 01:32 PM	#9
napom Advanced Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: VA Posts: 566	On my recent 8,200 cross country run, I tracked my mileage closely and reset the guestimator before the trip. The best at the pump mileage calculation I got was 47.33351 mpg. My worst was 29.3679 mpg. Looking at those dates, the 29 was a lot interstate with the S/L of 80 MPH and we had the cruise set at 82 (GPS indicated speed), and the best was a nice roll through the mountains . . . Overall, I rode 8,234.3 miles and took on 225.012 gallons of gas for an overall MPG of 36.59494 MPG . . . My guestimator indicated an overall MPG of 41.8. I also noticed that the bike ran a whole lot smoother on ethanol free gasoline . . . I am a fan! I rode with a 1998 Gold Wing 1500 who was towing a trailer - he always took on about a half gallon more than me at each stop and a 2015 Triumph Thunderbird LT (1700). I think he got gas twice on the trip - his range was amazing! My bike is a 2011 Voyager, Cobra Tri-Ovals, Thunder air kit and Cobra Auto Tune . . . __________________ 2011 Voyager ABS Thunder Air Kit Power Pro Cobra Tri-Ovals Wrapped Header Pipes Heat Deflectors (from ebay) CB/Rear Speakers Avon grips with Throttle Magic by RACNRAY Shiny Chrome stuff Michelin Commander IIs Kury T/S Mirrors Sagebrush Design tank bib w/pouch Russell Day Long Seat w/Backrest Lots of Miles and Many More Smiles! Blue Knights - Virginia II Ride With Pride
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10-20-2015, 01:58 PM	#10
dcolyer Jr. Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Oxford, Ohio Posts: 27	Dear Santa, Slip-ons and an air kit!
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10-21-2015, 07:27 AM	#11
farmertk Jr. Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: ohioself Posts: 23	do what I did Hello out there, this post caught my attention, cause I hate the range of my 09 voyager. I was always the reason we had to stop when touring, so I made a six and a half gallon tank. It is on the bike in primer right now, sorry computer illiterate, I'll have my kid help put pics up. Went through 4 tanks of gas so far and the low fuel light wont flash until about 170 miles which is what I was after, so I should have roughly half a gallon left at this point. It was kind of a tough job, but well worth it!! If any one has questions I'll try to answer as best as I can, farmertk
	0

10-21-2015, 09:15 AM	#12
gv550 Advanced Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Listowel, Ontario Posts: 642	farmer, did you cut the stock tank and expand it, or make a whole new tank from scratch? I'd be very interested to see what you did, get ready for lots of orders😀 __________________ Garry 2009 1700 Voyager KACT, sold at 679,465 kms 2011 1700 Nomad Improve handling, suspension and tire life with Garry's Fork Brace. PM for details.
	0

10-21-2015, 05:51 PM	#13
farmertk Jr. Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: ohioself Posts: 23	Hey gv, yes I bought a used tank, didn't want to cut the original up if it didn't work! I basically cut it in half all along the bottom seam up over the tunnel. I left a small section under the seat mount. Lifted the top up about two and half inchs. cut and formed three pieces of sheet metal and started welding. wish I would of taken some pics of the process but just wanted to get it done, so far it works great, the only problem is the ignition switch is down in the dash, I'll work on that this winter
	0

10-22-2015, 06:33 AM	#15
farmertk Jr. Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: ohioself Posts: 23	I'll try and post some this weekend, going to paint it hopefully on Saturday. One thing I didn't mention is it is really heavy when its full!! That didn't cross my mind till I filled it up the first time. This bike always seemed to wander around more than my Harley and with this tank it is a little worse, but I will adjust to it.
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