GL1800 trike - Gas Milage

[Craig Haymaker]

Curious what triking a GL1800 does to its avg. MPG at crusing speeds? Thanks, Craig

[KYBLUE]

Kills it......

about 32 MPG....less if I get to playing......but if we were worried about gas mileage, we would be driving 250cc scooters and not 1800cc trikes.....

[KJ5IX]

That depends on what you call "Cruse Speeds"

I cant compare to a two wheeler, but I normally get from 34.5 to 37.5 cruse set between 65 to 68 GPS. to me that is cruse or may be a little less. Some cruse is 80. I do know one thing that is a HONDA FACT, When you hit the MAGIC 3000 RPM's she perks up and runs like a Striped Ass Ape, BUT it also thinks that GAS IS FREE,,,

[KJ5IX]

but if we were worried about gas mileage, we would be driving 250cc scooters and not 1800cc trikes.....

ODD: I am looking for a 400 Bergman now. Around town I get 32/33 maybe, and I do a lot of town riding. The Trike is my Primary Transportation, the pick-up is for heavy work ( what ever that is ) or below 20 degree days.

[BlkPirate]

I get around 32 MPG...then again I play alot...and tow a trailer...after all...this is my fun toy!!!...

[KYBLUE]

but if we were worried about gas mileage, we would be driving 250cc scooters and not 1800cc trikes.....

ODD: I am looking for a 400 Bergman now. Around town I get 32/33 maybe, and I do a lot of town riding. The Trike is my Primary Transportation, the pick-up is for heavy work ( what ever that is ) or below 20 degree days.

My local Suzuki dealer has a used Bergman 650 for sale, I think around 5000.00....it's white, low miles, looks good.
If I were to get another scooter, it would be the 650.....I don;t think mileage would be that much different on the 650 vs the 400.....maybe, but not much.

[03clyde]

32 - 35.

[wingtrike]

34-37 on the Champion.
HAGD,
Alex

[ben721364]

Curious what triking a GL1800 does to its avg. MPG at crusing speeds? Thanks, Craig

For comparison purposes I will throw in my experience to date with a Hannigan/K LT trike. On the big road (relatively level), one up, with loaded trunks traveling at 80 mph (GPS reading) on cruise control I have been recording 37 to 39. If I run 65 per GPS, the mpg under similar conditions increases to about 41 to 44.

Motorcycles in general and trikes specifically are not mpg champions by any stretch. A VW diesel Jetta will beat 'em while hauling 4 people and luggage.

[IR Harry]

Ben - that is about on par for the loss. Your Beamer should get about 50 or so as a bike, and running side by side with a wing, the wing will get in the low 40s. My Beamer gets over 50 if I have a sore right wrist, but gets 49 on normal cruize is a normal if somewhat spirited way. The standard wing would go from 45 to about 40 in the same conditions. A triked wing really suffers - I get about 35 overall, and have had it down to 30 pulling a camp trailer in the mountains.

A good self repsecting Harley will get about 50 also, but not a triked one. They go to the low 40s. Guess thats part of the price for having a trike. I will pay it.

I find it interesting that there is a craze for scooters like the Bergman because of fuel mileage - they get about 50 more or less. I got that on two Honda Pacific Coasts, and they were 800s. And the BMW K LT gets about that, and its a full size touring bike.

[ben721364]

Ben - that is about on par for the loss. Your Beamer should get about 50 or so as a bike, and running side by side with a wing, the wing will get in the low 40s. My Beamer gets over 50 if I have a sore right wrist, but gets 49 on normal cruize is a normal if somewhat spirited way. The standard wing would go from 45 to about 40 in the same conditions. A triked wing really suffers - I get about 35 overall, and have had it down to 30 pulling a camp trailer in the mountains.

A good self repsecting Harley will get about 50 also, but not a triked one. They go to the low 40s. Guess thats part of the price for having a trike. I will pay it.

I find it interesting that there is a craze for scooters like the Bergman because of fuel mileage - they get about 50 more or less. I got that on two Honda Pacific Coasts, and they were 800s. And the BMW K LT gets about that, and its a full size touring bike.

Harry,
I had a PC800 and a Burgman 650 that got about the same mileage as you reported. I had a R1200RT which was the best motorcycle I ever rode. I am still kicking myself for selling it when I got the trike bug. If I can find a place to hide it from my wife, I will get another. It delivered better than 50 mpg calculated [not looking at the OBD] on the big road at a spirited clip. If I were going back to a smaller displacement bike right now, it would be a Burgman. The PC800 was good in it's time but is over the hill, imo. I embarrassed more than a couple chromium cruisers with the Burgman. That rascal could eat miles like a "real" motorcycle. <g>! My only complaint was that the ride was a bit harsh, though the Russell saddle helped quite a bit. I have ridden the Honda Silver Wing and found it to be quite nice in the city but not a match for the Burgman on the highway.

[beastie]

I get an overall average of 30mpg with my Cobra.

[IBTrike]

That depends on what you call "Cruse Speeds"

I cant compare to a two wheeler, but I normally get from 34.5 to 37.5 cruse set between 65 to 68 GPS. to me that is cruse or may be a little less. Some cruse is 80. I do know one thing that is a HONDA FACT, When you hit the MAGIC 3000 RPM's she perks up and runs like a Striped Ass Ape, BUT it also thinks that GAS IS FREE,,,

RIGHT ON! I cruse open xways at 70-75 MPH GPS. 2 up I can plan on 30 MPG if lucky and no headwind.

Ride safe.

[yellowtrike]

At 75 mph with head wind - 20 mpg.

At 75 mph no head wind - 33-37 mpg.

It depends on so many factors. I'd like to be able to park when there is a head wind!

[cptdenny]

As a two wheeler my GL1800 got 44 US mpg (Honda miles) average, now as a trike by Champion my average is 38 US mpg (Honda miles) riding in the same manner on the same roads. Figure about a 5-6 mpg hit after triking. I wonder if my Tulsa Tall windshield makes a difference in better aero dynamics compared to some other triker's poorer fuel economy.

Yes some VW diesels will get better fuel economy but keep in mind that my trike gets the fuel economy of a Toyota Corolla and the acceleration of a present day stock V-8 Mustang.

One of our riding buddies had a 2007 HD Ultra trike and gets a reported average of 38 mpg using premium gas.

My former 2003 Burgman AN650 averaged 53 US mpg.

My former 1993 Honda Helix 250 averaged 65 US mpg.

My present 2004 Prius 3 year average is 48 mpg.

[biker2]

At 75 mph with head wind - 20 mpg.

At 75 mph no head wind - 33-37 mpg.

It depends on so many factors. I'd like to be able to park when there is a head wind!

[rollinthunder]

Did not check the mileage but my buddys and I filled up at the same time and rode together and than filled up again and I tok 3 tenths more than his tw wheeler. Pretty good I think.

[Budman1]

12,000 miles, 30mpg ...Bud

[pajim]

We get about 36-38, two-up with travelling gear. Riding solo, about 37-39. Riding with Beastie, oh,,,, about 28-30 Riding with Forever Young, I just siphon his gas when he isn't looking, so I don't care.

[cptdenny]

As a two wheeler my GL1800 got 44 US mpg (Honda miles) average, now as a trike by Champion my average is 38 US mpg (Honda miles) riding in the same manner on the same roads. Figure about a 5-6 mpg hit after triking. I wonder if my Tulsa Tall windshield makes a difference in better aero dynamics compared to some other triker's poorer fuel economy.

Yes some VW diesels will get better fuel economy but keep in mind that my trike gets the fuel economy of a Toyota Corolla and the acceleration of a present day stock V-8 Mustang.

One of our riding buddies had a 2007 HD Ultra trike and gets a reported average of 38 mpg using premium gas.

My former 2003 Burgman AN650 averaged 53 US mpg.

My former 1993 Honda Helix 250 averaged 65 US mpg.

My present 2004 Prius 3 year average is 48 mpg.

Your Buddy is taking it in the neck with the price of Premium Gas.

In the grand scheme, not as bad as when he took it in the butt, when he bought his HD Ultra trike in the first place. $37K for a 70 hp trike!

[beastie]

We get about 36-38, two-up with travelling gear. Riding solo, about 37-39. Riding with Beastie, oh,,,, about 28-30 Riding with Forever Young, I just siphon his gas when he isn't looking, so I don't care.

TOO FUNNY JIM!!!