[William Anzik]

This may be old hat to some, but I finally satisfied my curiosity about fuel mileage difference between the older and newer Goldwings. Today 4 of us went on a ride at Rockies Gold. Jerry Wells, Brian Norwood, David Trail (all on Gen 6 Wings) and I on my 2012 Gen 5 Wing all fueled up at the start and went on the same run together. All 4 of us were pulling identical Tailwinds.

We all fueled up together when we returned to Montrose. My 2012 got 41.0 mpg. David got 47.7 mpg, while Brian got 49.4. Jerry said he didn't look at the final fill. Regardless today the Gen 6 Wings got 15% to 20% better fuel economy.

I was curious, and the results were about what I expected. I am proud to have able to research this data for you.

Manuals or Automatics?

 

[jettawreck]

And a smaller gas tank. Did you do any testing for overall range? How many dark side vs MC tire?

My well documented fuel mileage never changed enough to chart on my 2001 or 2008 after going Darkside. I run a 195\60r-16 non run-flat. It did improve my speedometer accuracy to within 1.5 mph of actual (from 4 mph fast reading with stock mc tires) per Garmin.

 

[heckohio]

I track every fill-up on my 2021 MT, and over the last four years, this is what I averaged:

Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
MPG ave 47.75 47.20 48.04 47.77 46.56

This is riding 80% one-up mostly on two-lane highways. Riding 2-up, loaded with a Pack-it Rac into the wind at 70 mph on the interstate, I have seen the mileage drop to 37 mpg. As far as the range, I ride with a couple of guys with Gen 5 wings, and their low-fuel lights come on about the same time as mine, so I feel the range between a Gen 5 and Gen 6 wing is about the same.

 

[martyblok]

So we know that 2018+ get better mileage. Does anyone have any mileage figures by each year from 2018 up? One guy said is 25 got better than his 24. Just wondering if any year is typically better than others. I know it can vary by rider.

 

[Doc 1800]

I wish I live'd just a tad close'rrr to all you lucky guys, this way I could also compare my old "outdated" 2010 with 80,xxx miles, against all your new'rrr models.. (also pulling a trailer)

Ronnie
9/28/25

With the 5th Generation wing, you don't need a trailer.

 

[2023GLtour]

I track every fill-up on my 2021 MT, and over the last four years, this is what I averaged:

Year 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
MPG ave 47.75 47.20 48.04 47.77 46.56

This is riding 80% one-up mostly on two-lane highways. Riding 2-up, loaded with a Pack-it Rac into the wind at 70 mph on the interstate, I have seen the mileage drop to 37 mpg. As far as the range, I ride with a couple of guys with Gen 5 wings, and their low-fuel lights come on about the same time as mine, so I feel the range between a Gen 5 and Gen 6 wing is about the same.

Yes. So sad the new styling required loosing a gallon of gas. Otherwise our wings would get over 200 miles per fill up, consistantly.

 

[2023GLtour]

So we know that 2018+ get better mileage. Does anyone have any mileage figures by each year from 2018 up? One guy said is 25 got better than his 24. Just wondering if any year is typically better than others. I know it can vary by rider.

Suspect all the same, as the only difference is paint and trunk size. All engines and drive train are identical.

 

[2023GLtour]

And a smaller gas tank. Did you do any testing for overall range? How many dark side vs MC tire?

Yes. So sad the new styling required loosing a gallon of gas. Otherwise our wings would get over 200 miles per fill up, consistantly.

 

[cycledude]

Yes. So sad the new styling required loosing a gallon of gas. Otherwise our wings would get over 200 miles per fill up, consistantly.

They do consistently get well over 200 miles per fill up

 

[T-88]

I recall vividly in 2019 when I joined this forum and the 6th gen Wings were only into their second year of production, the many 5th gen owners here declaring loudly that it was “impossible” for the 6th gens to achieve the fuel consumption improved efficiency Honda was claiming.

The same statements of disbelief were voiced by ST1100 naysayers when Honda introduced the ST1300. The naysayers are simply wrong.

Tim

 

[SteveST1800]

With the 5th Generation wing, you don't need a trailer.

I sleep in my trailer. Where do you sleep in your 5th gen? Is the top box THAT much bigger?

 

[benjamin.aagard]

Ok folks if any of these numbers are even close to reality- I need help on my “newish” to me ‘24 DCT Tour. I regularly get 25mpg these are normally 15 mile rides to work. However my initiation ride was a 8 hour drive from Houston to west Texas (flat, fairly straight) and got the same numbers. I was resigned to accepting this till I saw this recent post.

What can I do to troubleshoot and improve these numbers?

 

[Roadie]

Yes. So sad the new styling required loosing a gallon of gas. Otherwise our wings would get over 200 miles per fill up, consistantly.

My low fuel light comes on around 240 miles most tanks. The most I’ve ridden is 286 miles on a tank of fuel with my 2018. I'm ready for a small break at around 200 miles anyways most times myself.

 

[Roadie]

Ok folks if any of these numbers are even close to reality- I need help on my “newish” to me ‘24 DCT Tour. I regularly get 25mpg these are normally 15 mile rides to work. However my initiation ride was a 8 hour drive from Houston to west Texas (flat, fairly straight) and got the same numbers. I was resigned to accepting this till I saw this recent post. View attachment 497762

What can I do to troubleshoot and improve these numbers?

That is a pretty nice color. I just don't see why Honda doesn't get back to offering some nice bright colors again instead of all the primer paint and the all blacked out look.

 

[clayusmc]

They do consistently get well over 200 miles per fill up

True, but how many wait to fill up until the light comes on? Routinely we fill up somewhere between a quarter and a half to make sure we don't run out in an area without a gas station.

 

[clayusmc]

Something else that I would assume makes a difference are things like the air wing accessories. I'm sure my Baker's cause some degree of drag that changes the equation.

 

[jettawreck]

True, but how many wait to fill up until the light comes on? Routinely we fill up somewhere between a quarter and a half to make sure we don't run out in an area without a gas station.

Most of my riding is in areas I know well and I typically run down to the light or pretty close to it coming on. I really don't care much for spending time at the gas station.

 

[jettawreck]

Something else that I would assume makes a difference are things like the air wing accessories. I'm sure my Baker's cause some degree of drag that changes the equation.

Haven't charted much difference between the 2008 with full set of Air Wings and the 2001 that had none.
I think the size\shape of the windscreen might make more difference.

 

[SteveST1800]

Ok folks if any of these numbers are even close to reality- I need help on my “newish” to me ‘24 DCT Tour. I regularly get 25mpg these are normally 15 mile rides to work. However my initiation ride was a 8 hour drive from Houston to west Texas (flat, fairly straight) and got the same numbers. I was resigned to accepting this till I saw this recent post. View attachment 497762

What can I do to troubleshoot and improve these numbers?

I've gotten your numbers as well as the other numbers posted here. Depends on my wrist action, launches from stop, etc. The DCT can be very fun at the expense of mpg or very docile when sipping fuel. It all depends on you.

 

[benjamin.aagard]

Ok folks if any of these numbers are even close to reality- I need help on my “newish” to me ‘24 DCT Tour. I regularly get 25mpg these are normally 15 mile rides to work. However my initiation ride was a 8 hour drive from Houston to west Texas (flat, fairly straight) and got the same numbers. I was resigned to accepting this till I saw this recent post. View attachment 497762

What can I do to troubleshoot and improve these numbers?

I've gotten your numbers as well as the other numbers posted here. Depends on my wrist action, launches from stop, etc. The DCT can be very fun at the expense of mpg or very docile when sipping fuel. It all depends on you.

I can appreciate that statement, and I tested out driving on eco and driving Mrs Daisy style on one tank on my longer ride, went from 25 to 27. So I feel like I gave it the ole college try.