[SteveST1800]

Something is definitely wrong in that case. I set Econ mode, left gas stop, got immediately on interstate, set cruise at 70mph and rode take to tank, and got 51 mpg.

 

[2023GLtour]

They do consistently get well over 200 miles per fill up

Ah. . . . 44MPG * 4.5 gal = 198 miles. (Best I get on the highway at 70MPH.)
People say that they get over 200 miles, but there is NO WAY I am going to run down to 1/2 gallon wile traveling in any state West of the Mississippi river, including Nebraska where MANY towns have only E85 at the pump!

So please, do not recommend me to slow down to 55 MPH to get better mileage. With the inattentive drivers today, that is NOT a safe thing to do!
Also I am not going to stop every 100 miles to rest. At 69, I am too young for that.

I am so pissed off at Honda for reducing the fuel capacity from 6.5 to 5.5 gallons for the new model GL1800s!

 

[jettawreck]

My ST1300 carried 7.7 gallons (not all usable) and was capable of 50+ mpg. My best range was 369 miles but that wasn't my best mpg run so it was probably capable of 400 miles\tank given favorable circumstances. A stiff headwind will change things quite a bit.
Seems getting 200+ miles per tank on the 2018+ isn't hard if your confident in your normal\average mileage and watch your trip meter. Going below a gallon remaining fuel shouldn't be a big deal if you know your range and area. Unfamiliar territory always means get gas when\where you can and before you should.
Today the wife and I did 160 miles on the 2008 Wing and just reached the half tank mark. The second half drops quicker but if we had continued it would have been an easy 275+ miles tank.

 

[2023GLtour]

Something is definitely wrong in that case. I set Econ mode, left gas stop, got immediately on interstate, set cruise at 70mph and rode take to tank, and got 51 mpg.

Yes, I did try Econ mode on my 2023 Tour Manual for 3000 miles. Was happily surprised to see an increase of 2-3 MPG. Wish Econ mode would stick after stopping and starting again.
I too have gotten an indicated 51 MPG for a short time in Econ with a good tail wind.

 

[2023GLtour]

"Unfamiliar territory" is the problem on long 10k+ rides.
2023 expected miles available grossly over estimates range available and cannot be trusted.
Range available is much more accurate when only 40 miles left, but by then, I am stressed looking for any gas available.

That said, I do love my 2023 Tour. The engineering is superb. Just really pissed the Honda designers are not focused on those who tour long miles, but those who want a cool looking motorcycle.

 

[jettawreck]

"Unfamiliar territory" is the problem on long 10k+ rides.
2023 expected miles available grossly over estimates range available and cannot be trusted.
Range available is much more accurate when only 40 miles left, but by then, I am stressed looking for any gas available.

That said, I do love my 2023 Tour. The engineering is superb. Just really pissed the Honda designers are not focused on those who tour long miles, but those who want a cool looking motorcycle.

"Range available" with my 2008 is just a figure in my mind based on miles on the trip meter and the present gas gauge reading. My older ST1300 had such stuff and was pretty accurate too. Sort of odd that the Wing didn't get that sort of info until 2018 models.

 

[Roadie]

My ST1300 carried 7.7 gallons (not all usable) and was capable of 50+ mpg. My best range was 369 miles but that wasn't my best mpg run so it was probably capable of 400 miles\tank given favorable circumstances. A stiff headwind will change things quite a bit.
Seems getting 200+ miles per tank on the 2018+ isn't hard if your confident in your normal\average mileage and watch your trip meter. Going below a gallon remaining fuel shouldn't be a big deal if you know your range and area. Unfamiliar territory always means get gas when\where you can and before you should.
Today the wife and I did 160 miles on the 2008 Wing and just reached the half tank mark. The second half drops quicker but if we had continued it would have been an easy 275+ miles tank.

Keep in mind that with the 01 to 08 models the speedometer and odometer read fast and more miles thab actually traveled. I put a Yellow Box on my 2003 to correct the speedometer. 2009 was when Honda finally corrected the speedometer and odometer because of the class action lawsuit with their cars.

 

[Scott L]

The best I have done is 273 miles (GPS reading) added 5.9 gals. With Henrys gearing, most highway miles cruise set at 75 to 80 just under 3000 RPM.
Bike is 2006.

 

[cc rider]

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.

That's why I don't understand all the complaints on the small tank (not in this thread though). I usually am ready for a break before 200 miles. If I'm at 150 or even 100 sometimes , I'll just fill up then on a long trip (just to avoid getting too low).

 

[T-88]

That's why I don't understand all the complaints on the small tank (not in this thread though). I usually am ready for a break before 200 miles. If I'm at 150 or even 100 sometimes , I'll just fill up then on a long trip (just to avoid getting too low).

Some folks seem to be happy only when they can tell others how unhappy they are. I enjoy complaining about all the complainers.

Tim

 

[jettawreck]

Keep in mind that with the 01 to 08 models the speedometer and odometer read fast and more miles thab actually traveled. I put a Yellow Box on my 2003 to correct the speedometer. 2009 was when Honda finally corrected the speedometer and odometer because of the class action lawsuit with their cars.

My 195\60 rear tire has brought my speedometer to within 1.5 mph of actual and the odometer is\was not off by the same percentage as the speedometer to start with. I actually log a very small amount of miles than actual with the tire change.

 

[Roadie]

My 195\60 rear tire has brought my speedometer to within 1.5 mph of actual and the odometer is\was not off by the same percentage as the speedometer to start with. I actually log a very small amount of miles than actual with the tire change.

Yea even with the Yellow Box you could only correct the speedometer or the odometer with the 01 to 08 model because they were off at different percentages. I corrected my speedometer to read true mph and my odometer was around 20 miles less every 1000 miles according to my GPS. The OEM speedometer read 6% fast and the odometer showed 4% more miles than actually traveled. Im so glad Honda has the speedometer and odometer correct with the bikes after 2009.

 

[cycledude]

Rockies Gold round trip was a little over 3,600 miles, filled up with gas 18 times, averaged 44 mpg, the lowest was 38 mpg, the highest was 54 mpg, I did use 85 octane in Colorado and that’s where I got over 50 mpg. I was a little surprised by the tanks below 40 mpg that very seldom happens to me but I did put on quite a few miles at over 80 miles per hour.

 

[Bayrec]

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

yes, tank is smaller, but range has improved considerably. I would always fill up around 200 miles on a tank with previous model. I regularly show 270-300 mile range but fill up between 200-250 miles. As I got older, stopping frequently is helpful.

 

[martyblok]

Rockies Gold round trip was a little over 3,600 miles, filled up with gas 18 times, averaged 44 mpg, the lowest was 38 mpg, the highest was 54 mpg, I did use 85 octane in Colorado and that’s where I got over 50 mpg. I was a little surprised by the tanks below 40 mpg that very seldom happens to me but I did put on quite a few miles at over 80 miles per hour.

This was on a 5th gen, correct? That’s pretty good mileage.

 

[cycledude]

This was on a 5th gen, correct? That’s pretty good mileage.

Yes 2002 Goldwing ABS

 

[Zulu84]

I get 17km per liter for highway trips (110kph gps HUD speed) on a manual 2014 Tour luxury.

 

[Glockjock]

I promised earlier to keep records of all our fuel stops so that we would have accurate data with which to draw conclusions about comparative fuel economy. I lied.

It quickly became evident that accurate record keeping of the mileage and fuel consumption of the three motorcycles required more time than was allowed by our preferred “splash and dash” method of fuel stops. I instead would, when possible, mentally compare fuel consumption differences. In practically all the cases, Jeffs and Jerry’s Gen 6 bikes required 10% to 15% less fuel. For example, if I took 4.3 gallons, they might require 3.7 or 3.8 gallons. I decided that was good enough comparison over the course of 5,000 miles.

However, for those who haven’t tried it, this trip proves that altitude is a MAJOR factor in fuel economy. I live at sea level, and for round numbers I budget 3 gallons per 100 miles (33 mpg) when planning a Texas-based ride pulling my Tailwind. During this trip at altitudes of 6000 to 9000 feet I often saw in excess of 40 mpg. The Gen 6’s would show 50 mpg.

Sorry guys. No detailed records. But just generalizations that the Gen 6 bikes got 10% to 15% better fuel economy than did my Gen 5 during this 5,000 mile trip.

 

[jettawreck]

Altitude does a couple things to improve fuel efficiency.
The less density of the air means it's slightly less work to push the vehicle through. Golf balls, baseballs, etc fly further through the "thinner" air as an example. Airplanes fly further\faster at high altitude also for the same obvious reason.
Engines that are naturally aspirated (non boosted with pressurized induction) will run leaner since the thinner air carries less oxygen (short story version) and depending on engine mapping designs and available sensors may be able to run more ignition advance since detonation knock may be less apt to occur. Available power may be reduced but probably not very noticable unless underpowered to begin with or heavily loaded.
Your results can and will vary depending on your riding\driving habits.

 

[2023GLtour]

There is a web site for this where people submit their mileage numbers;

Honda GL1800 Gold Wing Tour MPG - Actual MPG from 30 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing Tour owners

The most accurate Honda GL1800 Gold Wing Tour MPG estimates based on real world results of 433 thousand miles driven in 30 Honda GL1800 Gold Wing Tours

www.fuelly.com

Many Gold Wings, so maybe start here; Browse All Motorcycles | Fuelly

I would like to share my mileage from my last 10,000 mile ride on my manual 2023 GL1800 Tour;
~ See attached pdf file.
~ ECON does increase MPG by about 2 MPG. Happily surprised as this is a manual motor.
~ Also note the MPG indicated on the display is about 1 MPG less than calculated miles using receipts and odometer.

Synopses of the PDF;
~ First section, 3296 miles, ran 55 to 60 MPH and calculated 47.348 MPG.
~ Next section, 4365 miles, rode , 70 to 80 MPH;
Total miles/Total Gallons; 42.580 MPG
Total miles/Total Gallons ECON; 43.896 MPG
Total miles/Total Gal not ECON; 41.67 MPG

Worst mileage was at 80 MPH at 39 MPG