Gas Mileage
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- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 6:57 pm
- Location: Elysian Fields, Texas
- Motorcycle: 20060GL1800
Gas Mileage
Only had the 06 1800 for a few weeks and I just had the chance to check gas mileage, got 210 miles before low fuel light came on and 38.8 mpg. I'm happy just curious if this is average?
Thanks
Thanks
- frostypop
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:54 pm
- Location: Meade, Kansas
- Motorcycle: Now 2001 GL1800 Goldwing, also I have owned these, 2006 GL1800 Goldwing, 1988 GL1500 Goldwing, 1982 GL1100, 1978 Suzuki 850
Re: Gas Mileage
yep pretty much...i get anywhere from 35 to 45 depending on how im riding and how much the wind is blowing. if i go to the mountains that is when i get my best milage. 

- artgrantz
- Posts: 276
- Joined: Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:25 pm
- Location: Manchester, PA
- Motorcycle: Current: 2008 GL1800
Previous: 96 GL1500 SE
85 GL1200 I
85 GL1200 I
75 GL1000 - Contact:
Re: Gas Mileage
That is about the same as I get when just riding around. If I am on the interstate all day it gets 40 mpg or above.
- jonnypar
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 1:58 am
- Location: Fullerton, California
- Motorcycle: 2007 Black Cherry Goldwing 1800
Re: Gas Mileage
That's about what I average also, depending on my right wrist. I met a guy two weeks ago who told me he gets over 300 miles to a tank and usually more than that. When he and friends are riding he said he would get 1 1/2 times better mileage than all the others.
He must have gotten the best bike of that batch!
He must have gotten the best bike of that batch!
Don't let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.
- PastoT
- Posts: 436
- Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:20 pm
- Location: Mt Home, Idaho
- Motorcycle: 2002 GL1800 (128k)
Re: Gas Mileage
If you want to get excited find some ethanol free go juice; you'll get another 3-5 mpg and a nice kick in the pants!
Tom, in Mountain Home, Idaho
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
- wing rider 2012
- Posts: 259
- Joined: Thu May 16, 2013 4:49 pm
- Location: Medford, Oregon
- Motorcycle: 2012 GL1800 Level I Blue/Silver
1998 GL1500 Aspy
1985 Venture Royal 1300
1979 GL1000
Re: Gas Mileage
You can make your own ethanol free gas, get 4 gallons of gas in a 5 gallon can, add a gallon of water, turn the over with the spout down and plugged, give the can a good shaking and then let it sit for a couple of days. The ethanol will bond with the water and after the water has settled to the bottom of the can you can just drain out the water and leave the gas in the can. NO ethanol.PastoT wrote:If you want to get excited find some ethanol free go juice; you'll get another 3-5 mpg and a nice kick in the pants!
Vietnam Veteran
9th ID, Jan 69 - Oct 70
Member: Military Order of the Purple Heart
Member: Vietnam Veterans of America
Member: GWTA. Chapter A, Grants Pass, Oregon
9th ID, Jan 69 - Oct 70
Member: Military Order of the Purple Heart
Member: Vietnam Veterans of America
Member: GWTA. Chapter A, Grants Pass, Oregon
- WingAdmin
- Site Admin
- Posts: 22772
- Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 4:16 pm
- Location: Strongsville, OH
- Motorcycle: 2000 GL1500 SE
1982 GL1100A Aspencade (sold)
1989 PC800 (sold)
1998 XV250 Virago (sold)
2012 Suzuki Burgman 400 (wife's!)
2007 Aspen Sentry Trailer - Contact:
Re: Gas Mileage
See the procedure detailed with pictures here: How to make your own ethanol-free gasolinewing rider 2012 wrote:You can make your own ethanol free gas, get 4 gallons of gas in a 5 gallon can, add a gallon of water, turn the over with the spout down and plugged, give the can a good shaking and then let it sit for a couple of days. The ethanol will bond with the water and after the water has settled to the bottom of the can you can just drain out the water and leave the gas in the can. NO ethanol.PastoT wrote:If you want to get excited find some ethanol free go juice; you'll get another 3-5 mpg and a nice kick in the pants!
- PastoT
- Posts: 436
- Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:20 pm
- Location: Mt Home, Idaho
- Motorcycle: 2002 GL1800 (128k)
Re: Gas Mileage
I've used the water into gas trick for most of the equipment on my ranch. Fortunately for me I have two stations where ehtanol free gas is available. Gotta love our ruralness, more of our corn is either served with steak or fed to the livestock here.
Tom, in Mountain Home, Idaho
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
-
- Posts: 35
- Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:56 pm
- Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
- Motorcycle: 2008 GL 1800 Goldwing
Re: Gas Mileage
On a 900 mile round trip from Little Rock to south Louisiana a month back, I finally got a chance to do a good check on my 2008 Wing's gas mileage...happy to say I got 40 mpg running at 65 to 75 on the freeway most of the trip! Was able to use the cruise control for long portions of the ride.
Everyone knows I am different....so what?
And just what is the purpose of that yellow chicken on the back of your GW??
And just what is the purpose of that yellow chicken on the back of your GW??
- PastoT
- Posts: 436
- Joined: Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:20 pm
- Location: Mt Home, Idaho
- Motorcycle: 2002 GL1800 (128k)
Re: Gas Mileage
I get the great opportunity to change my air filter for the first time this week-end. Another thread I read mentioned the increase in mpg and performance they experienced. I'll update with what I find, as my mileage has taken a hit lately, although I have adjusted my shift points up a bit so it may be self induced issue. I've done everything else under the Tupperware so far, but never had a filter on hand so it shouldn't be to foreign a task. I'm thinking 2 hours, without any distractions.
Tom, in Mountain Home, Idaho
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
2002 GL1800 (Illusion Red) Non-ABS, 128k miles
Retired Air Force
"Audentes Fortuna Juvat"
- sir charles
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:26 am
- Location: Smiths Station, AL.
- Motorcycle: 2006 Goldwing "Pearl"
Re: Gas Mileage
Road Trip To MD. from Smiths, Alabama
1. Avg Cost per gal: 53.587gals used 15 fuel ups= $3.572
2. Miles Per Gal: 49.766 total Gals used /1634miles=32.833 miles per gal.
3. I was a one up rider on a 2006 "HONDA GOLDWING" Sweet Pearl!
4. I towed my trailer "tow tow" hauling around 175lbs of gear.
5. My Avg Speed was:#!!#@#$^&%
Gods Speed!
1. Avg Cost per gal: 53.587gals used 15 fuel ups= $3.572
2. Miles Per Gal: 49.766 total Gals used /1634miles=32.833 miles per gal.
3. I was a one up rider on a 2006 "HONDA GOLDWING" Sweet Pearl!
4. I towed my trailer "tow tow" hauling around 175lbs of gear.
5. My Avg Speed was:#!!#@#$^&%
Gods Speed!
- frostypop
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2010 8:54 pm
- Location: Meade, Kansas
- Motorcycle: Now 2001 GL1800 Goldwing, also I have owned these, 2006 GL1800 Goldwing, 1988 GL1500 Goldwing, 1982 GL1100, 1978 Suzuki 850
Re: Gas Mileage
I like your average speed.sir charles wrote:Road Trip To MD. from Smiths, Alabama
1. Avg Cost per gal: 53.587gals used 15 fuel ups= $3.572
2. Miles Per Gal: 49.766 total Gals used /1634miles=32.833 miles per gal.
3. I was a one up rider on a 2006 "HONDA GOLDWING" Sweet Pearl!
4. I towed my trailer "tow tow" hauling around 175lbs of gear.
5. My Avg Speed was:#!!#@#$^&%
Gods Speed!


- sir charles
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:26 am
- Location: Smiths Station, AL.
- Motorcycle: 2006 Goldwing "Pearl"
Re: Gas Mileage
Good Evening Wingers
I'll post more of my mileage numbers later. I try to track all miles for any trip over 200 miles.
Gods Speed!
I'll post more of my mileage numbers later. I try to track all miles for any trip over 200 miles.

Gods Speed!
- Attachments
- "Sir Charles" preparing for Battle
- vinlugg
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:40 am
- Location: Barrington, New Hampshire
- Motorcycle: 2012 GL1800ABS/blue
1973 Kawasaki Mach111 500 Triple
1975 Kawasaki Mach1V 750 Triple
1978 Honda 550-4
1983 Honda V45 Sabre
2003 Kawasaki 800A
2005 Kawasaki Nomad 1600
2012 Honda Goldwing
Re: Gas Mileage
Hi guys,
I check my mileage every time I fill up. I've never gotten less than 40MPG and the best I've done so far was a trip to Florida with the bike "loaded" and got 43MPG on one of the fill ups. Got to love a motorcycle that gets this kind of mileage(on regular 87 octane), rides like a dream, passes every thing it wants to and looks awesome all at the same time!!
I check my mileage every time I fill up. I've never gotten less than 40MPG and the best I've done so far was a trip to Florida with the bike "loaded" and got 43MPG on one of the fill ups. Got to love a motorcycle that gets this kind of mileage(on regular 87 octane), rides like a dream, passes every thing it wants to and looks awesome all at the same time!!
Happy Riding
Vin
Retired US Army Combat Flight Medic
MFS Instructor since 2004
Vin
Retired US Army Combat Flight Medic
MFS Instructor since 2004
- Viking
- Posts: 3760
- Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:59 pm
- Location: North Bay, Ontario, Canada
- Motorcycle: 2009 GL1800 AD
1987 Harley Softail Custom
1974 Harley FLH (sold)
1965 Harley FLHE (sold)
1957 Harley Chopper (sold)
Re: Gas Mileage
Except for the rides like a dream, you just described my Harley Softail Custom. My "Hawk Slayer" rides like a nightmare tho, which is close. I thought it rode pretty good till I got a Goldwing. Then I did not ride the Harleys for a couple of years. I got back on "Hawk Slayer" this summer, and it is downright scary. It does, however, get better fuel mileage than my Goldwing does. Less engine though, and also less weight.vinlugg wrote:Hi guys,
I check my mileage every time I fill up. I've never gotten less than 40MPG and the best I've done so far was a trip to Florida with the bike "loaded" and got 43MPG on one of the fill ups. Got to love a motorcycle that gets this kind of mileage(on regular 87 octane), rides like a dream, passes every thing it wants to and looks awesome all at the same time!!
-
- Posts: 165
- Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:01 am
- Location: VENICE, FL
- Motorcycle: 2006 GL1800
Re: Gas Mileage
If I keep the cruise set just a hair below 80 on the interstate I normally start looking for a gas station around 220/240 miles. That's one up and loaded for travel (no trailer). That's a lot better than the 17mpg I get in the truck. Now you can see why I travel on the Wing.
- vinlugg
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:40 am
- Location: Barrington, New Hampshire
- Motorcycle: 2012 GL1800ABS/blue
1973 Kawasaki Mach111 500 Triple
1975 Kawasaki Mach1V 750 Triple
1978 Honda 550-4
1983 Honda V45 Sabre
2003 Kawasaki 800A
2005 Kawasaki Nomad 1600
2012 Honda Goldwing
Re: Gas Mileage
"Except for the rides like a dream, you just described my Harley Softail Custom. My "Hawk Slayer" rides like a nightmare tho, which is close. I thought it rode pretty good till I got a Goldwing. Then I did not ride the Harleys for a couple of years. I got back on "Hawk Slayer" this summer, and it is downright scary. It does, however, get better fuel mileage than my Goldwing does. Less engine though, and also less weight."
At leasy you realize there's a BIG differnece between the HD and the GW.
At leasy you realize there's a BIG differnece between the HD and the GW.
Happy Riding
Vin
Retired US Army Combat Flight Medic
MFS Instructor since 2004
Vin
Retired US Army Combat Flight Medic
MFS Instructor since 2004
Re: Gas Mileage
yes I get 35-41 mpg depending if riding solo or 2 up.
- buffdaddy55
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:43 pm
- Location: Ochlocknee, Ga USA
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200A Aspencade, 2002 GL1800-Illusion Red,1981 CB650C
- Contact:
Re: Gas Mileage
Have a '85 Aspy and an '02 1800. I average on both,42 MPG using non-eth and adding atf to each tank. Avg 46 on interstate,alone or 2up.

Re: Gas Mileage
are you adding automatic transmission fluid? atf.
- buffdaddy55
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2011 5:43 pm
- Location: Ochlocknee, Ga USA
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200A Aspencade, 2002 GL1800-Illusion Red,1981 CB650C
- Contact:
Re: Gas Mileage
Yep!
It keeps everything running smoother.

Re: Gas Mileage
I guess it makes a good top end lubricant. I've been known to add some two stoke mixed fuel to my carburated bikes once in a while but they don't have cats.
- canuck623
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 2:50 pm
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Motorcycle: 2008 GL 1800 Level 3
Re: Gas Mileage
I never get less than 40. I recently changed my plugs for an iridium set and my mileage went up 3 - 5 per mile. They cost more but they last at least 6X's longer so.....
2008 GL1800
1990 GL1500
1986 GL1200
1983 GL1100
1982 CBX 1000
1972 CB750
1966 305 Dream
1990 GL1500
1986 GL1200
1983 GL1100
1982 CBX 1000
1972 CB750
1966 305 Dream
- vinlugg
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Wed Nov 13, 2013 8:40 am
- Location: Barrington, New Hampshire
- Motorcycle: 2012 GL1800ABS/blue
1973 Kawasaki Mach111 500 Triple
1975 Kawasaki Mach1V 750 Triple
1978 Honda 550-4
1983 Honda V45 Sabre
2003 Kawasaki 800A
2005 Kawasaki Nomad 1600
2012 Honda Goldwing
Re: Gas Mileage
3-5 miles per gallon by just changing the plugs!! Wow 45 MPG. That is amazing. If I change my plugs to the ones mentioned and all my fluids to full synthetic if I could squeeze 6-8 per gallon more??
Happy Riding
Vin
Retired US Army Combat Flight Medic
MFS Instructor since 2004
Vin
Retired US Army Combat Flight Medic
MFS Instructor since 2004
- canuck623
- Posts: 113
- Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2013 2:50 pm
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
- Motorcycle: 2008 GL 1800 Level 3
Re: Gas Mileage
vinlugg wrote:3-5 miles per gallon by just changing the plugs!! Wow 45 MPG. That is amazing. If I change my plugs to the ones mentioned and all my fluids to full synthetic if I could squeeze 6-8 per gallon more??
Well as in everything "your results may vary" but yes you should notice an improvement in mileage and performance. As for the full synthetic oils I am not that big a fan. All synthetics start out as dinosaur oil but the refining is tighter and there are more additives put in. I prefer to use the blends because they retain more cling qualities than the full synthetics do. If you have the tendency to let your bike sit for a few days now and then the blend will stay on the gears and other parts so you don't have a dry start-up but I digress. At 50 bucks or less for a set of Iridium plugs compared to 15 to 18 for a regular set they are not cheap but the Iridium will last 60 to 80K miles while the standard plug goes 16K. That is a savings right there in parts and time or labor if you have to pay to get them changed. I also only use 89 or better octane.
2008 GL1800
1990 GL1500
1986 GL1200
1983 GL1100
1982 CBX 1000
1972 CB750
1966 305 Dream
1990 GL1500
1986 GL1200
1983 GL1100
1982 CBX 1000
1972 CB750
1966 305 Dream