My GL, 4.5 gallon tank, did a little over 47mpg today on the highway and that was cruising at 70-75mph.
I feel fortunate. I got the GL650I in January and been commuting to work the last three weeks. It's 145 mile round trip, with 125 of that on the interstate. I average 55 mpg. Can easily go 200+ miles before reserve. I haven't gotten any less than 52 mpg and twice I've hit 60 mpg. I keep my speed between 60 and 65 mph. Although it really likes 70+, the mileage drops to the lower end. With the distance I ride, every mpg counts. Last summer I rode my '82 CM450 every day. It gets 65/70 mpg all the time. But riding it that far every day was wearing me out. So I found the GL650I and am delighted with the mileage, ride, comfort, and handling. Not so happy about the weight.
TT
I usually get in the low 40s around town, mid 40s if I go on small jaunts during my work/school week. For some odd reason, I've been in the high 30s for the past 2-3 tanks. Pulling my plugs shows me running lean (very slight tan around the tips of the plugs, the rest are white, but they're iridium and may read differently, so I'm uncertain). I was going to start a troubleshooting thread, but I'm doing my valves this weekend, hoping that that may fix it as I've never even had the valve covers off since buying the bike.
What I love about this bike is that on trips I do around the mid to high 40s at least. I've hit the 50s in the past, all pending on my riding style, where I'm riding, and the traffic. If it's nonstop cruising around 70 MPH like on a highway or interstate without slowing down or speeding up at all, I've made in the low 50s.
The GL500 Silverwings seem to be the best for economy and that is almost certainly down to the superb aerodynamic design of the Honda fairing.
Hello from Lake Zurich, ILI feel fortunate. I got the GL650I in January and been commuting to work the last three weeks. It's 145 mile round trip, with 125 of that on the interstate. I average 55 mpg. Can easily go 200+ miles before reserve. I haven't gotten any less than 52 mpg and twice I've hit 60 mpg. I keep my speed between 60 and 65 mph. Although it really likes 70+, the mileage drops to the lower end. With the distance I ride, every mpg counts. Last summer I rode my '82 CM450 every day. It gets 65/70 mpg all the time. But riding it that far every day was wearing me out. So I found the GL650I and am delighted with the mileage, ride, comfort, and handling. Not so happy about the weight.
TT
I was just wondering about fuel economy. I just got the bike a few weeks ago. First tank was 23 mpg. I also get some high pitched ping under acceleration. Now I know something is wrong with the fuel system. Carbs here I come.
Using the 10% ethanol fuels (the only ones available around these parts) and burning the 89 octane I will typically get 40-45mpg or there abouts. Once I get out of the constant stop and go traffic of the city it naturally improves to better numbers.
I love going there.It's a great place![]()
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