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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: HDGoose on August 13, 2015, 06:06:53 AM

Title: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: HDGoose on August 13, 2015, 06:06:53 AM
Anyone getting 40MPG in the USA? My next bike will be able to get 200+ on one tank. Anyone doing that with the new Cali1400 variants? Liking the Cali1400 touring.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: lucian on August 13, 2015, 06:33:33 AM
I usually get around 45 mpg on the highway ,that's two up and freighted. My custom 's mileage has been improving as it wears in. now at 10,000 miles. I find it to be an excellent bike for the super slabs and two up duty.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: HDGoose on August 13, 2015, 07:06:09 AM
I usually get around 45 mpg on the highway ,that's two up and freighted. My custom 's mileage has been improving as it wears in. now at 10,000 miles. I find it to be an excellent bike for the super slabs and two up duty.

Nice. Hope to hear from others.

How do you shift? I shift down. I run the RPMs up, and shift when I achieve my desired speed. I like to keep my Guzzi's spinning 3500-6000 rpm. 
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: elvisboy77 on August 13, 2015, 07:31:03 AM
I'm still breaking my Eldo in but it is slowly improving, last tank was almost 40 MPG, can go 150 plus before fuel light comes on, never added more than 4 gallons.  And of course when I run fast it drops off too.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: mjptexas on August 13, 2015, 07:32:19 AM
Anyone getting 40MPG in the USA?

Yes, if I keep in under 70.

75 - about 38mpg
85+ - around 33mpg
85 into the wind - as low as 25 mpg
around town? Forget about it....
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: El Pescador on August 13, 2015, 07:38:12 AM
On my Cali Touring, I get about 35 if I'm normal city riding.  I've tried my best to improve it on the highway and the best I can get is about 42.  I only have 1700 miles on mine so I hope it improves as the engine continues to break in.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Wayne Orwig on August 13, 2015, 08:00:19 AM
How big is the tank. (yes I'm too lazy to look up the specs  :boozing: )
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: El Pescador on August 13, 2015, 08:11:29 AM
5.4 gallons
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: HDGoose on August 13, 2015, 08:37:30 AM
HD ElectraGlides weighing over 850 pounds get better fuel mileage with 150-200 pounds more bike weight.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: segesta on August 13, 2015, 09:17:14 AM
HD ElectraGlides weighing over 850 pounds get better fuel mileage with 150-200 pounds more bike weight.

Seems like MPG is so dependent on riding style that it's difficult to generalize.

But then, I never understood the fascination with fuel efficiency for what, to me, is an expensive toy anyway. But I guess if you commute on your bike, it could make a difference.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Wayne Orwig on August 13, 2015, 09:35:44 AM
HD ElectraGlides weighing over 850 pounds get better fuel mileage with 150-200 pounds more bike weight.

Once you get rolling, weight isn't a big factor.

That Harley doesn't have around 100 horses in a stock configuration. Maybe a comparison to a V-rod would be better.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: rocker59 on August 13, 2015, 10:18:44 AM
Based on all the reports I've read, I would not trust the bike to go 200 miles between fuel stops on its 5.4 gallons.

At higher elevations, it can probably do it.  But, at low elevations, interstate speeds, and a windy day, I just don't see it.

More like fuel stops in the 160 to 170 range is what I'd be expecting.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: toaster404 on August 13, 2015, 10:52:58 AM
Started with 35 new.  Up to about 38, clearly does much much better on steady state roads.  Is improving slowly and steadily.  I am hoping to get to 40 mpg average on my usual mix, with a bit better on 70 mph Interstate cruise control runs.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: HDGoose on August 13, 2015, 12:46:52 PM
Seems like MPG is so dependent on riding style that it's difficult to generalize.

But then, I never understood the fascination with fuel efficiency for what, to me, is an expensive toy anyway. But I guess if you commute on your bike, it could make a difference.

So you've never traveled where there's 150 miles between fuel stops? Or had to refuel because you have 50 miles on the current tank, and it's 130 to the next fuel stop.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Peter from Sch'dy on August 13, 2015, 01:42:02 PM
Any noticeable difference between the map choices?

Best,
Peter
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: john hooper on August 13, 2015, 02:01:11 PM
Segesta says  he doesn't  understand  the worry about milage,  that's  because  he doesn't  live in europe where tax makes gas $8 a gallon, a trip around your favorite cafes  on a sunday costs $25 before you get the coffee,  gas milage is important.

john
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: rocker59 on August 13, 2015, 03:16:41 PM
So you've never traveled where there's 150 miles between fuel stops? Or had to refuel because you have 50 miles on the current tank, and it's 130 to the next fuel stop.

Yep.  Fuel range is one of the reasons I hesitated on buying a Cal14.

Personally, I don't care if the bike returns 30mpg or 50mpg, I just don't want to be stopping every two hours for fuel on a long trip, or worrying about the exact scenario you noted above.

A touring bike like the Cal14 should have enough fuel on board to ensure something over 200 miles between stops.  Preferrably 250 miles.

As it is, if you take it easy, and all goes well, you may be able to stretch it to 200 miles.  But, it would be risky in the western USA where that next gas station may, or may not be open when you pull in on fumes.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: segesta on August 13, 2015, 03:56:31 PM
Segesta says  he doesn't  understand  the worry about milage,  that's  because  he doesn't  live in europe where tax makes gas $8 a gallon, a trip around your favorite cafes  on a sunday costs $25 before you get the coffee,  gas milage is important.

john

That's true. Taxes on fuel are lower in the USA, and we are now the largest producer of crude oil on the planet, so we pay less--thank God.
But at least Europeans have good bread. I can't stand the stuff here.

PS my California easily goes 150 miles between fill ups, though I never calculated the MPG. I just realized that the Low Fuel light is very conservative--it turns on when I can go another 70 miles.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: elvisboy77 on August 13, 2015, 05:24:00 PM
HD ElectraGlides weighing over 850 pounds get better fuel mileage with 150-200 pounds more bike weight.

That is true, and if it is really important to get the fuel economy then that is a great choice for you.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Lcarlson on August 13, 2015, 06:03:44 PM
I've never had a bike that would take me 200 miles between fill-ups. Can scarcely imagine it .
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: lucian on August 13, 2015, 06:08:44 PM
200 miles on a tank no problem whatsoever. As was mentioned the reserve is sizeable. I have never run it dry but was surprised by how much fuel you can slosh around when the gauge is on its last bar. 
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: HDGoose on August 13, 2015, 07:47:58 PM
I've never had a bike that would take me 200 miles between fill-ups. Can scarcely imagine it .

My 79 1000SP would not hit reserve until 220 miles or more. My 85 LeMans IV had 200 before reserve.

Manufactures are reducing weight by reducing fuel. 80% of todays' riders won't care.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Gliderjohn on August 13, 2015, 08:00:54 PM
Quote from elcarlson:
"I've never had a bike that would take me 200 miles between fill-ups. Can scarcely imagine it ."

I have the bikes, just not the bladder.
GliderJohn
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: rocker59 on August 13, 2015, 09:10:30 PM
Quote from elcarlson:
"I've never had a bike that would take me 200 miles between fill-ups. Can scarcely imagine it ."

I have the bikes, just not the bladder.
GliderJohn

You can stop and take a leak anywhere.  Gas, not so much.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: mjptexas on August 13, 2015, 09:35:54 PM
As it is, if you take it easy, and all goes well, you may be able to stretch it to 200 miles.  But, it would be risky in the western USA where that next gas station may, or may not be open when you pull in on fumes.

I used to think that you had to worry about that 200 miles between gas stops in the open country, but I'm not sure there is anyplace in the Lower 48 where you'll have that problem.  Yes, you may have to stop earlier that you care to, but I suspect 150 miles will get you between most gas stops during daylight hours.

Anyway, my sorry old ass always welcomes the break after two hours in the saddle.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: fatbob on August 13, 2015, 09:52:43 PM
I used to think that you had to worry about that 200 miles between gas stops in the open country, but I'm not sure there is anyplace in the Lower 48 where you'll have that problem.  Yes, you may have to stop earlier that you care to, but I suspect 150 miles will get you between most gas stops during daylight hours.

Anyway, my sorry old ass always welcomes the break after two hours in the saddle.

Wyoming. Fuel range is paramount here. 
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: mjptexas on August 14, 2015, 07:50:32 AM
Wyoming. Fuel range is paramount here.

Interesting.

I spent several days in the Big Bend area of Texas this spring.  Doubt if there are many places more desolate in the Lower 48 than that.  You didn't want to pass up a gas stop, but they were typically within 150 miles of each other.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: HDGoose on August 14, 2015, 10:01:38 AM
Interesting.

I spent several days in the Big Bend area of Texas this spring.  Doubt if there are many places more desolate in the Lower 48 than that.  You didn't want to pass up a gas stop, but they were typically within 150 miles of each other.

So you cannot pass a fuel station? Because if you only have a reliable 160 miles on a tank, and you already have 20-30-40-50 run out, you have to stop. I ride back roads that are less traveled. In the southwest I frequently encountered 150+ between fuel stations. Especially when some town only had one store, and they closed.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on August 14, 2015, 10:18:49 AM
I've never had a bike that would take me 200 miles between fill-ups. Can scarcely imagine it .

My '69 Ambassador (with later 5.8 gallon tank) will do it. Once rode my (first) Morini 350 K2 to the WV Rally, 250 miles via I-70, I-68, US40, etc. Filled up in New Cumberland - 3 gallons = 83 mpg. 
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: JeffOlson on August 14, 2015, 10:22:21 AM
You could always do what scooter riders do on long trips: carry extra fuel in a can strapped to the bike somewhere!

Speaking of scooters, my new Vespa 300 GTS has been returning more than 70 MPG on average. With its 2.5 gallon fuel tank, it should be good for 175 miles. However, the low fuel light comes on early, and I start to get nervous.

I'd love to get a Cal 1400 Touring, but I'd hate to start worrying about running out of fuel at 150 miles...
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: HDGoose on August 14, 2015, 01:26:24 PM
And we learn who the real riders are, again.

For the folks that provided their fuel mpg experiences, thanks.

For the other folks, well, we may not have much to talk about at rallies.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Dean Rose on August 14, 2015, 01:42:47 PM
You could always do what scooter riders do on long trips: carry extra fuel in a can strapped to the bike somewhere!

Speaking of scooters, my new Vespa 300 GTS has been returning more than 70 MPG on average. With its 2.5 gallon fuel tank, it should be good for 175 miles. However, the low fuel light comes on early, and I start to get nervous.

I'd love to get a Cal 1400 Touring, but I'd hate to start worrying about running out of fuel at 150 miles...


I start looking for fuel @ 150 mi when on my '02 EV.

Dean
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: HDGoose on August 14, 2015, 01:47:46 PM
Will consider the Norge or Stelvo now...

Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Dean Rose on August 14, 2015, 01:58:51 PM
Will consider the Norge or Stelvo now...

This ought be very interesting. The only rider who wants to raise the height of a Stelvio.


Dean
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: HDGoose on August 21, 2015, 01:22:37 PM
This ought be very interesting. The only rider who wants to raise the height of a Stelvio.


Dean

Not really 'raising the' level, but putting in springs and damping to suit my weight.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Lannis on August 21, 2015, 01:31:20 PM
Not really 'raising the' level, but putting in springs and damping to suit my weight.

I know that you're riding solo now, but Fay and I replaced the front springs, front spring spacers, and complete rear shock and spring on our Stelvio to accommodate a nominal 440 pound two-up people-and-luggage load.   So you're probably in that range somewhere.

If not, I'd probably suggest passing up that last biscuit at the dinner table from now on ...  :laugh:

Lannis
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Lannis on August 21, 2015, 01:35:24 PM
But then, I never understood the fascination with fuel efficiency for what, to me, is an expensive toy anyway.

For those of us for whom the bike is our primary mode of transportation, and who don't have unlimited funds with which to fuel it, the difference between 32 and 50 MPG means $1000 a year or so.   

Plus I like to do whatever I can to not just be a greedy user-upper of a limited resource on the "I'll burn all I want because I can afford it and it'll probably last out my time on Earth".    I'm sure I could do more, but maintaining a "fleet mileage" including the cars at my house of 40+ MPG is already doing more than most people do ....

Lannis
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Arizona Wayne on August 21, 2015, 01:49:28 PM
You could always do what scooter riders do on long trips: carry extra fuel in a can strapped to the bike somewhere!

Speaking of scooters, my new Vespa 300 GTS has been returning more than 70 MPG on average. With its 2.5 gallon fuel tank, it should be good for 175 miles. However, the low fuel light comes on early, and I start to get nervous.

I'd love to get a Cal 1400 Touring, but I'd hate to start worrying about running out of fuel at 150 miles...



My 400 Piaggio MP3 gets 65 mpg loaded(900#) @70 mph, has a 3.2 gal. tank and I carry 1 gal. extra.  You ride places in Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, you better have more range than 160 miles between fillups.  :wink:  My CX100, Convert., LM IV would easily go over 200 mi. before needing gas.  The newer bikes get the harder it is to find 1s that will.  :rolleyes:   Part of it is the 10% mpg loss thanks to ethanol.

I put aftermarket/louder mufflers on my 750 Breva and it's mpg has jumped from 50 to 55 mpg.  :boozing:  It has a 4.6 gal. tank but in reality you can only get 4 gal. out of it at a time(in tank fuel pump).

Until you run your tank dry you really don't know it's reserve miles range.  EVs have more reserve range left than you think.  :wink:
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Dean Rose on August 21, 2015, 02:54:34 PM
Not really 'raising the' level, but putting in springs and damping to suit my weight.

Goose you make most of us look small. Maybe you need to post a pic of you on the Lemans you used to have.

Dean
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on August 21, 2015, 02:58:43 PM
Hey, Gary.. the Lario will do 200 miles between fillups.   :evil: :smiley:

You might look like a circus bear on a bicycle, though..
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Lannis on August 21, 2015, 03:15:12 PM
Hey, Gary.. the Lario will do 200 miles between fillups.   :evil: :smiley:

You might look like a circus bear on a bicycle, though..

Nothing wrong with bears!   Proud creatures, they are.

One good thing about bigger gas tanks is that it gives you more options when out on a ride.   

I might be riding down a road in a mountain valley toward the end of a day, and I see a road turning off that looks like it twists and turns up the side of the mountain, with potential for new roads and new landscapes.

I look at my gas level.   I have about 30 miles of gas left of my 140 mile capacity.   I know there's gas 10 miles ahead on the valley road, but I've no time to ride there, fill up, and ride back and try this new road.   So I can't go up the new road today, might easily run out of gas ....

But if I had 200 miles of capacity, I KNOW I can find a gas station in 90 miles anywhere in Appalachia, so off I go to new horizons ....

Lannis
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: nsmith on August 21, 2015, 07:08:29 PM
a rear rack and a call to Tour tank . com will take care of that range problem. When hooked up my Breva 1100 will cover over 575 miles with ease. The tank is rated at 5 gal but 5.75 still leaves room for temp expansion. Check um out.
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Arizona Wayne on August 21, 2015, 10:58:07 PM
a rear rack and a call to Tour tank . com will take care of that range problem. When hooked up my Breva 1100 will cover over 575 miles with ease. The tank is rated at 5 gal but 5.75 still leaves room for temp expansion. Check um out.




Does your Tt gas cap lock?  I know a guy who added a gas tank on the back of his Guzzi and rode it to Alaska.  Filled the extra gas tank before calling it a night in a motel and the next morning it was empty.  :evil:
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: toaster404 on August 23, 2015, 05:20:44 PM
115 miles on secondary road, 93 octane ethanol gas, average speed 33, 35.9 mpg.

At some point I would really like to see the average at a fillup be at least 40!!!!

On the other hand, it starts giving me dire warnings and empty lights etc WAY too early.  I wonder what's up, pull in, and put 3.6 gallons US in.  5.4 gallon tank!  So if I wanted to run down to 1 gallon, 4.4 gallons at 35 mpg = 154 miles.  Once past the rockies, I'd be carrying a 1.5 gallon can with me. 

Even 40 mpg only gets me 176.

For 200 miles, I'd need to be getting 45 mpg.  On the other hand, on the Interstate at 70 I'm getting in the 40s according to the instrumentation, and at 55 I'm close to 50 mpg, so it might could happen!
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Lannis on August 23, 2015, 09:37:43 PM
I've never had a bike that would take me 200 miles between fill-ups. Can scarcely imagine it .

My 1981 BMW R65 would go 300 miles on a tank.

My current 1975 Norton Interstate will beat that by about 20 miles .... Very useful.

Lannis
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: jdgretz on August 23, 2015, 10:33:59 PM
I'm another one of those who is spoiled with a 200 mile or better tank on the '07 Norge.  Normally the low fuel light comes on around 215 miles.  It's nice having that cushion when on the road, and if I'm simply burning miles to get to my destination, not having to stop every 140 miles is nice.  My old C-10 Concours would also get around 225 on a tank without problem.

jdg
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Kiwi Dave on August 23, 2015, 11:32:51 PM
I'd love to get a Cal 1400 Touring, but I'd hate to start worrying about running out of fuel at 150 miles...

So instead you worry about running out @ 200 or 250 miles?  These are worrying times!   :weiner:

Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Zoom Zoom on August 24, 2015, 04:11:17 AM
I have 16 or 17 hundred miles on the Eldo now. Its mileage estimator is pessimistic. As I just returned home from a long weekend, I can give some input here. On the highway, with the cruise set and doing between 70 and 75, I was getting 41 and change. The last tank I filled on the way home was 45.5. That, BTW, is miles off the GPS by the number of gallons I put in the tank. The dash says less. Phil up at Cleveland Moto also advised I use 89. He said the plugs are burning cleaner with that rather than 91 or 93.

John Henry
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Nick on August 24, 2015, 07:08:41 AM
Phil up at Cleveland Moto also advised I use 89. He said the plugs are burning cleaner with that rather than 91 or 93.

John Henry

Even if the OM states:"Premium unleaded petrol, minimum octane rating 95 (NORM)
and 85 (NOMM)"
I had read somewhere that 9.5 to 1 and below compression ratios use regular while above that uses premium. The 1400 is 10.5:1 (http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s180/ndicroce/emoticons/TFR99.gif) (http://s152.photobucket.com/user/ndicroce/media/emoticons/TFR99.gif.html)
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Zoom Zoom on August 24, 2015, 07:30:22 AM
Actually my owners manual says 90 octane. I'm not getting any pinging so I'll go with the recommendation for now.

John Henry
Title: Re: Cali 1400 fuel mileage
Post by: Zoom Zoom on August 24, 2015, 07:39:17 AM
Page 131 of the manual: "USA unleaded fuel minimum octane rating (R+M)/2 method 90."

John Henry