California 1400 Gas Mileage

[britman]

Out of general principle I have never tracked gas mileage on any motorcycle I have ever owned.  They are for fun and enjoyment, not my sole means of transport, therefore the limited amount of petroleum they consume is totally irrelevant.

That being said, has anyone tracked the mileage on one these beasts, to actually see how many miles per gallon you are really getting.  I love "Sophia", but it seems every time I pull her out of the garage, she is a tad bit thirsty and yes I am a total hypocrite......... There I said it before the sharks started surrounding the dinghy...

[Lcarlson]

Mine gets around 34 mpg.

[DougG]

Hi britman,

Ditto, Lcarlson on the mileage.  I ended up installing a 1 gal Rotopax in the right pannier.  It's invisible when running, doesn't take up much space and gives me great piece of mind. 

Be well,
DougG

[kballowe]

Yep.  34

[blu guzz]

My bike is a custom, not a Tour, so I can't vouch for that model. I live in an area where there is reformulated gasoline for the cold months, so it might affect my mileage.  In my normal running around, it will hang about in the 39-40 mpg range.  On the open road at up to 70mph I have gotten as much as 44 mpg when the road remains flat.  When I pile luggage on the back seat as I did this weekend, it goes down a bit.  On Sunday, I rode from Delton, Michigan to Walton, Kentucky on mostly gently rolling side roads with some slow downs and stops for small towns and got about 40.  The light comes on a little early at appx. 150, in my opinion.  For a large twin with the performance level of the Cali, I find this reasonable. 

[DougG]

Hi britman,

One other thing...I have two Cali 1400's.  The 34ish MPG I mentioned is for my '17 - it still has very low mileage.  However, I noticed something on my '15, after about 5k miles there was a noticeable increase in both performance and gas mileage.  The older bike is pushing 40 MPG and it does not seem to vary with my driving style.  I ride twisties in the Blue Ridge Mts. and also use it for longer highway trips.  MPG seems to be very similar either way.  I don't know how many miles you have on your bike, but as I say, I was pleasantly surprised by the increase in performance and MPG...I guess it got broken in?

Be well,
DougG

[britman]

Thanks one and all, I believe I am around the 34 mpg mark also.  I am going to break down and track it on the next fill up.  The bike is certainly broke in, well over 20k on the clock.  I believe I need to get her on the open road more, and cut down on the short hops around town and quick trips back and forth to work......

[Ncdan]

Yep 34-36 on a 2015 tourer. I would like better but encouraged by the comment as mine is just tripping 5k now.

[DaddyRabbit]

Same here...34 mpg consistently.  Biggest issue regarding fuel is how MG sets the reserve indicator so high.  It makes it scarier than it really is. 

DR

[Bud]

     I have a 2014 Touring and 34-36 mpg is the norm. I happen to hit 40 mpg on two separate occasions around the same area in New Hampshire. I think this is the first time mileage came up without almost everyone claiming 45 - 50 mpg.

[Ncdan]

     I have a 2014 Touring and 34-36 mpg is the norm. I happen to hit 40 mpg on two separate occasions around the same area in New Hampshire. I think this is the first time mileage came up without almost everyone claiming 45 - 50 mpg.

I did get 50+ on the Calvin most every tank, on the road. I do miss those numbers.

[Luap McKeever]

My MGX gets a consistent 38-42 regardless how I ride it...according the computer.

[Zoom Zoom]

If you folks are using the dash for your mileage it is pessimistic. I use the GPS for miles against the gas pump. Low to mid 40's are the norm. I have never seen 50 but did get 47.5 once on really good fuel.

ZZ

[Ncdan]

Ok fellas I have an update on the 1400 MPG. I just arrived in Charlestown SC from WS NC, 300 miles. I did get 40 mpg on a tank, traveling on I95 at a speed of 75-80 mph. I didn’t take the bikes word for it I figured it the old fashion way so I know it’s acceptable. I feel a little better anyway:)

[rfguy]

Yep, 2014 Custom here. 34-38 in general....

[twhitaker]

Has anyone verified the accuracy of their odometer?

[DougG]

Hi twhitaker,

"Accuracy of their odometer?"  Excellent question.  I guess it would have to be done on a measured mile.  I've encountered some on slab routes.  Never thought to do that.  A GPS would not be as accurate.  I know that the algorithms for a GPS (especially on non-military units) are optimized for 2d (Lat & Lon) and not so much for 3d (triangulating for moving elevation changes).  Next time I encounter a measured mile, I'll give it a try and post it here.  BTW, I have a Cali 1400 tour.  Thanks.

Be well,
DougG

[Zoom Zoom]

Has anyone verified the accuracy of their odometer?

It's way closer than the older Cali's. If I set the cruise so the dash indicates 73, I'm doing a true 70 according to the GPS. I haven't really tried to figure it out beyond that simply because it doesn't matter to me with the GPS. I do recall that both my EV's were 1.66% optimistic.

edit: Conversely, the the indicated MPG the dash can display has been pessimistic on my, and I would guess, everyone's 1400. (Meaning I get Better mileage than the dash is saying. GPS miles /pump reading.)

John Henry

[Tom]

Low 40's on the hwy on Cal 1400 Touring....course that's what is reported to me from Richard.  I'm still trying to get out to Phoenix to ride it.