The ugly truth about the Roamer/Bobber twins

[blu guzz]

In this post, I am referring to the first version of these bikes made between 2017 and 2019 and I guess the Bobbers that continued to use this tank.
I was in the middle of a beautiful ride today heading north on Indiana 56 having just left Madison. I had mentioned to my friend that my next stop should be a gas station. I was showing 160 miles used and 60 mpg.  Naturally, you would think that 200 miles was in easy range.  Yes, you would think that if you had a 4 gallon tank and were getting 60 mpg. So off we went.  This sublime piece of asphalt follows the Ohio River and is generally just beautiful at about 60 mph and I was comfortably grooving along in 5th gear.  Then, it happened.  The bike just stopped running and coasted to a stop. Luckily, my riding friend was with me and got a coke bottle full of gas to let me make it the 5 miles to the gas station.  Let's back up.
According to all of the literature I have seen, the Roamer and Bobber allegedly have 4 gallon tanks.  However, in aviation they talk about usable fuel load.  Since they Moto Guzzi came from an aviation background, perhaps they should consider using that term.  I was able to get only 3.4 gallons into the tank. So, maybe they should cite usable fuel load.  Maybe the tank is actually 4 gallons, but since you can't use all of it, people should know so I am talking to the 200 or 300 people in the US that have these bikes.
Now, you might think I am bitter about this, but you would be wrong.  I am very grateful I found out.  If I had made it into the station and added the 3.4 gallons, I would still be under the delusion that I could make 200 miles.
So, the lesson is, if you have one of these lovely bikes, when you see 150 miles used, you better be pulling into a gas station.
Maybe other models have this problem so be careful out there.

[Tkelly]

I learned this lesson on US39 ,when the light comes on don’t push your luck more than 40 miles unles you have a gas bottle or a riding buddy willing to get you some gas while you sit on the roadside.

[DoubleGuzzi]

Did you try the old 'trick' of tipping the bike on its side? Just a thought.

.. don’t push your luck more than 40 miles..

I tend to go with a maximum of 30, for all my bikes, whether a reserve lever or light. Better safe..

[Kev m]

Just out of curiosity, did you make it to 200 miles before that happened?

I mean if you were getting an honest 60, then even just 3g should yield a pretty usable range right?

And I didn't think I've owned an EFI bike that could use the full stated capacity before running out but I usually assume some fraction of a gallon of unusable and don't push it too far past that theoretical point.

I also admit the difference in tank size from my 5.5g V7 tanks is part of what kept me off a Bobber or Bobber Sport, despite really liking the bike in a lot of ways.

[Perazzimx14]

It's hard to calculate what fuel economy/range will be on a motorcycle because so many things can effect it. I know my bike I can get 54/55 MPG or as low as 33 MPG depending on how I'm riding, speeds and wind.

[Dirk_S]

I also think it’s a total volume of the tank and that you’re just not going to get it all out due to port location. Even the V7s, the port is a little high, so you’re not going to get it all. But it sure makes for good marketing to add as much as you can—kinda like crank horsepower for shaft-driven bikes ;)

Be curious if most EFI bikes are like this, as Kev suggested.

[DoubleGuzzi]

Aye, thinking about this further, unlike gravity fed oldies, EFI pumps are unlikely to suck up the last dregs from the tank - it'll depend on the height of the suction tube/strainer.

[Kev m]

It's hard to calculate what fuel economy/range will be on a motorcycle because so many things can effect it. I know my bike I can get 54/55 MPG or as low as 33 MPG depending on how I'm riding, speeds and wind.

I SUSPECT, the greater the HP the greater the potential swing.

I see swings in my smallblock mileage, but it's not all that much.

Ironically the bigger difference is between the Heron Head and the Hemi Head bike - approaching 10 mpg on the same conditions. But each bike might only swing half that between best and worst...

Now my wife's Duc gets 60 mpg regularly with her on it, but maybe 50 if I take it out, and that's more than just our difference in size lol.

[bad Chad]

Dah.   I never would push past 160 on my Roamer, even though the fuel light comes on before 2 gallons have been used!   I found that the fuel consumption posted by the computers on my previous Guzzi was inaccurate, so no reason to believe the v9 would be correct.  Figure 40 mpg average and you will never run out.

[blu guzz]

Kev: To answer your question, I rolled to a stop at 186 miles.  The computer gave the mileage calculation.  So, you can see why I thought I was good starting out with around 160 on it thinking I should make it to the 190 I needed for that fuel stop.  I was feeling a little proud of myself until reality bit me in the ass.

[Kev m]

Kev: To answer your question, I rolled to a stop at 186 miles.  The computer gave the mileage calculation.  So, you can see why I thought I was good starting out with around 160 on it thinking I should make it to the 190 I needed for that fuel stop.  I was feeling a little proud of myself until reality bit me in the ass.

Yeah, I get it.

So with my V7's I modified the sensor in the Heron Head model because it came on too soon. By moving the sensor I made sure it came on at pretty much precisely 4.0 gallons burned. And I've run it far enough to know the I have more than 5.0 gallons (of the 5.5g spec).

My Hemi Head, from the factory, has come on at the exact same point, 4.0g burned, which is super convenient.

In both cases I can divide my current trip meter reading by 4 and know instantly what mpg I've been getting (it's always within ~1 mpg of readout on the MkIII).

And then since I KNOW I've still got 1g+ left, I KNOW I've got at least that mileage.

The light usually comes on at 180 for the Heron Head, but almost always comes on north of 200 for the Hemi, so I count on at least 40 more miles on the Heron (though that math would suggest 45) and 50 on the Hemi.

I've played similar math games with all my EFI bikes but the smallblocks have nice clear easy math with a very high rate of predictability.

[faffi]

Not long after I bought my 2018, I also ran dry. It was my own fault, because I imagined the tank held 4 gal (or 15 liters, really, in my world), and that the reserver light came on early, meaning I had more than the specified 1.1 gal (4 liters) in reserve. Not so. The reserve light seems to be spot on (on level ground, at least) when it comes to the amount, but when I filled it up, I only got 13.7 liters in (3.62 gal). At a later date, going on the reserve lamp to estimate total volume, I managed to - being very patient - an estimate of about 14.4 liters into the tank. Basically, I ignored the total capacity for my calculations and used the reserve light as my guide. That would at best give me 70 miles before running dry, at worst 50 miles.

Oh, and since I have registered every single fuelling, and done the math, I can say that the on board computer is very optimistic when it comes to displayed fuel consumption. In reality, the actual consumption is closer to 10% higher. Your actual consumption, provided you managed to fill the tank to the exact same level before running out of fuel as after, calculates to 54.7 mpg.

[SIR REAL ED]

Oh, and since I have registered every single fuelling, and done the math, I can say that the on board computer is very optimistic when it comes to displayed fuel consumption. In reality, the actual consumption is closer to 10% higher. Your actual consumption, provided you managed to fill the tank to the exact same level before running out of fuel as after, calculates to 54.7 mpg.

On my KTM Duke 690, both the miles travelled and the MPG were off by about 20%.  Pretty amazing.  The odometer says you have traveled 50 miles and the gas mileage readout says you have traveled 60 miles.  The MPG readout said you were getting 55 MPG, but when you filled up the tank, the reality was 45 MPG.

[DoubleGuzzi]

Wonders if they are displaying proper imperial MPG, rather than 'murican units. 
That might explain the discrepancy, for models that are predominantly intended for non-US markets.

[Dirk_S]

Wonders if they are displaying proper imperial MPG, rather than 'murican units. 
That might explain the discrepancy, for models that are predominantly intended for non-US markets.

I wondered that myself, but trying to figure how that would account for any error. A British mile and a U.S. mile are the same, but a British gallon is a little bigger than U.S. gallon. I guess if you’re judging by what the pump reads, but the tank itself is measured in UK gallons…?

[Perazzimx14]

I SUSPECT, the greater the HP the greater the potential swing.

I see swings in my smallblock mileage, but it's not all that much.

Ironically the bigger difference is between the Heron Head and the Hemi Head bike - approaching 10 mpg on the same conditions. But each bike might only swing half that between best and worst...

Now my wife's Duc gets 60 mpg regularly with her on it, but maybe 50 if I take it out, and that's more than just our difference in size lol.

IDK if HP is as big a driving factor in MPG swings so much as aerodynamics and speed. Most motorcycles are about as aerodynamic as a brick and with each speed increase takes more energy it takes to push it through the air. Then hang a couple of panniers and a big windscreen you've now gone from brick to sheet of plywood you're forcing through the air.

My experience is MPG stays pretty consistent (riding normally) until you hit about 65/70 mph then the MPG starts to drop and with each 5 mpg increase in speed the drop is more drastic.

I will also say I have never bought a motorcycle based on its fuel economy and could care less if it gets 1 MPG or million. I do care about fuel range so I opt for bikes with bigger tanks.

[DoubleGuzzi]

LMFTFY so that it makes sense. 

and couldn't care less if it gets 1 MPG or million

I've seen complaints on forums about the Triumph Speed 400 not living up to its displayed 80+MPG and guess where the complainants are based, yup USA. (Approx. 67+MPG in USA units.)

[faffi]

Wonders if they are displaying proper imperial MPG, rather than 'murican units. 
That might explain the discrepancy, for models that are predominantly intended for non-US markets.

Mine displayed litres per 100 km, so there should be no confusion there, at least.

[paulbricey]

Not sure the Roamer etc is any worse than other 'street bikes' ....my Griso 1200 8V struggles to get up to 140 miles from full tank before the low fuel light comes on & not much extra in reserve....but TBH 2hrs is a good distance to stop for comfort break anyway (your arse will thank you)

[Kev m]

Jenn and I took a spin in the pines today - she on the 696 and me on the Carbon Dark.

Her fuel light came on toward the end of the ride, so we stopped and topped em both up.

My MKIII display was suggesting 57 mpg - I added exactly 3 gallons (bike on centerstand as usual, filled to as close to the bottom of the filler neck as I usually do) - 169 miles/3 g = 56.3333333333333 mpg.

Her 696 (bike and rider = at least 150# less weight) - 185 miles (not all today) and added exactly 3g - 61.66666666 mpg. That tracks.

Yeah, in this case it's no HP - but size plus wrist - she does NOT wring it out like I do. Then again, I usually wring it out a good bit more when she's not with me and that 57 mpg is often 55.

But back to HP - most of my higher hp (but also heavier) bikes tended to average in the low 40's vs this above 50 crap.

My first Road King might be a nice illustration of HP vs weight though - cause it was a good 700# - but low enough in power that it used to regularly yield 50 mpg.

Yeah, I still say it's more power than anything else, at least coupled with my riding habits and perhaps lack of right wrist discipline.

[faffi]

My brother's Electra Glide from 2003 press the scale to the tune of 840 lbs, without luggage and passenger(s). It still return 53 mpg two-up and full bags. I find that impressive.

[chuck peterson]

YMMV?

[Perazzimx14]

My brother's Electra Glide from 2003 press the scale to the tune of 840 lbs, without luggage and passenger(s). It still return 53 mpg two-up and full bags. I find that impressive.

I would imagine the 80 km/h general national speed limit that is heavily enforced plays a role in the good fuel economy.

[faffi]

I would imagine the 80 km/h general national speed limit that is heavily enforced plays a role in the good fuel economy.

On the other hand, constant elevation changes, steep hills, gnarly roads full of first gear corners followed by acceleration and deceleration and repeat are not ideal for low consumption. And his bike still deliver 50+ mpg cruising at 75 mph through Denmark, which is flat and without corners, though.

[blu guzz]

FWIW in my case, I had fueled up about 65 miles from my home and ran about 60 mph there. When I took my mis-adventure. I was running between 40 to 60 mph with nearly zero stops, and nearly flat land at about 600 feet elevation with a temp variation of 70 - 90. Practically perfect for fuel optimization.  Even if the bike was only getting an actual 50 mpg, I still should have made 200 miles.  Live an learn.

[Tkelly]

I can go just as far on my Roamer small tank as  my 1100 Cals and EV,their low fuel light would come on around 130 miles also,35 mpg,maybe 40 if conditions were right so I can’t complain about the 50 plus the Roamer gets.

[blu guzz]

I think that series engine gets great MPG. I can easily live within its limits.

[TN Mark]

I’ve never had or ridden a V9 Bobber but I sure like the look of them.

[michaell32]

Maybe 4 gallons is the calculated volume of the tank but the pump assembly takes up space and the then the pickup isn't at the very bottom. That would make sense to me for half a gallon missing.

[faffi]

Maybe 4 gallons is the calculated volume of the tank but the pump assembly takes up space and the then the pickup isn't at the very bottom. That would make sense to me for half a gallon missing.

Could well be. The MT-07 took 12.7 liters when bone dry, another .5 liter could be added with great patience, but the claimed 14 liter is out of the question. Could also be the fuel pickup sit a bit high, preventing all fuel from being drained.