1981 GL1100 gas mileage is outstanding

[flyin900]

The 1981 GL1100 I recently restored was a low klm bike with only 28K klms from new. I have been monitoring the bikes gas consumption and it continues to improve the gas mileage. When I initially checked it was in the high 56-58 MPG over two tank fulls and today I checked and it is 65 MPG.

The Canadian gallon is 4.5 litres vs 3.8 litres for a US gallon, so about a 16% difference which would be equivalent to about 55 MPG using a US gallon. That seems to be pretty outstanding given this is a mix of a variety of speeds which are between 30-60 mph. Most are cruising back roads in the 50 mph range once underway and out of town.

How does this compare to others with the GL1100 series? Since the 1976 GL1000 was a gas hog compared to this bike. I do realize the GL1000's aren't known as great gas misers and are more performance oriented. Yet the difference is quite drastic overall.

[Whiskerfish]

That is a little higher than most I think. I know the 1100 as a rule has the best MPG of all the Wings. To me I just think about it as a "Health" indicator. Means all is well in her world!!

[Track T 2411]

My '81 gets 39-40 MPG religiously, but I ride fairly aggressively on my commute. I actually get around 45 MPG riding 2 up, mostly because we're usually just cruising the back roads...

[5speed]

never checked the mileage on my 82..gas mileage has never been an important factor to me.

[flyin900]

That is a little higher than most I think. I know the 1100 as a rule has the best MPG of all the Wings. To me I just think about it as a "Health" indicator. Means all is well in her world!!

I always like to check on a new bike to see and if it falls below my car mileage, its time to show it the door.

It isn't a factor that affects if and why I ride; just another tool in the box for me.
When I do come across one that is exceptional then it tells me that the bikes motor and carbs and ignition are all working at their best. My 1984 GL1200 Standard is also very much along the same lines with the same kind of mileage too.

[JSBail]

My 83 currently gets better MPG than my 77 cb750. Since I pulled the heads and lapped the valves over the winter, mine has been getting 40+ mpg consistently on 2 lane highways where I behave myself and keep my speed to around 60 but it drops to maybe 38 on the interstate but even that depends on how windy it is. On a recent road trip it only got 27 mpg on a tank but on that tank of fuel I was on the interstate highway pushing it to 80mph right square into a very strong headwind riding 2 up and fully loaded.