Figured I'd update my M.P.G. observations as I'm working towards my 18K service (after a fill up I always do the math and then compare to the bike's display). My bike uses no oil, starts and runs well and was broken in with regularly stretching her legs across the RPM range while riding up and down the Smoky and Appalachian Mountains and their foothill's 2 lanes.
My R18 Classic started with low to mid 30's mileage with a low fuel warning in the 115-125 miles ridden range. After a few thousand miles I was seeing steady improvements to where I was consistently in the 40's with an occasional 46-48 M.P.G. average where the low fuel warning came on in the mid 160's and I could routinely travel 180 miles+ to get to a gas station. To be conservative I used 40 M.P.G. as a base range and kept in mind on every fill up was confirming the warning light came on with at least 1-1.5 gallons of petrol remaining.
On a cross country ride from NC to WA last Summer-Autumn, I experienced a wide range of mileage (low 30s to mid 40s) that had me speculating that whatever blended gasoline the individual states mandate barely passes for petrol. Subjective to a point, but averaging 500+ miles a day I was filling up several times a day and the weather, mix of roads and riding habits were consistent with 75-25% freeway and two lane with an occasional blast to clear the carbon, but mostly within 5-10 of the posted speed limits.
I left my bike after that ride with my daughter's family and rode a bit of the beautiful Pacific North West before riding back home to NC recently. Only changes were this time I enjoyed 75-25% two lane to freeway and the biggest difference in petrol was pricing where some states are gouging the hell out of people to pay for all the free lunches they promise, up to $2.00 a gallon!! and more non ethanol v. "blended" gasoline = 50+ M.P.G., consistent!
In general, my R18 broke in more like "old" BMWs where one usually saw steady improvements over at least a couple service intervals and then settled in nicely. The Classic is as aerodynamic as a sheet of plywood and while running hard on mountain roads doesn't seem to impact range much I found sustained higher speeds over 80ish will, so if running low a slower speed helps a lot more than I expected. Anyway, very happy with the R18 and mine has just gotten better and better as the miles go up.
My R18 Classic started with low to mid 30's mileage with a low fuel warning in the 115-125 miles ridden range. After a few thousand miles I was seeing steady improvements to where I was consistently in the 40's with an occasional 46-48 M.P.G. average where the low fuel warning came on in the mid 160's and I could routinely travel 180 miles+ to get to a gas station. To be conservative I used 40 M.P.G. as a base range and kept in mind on every fill up was confirming the warning light came on with at least 1-1.5 gallons of petrol remaining.
On a cross country ride from NC to WA last Summer-Autumn, I experienced a wide range of mileage (low 30s to mid 40s) that had me speculating that whatever blended gasoline the individual states mandate barely passes for petrol. Subjective to a point, but averaging 500+ miles a day I was filling up several times a day and the weather, mix of roads and riding habits were consistent with 75-25% freeway and two lane with an occasional blast to clear the carbon, but mostly within 5-10 of the posted speed limits.
I left my bike after that ride with my daughter's family and rode a bit of the beautiful Pacific North West before riding back home to NC recently. Only changes were this time I enjoyed 75-25% two lane to freeway and the biggest difference in petrol was pricing where some states are gouging the hell out of people to pay for all the free lunches they promise, up to $2.00 a gallon!! and more non ethanol v. "blended" gasoline = 50+ M.P.G., consistent!
In general, my R18 broke in more like "old" BMWs where one usually saw steady improvements over at least a couple service intervals and then settled in nicely. The Classic is as aerodynamic as a sheet of plywood and while running hard on mountain roads doesn't seem to impact range much I found sustained higher speeds over 80ish will, so if running low a slower speed helps a lot more than I expected. Anyway, very happy with the R18 and mine has just gotten better and better as the miles go up.
Attachments
Last edited:
