Yet another reason to love the V85

[Clifton]

MOTORRAD have listed the bikes with the longest range on a tank of gas, and the V85 offered the most at 548 km to bone dry (340 miles) with the consumption the bike had during the test loop. I'm unsure if the range was extrapolated from average consumption during their loop times the tanks listed or measured capacity? Or actually ridden until it sputtered to a stop? Either way over 500 km or 300 miles is exceptional.

 

[JJH]

I’ve got 485km out of mine. Took 23 liters. That exactly a tank full. Still good. I’m happy with mine. I have to be. Can’t get a decent trade in. Even off a new one. JJH

 

[wessie]

I have achieved 300 miles from a tank on occasion. Usually when in no hurry bimbling about the gorges and mountains in Spain. The new Euro 5+ is quite economical too.

In France last year, I found I have a similar range to my friend on a Triumph Trophy 1200 (2013 version) but he has a 3 litre bigger tank so uses more fuel. At French prices he was spending around a fiver extra for the same distance.

 

[Clifton]

I just wish the gauge was more accurate and the light didn't come on until down to 1 gallon remaining.

 

[wessie]

I just wish the gauge was more accurate and the light didn't come on until down to 1 gallon remaining.

I don't notice if the gauge is accurate. I just use the miles to empty readout which seems okay. The yellow light does come on a bit early but it does not bother me. It's pretty redundant bearing in mind the countdown reading.

 

[JJH]

Co

I don't notice if the gauge is accurate. I just use the miles to empty readout which seems okay. The yellow light does come on a bit early but it does not bother me. It's pretty redundant bearing in mind the countdown reading.

Countdown reading is pessimistic too. JJH

 

[Clifton]

I don't notice if the gauge is accurate. I just use the miles to empty readout which seems okay.....

Co

Countdown reading is pessimistic too. JJH

I was thinking the miles to empty was off as well. IIRC it starts high but diminishes evermore rapidly then even goes off at some point.

 

[wessie]

I was thinking the miles to empty was off as well. IIRC it starts high but diminishes evermore rapidly then even goes off at some point.

maybe things got better with the Euro 5+ which has new electronics compared to older models?

 

[Clifton]

Likely so if yours is accurate, wessie.

 

[wessie]

Likely so if yours is accurate, wessie.

it amuses me when the miles left starts to rise. This happens where you have perhaps gone onto a motorway to bypass a built up area like Le Mans or Gloucester. The fuel level starts to drop more rapidly and the range lowers. Then you resume bimbling along at 80kph on French D roads and through villages at 50/30kph. The computer starts to redo the maths and becomes more optimistic about the range at these lower speeds. My Triumph Explorer did the same thing whereas the old BMW just stuck on the same "miles left" until the remaining fuel matched that estimate. Then the BMW range indicator resumed dropping at the normal rate.
Odd coves, algorithms.

 

[Wrinkly]

Did 300 mls on a tankful a couple of times, but boy they can drink it when you start cracking on.

 

[Cortina]

Do I get a prize for a range of (just) over 400 miles on a 2020 Goldwing Tour DCT ? Data and photos to prove - previous tank at 74.x mpg will have helped with this !

 

[FatAl]

Do I get a prize for a range of (just) over 400 miles on a 2020 Goldwing Tour DCT ? Data and photos to prove - previous tank at 74.x mpg will have helped with this !

I'm sorry, but HGVs aren't eligible.

 

[OnHellas]

Do I get a prize for a range of (just) over 400 miles on a 2020 Goldwing Tour DCT ? Data and photos to prove - previous tank at 74.x mpg will have helped with this !

My old 2003 Fiat Ducato 2.8TD regularly did over 500 miles on a tankful….but that’s of no relevance here either.

 

[Clifton]

Do I get a prize for a range of (just) over 400 miles on a 2020 Goldwing Tour DCT ? Data and photos to prove - previous tank at 74.x mpg will have helped with this !

That's incredible. The best mileage I ever saw on my 2023 Goldwing DCT was just under 50 mpg when I filled up after 268 miles. The low fuel light had been on for at least 50 miles and when filling I put in just over the bike's 5.5 US gallon capacity. My typical mile per US gallon on that bike was 42-45.

 

[Clem]

On the annual boys EU trip, it's very noticable the difference in my fuel bill when compared to the KTMs and GSs that are in the group.
Even more fun when you consider my "little" V85 is usual the bike setting the pace.
It can hussle along nicely, ideal for the European back roads, sipping fuel and carry sufficient luggage for me without an issue.

This year I'm extending the boy's week by branching off to meet Mrs C in Krakow after a week on the Baltic coast; it's something I'm very much looking forward to.