imported post
Retro48 wrote:
When I had my 83, I posted about my top speed being restricted to 85 mph. One of the responses had to do with washers welded in the exhaust pipes to cause a restriction. Now I have 1n 1987 GL1200I California Model and was wondering if they did the same thing to the 1200's in California. My 87 has 114,000 miles and is getting about 32-33 miles per gallon. Is this about right?
Retro48, as mentioned above, riding style (or lack there of) plays a big part in fuel economy. Velocity (speed) also can have a big input on fuel mileage. My 86 1200 will average out at around 39-42 MPG at a steady 55-60 MPH with few cold starts & very little stop & go. I go down to about 31 or so MPG at 90 MPH (my bike has a very high windshield though). When operated in the 95+ MPH range I haven't ever figured mileage but usually get under 100 miles per tank full.
In stop & go commuter riding during my daily run it runs closer to 32-33 MPG but there are some hills & sharp curves in that figuring.
I have worked with the carbs to get the bike to run good & not surge or stumble so that effected my mileage big time as I richened the pilot needles up. I am still tweaking the pilot system slightly but by leaning the pilot circuits slightly I can show a significant gain in light usage MPG.
I have a friend with an identical 86 Wing to mine (carbureted) & he has owned it since new. He claims that he has never got over 37 MPG & usually gets in the 34-36 MPG range. He is also a conservative rider (unlike me).
You ask..
Now I have 1n 1987 GL1200I California Model and was wondering if they did the same thing to the 1200's in California
Yes, due to the California emission controls the carbs were set differently & I believe that bike had a different crankcase ventilation set-up. Not sure how (or if) that effected MPG but it sure did on cars & trucks of that era.
Twisty
