fuel milage

Got a tech tip for Voyager 12's from your personal experiences, or one complete with pictures and instructions, here's where to post it. You can also ask about tips or procedures here.

Moderators: the2knights, Highway Rider

Post Reply
jake100
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 12:31 am
6
Current bike(s): 92 voyager
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

fuel milage

Post by jake100 »

Well I finally got my speedo cable fixed so I can figure fuel mileage and wow I'm only getting about 27 - 30 mpg :shock: Now let me say that this bike came from sea level and I'm now riding at 6000 to 8000 ft altitude with no carb adj is that the problem , what is normal for these bikes?
User avatar
Neal
Tourer
Tourer
Posts: 233
Joined: Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:03 pm
16
Current bike(s): 2001 Voyager, 2002 Voyager
Location: Evart, Michigan
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: fuel milage

Post by Neal »

Normal for a VXII should be around 46 to 50, depending on speed, load and wind conditions.
Dealer for all Air Rider products, and Nolan helmets and headsets.
User avatar
cranky
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1037
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2016 12:36 am
8
Current bike(s): 2003 Voyager
Location: San Jose, KalEfornYa
Has liked: 303 times
Been liked: 80 times

Re: fuel milage

Post by cranky »

... time to run @5 tanks of Seafoam thru 'er and clean the carbs out!!! JM2C
'03 Voyager - http://tinyurl.com/mqtgpwp VROC pics of Gina
Cranky - Bill Snodgrass AVA # 6544. VROC # 16804
Cranked >128K miles, Mtn bike-no motor!!!
San Jose, KalEfornYa
User avatar
vxiirider
Tourer
Tourer
Posts: 248
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2008 6:13 pm
16
Current bike(s): 2002 1800 Goldwing Trike
Location: Charlotte, Michigan
Has liked: 91 times
Been liked: 28 times

Re: fuel milage

Post by vxiirider »

Our 2003 is triked and we regularly get 41 to 43 MPG riding two up. Granted all of those miles are running the two lanes at around 55 MPH but not bad for 1000# of machine and around 330# of us.
John Ramsay
Charlotte, Michigan
'02 GL 1800 Goldwing Trike
It's the journey, not the destination
voyager55
Elite Tourer
Elite Tourer
Posts: 820
Joined: Mon Aug 19, 2013 6:08 am
11
Current bike(s): 2003 1200
Location: Eden Prairie, MN
Has liked: 1 time
Been liked: 3 times

Re: fuel milage

Post by voyager55 »

No way is 46-50 mpg normal. That's on the very high side.

Neal wrote:Normal for a VXII should be around 46 to 50, depending on speed, load and wind conditions.
User avatar
cranky
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1037
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2016 12:36 am
8
Current bike(s): 2003 Voyager
Location: San Jose, KalEfornYa
Has liked: 303 times
Been liked: 80 times

Re: fuel milage

Post by cranky »

... running between 40-45 leaning toward 45 isn't far fetched, I think that's
where I run and I constantly run Seafoam treated gas around home to
- at first clean it up to get that mileage - second, keep it that way,
far cheaper than havin' the carbs cleaned!!! An she runs wicked fast!!! JM2C
'03 Voyager - http://tinyurl.com/mqtgpwp VROC pics of Gina
Cranky - Bill Snodgrass AVA # 6544. VROC # 16804
Cranked >128K miles, Mtn bike-no motor!!!
San Jose, KalEfornYa
cushman eagle
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1983
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:08 pm
13
Current bike(s): '99 Kawasaki Voyager 1200
1958 Cushman Eagle restoration has been finished,and have put 3030 miles on her!
Location: Orrville,Ohio
Has liked: 858 times
Been liked: 290 times

Re: fuel milage

Post by cushman eagle »

I rarely get less than 49 MPG with my '99 with mixed riding of urban to interstate .That is with the odometer correction included.That includes the 2050 mile ride to,during ,and from Hurley,Wisconsin.
That was the greatest trip we have taken,Thank you Tony,for coordinating that trip. :thanks:
'99 Voyager VXII,'58 Cushman Eagle
User avatar
SgtSlag
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1058
Joined: Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:04 pm
14
Current bike(s): 1993 Voyager XII (2010)
(2006-2012: 1979 Honda CB750K)
(2008-2010: 1983 Kawasaki 440LTD, belt drive)
Location: Minnesota
Has liked: 23 times
Been liked: 239 times

Re: fuel milage

Post by SgtSlag »

We average 42 MPG, running pure gasoline (no alcohol), riding two up, with/without luggage. That is highway mileage, as well. Picked up a new OEM air filter, but have not installed it yet. Hoping this will kick up the mileage a bit.

I, too, run SeaFoam through my tank, usually once per month, during the riding season. For winter storage, I treat the gas, per the instructions, to avoid varnish and stale gasoline. Come Spring, some 3-5 months later, she starts up, like I shut it off last week! Have not had a carb issue since I bought it, in 2010, when I had my mechanic go through everything, including cleaning, and balancing, the carbs. Mileage has always been around 42, for the past eight years.

We put 20,000 miles on it, so far. Changed the fuel filter, and fuel pump, but have not touched the air filter (looked good), but will do it soon, just to be certain all is well. Cheers!
SgtSlag

1993 Voyager XII
jake100
Streetster
Streetster
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Jan 09, 2018 12:31 am
6
Current bike(s): 92 voyager
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 0

Re: fuel milage

Post by jake100 »

thanks guys seafom it is can one over dose n that is put in too much at once?
User avatar
cranky
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1037
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2016 12:36 am
8
Current bike(s): 2003 Voyager
Location: San Jose, KalEfornYa
Has liked: 303 times
Been liked: 80 times

Re: fuel milage

Post by cranky »

.... I've read a lot of comments that said to follow the rules on the
can, 1 oz / gal... now, I also believe that if something is good....

... yeah a bit more can't hurt!!! GBG .... a fat finger oz might be in
order!!! GBG maybe an extra oz per full tank to start the clean out???!!!!
'03 Voyager - http://tinyurl.com/mqtgpwp VROC pics of Gina
Cranky - Bill Snodgrass AVA # 6544. VROC # 16804
Cranked >128K miles, Mtn bike-no motor!!!
San Jose, KalEfornYa
User avatar
SgtSlag
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1058
Joined: Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:04 pm
14
Current bike(s): 1993 Voyager XII (2010)
(2006-2012: 1979 Honda CB750K)
(2008-2010: 1983 Kawasaki 440LTD, belt drive)
Location: Minnesota
Has liked: 23 times
Been liked: 239 times

Re: fuel milage

Post by SgtSlag »

Techron fuel cleaner is stronger, if you really want to git 'er done. SeaFoam performs multiple jobs, which is why I use it: it absorbs water in the fuel system; it stabilizes gasoline for up to 24 months; it dissolves varnish deposits; and it works in the crankcase, dissolving crud in the oil pathways and chambers of the engine. It is not the best product at any one of these jobs, but it does all of them, well enough!

You can exceed the instructions on the label. I have. You can even run an engine on pure SeaFoam: it will run, but not well, missing, sputtering. If you use it per the instructions, it will do its job, without issue, without missing, or running rough. Cheers!
SgtSlag

1993 Voyager XII
cushman eagle
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1983
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 10:08 pm
13
Current bike(s): '99 Kawasaki Voyager 1200
1958 Cushman Eagle restoration has been finished,and have put 3030 miles on her!
Location: Orrville,Ohio
Has liked: 858 times
Been liked: 290 times

Re: fuel milage

Post by cushman eagle »

Well said,SgtSlag :thmup: I am a strong proponent of Seafoam.I use it occasionally through the riding season,and as a fuel stabilizer in the fall for my mowers, bikes, and antique tractors. :corn:
'99 Voyager VXII,'58 Cushman Eagle
User avatar
bikerking.biz
Traveler
Traveler
Posts: 213
Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 5:33 am
16
Current bike(s): 1988 Kawasaki Voyager XII
1970 Honda CL 350
Location: PA
Has liked: 1 time
Been liked: 2 times
Contact:

Re: fuel milage

Post by bikerking.biz »

Well, now this is strange. I posted the following reply to this thread soon after it was posted, and now although it shows up in my posts, it does not show on the thread in which I answered to- bug with the forum???

Anyway, here again was my post should it still be of interest, hopefully, this one will stay put:

Your higher altitude riding probably does make a difference as you may need more throttle to maintain speed. I generally ride in 2-3000 feet altitude, but get mileage from a low around 42 or so, up to 53 mpg. Don't know if your higher altitude would make that much difference though with you only getting 27-30. That's pretty low for a Voyager XII. Hopefully, someone closer to your altitude can say what they get.
Biker King
http://www.bikerking.biz
Check out our huge & redesigned website, which is now your POWER BROKER & "KING of Everything Motorcycle & More"! "Like" our FB page for FB only discounts & more.
User avatar
cranky
King of the Road
King of the Road
Posts: 1037
Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2016 12:36 am
8
Current bike(s): 2003 Voyager
Location: San Jose, KalEfornYa
Has liked: 303 times
Been liked: 80 times

Re: fuel milage

Post by cranky »

jake100 wrote:Well I finally got my speedo cable fixed so I can figure fuel mileage and wow I'm only getting about 27 - 30 mpg :shock: Now let me say that this bike came from sea level and I'm now riding at 6000 to 8000 ft altitude with no carb adj is that the problem , what is normal for these bikes?
Is your speedo accurate or 10% fast, like most of our scoots.... Mine had the front
gear changed and made it right on. I didn't know that and was driving around
curves coming back from purchase, and ran my normal 80, which would'a
been @72.... I thought this thing cornered real bad... 'til I discoverd
80 was my actual speed!!!

Purpose of this... knowing what Ya got can change yer numbers a tad... JM2C

And yes, now that my speedo is correct...guess what it did to my odometer??? ... yeah....
'03 Voyager - http://tinyurl.com/mqtgpwp VROC pics of Gina
Cranky - Bill Snodgrass AVA # 6544. VROC # 16804
Cranked >128K miles, Mtn bike-no motor!!!
San Jose, KalEfornYa
Post Reply

Return to “Tech Tips - Voyager XII (1200 Four)”