Had similar concerns about my 23' MTS. I ride with a group of Africa Twins and R1250GS's. I find that we need to stop for gas at very similar points in time, and that during our multi-day trips there is an ample supply of gas station in CA (I live in the bay area as well). I don't think carrying extra fuel is necessary.

 

@TalH , great! Yes for local / CA outing, no need to carry fuel separately. The recent Oregon 1509mile trip report suggested a Garmin Zumo and a fuel carrier for peace of mind.

 

TBH, this is my biggest hesitation about the V4 in replacing my 2016 Pikes. I get 42-46mpg in daily usage/commuting, and going down to 30-34mpg would be really irritating.

Not really from a cost perspective, but just from having to refuel that much more often. I usually gas up around 180-190 miles and am dry and 210, having to gas up at 140 miles would be really annoying.

 

TBH, this is my biggest hesitation about the V4 in replacing my 2016 Pikes. I get 42-46mpg in daily usage/commuting, and going down to 30-34mpg would be really irritating.

2023 V4S Multi: I get a pretty solid 42 mpg if I hold it to 70 mph. Normally in the 38-40 mpg range. I usually gas up in the 175-200 mile range.

Tom

 

I did watch a video on this subject in particular.. I think the average was right around 32-33mpg for a '23 MTS PP, but it really has to do with how aggressive you are with your throttle hand (and he is very aggressive with his). Highest recorded was 47.5mpg. Lowest was 23 - ouch. But worrying about mpg is not exactly why you buy a PP.

 

I’m getting around 175 on a tank around LA, not often exceeding 85mph.

 

Not sure what mileage I’m getting (it’s not good), but according to the dash, the economy is better if I’m in 6th gear around 5500rpm or so….if the revs drop, economy suffers. No idea how accurate that is.

 

There really is not a significant difference as to when I have to get fuel between my 13 1200S and my 22 PP. My 13 Multi would average 40-44 mpg with spirited driving taking out the unusual high of 50 no fun at all and low of 34 more fun than you should have. With the average 40-44 would fill up 180-200 with .5 gallon plus left in tank. The PP averages 35-40 mpg with spirited driving PLUS and has .5 gallon larger tank and I still stop for fuel 180-200. Things to note differences the PP fuel economy has increased the more the motor has broken in. I am getting better gas mileage at 10k than before. The PP has a stronger top end which results in a higher terminal speed. Also the PP is more comfortable and competent at higher speeds so I don't back off as soon as I would on the 13 Multi. I ride the PP a little harder and faster than my 13 because it feels more competent. The low fuel light comes on with more than 1.5 gallons of fuel left in tank so if you fuel up then your putting about 4 gallons in a 5.8 gallon tank. I do not miss the fuel economy of my 13 Multi at all and I am ready for a fuel stop at 180-200 miles every time.

 

When going for a multi-day trip in a fuel station-poor area, simply carry a small transfer pump with you and go with some friends, preferably with Adventure/Rally versions (7.9 gallon tanks). It's even better if the friend riding it is fat, in case you run out of food, too.

 

I think it should be said that the fuel level reading in the tank is not used for the MPG calculation. I can say this with some certainty given my aux fuel system and the way I use it. That would be a highly unreliable way to calculate consumption anyway. It is probably like most other vehicles that calculate economy by measuring throttle position vs. distance traveled.

I do find the fuel level indication is flaky and unreliable. Often my aux fuel system completely refills the main tank yet the indicator doesn't go back up, still showing 2-5 bars missing. Then after an ignition off-on cycle it bounces back to accurate again. The reading just isn't reliable IMO.

As for the accuracy of the MPG average, I don't think you can accurately judge that based on a single tank. Did you really fill the tank up to exactly the same amount each time? There are too many variables including sidestand angle, air bubbles that can get trapped in the tank, temperature changes that affect the density of the fuel, faulty human memory, etc. You need to track miles vs. fuel purchased over the course of 10+ fill ups. The larger sample size yields more reliable data. I did this early on and found that the average MPG reading was actually pretty accurate over the course of a couple months.

 

2023 V4S Multi with 5000 miles. Flaky early low fuel warning, usually lights on at 30-40 remaining showing with 2–2.5 gallons In tank. I’ve run it to 20 miles past zero and still only put 5.2 gallons in.

Current check on tour Interstate 75 holding 70-75 mph from Jacsonville to north of Savannah only put 4.1 gallons in to fill. Actual fuel mileage isn’t bad. Remaining miles and reserve warning is VERY conservative. 22 miles remaining should easily be in the 50-60 miles remaining neighborhood.

174.8 miles / 4.1 gal = 42.6 mpg.

Tom

 

Hilarious. People buying an Italian superbike and worrying about fuel consumption.
They should be ridden hard and fueled accordingly.
Buy some fuel efficient bike if you're concerned about consumption.

 

Hilarious. People buying an Italian superbike and worrying about fuel consumption.
They should be ridden hard and fueled accordingly.
Buy some fuel efficient bike if you're concerned about consumption.

Hilarious is thinking an Italian bike with saddlebags is a superbike …

Tom

 

I think it was clarified earlier that it's not the cost issue, but rather frequency of stopping to fuel (& finding fuel stations) when doing long-distance touring.

 

I agree, regardless of whether or not it's a prancing stallion on heat, the rider needs to know if they can make it to the next gas station or not .

My 20c is that because of Euro 5/6 software causing a soft throttle response, causing a rider to use more twist to maintain normal speeds in traffic, causing......blah blah blah,.......makes the DTE recalculate very conservatively when at off highway cruise speeds and in lower gears.

Eg, on one occasion, on my way home on the highway, KMs on trip were good to fuel up at a gas station I had in mind, but, the traffic slowed to a crawl due roadworks and I was forced to slip to the side and trickle past at 30kph (it was a hot day and stop start traffic is awful)....... my DTE dropped from 40+ KMs to 5 doing this 2nd/3rd gear speed.

I could see the gas station in the distance, but was concerned I might not make it....but I did, with fuel to spare. The DTE panics at crawl speeds......

The DTE computer can be a nanny nagger, but always remember, you have 21liters in there if you fill carefully .......I drained my tank recently and refilled so can confirm the tank is 22ltr volume as advertised, but leaving an expansion gap, bank on 21 ltrs actual fuel. The engine won't quit when the DTE hits zero......there's always fuel left to get you to a gas station nearby.......but if out in the boonie's you might need that fuel bladder.......



PS, I've owned Jap "super bikes" and they gave better fuel economy than heavier standard ST's of the day, when ridden at legal-ish (read, under the thumb, radar patrol supervised) highway speeds 😈......they had smaller fuel tanks, so gas mileage was critical to make it to the next gas station......who said we couldn't 'tour' on a supersport 🤔. Point of order - the V4 multi & PP version arn't really superbikes....the SFV4 & Panni's with the 200hp donk are closer to superbike status, though they likely don't have the trick bits inside their engine's that the true racing superbikes have 🤫.

 

@TPadden , that's exactly the setup I want to have and go out...

Someday, pls do share (or share a link if already) the items you are carrying (including the rider seat that looks like a custom made one) et al.

 

Seth Laam seat, very comfortable about like a Russell Day Long (RDL) without any added height. I'll post my setup when I can, currently on a 10 day camping trip. If you deal with Seth he's great on the phone, terrible with email.

Tom

Laam Custom Seats

Handcrafted, high-quality motorcycle seats tailored to your preferences. Backed by a lifetime warranty, elevate your riding experience with Laam Custom Seats.

laamseats.com

 

Hilarious is thinking an Italian bike with saddlebags is a superbike …

LOL, seriously. Hilarious that someone would buy an Italian adventure bike and not realize that an "adventure" might mean being more than 20 miles from the nearest fuel station or Starbucks.

 

followmeeeeee..... I know where all the coffee shops are...........

 

Just completed a 4700 mile trip from WI to Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton NPs. MPG on my V4S MTS ranged from 33 mpg to 45 mpg — depending on speed and wind conditions. Mostly saw 40-42mpg when running in the 70-75mph range. Not dissimilar to my previous 2010 MTS S Touring.

 

I just completed a 4000 mile trip from So Cal to Canada. If you plan on 200 miles to your next fill, you will be safe (no matter how you ride)

 

Agreed, I use 0 (Zero) miles remaining to indicate reserve and that's usually around 200 miles.

@TPadden , that's exactly the setup I want to have and go out...

Someday, pls do share (or share a link if already) the items you are carrying (including the rider seat that looks like a custom made one) et al.

Weekend, 10 day, or longer camping trip same packup. Large dry bag for all camping gear (tent, chair, sleeping bag, mat, etc.), smaller dry bag for personal gear (clothes, toiletries), left saddlebag for necessary gear I don't want to use (rain gear, tools, electrics, tire pump etc., right saddlebag for small stuff I use at stops (cleaning gear, chain wax, micro fiber towels), tail trunk for junk drawer (tablet, kindle, etc.) and food.

Tom

 

I've discovered that my odometer is about 10% off throughout the range of readings. 30mph is actually 27mph. 60mph is actually 56mph. I use three gps units, one is a TomTom, one is a hand held garmin i use for wilderness country hiking, the 3rd is a speedometer app on my cell phone. The three gps units all agree within 0.1mph with each other, the bike is consistently reading about 10% over actual speed, regardless of what the speed is.

Don't trust the bike's speed, odometer, trip readings, or mpg. Use an external gps, and measure your speed distance that way for mpg calculations.

In this day and age of computers, it is downright criminal to produce and sell such a crappy speed odometer setup. Cheap a$$ Styrofoam cup Kia cars get it right. Why can't Ducati on high end bikes?

 

I've discovered that my odometer is about 10% off throughout the range of readings. 30mph is actually 27mph. 60mph is actually 56mph. I use three gps units, one is a TomTom, one is a hand held garmin i use for wilderness country hiking, the 3rd is a speedometer app on my cell phone. The three gps units all agree within 0.1mph with each other, the bike is consistently reading about 10% over actual speed, regardless of what the speed is.

Don't trust the bike's speed, odometer, trip readings, or mpg. Use an external gps, and measure your speed distance that way for mpg calculations.

In this day and age of computers, it is downright criminal to produce and sell such a crappy speed odometer setup. Cheap a$$ Styrofoam cup Kia cars get it right. Why can't Ducati on high end bikes?

Is this your first motorcycle?

I'm too lazy to search for it - there's a thread on here about it. Motorcycles have always had up to a ~10% Speedo inaccuracy on most all bikes, across all manufacturers - so much so that it's likely deliberate - and don't ask me why.
If it bothers you that much, buy a speedohealer. Or, sell your motorcycle.

 

It is ECE Regulation No. 39, which is a 14-page document detailing speedometer accuracy for vehicles sold in EU countries. According to this law, a speedometer can read high by as much as 10 percent plus 4 km/h at a specified test speed, but under no circumstances can the speedometer read low.

 

It is ECE Regulation No. 39, which is a 14-page document detailing speedometer accuracy for vehicles sold in EU countries. According to this law, a speedometer can read high by as much as 10 percent plus 4 km/h at a specified test speed, but under no circumstances can the speedometer read low.

Thanks for digging that up. I'm always surprised to hear people be annoyed by this; I've only been riding for about 18 years and every bike I've owned (over a dozen) have been like this - japanese, german, austrian, italian, british - and speedohealer has carved a nice market niche and taken folks' money who can't stand to have it be inaccurate (even with using a GPS!).

 

Yep, none are accurate!

 

question perhaps is:
Speedometer is inaccurate - and most likely on purpose.

But I have to assume the odometer cannot be inaccurate. That is the key piece (along with purchase date) for warranty etc. so if that’s the case - that odometer is accurate, then I have to assume the “trip” (distance traveled) is accurate - as that is a planner tool for bikers to fill gas, plan their trip etc. true? We do know mpg reading in inaccurate (for many), and gas tank sensors are not very accurate either…it can be a bit confusing.

 

Seth Laam seat, very comfortable about like a Russell Day Long (RDL) without any added height. I'll post my setup when I can, currently on a 10 day camping trip. If you deal with Seth he's great on the phone, terrible with email.

Tom

Laam Custom Seats

Handcrafted, high-quality motorcycle seats tailored to your preferences. Backed by a lifetime warranty, elevate your riding experience with Laam Custom Seats.

laamseats.com

That’s the seat Seth made for me this past winter…

 

2023 PP with 56xx miles. I don’t pay attention to MPG but I typically fill up 180+ miles. Bike rarely takes over 5 gal. Ride fairly aggressive. Overall, very similar to the 2013 PP which got a little better MPG but had a bit smaller tank.