My Magna Ride of Passage

[dc112675]

Well, I went on another "long" trip.  Ok, 400 miles round trip is not long for most of you, but for me, it is nearly iron butt worthy.  I will quickly say this, my bike is not set up for long rides.  Stopping for gas was a good thing.  No windshield probably affected me the most.  Otherwise it was a great ride.  

First, my magna is now in 5-digit land . . . yep, she just rolled 10k.  I bought it a year and a half ago with 7,000 miles on it, so I am averaging right at 2,000 miles a year.

The second reason why this was such a monumental ride is because I almost got the gas mileage that I thought was nearly unobtainable.  Turns out that on the last stretch I went 122.5 miles on 2.70 gals . . . that is over 45 mpg.  My previous high was 40.9.  So needless to say I am pumped.

I averaged about 60-65 mph on the last leg, and I suspect if I could bump down to 55 mph I might could get to the elusive 50mpg mark.  I also need to put the DD shims in, as I think that might help a little too.

Anyway, just wanted to share my excitement with someone else.

[SilverFox]

When I rode to Durant, OK Monday the wind was at my back most of the way and I hit the reserve tank at 123 miles.  Coming home the wind was in my face and reserve was hit at 109 miles.  I do have a windshield and that makes the ride more relaxing but I think it hurts the milage.  On the whole ride I averaged 46.5 mpg.  When people ask about milage I tell them my wife's van gets 140 passanger miles per gallon.  (Thats 7 people at 20 mpg.  Thats the way the airlines count it.)  I'd rather spend $5.00 a gallon for gas in the magna that $1.00 a gallon for gas in her van!

[TLRam1]

You guys do well!

I get around 38 mpg. If I am doing 90 mph on an interestate I have been as low as 30.8. With my old tank I will hit reserve at 77 miles, but normally hit reserve in the ninties under my regular driving habits.

[Curtis_Valk]

Congrats on reaching the 10k mark with her.  Here's wishing you many more (s)miles to come.      

While I had my '99 Magna, I hit the elusive 50 a couple of times...........all in the first year of ownership, never to be repeated thereafter! LOL  Low forties was more the norm, with an occasional blip into the 30s.

Same story with my Valks.  I could coax 40 out of her, but it's no fun so I don't even try.  Mid to low thirties is the norm with an occasional blip into the 20s (well, maybe that tankfull I burned pulling my trailer at 90+ can't be considered a blip.........and I got all of 23 mpg on that tank full!!! LOL.

Curtis

[Len Averyt]

I now have that Magna and I get 40-44 mpg on average.
I'm not a curve burner like Curtis was  
But 40-44 is still good hauling twice the man... Err twice the weight

[Curtis_Valk]

I'm not a curve burner like Curtis was  

What you mean was?? My curve burning didn't stop when Maggie and I parted.      

Curtis

[wyomingwapiti]

I have had my 99 Magna since Feb 2007, but didnt get to ride it until the snow melted in April/May.  I have since put on over 4,000 miles, the longest day being 450 miles.  I have installed a windshield that I find invaluable since all of my driving is highways.  I have found they Magna is a great all around bike.  I have actually acheived 59 mpg!  Granted it was riding thru Yellowstone at a constant speed of 45 mph with little traffic to slow me down.  I average 48 mpg, driving at 60-65 mph.  I have also found that when you get into the throttle or deal with a pretty good wind the mileage drops considerably.  What a great bike!!!!

[drkngas]

WOW!  I very seldom see 40mpg.  I'm usually between 36-39 mpg but having a grand ole time.  I guess those Cobra needles and jets swallow a little more gas or it could be my driving.

also....
I spoke with a Honda dealership the other day that is advising all motorcyclist to add fuel stablizer to all gas that will be in the tank for over 2 weeks.  They said the corn-gas has not as bike friendly.  I guess we all need to ride more.

[Charles S Otwell]

But 40-44 is still good hauling twice the man



Wow! I know at least one of us that would have never got away with a comment like that    

[Curtis_Valk]

Don't worry Charles, he didn't get away with it.  I zinged him good on our Saturday ride!!! LOL  You know me well!!

Curtis

[Charles S Otwell]

Boy I'm glad to hear that! I was afraid you were getting soft  

[RedMagna]

also....
I spoke with a Honda dealership the other day that is advising all motorcyclist to add fuel stablizer to all gas that will be in the tank for over 2 weeks.  They said the corn-gas has not as bike friendly.  I guess we all need to ride more.

Sounds similar to what I was told back in March when I and a friend met a couple riding in the mountains.  Came to find out the lady was a accounting manager for one of the major boat dealers that's just 1 mile from my house, and she was warning us not to use the corn gas.  She said that the mechanics are getting swamped with repairs because of it being run in boat engines; seems to "gunk up" things.  The lady said it was good for the business but was not for the customer and warned us not to use it for our bikes per the mechanics at her workplace.  I kinda heard what she said but didn't really listen to it because it just seemed unlikely.

[MagnaDaddy]

Can't understand why anyone would want to put good moonshine in their gas tank  

[Damn Yankee]

By corn gas, do you refer to E85?

If so, it shouldn't be used for ANY vehicle that isn't set up for "flex fuel". If what I understand is correct, the highest formula corn gas a regular gas engine can handle is E10, or 10% ethanol. The corn gas out there now is 85% ethanol.

[Curtis_Valk]

I have not seen any e85 down here, but our region is absolutely awash in the 10% ethanol stuff.  Mileage suffers, performance suffers and the stuff just don't smell right.  

Curtis