Economic two up tourer with luggage

[Peter Phoenix]

Hello Eveyone

I currently have a GS1200R and while this in my opinion is a fine touring bike able to carry the kitchen sink and a passenger the running costs specifically the MPG are in todays high priced fuel world high, With a maximum of 50 and and average of 40 mpg being the norm

Can anyone recommend a similar bike be it enduro or road that would fill the role of my GS while being a little kinder to my pocket?

[jkrijt]

A maximum of 50 and and average of 40 mpg for riding two up with luggage is not bad at all. I doubt if you could find a similar bike that could do it more fuel efficient.
The F650GS I used to ride did between 50 and 60 mpg when riding solo and I guess an XT600 or DR650 would do the same but those bikes are a lot smaller and for two up and luggage, I would prefer the R1200GS.

[pecha72]

DL650 2012 version, which is even more economic than previous one (tank size went from 22 to 20 liters, but range has remained more or less the same). I've got both 2007 and 2012. The new one also has other small improvents here and there.

A new, REALLY economic engine seems to be the Honda NC700, that's on different type of bikes, and the NC700X looks like it could do some 2-up riding. But that's only a guess, because I've yet to ride that bike myself. Its tank size is only 14L, but some reports claim it can still do a range of more than 400 kms (probably tested 1-up though).

[Peter Phoenix]

Perhaps its just me wanting more from the bike, when you think that an average 1200 cc car will do much more than the 50 mpg I am getting. I am not so fixated on speed at my age, not that I ever was and I am willing to trade this to go further

I have looked at a few bikes however the blurb does not really give an accurate picture of how the bike performs in this specilised area:confused1:

[Threewheelbonnie]

Google fuelly, people record their MPG figures so you get a good picture.

I'm getting about 65mpg from a left over old style DL650. I hear BMW F800's do well.

The R1200's first issue is weight. Components designed to handle 100 HP are simply bigger than those designed for 70. I did however have an R1100 I put a sidecar on. 100 mph three up and it did 41 mpg exactly as it had solo, rider only, going with the traffic flow. An engine tuner told me this was simply because in 1990 when they'd written the software economy on bikes was a minor issue compared to getting the press to like them and a simple way to get smooth, fast acceleration was to over fuel all through the rev range. If this is leftover in the R1200 software you could try getting it remapped. Good luck though, you only get one tuner who can do economy instead of just noise.

If you like flat twins wait for the watercooled one, they'll have to go with the times and improve the fuel use.

Andy

[Magnon]

Originally Posted by Peter Phoenix

Perhaps its just me wanting more from the bike, when you think that an average 1200 cc car will do much more than the 50 mpg I am getting. I am not so fixated on speed at my age, not that I ever was and I am willing to trade this to go further

I have looked at a few bikes however the blurb does not really give an accurate picture of how the bike performs in this specilised area:confused1:

1200cc cars aren't generally giving 100bhp and they are more aerodynamic at motorway speeds. they are also tuned and geared to give their best fuel economy at whatever the test speed is (56/62mph?).

As TWB suggests you could find someone to remap it to give good fuel economy rather than best performance. Bear in mind that my old airhead with carbs only does about 45mpg.

It's hard to find a better bike than the R1200GS for 2 up comfort apart from maybe another 1200. I think you'd find a single or even a 800GS a bit cramped after the 1200.

[Peter Phoenix]

Thanks everyone, I thought this may be the case but needed to check as I plan to do a long haul for me trip on the GS Africa to UK with luck

[wahiba]

If you can find one with not to much mileage then you have found a great two up tourer.
While it is an MZ the engine is the Yamaha 660 - tough as they come, and most of the cycle parts are Ducati based, and of decent quality.
Tooks ours to Spain two up camping and no problems. Carried all the kit, 60 mpg.
It has been the to Ireland and the length and breadth of the UK. A comfy bike, especially if you are short in the leg.
Bit long in the tooth for big time touring these days, but still have the bike and still go out two up.
Just fit the 43 tooth sprocket rather than the default 39 tooth. What you loose in fast cruising you gain in all round tractability.
And the handling - well frame was designed by Ticraft in the UK, well that is the bike, designed in Britain, built in Germany, Japanese motor, Italian and Japanese bits.

[surf dude]

The DL650 is a great bike, and good 2 up, I rode across Nevada and Utah on my DL1000 with a couple 2 up on a DL650, they stayed right with me even though I was riding at 80-85 mph all day.