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Tourer
Posts: 354
20 miles west of Chicago. | I've noticed that the MPG according to the on-board dash display has consistantly been 46-47 mpg, but in calculating MPG the old fashioned way, by tracking gallons used and miles ridden, the figure comes out consistantly 36-37 mpg. An average discrepancy of 10 mpg. Any one else experienced this? Thoughts? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 257
Under the Rule of Jedi - Masshole | Never checked it that way, but my on dash reads 42-45 or so, and I go about 220 miles and put in around 5 -5.5 gallons so that figures out to be about 40-45 mpg. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Mine always shows better than actual, but only 2-3 mpg off. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 141
| also 2-3 higher than the math in all conditions |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | Mudge - 2009-05-14 1:09 PM
I've noticed that the MPG according to the on-board dash display has consistantly been 46-47 mpg, but in calculating MPG the old fashioned way, by tracking gallons used and miles ridden, the figure comes out consistantly 36-37 mpg. An average discrepancy of 10 mpg. Any one else experienced this? Thoughts?
I am really sorry to hear that someone else is having this problem!
I have had this same problem since I bought the bike last June, although my mileage discrepancy is all over the place. But it is always substantial. I have been trying to get it fixed for almost a year now, with no success. First of all Victory said it was normal to be 10% to 20% off! Normal, especially with today's technology??!! I don't think so (unless someone's 6 year old is building the mileage computers in his tree house)!! And mine is farther off than that anyway. They made me track the mileage for several weeks BEFORE they would even attempt to look at the problem!
Once I was done tracking the mileage, and had record of the mileage computer being GROSSLY off (anywhere from 10% to almost 30%, all of it completely random), Victory finally started doing something.....sort of. They began by stringing my dealer along with several excuses, but no real answers. Then they had both my dealer and I each try several different things, but still nothing changed. Finally, after months of complaining about it, including several trips to my dealer (one hour each way) and weeks without the use of my bike, Victory finally sent a memo (which I have a copy of) essentially saying it was my fault because I had not allowed the computer time to "learn" how I drive the bike. Excuse me, but are they kidding??!! Are they really trying to tell me that the computer needs to learn how I ride in order to do simple arithmetic??!! Once again, Victory customer service at its best!
In any case, Victory said that I needed to give the computer time to learn how to do mileage calculations, and told me that I needed to run 5 or 6 tanks of gas through it without resetting anything, and that would solve the problem. Yeah, I know, it seems totally ridiculous, but I gave it a try anyway. I just finished putting over 1300 miles on the bike without resetting anything and now that I am checking it again, guess what.......NO CHANGE! DUH!
In any case, I let my dealer know that it was his responsibility to fix it, and I didn't care what Victory said, he needed to get it taken care of. I think I just need a new computer, but it has been like pulling teeth to get one. Everyone just seems to bury their heads in the sand in hopes it will go away. But I can tell you, that it WILL NOT go away, and I will continue to pursue it until it gets fixed, and fixed right. I have never before used (or even threatened to use) litigation to get something done, but at this point, especially given that my warranty expires the end of next month, I will do what I have to to get this fixed.
This is really sad because the bike is great, and this seems to be a relatively small problem. If it were just 2 or 3 mpg off like some others have stated, and was consistently that way, I would just leave it alone. But mine is grossly off, and very inconsistent. And I just think that given what we paid for these bikes, everything should work, and work properly.
In any case, I am monitoring my mileage this weekend, then intend to take back to the dealer after Memorial Day weekend (I want to ride over the long weekend). I will keep you posted on what happens.
PS: If you read a bit of frustration in this post, it is because I am so sick and tired of owning such a great bike, with such pitiful factory support. And I just had to vent a bit. Sorry! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 85
| This is a little different. I've been riding bikes for over 35 years, talked an awful lot about a lot of different things with a lot of different bikers and I gotta say this is the first time I've ever heard anyone talk about a mileage readout concern. Mind you this is the first bike I've had that has ever given me that kind of information and being I'm the only Vision rider around for a couple of hundred miles I guess I shouldn't expect the subject to come up very often. So how does my Vision stack up? I don't really care what kind of milage I'm getting as long as it takes me to the next gas pump is how I always ride. I will admit that last summer I used the readout for estimated miles of fuel left in the tank and it didn't let me down. I thought that was kinda neat. Sorry to hear you've gone "weeks without the use of" your bike and that your dealer hasn't been able to figure out the problem yet but I'd be darned if I'd lose any sleep or riding time over a computer readout on my ride. My dealer is 5 hours away and I call before I go to make sure they understand that I don't leave at the end of the day without my bike, unless of course it happens to be something major which hasn't occured yet and lucky for me I guess but they've been really great. Littigation, wow you must be frustrated. I've always been a believer in "you catch more flies with honey." If you plan on keeping this bike and you need to depend on these guys for good service in the future why not make sure the issue is on record so if it goes beyond your warranty period you are still covered. I hope it all works out for you, stay cool and ride. |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | Nepper - 2009-05-14 3:52 PM
This is a little different. I've been riding bikes for over 35 years, talked an awful lot about a lot of different things with a lot of different bikers and I gotta say this is the first time I've ever heard anyone talk about a mileage readout concern. Mind you this is the first bike I've had that has ever given me that kind of information and being I'm the only Vision rider around for a couple of hundred miles I guess I shouldn't expect the subject to come up very often. So how does my Vision stack up? I don't really care what kind of milage I'm getting as long as it takes me to the next gas pump is how I always ride. I will admit that last summer I used the readout for estimated miles of fuel left in the tank and it didn't let me down. I thought that was kinda neat. Sorry to hear you've gone "weeks without the use of" your bike and that your dealer hasn't been able to figure out the problem yet but I'd be darned if I'd lose any sleep or riding time over a computer readout on my ride. My dealer is 5 hours away and I call before I go to make sure they understand that I don't leave at the end of the day without my bike, unless of course it happens to be something major which hasn't occured yet and lucky for me I guess but they've been really great. Littigation, wow you must be frustrated. I've always been a believer in "you catch more flies with honey." If you plan on keeping this bike and you need to depend on these guys for good service in the future why not make sure the issue is on record so if it goes beyond your warranty period you are still covered. I hope it all works out for you, stay cool and ride.
All very good points, and I agree with what you say. But let me clarify a couple of things. First of all, I am not complaining about the mileage. I am totally happy with the mileage I am getting. While many report getting much better mileage, I am getting about what I did on my Harley and the Vision is 200 lbs. heavier with substantially more wind resistance from the fairings and body work, so I think I'm doing pretty good.
Secondly, I have been riding for over 40 years, and this is the first time I have ever had a mileage computer on a bike. Do I need it? No. In fact, I was surprised when I found the bike even had one. But I paid for it and to just roll over and accept a piece of junk just doesn't sit well with me, especially given what we have paid for these bikes. It also makes me wonder what other electronic glitches there may be that have not yet shown up.
I completely agree that you catch more flies with honey, but when the honey runs out, you are left with few choices. I have been keeping good records, and am hopeful it all works out without having to take any sort of drastic action. Trust me, I plan to explore all reasonable options first.
Finally, the issue of the mileage computer is clearly a minor one. My Vision runs great, and the more I ride it, the more I love it! In truth, the mileage computer was originally more of a novelty to me than anything else. If it had worked in the beginning, I probably would not have even looked at it again. What gets to me is the lousy way this has been handled by Victory, and how much of my time and energy I have had to spend to deal with it (including time to vent in these blogs). Maybe I should have just let it go, but I'm so far into it now, I need to see it to an end. Hopefully my efforts will at least help someone else who has the same or similar problem.
Anyway, thanks for your thoughts and well wishes. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 228
| I guess my question is......do you ALWAYS fill your tank at the same pump at the same station pointed the same direction? If the front is a little uphill one time and a little down hill the next fill-up there is going to be a problem getting tank filled to exactly the same level. In a tank that holds ~six gallons of fuel a quart difference could make a huge difference in your calculation especially if you check your mileage at short intervals instead of running 200 miles between fill-ups.
I have 10K miles on mine and the readout has always been optomistic. The mileage readout in my Dodge Ram and my Honda CRV are both the same way. My Ram cost twice as much as my Tour Premium by the way.
My suggestion is to live with it. IMHO...much to do about nothing. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 257
Under the Rule of Jedi - Masshole | Last Saturday JAM and myself went for a ride. Before we left I needed to fuel up as my low fuel light had been on. I knew it was low because it would not run on the side stand. Even worst was we made a hard left turn at a light and it sputtered, and died until I stood it back up. We pull into the gas station down the street, filled it up with 6.132 gals! I guess it was low. I told Jeff it's only got a 6 gallon tank.
Moral of the story? If it's only got a six gallon tank, how come pump read 6.132? Who do you believe?
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Tourer
Posts: 415
| My actual MPG is usually 2-3 less than the computer. No big deal. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Well, I think the pump needs calibrating as if it takes even 5.9 gallons something is wrong in the measuring device and not the tank. I think it is safe to say it is 6 gallons, but who am I? My read out is spot on, and if any one wants to check it, let's go for a ride. I always have had a habit and checking miles against actual gallons consumed on fill-up and I fill consistantly. My digital read-out will match my calculation of miles / gallons consumed. Mine lately has been running right at the 36 - 40mpg as I'll run it out to about 180 miles and I'll put in around 4.5 to 5 gallons everytime. I fill up to the filler neck after shaking and moving a few times to get out the air. The most I've put in is 5.7 gals. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 208
Edmonton Alberta, Canada | As I live up north where we use metric, but being old enough not to understand l/100km (litres oper 100 kilometers) Victory has pre set the system to re read l/km which is not std, as far as using a slide ruler to change back to m/gal, it is totally usless up north. Now being older also, when I think m/gal, I think miles per ukgal, which is larger than the us gallon.
On our first big trip last year I noted the km's, and kept track of fuel comsumed. I sat down and callculated out 49.79 miles per uk gallon. This would be approx 37 miles per us gal. Two up all bags packed full and all our leathers on. All on the first 1500 miles. I think that is very reasonable as I travels 70+ miles per hour on the highway, and enjoyed the acceleration of the line many times.
My bigger worry is how accurate the gas guage is, so that i make it to the next service station. I also believe that all engines run much better on the the top half of the tank than the botton half. (less chance of picking up gunk in the bottom of the tank and plugging the fuel filter. Not to mention less chance of condensation too. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 260
| I don't use it in my car and never use them I my bike. I reset the trip odometer after I fill up. Never lets me down. Thanks, I did not know it had a 6 gallon tank!!  |
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Cruiser
Posts: 61
| Try using the Instant reading and watch how much it actualy varries. lol
I saw you throttle jockey!  |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 10
Savage, MN | Member No. 1 - 2009-05-14 7:13 PM
Moral of the story? If it's only got a six gallon tank, how come pump read 6.132? Who do you believe?
EXACTLY!! |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | I don't know about this tank, but in most vehicles you can put more fuel in than the tank is rated for, due to filler neck, etc. I'm guessing that there is a skosh more room in the tank than it is rated for, to allow for air, and that you filled past the rated fill point. Hopefully I'm making sense here and not just rambling incoherently. And I could be completely off the mark - if so, I'm sure someone will be HAPPY to educate me :-) |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I'v never been able to get a full reading on my gas gage, nor has the tank taken more than 5.2 at a fillup..... My normal add is no more than 4.5 gallons. So while the bike has averaged as much as 51.8 mpg on one trip and routinely 45 mpg for around home riding I couldn't say with any certainty how accurate the readout is.
What I have learned is when the bikes low fuel light comes on, go find gas. To prevent the low fuel light coming on fill up before the trip odo hits 220 and most import skip the minor stuff and enjoy the ride. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 106
L.I., N.Y. | Wizard like you my mpg avg has never been correct. It tells me I 'm getting 46 mpg and I gave up resetting it 4000 miles ago. I only reset the trip and time now. Victory nor the dealer can explain why when the temps are between 15 to 30 degs my bike gets 25 to 29 mpg. When it 30 to 65 degs I get 29 to 35 mpg. When its 70 to 90 deg out I get 36 to 40 mpg, all driving is under similar conditions. Whether it's getting 32mpg hwy at 65 to 75 mph or getting 36 mpg at 30 to 50 mph local driving. I usually use the same pumps at Sunco, BP, Hess, Exxon or Gulf, (mainly cause the pump hoses drain down filling the neck of the tank to the top) Octane makes no difference. Still trying to figure out why it hard to start in temps under 38 degs. or why it idles up on its own to 1200 to 1800 rpms periodically, and the newest thing I'm been tracking over the last month when my engine cools to approx. 170 deg it will not start on the first attempt(happen to get this on video for them to view). Let it sit for a moment or crack the throttle slightly and it starts right up. If there is a Victory dealer that can help with this please let me know. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 15
| i just finished a long trip and was surprised by how accurate the range function really was. many times i thought i had less miles before i had to fill up and when i filled up it was just as the range said. i learned to trust the range miles and it worked out great. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 15
| i just finished a long trip and was surprised by how accurate the range function really was. many times i thought i had less miles before i had to fill up and when i filled up it was just as the range said. i learned to trust the range miles and it worked out great. |
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MPG-Indicated vs. Actual
