My wife and I returned last night from a 14 day, 3048 mile trip from NJ to Nova Scotia. We were running two up the entire time, with both side bags and a Givi 55 loaded. Between the side bags and the Givi, we had 85 pounds (actual weight) of gear. Combined rider weight in full riding gear is probably 350. I alternated every other tank of gas between Eco and Standard mode and kept records of actual mileage for the entire trip. I ran Premium gas at every fill up, except one where it wasn't available. I was riding with my brother and his wife on a BMW RT1150, and two guys running VFR's (800's). Our riding style was very 'spirited' to say the least. We were not just putting along.
Overall Standard Mode average gas mileage was 41.3 MPG, with a High of 45.3 and a Low of 34.9. Eco Mode average was 43.8 (discounting the Regular Gas), with a High of 48.5 and a Low of 36.6 (but that was with Regular gas, so I really don't count it).
I am sure that the bike is capable of much more conservative mileage, but with the riding we were doing, we were not specifically interested in being conservative!
The performance difference between the two modes, especially on the INCREDIBLE roads of Nova Scotia is amazing. Having the torque available down low in the RPM band makes all the difference in the world.
I will say that the C14 is a BIG, HEAVY bike that generates a lot of momentum, especially on steep downhill sections. You increase speed pretty quickly even when not trying to. When going downhill with a lot of left-right-left turns (Cabot Trail style) you better be using engine braking (lower gears) or be prepared to be on the brakes a LOT.
This was my first trip to Nova Scotia. It won't be my last. The Cabot Trail (clockwise AND counterclockwise) is some of the finest riding I've ever done, but it can also be very unforgiving. We were told that there were two MC fatalities the previous week. I don't know any details, but a rider really needs to pay attention to the road and not the scenery.
A big "Thank You" to the wonderful people of Nova Scotia for the great hospitality and a bigger
"Thank You" to the Mountie to politely reminded us that the speed limit signs were in Kilometers Per Hour, not Miles Per Hour (Oops).
Overall Standard Mode average gas mileage was 41.3 MPG, with a High of 45.3 and a Low of 34.9. Eco Mode average was 43.8 (discounting the Regular Gas), with a High of 48.5 and a Low of 36.6 (but that was with Regular gas, so I really don't count it).
I am sure that the bike is capable of much more conservative mileage, but with the riding we were doing, we were not specifically interested in being conservative!
The performance difference between the two modes, especially on the INCREDIBLE roads of Nova Scotia is amazing. Having the torque available down low in the RPM band makes all the difference in the world.
I will say that the C14 is a BIG, HEAVY bike that generates a lot of momentum, especially on steep downhill sections. You increase speed pretty quickly even when not trying to. When going downhill with a lot of left-right-left turns (Cabot Trail style) you better be using engine braking (lower gears) or be prepared to be on the brakes a LOT.
This was my first trip to Nova Scotia. It won't be my last. The Cabot Trail (clockwise AND counterclockwise) is some of the finest riding I've ever done, but it can also be very unforgiving. We were told that there were two MC fatalities the previous week. I don't know any details, but a rider really needs to pay attention to the road and not the scenery.
A big "Thank You" to the wonderful people of Nova Scotia for the great hospitality and a bigger
"Thank You" to the Mountie to politely reminded us that the speed limit signs were in Kilometers Per Hour, not Miles Per Hour (Oops).