Rabbit
Well-Known Member
We should keep in mind too that Honda only rates the NC at 64 mpg, and as with all things YMMV
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Hard to argue with hard data. Thank you.My first 5600 miles charted. There is some improvement over time.
I guess I have never been spoiled with anything capable of major long range mileage between fillups. Thinking through the catalog of bikes that I've had, I think the NC actually has the longest range between fillups that I've ever had in a bike. LOLWhile I get good gas mileage on my NC without trying simply because of my riding style, what concerns me most about the NC is the range. Gasoline is cheap, but frequent fill ups are an inconvenience at times. I have been on trips along with riders on other type motorcycles, and I was getting the best gas mileage of the group. But because of the NC's tiny fuel tank, we stopped for gas because I needed it first.
Getting mileage in the 50s would be awesome on my Goldwing, with 6.6 gallon tank. Getting mileage in the 50s with the NC would be terrible, with it's 3.7 gallon tank.
Yeah, a full tank on my NC is good for over 3 hours of highway and usually more on the secondary routes. I'm sure I *could* last longer on the saddle than that, but I'm ready for a bit of a break by the time I'd need to fill anyway.My Honda ST 1300 held 7.7 gals. It would go further than your butt or bladder could lol
When I go for rides with my parents (on mid-2010's Harley touring machines, 5gal tank I think?) I often have well over a third of a tank left even at the longest stretch between gas stops.In contrast, my 1993 883 Sportster had a 2.25 gallon tank and was *rated* for 51 mpg. If you passed a gas station you were rolling the dice.
Yeah, a full tank on my NC is good for over 3 hours of highway and usually more on the secondary routes. I'm sure I *could* last longer on the saddle than that, but I'm ready for a bit of a break by the time I'd need to fill anyway.
I'm guessing that's kind of how they decided on capacity. Picked a "reasonable" endurance for the average person.
Maybe the seat was designed as "uncomfortable" as it is so you HAVE to get off every 3 hours and don't notice the "small" tank
I get it that you might be ready to stop for a rest when the NC, due to it’s short range anyway, needs fuel. Depending on where you ride, fueling locations might be limited. Just because the NC needs fuel and you’re ready for a rest doesn’t mean fuel is available at that location. The short range becomes inconvenient when the trip routing or fueling frequency revolves around station locations. With a longer available range, you have more flexibility in trip route and stop times.I usually stop every 1.5 - 2 hours to stretch, fluids in, fluids out, etc. If droning on the interstate I get the 1,000 yard stare and need to get the cobwebs out with a quick stop.
In contrast, my 1993 883 Sportster had a 2.25 gallon tank and was *rated* for 51 mpg. If you passed a gas station you were rolling the dice.
Not saying that extra range isn't helpful at all, just that when they were designing the machine (mostly as a commuter vehicle) I doubt extended range was high on the priority list over reducing cost and wet weight.I get it that you might be ready to stop for a rest when the NC, due to it’s short range anyway, needs fuel. Depending on where you ride, fueling locations might be limited. Just because the NC needs fuel and you’re ready for a rest doesn’t mean fuel is a available at that location. The short range becomes incomvenient even the trip routing or fueling frequency revolves around station locations. With a longer range, you have more flexibility in trip route and stop times.
I agree that for Honda’s intended purpose for the NC, it’s range is in line with other simlar street machines. We have a Honda mid sized scooter, a dual sport, and the NC, and it’s probably no coincidence that they all have a range of around 200 miles.Not saying that extra range isn't helpful at all, just that when they were designing the machine (mostly as a commuter vehicle) I doubt extended range was high on the priority list over reducing cost and wet weight.
I'd wager most of the NCs in service have reliable access to gas stations most of the time. With that in mind, if I was going somewhere and I knew I'd be risking being out of range of gas, I'd bring along a jerry can.
Where it sounds (from this, and from other posts of yours I've read) like more of your riding is longer trips in less populated areas, I can definitely understand how greater range would be an asset. With all else being equal, fewer gas stops is always a benefit, even if you still make the same overall number of stops, and it only becomes more beneficial when fuel stations are more spread out.
To add, lots of gas stations in rural areas around me are closed overnight and on Sundays, so even if "normally" I'd be always in range of gas, sometimes I do still find myself planning times, routes and stops around a "limited" range. I can definitely appreciate the benefits of increased range. There are also plenty of rural locations where I'll have to go out of my way by a decent margin to get gas, or fill up at the "last stop for X km" if I have anything less than 80% of a tank.
In my experience, the range of the NC is in line with a typical road-oriented motorcycle, with the exception of the larger touring-oriented machines where range is one of the top priorities from a design perspective. In design, just about everything is a compromise, balancing competing outcomes, and the "intent" of the final product is going to steer the decision making process. When we start a new design project at work, one of the first documents we produce is a "Design Control Plan" in which (among other things) we assign priorities to various categories. Later on down the line, when these decisions have to be made, we have guidance on which to focus on at the expense of the other factors.
Agreed, it seems that whether intentionally or just by coincidence, there are "standard" values that have emerged.I agree that for Honda’s intended purpose for the NC, it’s range is in line with other simlar street machines. We have a Honda mid sized scooter, a dual sport, and the NC, and it’s probably no coincidence that they all have a range of around 200 miles.
In our automotive world, four different vehicles have fuel tank capacity ranging from 12 gallons to 55 gallons, but the range on all of them is about 400 miles, give or take 50 miles (the one Honda being the worst). 400 miles range seems to be the design target for our autos.
The automotive industry is faced with balancing economy and emissions requirements vs power and driver experience. If increases in fuel economy are achieved, they can reduce the fuel capacity (weight) and achieve a range that consumers find acceptable. Reducing weight helps fuel economy and 'performance'.Agreed, it seems that whether intentionally or just by coincidence, there are "standard" values that have emerged.
Now I'm curious if there was any research and reasoning behind it, or if it just sort of happened organically...