Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Mileage

All good information.

I don't have a 10k mile trip planned but was trying to see what the general consensus is on that type of travel. Last year, I did 9k miles in 10 days on a motorcycle, rode through every mountain range in the country and attended two different bike rallies (although briefly) on opposite ends of the country. Wasn't really going anywhere...just going. I logged about 60k motorcycle miles in 2013. Change the oil every 8k miles, final drive lube every other oil change and tires every 20-25k.

Having experience with and knowing its reputation, on a Gold Wing, when you climb aboard, you already know that the bike can handle anything you can dish out to it and the rider is the limiting factor. Frankly, it's 99.9% bullet-proof. I was just trying to figure out where the M3W fits on the bullet-proof scale based on your experience.

I'm certainly not opposed to doing some big mileage in the M3W and for me, it has much in common with long-distance riding...a self-inflicted hardship (cold, heat, rain, etc. with limited carrying capacity and little creature comforts). I hope when I'm through with it, it is a smoldering, worn-out heap as I didn't buy it for eye candy. Without harping too much about it, I have a little bit of a nagging feeling about the compensator and the bevel box. More so the compensator. After giving it a good hard run over +/- 150 miles on Sunday, it sounded kind of rough. Nothing like the one I heard in the video here but a far cry from quite especially considering the low mileage. Maybe if I go ahead and break it, I will feel compelled to fix it proper.

I was just trying to see who had some big miles on their M3W without it being familiar with a tow truck.

Z

Hi Z ,

I've done around 7300 miles since Sept 12 , so not many miles by your standards ! I do a lot of 120 mile round trips and on a few occasions have done 250 in a day , have always felt I could happily have done more .

As for tow trucks .... I have sadly needed them on quite a few occasions , mostly the problems have turned out to be relatively minor electrical faults , failed rectifier , poor earth to fuel pump , loose connection on cut out switch , etc.

I've had no problem with the compensator and have learn't how to keep it quiet ! Also my bevel box is fine and is not too noisy .

I also seem to have been lucky with the various rubber bobbins for rectifier and exhaust , I had one exhaust one replaced at the 7000 mile service along with the rear tyre.

I do think the bump steer is an issue and am waiting to hear from my dealer as to whether they can fit the kit .

I'm not sure I'm qualified to comment on 10,000 mile trips ! But I do use the car in all weathers , I got caught in a heavy storm yesterday and again today but it doesn't put me off ...

You sound like the ideal person to have an M3W and I'm sure you'll love it , I look forward to hearing further reports .

Hugh

Hi Z

Longest trip I've manage in my 3w was just under 600 miles in a day. Touch wood I've had no isses with mine.

I did 13 hours in a 3w on the Nordkapp trip and that as hard. It got to the stage that when you did a full day in the 3w you needed the following morning off driving. We covered 5000miles in 2 weeks and it was hard, poor roads, low speeds etc.

On the trip temperatures ranged from bloody hot to bloody cold with plenty of rain and wet roads. The only problem we had was fuel getting into the fuel system and blocking one of the injectors but we still managed to run he best part of 1000 miles on one cylinder.

Ripping tale! Wish there was a DVD, though.. Would be very inspirational.

Hard mileages bore me now. It's all number crunching, pee stops and credit cards. I'm at the stage in life now where going slowly & savouring the countryside & people is more important.

Maybe I've turned into Miss Daisy..?

More good information...




SBM,

I enjoy that style of travel, as well and sympathize with those that don't have the ability to enjoy that side of our hobbies. The LD riding isn't something I do every time I roll out the door. Two of my motorcycle trailers are "pop-up" campers (a solo & a double)which are heavy (595lbs & 740lbs respectively...loaded and ready to go) and the furthest thing from aerodynamic. Towing either, I run the speed limit or usually under as fuel consumption goes up exponentially above those speeds. While on a trip and camping along the way, you can't run up to the last minute and expect to find a place to camp at the late end of the day so it is a leisurely pace on time and mileage. There may come a day when trailers roll behind my M3W. Three of my cargo trailers (25 cu. ft.) are made of carbon fiber and weigh less than 200lbs (including on-board battery and air compressor)and are very aerodynamic.



This one I highly modified (mobile command center)...note refrigerator/freezer, auxiliary fuel tanks to transfer on the fly, etc.


Complete with air conditioner....


Solo on the left, double on the right...both have trailer brakes.



There is no wrong way...if you are doing what makes you happy (even though it may not have been your style some years back), it's all good. And by the same token, I'd rather be doing something wrong than doing nothing at all (while complaining about what & how others do it).

Again, just trying to determine the capabilities of the equipment based on real-world experience and/or owner perception who have been keeping track of the M3W longer than my limited exposure.

I'm more excited about M3W ownership than the day I got it...and that was pretty exciting.

Anyone know the alternator output?

Z

What has been the reaction of the locals?
buying fuel takes me at least half an hour just chatting to admirers

Hi Z
the alternator is rated at 38 amps. It's basically a bike style unit mounted on the end of the crank between the engine and the compensator.
Hope this helps and enjoy the new toy.
Cheers
Calum

My first encounter in this respect with the Morgan was while it was on a trailer behind my truck. After picking it up 450 miles from my home, I had to go another 250 miles beyond to pick up a motorcycle trailer chassis (for another project). Just before reaching my second destination, I pulled into a Shell station to top off with diesel and get something to drink. When I came back out of the store, my truck and trailer were blocked in and swamped by people. For many, it was a V-twin attraction, others were aware of something similar from the past, some just liked the vintage look and only one fellow knew it was a Morgan but had never seen one in person. Up until a few hours earlier, I was in the same boat as never seeing one in person.

Now, I try to choose the low-traffic gas stations (with ethanol-free gas) in effort to avoid some of the circus effect. It is cool and everyone that sees it thinks its extra cool. The HD riders are certainly keen on it. However, it is a little embarrassing when someone asks me "what's a ballpark price for something like that" and I tell them just before they hear the compensator rattling off into the sunset. I know how to make is sound quieter....but at $50K, I shouldn't have to.

Z

That's a big help. Now I can determine what it needs to function and determine what's left over for goodies.

I noticed where someone mentioned in another thread about a "parts book"? Are there parts books floating around? Wonder what the chances of getting a Service Manual from a dealer are? Going back to the factory isn't an option here and the closest dealership to me is 750+ miles which I suspect they know less about them than I do...but they probably do have a service manual and access to parts.

FWIW, they tell the warranty on my Morgan is transferable but with the dealer network as it is here, it would have to be a major issue to even think about that option.

Thanks for the feedback.

Z