Fuel Plus 4.0 Trip Computer

By Bill Shaw

David Weiszbrod developed the first Fuel Plus in 1992 for BMW K bike models. In addition to a 12-hour clock, it also monitored fuel consumption (MPG), miles from last fill-up, average speed, fuel remaining to empty, as well as a number of other related functions. I was first introduced to the Fuel Plus in 1997 by past RA President, Angelo Gravagna, and installed one on my K1100LT. It proved to be so accurate and reliable during the subsequent 20,000+ miles I had the bike that when I heard Weiszbrod was back in production and developed a new model, I decided to order one for my new-to-me 1995 K75.

The newest unit, Fuel Plus 4.0, is available for a wider selection of fuel-injected BMW motorcycles including Oilheads and K1200s, as well as the ubiquitous K75/K100/K1100 models. Unlike the first generation Fuel Plus which replaced the dash-mounted clock – a process that made more than one owner very nervous since the instrument pod had to be removed and disassembled – the Fuel Plus 4.0 is a stand-alone unit. Made from

Fuel Plus 4.0 mounted on a K75

polycarbonate and mounted near the left grip for easy access, it has a sleek and clean appearance with no external buttons. Scrolling through the functions is easily accomplished by means of two hidden touch pads on either side of the display. It is also completely weatherproof and even has an internal heater to reduce fogging in colder weather, can be used with winter gloves, and is backlit for easy viewing at night.

Programmed into the new Fuel Plus 4.0 computer are many functions found on the original including a clock (12 or 24 hour), fuel gauge (monitored as a percentage of fuel remaining), odometer (miles or kilometers), fuel economy, daily stats (miles ridden, running time, and average speed), voltmeter, several waypoint related functions, and miles/kilometers remaining in the tank. But it also has several new features, like ambient and engine block temperature (F or C), and the ability to set alarms to monitor the battery, charging system, and temperature.

The Fuel Plus 4.0 really is a worthy successor to the original in every respect and proved to be just as accurate as its predecessor. When I measured the bike’s engine block temperature with an infrared thermometer heat gun, for example, and compared this reading with the Fuel Plus, it was within 1 degree. I also found that the ambient temperature reading was also within a degree or two of the known outside temp and the average speed matched what my GPS indicated.

But the real purpose for the Fuel Plus is to accurately monitor fuel consumption. In this regard, it does it better than any production motorcycle computer I’ve ever used. Unlike onboard motorcycle computers that simply rely on the float level, the Fuel Plus measures the distance traveled and compares this number with the fuel remaining in the tank. According to Weiszbrod, his computer measures fuel consumed (by the drop) as it passes through the fuel injectors, while taking into account things like changes in wind load and speed in order to provide precise data. And if this weren’t enough, it can even be tailored to meet the needs of the rider or motorcycle. Long distance riders who use an auxiliary fuel cell can now calibrate the Fuel Plus to monitor the gas in both tanks so they’ll always know percentage of fuel used and how many miles they have until empty.

If there is one drawback to the Fuel Plus, it’s ease of use. The unit is packed with so many features, that scrolling to a particular setting can, at least initially, be tedious. If the clock is used as the default function, for example, it takes seven steps to get to the odometer. This also means that you can’t back up one function – you have to go all the way around. Unfortunately, this is the price to pay when using a compact computer with only two buttons. But once you understand how the Fuel Plus works, it becomes a minor inconvenience at worst. And while the LCD characters in the display might appear to be somewhat “thin” and archaic, I never had a problem reading the information in direct sunlight or at night.

I am an advocate of supporting small businesses, especially motorcycle entrepreneurs who provide great customer service and offer well-designed and useful products. In this regard, David Weiszbrod more than exceeds these criteria. Priced at $337, he has designed an attractive, functional, and extremely accurate product at a fair price. For more information on the Fuel Plus 4.0, contact Electronic Resources at 405-440-1795 or through their website.