Hi.

Newbie that just joined this great forum.

I just purchased a 2003 XLC Sportster and I was wondering what i should expect for my miles per gallon.

I realize it is about the way I ride and the equipment so here is my summary.

I ride very easy, i am not a speedster and do not even care about going super fast. I ride average and during my two tank test it has been all city driving averaging around 35 mph (some streets 30 mph, most 40-45 mph).

I have filled up the tank twice now and ran it until she ran out of gas (non reserve) and i am getting between 95-100 miles per tank. When i do the calculations i am averaging around 36 miles per gallon. 100 miles / 2.8 gallons. I have a 3.3 gallon tank and my reserve is .5 gallons and thus the 2.8 gallon calculation.

Everything i have read on the internet calls for between 45 and 50 mpg. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas why i am only getting 36 mpg riding her easy in the city?

The bike is a 2003 XLC with screaming eagle pipes and it has a windshield. The bike has around 5K miles on it. I just changed the oil, other than that have not done anything as the previous owner says it was serviced not too long ago (he did not have exact mileage of service date).

Any ideas from the forum folks on what i can do to gain that extra 5 mpg. I am not super concerned just wondered if this is normal.

Thanks,

deep

 

1. dont worry about 5 mpg
2. you can put a fuel management system on it and adjust it how you want
3. welcome to the bike and the board!! (should have been #1)

no idea how you can ride this bike easy... i never am able to. i need a class!!
wondering if you really ran it outta gas. sure hope not and be sure not to--

 

I have an '03 XLC also and the 100 miles per tank is about what I get on average. I have gotten as little as 90 and as much as 110 depending on how hard I ride, warm-up time, etc. Welcome to the forum!

 

The OP has a carb. Not fuel infection. The only other fuel management system he might put on it is a different carb. Running out of gas isn't a big deal.
You should be getting about 50 mpg. Do the top-off-the-tank-twice method for checking your mileage.
Welcome to the forum.

 

Dang. I get nearly 50 mpg on my 02.

 

Wow, thanks for replies so far guys great to read about other people's bikes and what type of mpg each bike gets.

Harley Scuba, the last two tanks i tried I filled the tank to the rim. I know so cause when i ran it out of gas both times, the tank would only hold 2.8 gallons on the refill. Not sure why others are getting better gas mileage, it is not a huge concern of mine considering gas costs about 9 bucks to fill up the tank i was just wondering if I had any options to increase how many miles i get per tank.

wanabe. I can provide a class on riding slower anytime. Here in Miami, traffic can be congested so I take it nice and easy and keep my distance from other crazy drivers. Texting and driving is like a disease where I live so the farther I keep my distance from the crazy folks the safer I am.

I am curious if the folks that are getting 50 mpg have a windshield / saddle bags, or not to see how that affects the mpg.

Thanks,

Deep

 

My bike is naked. I bet the windshield is costing you a bunch. I didn't catch that the first time I read your post. Probably the same with the saddlebags. Lastly, keep your bike tuned-check your plugs. They'll tell you if your bike is tuned correctly. I use Seafoam in my gas all the time.

 

Every bit of wind resistance and weight will make a difference on a bike. I have an 03 XLC1200 as well and I get anywhere from 80-110 miles before I have to go on reserve. Generally, I don't chance it and just gas up at 80 miles before I have to go on the reserve.

I have SE II pipes and I ride it fairly easy with blasts in between just because the pipes sound so nice. You almost have to do it just to do it.

 

Damn, I don't have to switch to reserve until I get to 130 miles on my odo on my '00 1200+, with loaded saddle bags, and a mix of twisties, city & highway riding---->Normal commuting here in WV. I'm also quite heavy on the throttle/higher RPM's for most of my rides too. You guys must be blipping the throttle too much. Oh, and the windshield isn't going to alter your MPG to any significant degree.....The winds going to either hit your windshield or you in the torso creating the wind drag.

 

ive been getting 45mpg with mine, windshield &bags driving 60-65mph. if i drive the speed limit or slower on backroads ive gotten over 50 before.