One of my new riding buddies has a 2001 Ultra Classic with 55,000 miles on it.

He bought the bike used 3 years ago with 38,000 miles on it from the local dealer. It had a Stage 1, 95" big bore kit and SE cams (not sure of the model) that were all installed when the bike was purchased "new" in 2001. I'm assuming that the ECM was "flashed" but don't know for sure.

Anyway, we went for a 300 mile ride today and I was surprised that he had to fill-up twice while we were on the road. He was averaging 28 to 30 MPG riding on flat ground (West Texas) at 70 MPH with little or no wind. He said that his mileage today was typical since the day he purchased the bike.

I've owned 7 Ultra Classics since 1993 and the worst mileage that I've ever seen has been 38 MPG, with highway mileage typically being in the mid-40s.

Anyone have an idea why his mileage is so bad?

Would installation of a Power Commander III and a good map possibly help the problem?

 

Carb or EFI??
If it has a carb, check for a sticking choke. Happened to mine and was getting about the same mileage.. couldn't go for more than 135 miles before I had to fill up...

 

It's Fuel Injected.

 

When I had 2001 Ultra FI at purchase it had 38,000 miles. A stage 1 upgrade was done but no ECM download. It ran lean, hot and had a serious decel pop. It's mileage was 40 - 42 mpg. I then installed a Power Commander III USB and that cleared up a lot of heat and decel pop issues but the mileage also suffered. it dropped to 36 - 38 mpg. Then I later changed the cams from stock to a mild SE204 cam. Had it dynoed and again the mileage suffered. Mileage was all over the place. It would vary from 30 to 44 with about 44,000 miles on the odo. But, overall the mileage usually ran 31 to 36 mpg.

 

I have an 01 ultra with MM injection, a 97" BB, 575 Woods cams with heads opened and bigger valves with the Cobra Auto tune and average 42 two up and 45 solo. I run Seafoam thru mine every other tank of gas, try to stay with 92 octane fuel and clean the air bleeds inside the intake every couple of months.

 

I bought a 2000 Ultra EFI new and all stock it got about 40-42 MPG's.

After having a "1550 kit" with a Stage II "flash download" and a Baker DD6 trans I still got between 38-40 MPG's if kept the RPM's around 3,000 (70MPH) but cruising at 3,500 RPM's (80MPH) the mileage would drop to 33-35 MPG's.

Your friend's bike may need need to have a "re-flash" of the ECM but I'd also recommend a coupe of simple things that may or may not help but it will only cost a few bucks.
New intake seals, spark plugs and spark plug wires,and some Seafoam couldn't hurt and may give you a few more MPG's.

 

My thought is one of the sensors needs to be checked, specifically the air intake sensor. It could be giving the ECM a false reading. As for a reflash, I'm not sure those MM systems were reflashable. That IAT sensor probably isn't that expensive and might be worth replacing.

 

Yes you could reflash a 2001 MM Injection unit, though I don't know if you still can. Would recommend a pull on a dyno that has a gas analyzer to see where it's burning fuel.

My 95" Stage II MM Injected Road Glide has always run 42 to 46 mpg, with S/E 203 and (now,) Andrews 26 cams on just the Stage II download. I think his needs checked out a little.

 

06 and i consistently get 33 avg around town and around 40 on the highway.

 

I have a similar question on my 2011 Electra Glide. Just picked it up used. It's bone stock with 6800 mi. I got 150 mi. on the first 6 gal., and it's looking like I can expect to see similar results from the second. 25mpg? That's horrible. Damn, my Wing was getting 40.