Gas mileage dropped.

Harley Davidson Forum

Sponsors

Harley Davidson History

Gas mileage dropped.

Printable Version

Harley Davidson Forum >> Harley Davidson Motorcycles >> Softail Models >> Gas mileage dropped.

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Gas mileage dropped. - 5/18/2008 7:43:54 PM

kb5rnl

Posts: 15
Joined: 4/9/2008
Status: offline

I have a friend that has a 05 Heritage, carb, 1988 sportster needle, K&N air filter, V&H staggered. I have the same set up on a 02 Heritage. For the last 2 years we have both been getting around 44 mpg. All of a sudden his gas mileage dropped to 36 mpg. His plugs look good, cleaned air filter, changed oil an it runs great. Any ideas?

John

_____________________________

John

Post #: 1

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/18/2008 7:58:18 PM

jhugs92

Posts: 89
Joined: 2/23/2006
Status: offline

it's probably because the price of gas has gone up! just a thought, lol

(in reply to kb5rnl)

Post #: 2

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/18/2008 7:59:38 PM

tk353

Posts: 801
Joined: 10/28/2007
Status: offline

Air preasure in the tires, weight gain, brand of gas

_____________________________

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9044807@N07/sets/72157603103987069/
Russ Slip-ons 1.75
Arlen Ness Big Sucker
PCIII USB dyno tuned
DunlopMetzler

(in reply to jhugs92)

Post #: 3

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/18/2008 8:18:02 PM

kb5rnl

Posts: 15
Joined: 4/9/2008
Status: offline

Weight gain on me but not him. I did have Mexican food last night and he didn't. Will that kind of gas make me lighter?
His gas mileage has been around 36 mpg for about the last 5000 miles and it dropped all of a sudden.

(in reply to tk353)

Post #: 4

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/18/2008 9:58:39 PM

Citoriplus

Posts: 5119
Joined: 9/21/2006
From: Rochester, NY
Status: online

Ask the place where you got the gas if they have changed over to the Federally mandated summer oxygenated blend. You will often see a drop in mileage when they start using that stuff.

_____________________________

07 FXSTC
U.S. Army Vietnam Vet
FOR THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR IT - FREEDOM HAS A PRICE THE PROTECTED WILL NEVER KNOW.

(in reply to kb5rnl)

Post #: 5

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/18/2008 10:43:49 PM

agedwards63

Posts: 540
Joined: 1/3/2007
From: East Alton IL
Status: offline

My Sportster barely gets over 44 MPG if I EVER got that on my carb'd Heritage I'd thank the lord as previously stated you are probaly just looking harder at the gas gauge these days I think mine gets about 34 if I am gentle with it

_____________________________

Heritage Softail, XL 50(#872)

(in reply to Citoriplus)

Post #: 6

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/19/2008 6:56:14 AM

hksb

Posts: 156
Joined: 2/28/2007
From: Hong Kong via Australia
Status: offline

check to see if he has a petrol leak... with said mods, there's a possibility something ight be loose or worn. i had similar problems on another newish bike. lucky i had it checked as the mechanic told me another bike caught fire in a tunnel...

_____________________________

2008 vivid black FB - stock
Hong Kong
China

(in reply to agedwards63)

Post #: 7

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/19/2008 9:46:21 AM

grsgt1

Posts: 12
Joined: 4/2/2008
Status: offline

What % ethyl alcohol (corn) was the gas. I know that the more ethyl you add the more your mpg goes down. Around here we are at 10% but I heard that they want to up that to 15-20%.

(in reply to kb5rnl)

Post #: 8

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/19/2008 1:11:30 PM

2wheeltom77

Posts: 105
Joined: 2/26/2008
Status: offline

I second the ethanol content. Missouri switched to 10% statewide a few months ago, and I know people are complaining about a 1-2 mpg loss in cars/trucks. I personally haven't been able to tell much difference between KS, MO, and AR gas in mileage, but I think the 07-08 closed loop system may offset that change a bit. Gas is junk these days. I noticed a ping in mine for the first time while passing a guy this past weekend. I figure that's what I get for fueling up in a small town.

_____________________________

2008 FXSTC dark blue pearl
V&H straight shot slip ons
IEDs

(in reply to grsgt1)

Post #: 9

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/19/2008 1:36:40 PM

Hrd Rider

Posts: 44
Joined: 11/2/2007
Status: offline

I haven't heard anything about adding 15 to 20 % more Ethanol, Harley has tested the 10% Ethanol and their owner manuals say it is okay to use and won't damage the engine. If at all possible I won't even use the damn stuff unless I have to, but I sure wouldn't use a 15 to 20% mix.

< Message edited by Hrd Rider -- 5/19/2008 1:47:16 PM >

(in reply to 2wheeltom77)

Post #: 10

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/20/2008 10:17:02 AM

kb5rnl

Posts: 15
Joined: 4/9/2008
Status: offline

We ride alot togather. Buy gas at the same places for both bikes. No gas leaks. Southeast Texas, no Ethanol. Both scooters where getting 44 mpg. His dropped to 36 mph for the last few months.

John

(in reply to Hrd Rider)

Post #: 11

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/22/2008 9:02:11 PM

LMarty27

Posts: 3
Joined: 5/14/2008
Status: offline

"I haven't heard anything about adding 15 to 20 % more Ethanol, Harley has tested the 10% Ethanol and their owner manuals say it is okay to use and won't damage the engine. If at all possible I won't even use the damn stuff unless I have to, but I sure wouldn't use a 15 to 20% mix."

Old man works in a fuel lab at a refinery where all these ethanol tests are being conducted. Says that them tree hugin' EPA boys are the ones mandating testing of the 20% mix and are actually testing it out in some markets, trying to get rid of the MBT fuel mix, because of the carcinogens found in it. What these people don't realize or don't think about is that with these high levels of ethanol, it's not only going to make us burn cleaner gas, but it will burn hotter, faster, and could cause corrosion to some metalic internal components. Also, when you have a high performance machine that mandates a high octane fuel, OUR BIKES, for example, it just makes it that much more complicated, because it will eventually start causing high levels of carbon build up on valves, which could lead to pitting (a form of corrosion). Not only that, but if you live in places where mid day heat averages in the 90's to 100's, just the heat from the sun beating down on that metal gas tank will cause involuntary evaporation of your fuel. So if you live in the lower regions of, I don't know, let's say, ARIZONA, and you filled up this morning, and are wondering why you burned through more than a quarter of a tank in your regular day's comute....take a look at your gas staion's ethanol content.

_____________________________

R,
LMarty27

(in reply to kb5rnl)

Post #: 12

RE: Gas mileage dropped. - 5/22/2008 9:10:26 PM

rockerheadsteve