Yep, with a little finesse on the tuner you can adjust mpg's back to pre-stage1 levels. I fine tuned my 96ci to mid-40's.

 

you guys are a lotta help
OP before the stage 1 I used to fill my tank between 1/4 & 1/2
now after the stage 1 I fill up between 1/2 & 1/4
with the price of gas going up and down I cannot tell if I fill up more or less.

 

it's worth it, i have never had a stock harley until last month (4th harley too) I absolutely hate my ultra in stock form, stage 1 all the way makes it so much better

 

It really depends on the type of tune you're going with.

A simply "dealer download" may cause your mileage (and even driveability) to suffer because the simple download does not properly set the VE's. And unless the VE's are set correctly, you could end up with many cells running way too rich (that's one of the reasons so many report a drop in mileage).

You can have a good-running bike and decent fuel mileage but generally not with the simple download, devices that "trick" the system, and piggy-back units.

Good luck!

 

Was stage one, K&N open filter, V&H Big Shots Staggered, added the 254E cam and a dyno...filled up the other day at 170 on the trip odometer and still had .7 gallon left. I've been running it hard since the cam install, time to ease back and see what kind of mileage I do get.

 

Haha easier said then done. Sorry I couldn't resist when I read that line.😎

 

Just passed my first tank full after doing the Stage 1. Mileage seems to have dropped from around 50mpg stock 96, now seems to be around 40. Will see as I have a road trip coming up this week and I will have an opportunity to track it a little closer. If this is the penalty for power, I will pay it.

 

just done stage 1 this spring on my 2013 flhtk. I check fuel mileage often and noticed my mileage is 38 to 42 mpg depending on how I ride. got 45 mpg the first time I checked it. but I know what the seat of the pants power feels like now. almost like a small power band. my set up is arlen ness big sucker,jackpot headers 2-1-2, cfr slipons, and power vision.

 

Upgraded my 2012 SG to V&H Power Duals, Monster Rounds and Arlen Ness Deep Cut A/C. Heat difference is enormous. Completely worth it just for that. No info on MPG, never bothered to track it.

 

What's a VE?

I installed a stage 1 and went with the download. My mileage dropped from 42-45 to 39 to 42; not terrible and it could be attributed to my riding style changing (harder acceleration, shifting at higher RPM's). I've gotten as good as 50 MPG with and without stage 1, but it was all easy riding (downhill mostly and less than 65 MPH).

I've always felt like a "good tune" was largely unnecessary in a closed loop system; as long as the oxygen sensor is working properly. I have found that stupid things like: keeping the air filter element clean, clean spark plugs, and quality gas (oxygenated fuels significantly lower fuel economy) are more important than a "good tune" when it comes to fuel economy. The theory is that the motor is more efficient with a stage 1, but the chemistry is simple: burn x fuel get y torque. Unburned fuel is wasted fuel. Drive your stage 1 efficiently and you should get similar fuel economy as pre-stage 1.

Let's all face it though... we like the extra grunt and we are happy to roll on to get that kick in the seat of the pants; regardless of the pain at the pump. I do a lot of mixed driving (surface streets and freeway) and I still average better fuel economy than pretty much every other cruiser in my class: foreign and domestic. While fuel economy has dropped, I don't notice it. It translates into hitting the pumps at 190 instead of a 195 or 200 is all.