MPG question
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,101
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From: Redmond, Washington
MPG question
Decided I was going to go on a ride on my 05 1200C Sporty- odometer said I have 92 miles on the tank of gas..on a 4.5 gallon tank. Riding along and as I am climbing a hill, she dies on me. Sputters and as I pull over to the side of the road - she dies. I am at 104 miles on my tank now. I done figured I had at least another 40 miles to go. Switch to reseverve, she starts and we manage to get to the very next gas station. I fill her up - she takes 3.9 gallons.
Now, this is where I am a little confused. I thought I would get at least 45 miles to the gallon - but based on this - I didn't? I do a lot of in-city riding - stop and go, traffic lights and know that this affects mpg - but do I really need to fill up every 100 miles??? It just doesn't seem right.
Any thoughts?
Now, this is where I am a little confused. I thought I would get at least 45 miles to the gallon - but based on this - I didn't? I do a lot of in-city riding - stop and go, traffic lights and know that this affects mpg - but do I really need to fill up every 100 miles??? It just doesn't seem right.
Any thoughts?
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 504
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From:
RE: MPG question
Hi Anniesage,
I noticed in your profile photo that it appears that you have screaming eagle slip ons (correct?). If so, did you rejet and do an air cleaner upgrade? I know when I did these upgrades I lost about 10 mpg! I have the "dynojet" jet kit which a lot a people claim are very rich.
I noticed in your profile photo that it appears that you have screaming eagle slip ons (correct?). If so, did you rejet and do an air cleaner upgrade? I know when I did these upgrades I lost about 10 mpg! I have the "dynojet" jet kit which a lot a people claim are very rich.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,101
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From: Redmond, Washington
RE: MPG question
I had the dealer install the pipes and they did whatever they were suppose to do for and with the pipe install- rejet, recarbed, you name it they did it.
Honest - I can lose 10mpg by just adding the pipes?
Honest - I can lose 10mpg by just adding the pipes?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
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From:
RE: MPG question
Howdy Ann, I realize that I don't have a Sporty, but I had the stage 1 done on my Springer and I get what the HD website said that I would get. Personally, I wouldn't base very much on just 1 tank full. When I figured out my mpg, I ran several tanks just to make sure how accurate my figures were. How a person drives could have an effect on the mpg and also the type of gas that a person uses. I would try a few more tank fulls and figure the mileage on each one before I did anything else. Also, I try not to let my tank get so low. I usually fill it up when it gets about half empty. I realize that a person might spend more time at the pumps that way, but at least I won't be stopped along side the road because I went too long between fill ups. Hope that you get better mpg in the future.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
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From:
RE: MPG question
On the highway I get 48-50 mpg..I think? I can go 100 miles and use 1.8-1.9 gallons....but the we have no hills.
I have an 883 with SE II's, they were supposed to make necessary adjustments to the carb...but I can't prove it. I myself am just in the habit of filling every 100 miles.
I have an 883 with SE II's, they were supposed to make necessary adjustments to the carb...but I can't prove it. I myself am just in the habit of filling every 100 miles.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 685
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From: Sandy, Oregon
RE: MPG question
On my 03 Sportster 883 w/ SEII's, I am getting 50-55 MPG, and that is riding 2 up , and I weigh about 275lbs and passenger weighs 125lbs. I check my MPG with every fill. My Grandpa told me long before he passed, "keep a record of your MPG, and it will tell you if something is wrong with your ride". Not sure if he was right, because I luckily have never had any problems with it, but I keep checking the MPG in honor of Poppa.
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RE: MPG question
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Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,101
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From: Redmond, Washington
RE: MPG question
I have about 1,900 miles on the Sporty. I really am going to pay attention to how much I fill up because if this is the going trend meaning 26mpg - pipes or no pipes, something is a miss then. Going to go through another 3 fills to verify.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,300
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From: Central Virginia
RE: MPG question
Annie - your mileage seems to be on the low side. I would think that it would be up around 45 mpg. Run a few more tanks and keep in mind what kind of riding you are doing, i.e., city, hilly terrain, etc.
My Deuce averages about 45 mpg with a combination of open road and city riding. Last week I topped the tank off prior to a ride, and then rode 200 miles - almost all highway at 55-60 mph. I topped the tank off when the ride was over and it took 3.6 gal. My bike has had the stage I, and it apparently didn't hurt the milage any.
My Deuce averages about 45 mpg with a combination of open road and city riding. Last week I topped the tank off prior to a ride, and then rode 200 miles - almost all highway at 55-60 mph. I topped the tank off when the ride was over and it took 3.6 gal. My bike has had the stage I, and it apparently didn't hurt the milage any.