Super bad gas mileage while on Sturgis Trip
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
I didn't go this year but last year I rode up from Baton Rouge. Having been warned about gas quality I checked gas mileage on just about every tank. I used the highest octane I could get at each fillup, but often that was 87, sometimes 85. Bike always seemed to run fine, but MPG ranged from 40 (typical for my bike) up to just over 50. Varying gas quality, loads on the bike, elevation, wind, all contributed.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
I always notice a drop in gas mileage heading out that way whenever the "premium" ethanol blend starts costing less than the regular unleaded. I seem to recall that happens around Iowa. I've also noticed a big drop running into a headwind. Sometimes hard to tell at speed, but I ran completely out one time on I-90 way before I should have.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 162
Likes: 10
From: Ocala, FL
Went to Sturgis last year with my 2010 Limited with the FM 107 build. I didn't notice much of a MPG difference from anywhere else but I sure did notice the pinging in the engine. Even after adding octane booster it still pinged until after I got past Rapid City heading home to Wisconsin. I used the highest octane premium fuel They had in the Rapid City area, I think it was 91?. I know with the FM 107 build I have a higher compression ratio but it never pinged anywhere else except in the Sturgis area.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32,851
Likes: 17,886
From: Newcastle, OK
240 on 6 gal tank with 103ci motor and engine mods??? I call BS unless the US switched to kms while I've been living in Japan all these years. That's like 40/gal IF you use every drop. I'm lucky if I get 200km/to a 5 gal tank on a good day and all I got is 96ci motor w/cam. Okay, so you got the fairing which makes a little bit of difference, but if I was getting 160mi (or about 260km)/tank I'd be TOTALLY happy. My bike performs well, so I don't b!tch about my 25mi/gal...and I pay MORE per gallon! If yer bike runs well, stop whinin'! If ya ride a Harley and worry about gas mileage, better sell it and get a fu(king Prius...
, I get 35/36 mpg on my sig bike and fill it up at around 120 miles. The bike runs great and the mileage stays pretty much where it is, regardless of whether I ride it hard or just cruise. I have a Commander III tuner, and I don`t want to change a thing. I use premium gas (if you can call it that @91 octane here), but gas is the cheapest thing when operating a motorcycle. Just ride and forget about the gas mileage.
BTW, my bike only has 5 speeds instead of 6, so at 70 mph it`s turning 3000 rpm.
Last edited by hvacgaspiping; Aug 10, 2014 at 09:54 AM.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 229
Likes: 9
From: Oceanside now Tennessee
I'm not complaining about the gas mileage with my bike, I'm complaining about riding 80 miles less a tank with the crappy fuel up there.
I was wondering if anyone else experienced the same significant drop, not whining that my mileage sucks.
I did run into high winds and substantial elevation changes so that did
contribute to the loss. I did get some pinging and I added lucas fuel treatment when I remembered to pour it in.
I was wondering if anyone else experienced the same significant drop, not whining that my mileage sucks.
I did run into high winds and substantial elevation changes so that did
contribute to the loss. I did get some pinging and I added lucas fuel treatment when I remembered to pour it in.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 36
From: Georgia Mountains
Well, your profile doesn't say what kind of bike you have...So I'm going with Moped...Or MAYBE a Sportster with a tailwind...But you are NOT riding a Big Twin and getting "mid 50's" for MPG.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 35,774
Likes: 38,460
From: Post Falls, ID
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Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,787
Likes: 5,615
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Guess I shouldn't complain about fuel use between Chillicothe, Oh to Kokomo, IN on one tankful and then filling up with 70 remaining on the countdown, I kid you not. 2013 Road Glide Ultra, 103 eng., two up and loaded with a weeks worth of gear.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: las vegas, nv
You can get great mileage on a big twin. I have a 13 RGU. Yesterday, two up, my fat ***(250), wife(115) did a 400 ride. Home elevation 2200, highest elevation 6200. Avg speed per gps was 71.2 mph. Hand calculated we got 48.6mpg. Stage one bike.
I too would be curious if I all of a sudden lost 80 miles per tank.
I too would be curious if I all of a sudden lost 80 miles per tank.