MPG and the cold
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
MPG and the cold
OK, so the other day I bought a 2006 Heritage Classic, Stage 1 kit, V&H pipes. 10k miles.
First time I took out my ride, I did a mixture of Highway and City riding. I was NOT shy on the right side. 80 - 90 mph on the Highway and fast open throttle starts from the lights. My MPG for the day was about 28. Temperatures were about 35 degrees. I rode a 60 mile round trip, with one stop long enough for a cold engine restart.
Second time I took out my ride, I didn't necessarily nurse the throttle but equally I was not aggressive, I would say it was "normal" City only riding. This time my MPG was about 33. Temp was about the same, mid 30's. I rode a 48 mile round trip, with one stop long enough for a cold engine restart.
I was surprised at my low MPG, especially with my second outing.
My question is, are you experienced Heritage riders surprised with the above numbers? How much really is cold riding temps and winter gasoline mix a factor in reducing your MPG?
Also, remember, I am new to riding a Heritage, so I reckon this is a factor, not being intimate with the bike and knowing the optimal speeds for gear changes, etc.
I am not too fussed about MPG's but I also see it as a benchmark for whether your bike needs tuning or not. In other-words, if you have constant low MPG's, chances are, there is an underlying problem, right?
First time I took out my ride, I did a mixture of Highway and City riding. I was NOT shy on the right side. 80 - 90 mph on the Highway and fast open throttle starts from the lights. My MPG for the day was about 28. Temperatures were about 35 degrees. I rode a 60 mile round trip, with one stop long enough for a cold engine restart.
Second time I took out my ride, I didn't necessarily nurse the throttle but equally I was not aggressive, I would say it was "normal" City only riding. This time my MPG was about 33. Temp was about the same, mid 30's. I rode a 48 mile round trip, with one stop long enough for a cold engine restart.
I was surprised at my low MPG, especially with my second outing.
My question is, are you experienced Heritage riders surprised with the above numbers? How much really is cold riding temps and winter gasoline mix a factor in reducing your MPG?
Also, remember, I am new to riding a Heritage, so I reckon this is a factor, not being intimate with the bike and knowing the optimal speeds for gear changes, etc.
I am not too fussed about MPG's but I also see it as a benchmark for whether your bike needs tuning or not. In other-words, if you have constant low MPG's, chances are, there is an underlying problem, right?
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 191
Likes: 11
From: Northern Utah
Although I am not riding a Heritage I can say the winter MPG will always be less than summer for two reasons, first you already mentioned, the winter blend is different and doesn't contain the BTU's or energy that the summer blend does. Secondly, and more importantly, the air is more dense and therefore there is more resistance to the cold air, requiring more energy, ie fuel, to push through the air.
Mike.
Mike.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,988
Likes: 17
From: Between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls Texas
Wow. Really. I generally get better mileage in the winter. From 40 summer to 42 winter. I always thought the cold helped. Looked like it to me.
But then I'm not on a Heritage either.
But then I'm not on a Heritage either.
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Thanks - also, my trips were pretty short and I guess I need to ride variable conditions over the course of a whole tank to get a better idea. I also was riding with my windshield on, not sure if HD determine their MPG numbers with or without the windshield attached? Maybe the Stage 1 kit reduces numbers slightly too?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 84
From: Southern Maine / Seacoast NH
Not riding a Heritage, but an '08 Deluxe with windshield and bags.
Did a stage 1 last fall - HD stage 1 air cleaner and dealer download map on top of pre-existing Khrome Werks slip-ons that I had been running prior with the stock map.
Prior to the stage 1, I was averaging about 38 MPG in mixed riding, 40 or a little better in more steady backroad cruising.
I didn't get a whole lot of riding in since the stage 1 upgrade, but what i did do I averaged around 36 mpg. Most of this was mixed stuff. So based on that small amount of data, I'd say the stage 1 cost me about 2 mpg give or take.
I haven't ridden the bike on winter blend gas (it didn't show up here until she was put away for the winter) but I lose between 10-15% MPG in my truck during the winter. Some of that is due to extra idling, but I don't do a ton of that, so lets call it 10% loss due to winter gas. at that rate, I'd guesstimate I'd get about 32-33 mpg on the bike with winter gas, which is right where you are....
Dan
Did a stage 1 last fall - HD stage 1 air cleaner and dealer download map on top of pre-existing Khrome Werks slip-ons that I had been running prior with the stock map.
Prior to the stage 1, I was averaging about 38 MPG in mixed riding, 40 or a little better in more steady backroad cruising.
I didn't get a whole lot of riding in since the stage 1 upgrade, but what i did do I averaged around 36 mpg. Most of this was mixed stuff. So based on that small amount of data, I'd say the stage 1 cost me about 2 mpg give or take.
I haven't ridden the bike on winter blend gas (it didn't show up here until she was put away for the winter) but I lose between 10-15% MPG in my truck during the winter. Some of that is due to extra idling, but I don't do a ton of that, so lets call it 10% loss due to winter gas. at that rate, I'd guesstimate I'd get about 32-33 mpg on the bike with winter gas, which is right where you are....
Dan
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Not riding a Heritage, but an '08 Deluxe with windshield and bags.
Did a stage 1 last fall - HD stage 1 air cleaner and dealer download map on top of pre-existing Khrome Werks slip-ons that I had been running prior with the stock map.
Prior to the stage 1, I was averaging about 38 MPG in mixed riding, 40 or a little better in more steady backroad cruising.
I didn't get a whole lot of riding in since the stage 1 upgrade, but what i did do I averaged around 36 mpg. Most of this was mixed stuff. So based on that small amount of data, I'd say the stage 1 cost me about 2 mpg give or take.
I haven't ridden the bike on winter blend gas (it didn't show up here until she was put away for the winter) but I lose between 10-15% MPG in my truck during the winter. Some of that is due to extra idling, but I don't do a ton of that, so lets call it 10% loss due to winter gas. at that rate, I'd guesstimate I'd get about 32-33 mpg on the bike with winter gas, which is right where you are....
Dan
Did a stage 1 last fall - HD stage 1 air cleaner and dealer download map on top of pre-existing Khrome Werks slip-ons that I had been running prior with the stock map.
Prior to the stage 1, I was averaging about 38 MPG in mixed riding, 40 or a little better in more steady backroad cruising.
I didn't get a whole lot of riding in since the stage 1 upgrade, but what i did do I averaged around 36 mpg. Most of this was mixed stuff. So based on that small amount of data, I'd say the stage 1 cost me about 2 mpg give or take.
I haven't ridden the bike on winter blend gas (it didn't show up here until she was put away for the winter) but I lose between 10-15% MPG in my truck during the winter. Some of that is due to extra idling, but I don't do a ton of that, so lets call it 10% loss due to winter gas. at that rate, I'd guesstimate I'd get about 32-33 mpg on the bike with winter gas, which is right where you are....
Dan
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
I might have missed it, but are you carbed or EFI?
Either way, sounds like you could use a tune.
You are correct, the right wrist has a lot to do with mpg. But I am riding an EFI Heritage, and sometimes have a heavy right wrist, never gotten below 32 mpg.
Shifting too soon will also drop MPG in a big way. The shift points in the manual are a minimum. When accelerating, shifting later than the minimum shift points will show an increase in MPG.
Either way, sounds like you could use a tune.
You are correct, the right wrist has a lot to do with mpg. But I am riding an EFI Heritage, and sometimes have a heavy right wrist, never gotten below 32 mpg.
Shifting too soon will also drop MPG in a big way. The shift points in the manual are a minimum. When accelerating, shifting later than the minimum shift points will show an increase in MPG.
__________________
DKCustomProducts.com
DKCustomProducts.com
