How do you get 53mpg on a 2010+ Softail?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 275
Likes: 1
From:
How do you get 53mpg on a 2010+ Softail?
I'm singling out late models because my previous '06 Street Bob had no problem exceeding it's rated 50mpg highway after a stage one upgrade (High-5 ac, Rush slip-ons, SERT).
By comparison I average 45mpg highway with my higher 53mpg rated '10 Heritage which also has a stage 1 upgrade (HD stage 1 ac, V&H slip-ons, SEST).
My riding style is pretty laid back. I'm easy on the gas, no quick take-offs, and usually at or within 5mpg of the limit. I'm also in 6th by 50-55mph.
So for you folks getting 50-53mpg highway - how do you get there?
By comparison I average 45mpg highway with my higher 53mpg rated '10 Heritage which also has a stage 1 upgrade (HD stage 1 ac, V&H slip-ons, SEST).
My riding style is pretty laid back. I'm easy on the gas, no quick take-offs, and usually at or within 5mpg of the limit. I'm also in 6th by 50-55mph.
So for you folks getting 50-53mpg highway - how do you get there?
Last edited by joe297; Oct 3, 2010 at 01:41 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 417
Likes: 1
From: Spartanburg, South Carolina
Probably not going to! No one I know does and if you search this forum, not many if ANY at all here do. (and if they ARE averaging 50+mpg with Stage1 upgrades I cannot help but question the accuracy of their measurements...JMHO) If you have a Stage1, how could you possibly get that kind of mileage when HD puts 54mpg at the highest end when running extremely lean along with EPA restrictions from the factory? Stage1 is more air and more GAS. No way you're gonna get 50+ mpg. Most folks with Stage1 upgrades average low to mid 40's at very best, myself included.
If you got the secret, let us know please!
BTW- Not giving you a hard time, just saying that if you're in 6th gear at 50-55mph, you're lugging your engine terribly and possibly doing damage. You can read about lugging and how bad it is for your engine all over the place. Most knowledgeable techs and mechanics recommend shifting to 6th at 65-70 and everything I've ever read supports that. If I recall correctly, the manual recommends the shift to 6th at 60+mph.
If you got the secret, let us know please!
BTW- Not giving you a hard time, just saying that if you're in 6th gear at 50-55mph, you're lugging your engine terribly and possibly doing damage. You can read about lugging and how bad it is for your engine all over the place. Most knowledgeable techs and mechanics recommend shifting to 6th at 65-70 and everything I've ever read supports that. If I recall correctly, the manual recommends the shift to 6th at 60+mph.
Last edited by Heritage632; Oct 3, 2010 at 04:31 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 976
Likes: 1
From:
If lugging the engine at 50-55 mph using 6th gear then I guess the 6th gear is a waste of time and money!? My dealership wrenches has always told me and others lugging occures when you can actually feel the bike chugging... and then to downshift till you get your speed back up. Hence, use the seat of your pants and gut feeling to determine LUGGING..
I am getting about 45 MPG out of Marathon gas and a slight increase out of Shell branded gas. I also shift into 6th gear around 55 mph on a nice smooth highway and don't feel any engine chugging... So I don't consider it Lugging nor does any Harley rider in our riding group... Just Saying
I am getting about 45 MPG out of Marathon gas and a slight increase out of Shell branded gas. I also shift into 6th gear around 55 mph on a nice smooth highway and don't feel any engine chugging... So I don't consider it Lugging nor does any Harley rider in our riding group... Just Saying
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,626
Likes: 98
From: Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
So for you folks getting 50-53mpg highway - how do you get there?
By the way, I don't even think of shifting into 6th gear below 65.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 878
Likes: 0
From: Cistern,Tx
I don't know for sure but I would think the 10 are running the same amount of teeth on the rear pulley as the 09(the year they changed the ratio) and at that speed the engine is not lugging. I remember the 07 Ultra I had was geared so damn high about 70 was when you shifted to 6th. My son has a 09 Softail custom and at that speed it is not lugging. Depending on what part of the country and the quality of the gas you might get what HD claims on mileage probably not though. Easy with that right hand and you get better mpg. If your one of them that has to blipp the throttle so they can make noise you ain't gonna get good mpg some people don't care what kind of mpg they get just get from point A to B as fast as they can. You put a better air filter on and fuel injection controller and it is a different engine.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: NH
I get 50+ mph highway when I am hovering around 65 mph and I have stock air and exhaust. Once you upgrade the air cleaner your gas mileage is going to go down. That's the nature of the beast. Or so I have heard and read...
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,882
Likes: 5
From: So California
My 1986 FXSTC got that before I added a dual disk front end and windshield.
My 2008 FXCWC isn't even close. I think I'd have to do alot of coasting downhills to get it. I started thinking they put a 4 gallon tank instead of the 5.
My 2008 FXCWC isn't even close. I think I'd have to do alot of coasting downhills to get it. I started thinking they put a 4 gallon tank instead of the 5.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,420
Likes: 6,367
From: Honah Lee
Mpg
I pride myself in easy going riding and alway get close to rated mileage in my cars. I keep up with it pretty good since I have always made a habit of refueling at 100 mile. My previous bike was a 1100 V-Star that got about 52 with a tail wind. With about 50/50 city/interstate I am lucky to get 45 on my Softail and if I drive it to keep up with traffic around here I may get 40-42. Not a lot of mods. windshield (may help?), SE air filter(should not affect mileage) 10% alcohol (maybe -2%)
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Oct 3, 2010 at 09:32 AM.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 7,580
Likes: 7
From: The Internet (& Dyer, Indiana)
I'm singling out late models because my previous '06 Street Bob had no problem exceeding it's rated 50mpg highway after a stage one upgrade (High-5 ac, Rush slip-ons, SERT).
By comparison I average 45mpg highway with my higher 53mpg rated '10 Heritage which also has a stage 1 upgrade (HD stage 1 ac, V&H slip-ons, SEST).
My riding style is pretty laid back. I'm easy on the gas, no quick take-offs, and usually at or within 5mpg of the limit. I'm also in 6th by 50-55mph.
So for you folks getting 50-53mpg highway - how do you get there?
By comparison I average 45mpg highway with my higher 53mpg rated '10 Heritage which also has a stage 1 upgrade (HD stage 1 ac, V&H slip-ons, SEST).
My riding style is pretty laid back. I'm easy on the gas, no quick take-offs, and usually at or within 5mpg of the limit. I'm also in 6th by 50-55mph.
So for you folks getting 50-53mpg highway - how do you get there?
