03 Sportster fuel capacity
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 1,759
From: Atlanta, GA
For reference, my '99 1200 has a stock 3.3 gallon tank. Stage 1 only. I hit reserve once at 120 miles. I typically fill up at 100 miles to be safe. I'm getting 49 mpg. My last Sporty, a '97 1200 got very similar results with same set-up.
What's your riding style? Mine is pretty mellow. If your Ricky Racer then maybe your MPG is affected by your RPM's.
What's your riding style? Mine is pretty mellow. If your Ricky Racer then maybe your MPG is affected by your RPM's.
Hmmm....
For reference, my '99 1200 has a stock 3.3 gallon tank. Stage 1 only. I hit reserve once at 120 miles. I typically fill up at 100 miles to be safe. I'm getting 49 mpg. My last Sporty, a '97 1200 got very similar results with same set-up.
What's your riding style? Mine is pretty mellow. If your Ricky Racer then maybe your MPG is affected by your RPM's.
What's your riding style? Mine is pretty mellow. If your Ricky Racer then maybe your MPG is affected by your RPM's.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,311
From: Virginia
On my Son's 2001 1200 Sportster with the 3.3 (I thought it was 3.5 gal) it goes about 90-100 miles before hitting reserve maybe 110-120 if you are real light on the throttle.
You should be able to get much more than 25-30 MPH out of first gear. I don't bounce the rev limiter till 45 or 50 in first. IF you are geared that low and really are hitting the rev limiter at 25 mph it may explain the poor mileage.
You should be able to get much more than 25-30 MPH out of first gear. I don't bounce the rev limiter till 45 or 50 in first. IF you are geared that low and really are hitting the rev limiter at 25 mph it may explain the poor mileage.
50 mph in first ? That sounds like a pretty aggressive riding style . Why do you need to bounce the rev limiter at all ? I'm not a slow rider but I've never been close to the rev limiter . In fact , it's news to me that a Sportster actually has one . My engine "Tells" me when to change up without me ever having to look at the tachometer . ( 04 XL 1200 Roadster ) If you're doing 50 in first what do you do with the other four gears may I ask ?
Last edited by Midpegs; Nov 5, 2019 at 12:30 AM.
So after reading this thread, and also conferring with my buddy who owns and works on HDs, it seems like I need to do two things.
1) Check the carburetor plunger to make sure it's not sticking/stuck.
2) Check my carburetor jet size.
I'm guessing it's #2, based on the fact that when I bought the bike, it had V&H pipes and K&N filter system on it....and so I'm guessing the kid put that stuff on it, but never had the jet size changed.
Obviously, I'm also going to check out #1 while I'm in there.
Does this sound about right to y'all?
1) Check the carburetor plunger to make sure it's not sticking/stuck.
2) Check my carburetor jet size.
I'm guessing it's #2, based on the fact that when I bought the bike, it had V&H pipes and K&N filter system on it....and so I'm guessing the kid put that stuff on it, but never had the jet size changed.
Obviously, I'm also going to check out #1 while I'm in there.
Does this sound about right to y'all?
So after reading this thread, and also conferring with my buddy who owns and works on HDs, it seems like I need to do two things.
1) Check the carburetor plunger to make sure it's not sticking/stuck.
2) Check my carburetor jet size.
I'm guessing it's #2, based on the fact that when I bought the bike, it had V&H pipes and K&N filter system on it....and so I'm guessing the kid put that stuff on it, but never had the jet size changed.
Obviously, I'm also going to check out #1 while I'm in there.
Does this sound about right to y'all?
1) Check the carburetor plunger to make sure it's not sticking/stuck.
2) Check my carburetor jet size.
I'm guessing it's #2, based on the fact that when I bought the bike, it had V&H pipes and K&N filter system on it....and so I'm guessing the kid put that stuff on it, but never had the jet size changed.
Obviously, I'm also going to check out #1 while I'm in there.
Does this sound about right to y'all?
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I don't know what backplate this is...
---
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K&N filter, stock box.
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Additionally, I found this:
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After replacing, she already runs a million times better. Completely different machine, not having an intake leak now! It's like night and day.
All decel popping is gone. I expect to see better mpg. Runs much smoother and quieter.
Will update soon...
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,311
From: Virginia
50 mph in first ? That sounds like a pretty aggressive riding style . Why do you need to bounce the rev limiter at all ? I'm not a slow rider but I've never been close to the rev limiter . In fact , it's news to me that a Sportster actually has one . My engine "Tells" me when to change up without me ever having to look at the tachometer . ( 04 XL 1200 Roadster ) If you're doing 50 in first what do you do with the other four gears may I ask ?
I'm accelerating hard pulling onto interstates where traffic is flowing at 75 MPH and the idiots in front of me merging are only going 40 MPH. I'm enjoying just rolling on the throttle and getting up to speed as quick as I can.
If you have never hit the rev limiter on a Sportster you need to live a little more and learn how to get on the throttle.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 6,038
Likes: 1,812
From: Kalifornia
Update:
I rode the bike to work today on reserve and after work filled up - 3.1 gallons. So I guess it was as simple as running out of gas. Now my question: why am I getting poor gas milage? I have a few thoughts and would love input:
1. All city driving - I don't have to get on the HW at all
2. Haven't ridden a moto in about 3 years so I'm still getting used to throttle and shifting; therefore I'm probably not efficient with gas
3. It feel reallllly low geared to me. Other bikes I've had (Honda Silverwing and a Bonnie) I was out of 1st at 20mph max; this bike I'm in 1st until 25-30mph; is this normal for harleys or could it have been adjusted to be low geared? And could that have anything to do with fuel economy?
Thanks y'all!
I rode the bike to work today on reserve and after work filled up - 3.1 gallons. So I guess it was as simple as running out of gas. Now my question: why am I getting poor gas milage? I have a few thoughts and would love input:
1. All city driving - I don't have to get on the HW at all
2. Haven't ridden a moto in about 3 years so I'm still getting used to throttle and shifting; therefore I'm probably not efficient with gas
3. It feel reallllly low geared to me. Other bikes I've had (Honda Silverwing and a Bonnie) I was out of 1st at 20mph max; this bike I'm in 1st until 25-30mph; is this normal for harleys or could it have been adjusted to be low geared? And could that have anything to do with fuel economy?
Thanks y'all!
My '07 (fuel injected) 1200, gets 45+ on the highway (I have gotten 50, once), and between 40-45 in town. I seldom do much riding in town since I avoid cities, and our cities are small compared to most.
I have hit the rev limiter twice on mine, and it is usually when passing someone driving very slow that has just pulled away from a stop sign, and I am sick of following them. Mine seems to pull hard then nothing (limiter). There is no obvious drop in power, to me. That was when I first had the bike, so now I am a lot more familiar with it, knowing when to shift, before hitting the limiter. But as a rule I am usually nowhere near it. I still want a tach.
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