I have a 2003 XL 883R. This is my first Harley but not my first bike. The 3.3 tank should get me( from what I’ve read) 160mpt but I’m getting closer to 91miles per tank. I’ve checked carbs hoses and even the tank. Took it to my local Harley dealership in Marion Illinois only for them to tell me nothing is wrong with it someone please help.

 

For comparison, my 2001 Sportster will get around 55 MPG. This bike is stock with no mods other than a V&H exhaust. Have any modifications been done on your bike? I don't fill mine until I get to the 125 mile mark and still have room to spare.

 

I got 50 mpg on a regular basis when my bike was an 883. As a 1250 now, close to 45 mpg.

John

 

Mods will affect fuel mileage but so will your right wrist. If you ride hard your milage will be affected.

 

Update!!!! I took it back to HD to find out if it’s bone stock or not. ( I’m new to the HD scene) after letting them have it for for the few days, they have told me it’s been a full 1200 upgrade with a stage 4. I was told I should have known it was ungraded just by looking at the air filter…. But as I said I’m new to HD they were asking me if I wanted to purchase the 5gal tank and get it paint matched as well. Thinking of doing so as less than 100 miles per tank is kind of a let down. Once again thank you all

 

Welcome, and thanks for the questions.

When you take your bike out for the "average" ride, how many miles do you cover? That might be a better way to judge tank size. Do you ride 50 miles? 100? 600? I'm mostly in the 50-70 mile (occasionally ~100) crowd, so my 2.2 gallon peanut works for me. There is always a gas station around depending on your plan for a longer ride. I think a Sportster with the small peanut is the only way to go, but I'm from the last century.

Welcome aboard, there's lots of helpful members here, and we always welcome a new HD owner.

John

 

I agree that the peanut tank is the coolest looking of all the Sportster tanks.
But I did own one many years ago and it quickly turned into a pain in the rear only getting about 60-70 miles before having to start looking for gas.

 

Sorry, I can't get past the fact you thought your 883 was stock when in fact it's a Stage 4 1200? Bet that was one nice running 883. Have you ever ridden anything else? Not trying to be a dick or busting your ***** just mind boggled.

 

How would he know if he's never ridden a stock 883 before? I bought my bike as an 883 and I found out later it was a 1200. I just figured the 883 was pretty quick as I had nothing to compare it to.

To the OP, if the dealer based his findings that it was a "stage 4 1200", whatever he means by that, based on looking at the air filter you might want a second opinion.

 

Stage 4 would have ported heads and probably said so on them. Like I said, it just shocked me. I've ridden a stock 883 (wife had one) and they can't even get past a headwind. But I've owned a 1200 and it got with it. Wheel off the ground in 4th gear. And I asked if OP had ever ridden anything else not if he'd ever ridden a 883.