1200 Sportster: Fuel consumption
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 264
Likes: 96
From: RSA
It depends on where you live. California is consistantly $2 a gallon more than the US average. The national average is under $3 right now, which is the lowest it's been in 5 years so I'm not sure it's a drilling issue. I was working up in Alaska for ConocoPhillips 10 years ago and it takes time to ramp production back up after a period of low activity especially with all the regulation up on the north slope. The price will never come down much in California, which is why I'm thankful for the 50mpg. Eventually, I'm sure California will take that away from me too....oh wait isn't there a mileage tax in the works. I love my job and my state but once I retire I am outa here.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 103
Likes: 158
From: Arkansas
I can see it. I have gotten 60.64 MPG once when I was riding up in the Ozark mountains. When your speeds are low enough, the engine is warm & you aren't stressing the motor but doing long steady bits at the same speed totally doable. Of course I've also seen as low as 34 mpg (14.45 km/l) when ridding the poo out of her and the bike hadn't fully warmed up. (I've tracked my milage at every fill up for the last 8725 miles) On average I get almost 47 mpg (20km/L). That is with a bone stock engine, a fat rider, and some bags full of stuff. As they say 'Your Milage may vary" LoL. Really though I wouldn't stress it unless the plugs look lean when you pull them or the bike runs poorly. Also FWIW I paid $3.16 per gallon when I last filled up on 2/8.
Last edited by Crow48; Feb 17, 2026 at 12:30 PM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 465
From: shore of Gitche Gumee
Ya baby it's the lean that's so keen!
Last edited by hammer6315; Feb 28, 2026 at 02:40 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 133
Likes: 165
From: Australia
Out of interest I did some quick converting. Last fill here was AUD $1.69 per litre. 1 US gallon = 3.78L, that works out to AUD $6.38 a gallon which is roughly USD $4.50 a gallon.
I never really check fuel prices or fuel economy, I just fill up when I need to and enjoy the ride! 🙂
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 264
Likes: 96
From: RSA
Here in South Africa we dumped the "gallon" / imperial measurement system way back in the sixties. We are fully metric. The confusing part is that there are two "gallon" standards... Mmmmm.... So one gallon US = 3.8 litres (rounded off) and one UK gallon is 4.6 (rounded off) as you rightly point out.
Roughly your bike is then nearly 21km/l which sounds spot on to me! Regards!
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: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,218
Likes: 4,930
From: England
I did see that. We dumped the gallon for the litre at the pump but we still do miles per gallon for comparisons.
ETA: Running lean doesn't usually give better mpg. Only the right mixture will give the best mileage.
ETA: Running lean doesn't usually give better mpg. Only the right mixture will give the best mileage.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Feb 19, 2026 at 08:41 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 1,963
Likes: 1,579
From: Scottish Highlands.
The reason a US gallon is less that a UK gallon is that there are 16 fluid ounces in a US pint and 20 fluid ounces in a UK pint, times by eight, 128 fluid ounces in a US gallon and 160 fluid ounces in a UK gallon.
The UK uses both imperial and metric measurements, we still buy beer by the pint in our pubs. It can get confusing at times.
The UK uses both imperial and metric measurements, we still buy beer by the pint in our pubs. It can get confusing at times.