best RPM-range for best MPG?
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
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From: Nomad
best RPM-range for best MPG?
OK....so on my '08 XL1200C with 10,100 miles I just got 52.8mpg out of the last tank. I was riding canyons and twisties the whole tank (watching the Czech GP got me all fired up), keeping the RPMs high in the powerband and shifting often, lots of vroom vroom. But this is the best mileage I've ever gotten!!!! (except for one all-highway tank where I got 53)
WTF?
So here is my dumb question:
Could riding/cruising in a lower RPM range, but not lugging, actually tax the engine more and thus burn more gas? Could riding with the RPMs in the sweet spot of the powerband, where the engine produces the most power/torque, actually be its most efficient?
OK, that's two questions.....
WTF?
So here is my dumb question:
Could riding/cruising in a lower RPM range, but not lugging, actually tax the engine more and thus burn more gas? Could riding with the RPMs in the sweet spot of the powerband, where the engine produces the most power/torque, actually be its most efficient?
OK, that's two questions.....
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 885
Likes: 3
From: Ledyard, CT
Yeah I also noticed on one of my previous tanks I rode it a lot harder than usual; faster acceleration, faster cruising speeds on the highway, and yet it was one of my most efficient tanks of gas.
Yesterday was the first time I think I actually found the sweet spots for shifting. I think I've been shifting too early because when I shift and get into the next gear I can feel it not have the power it should. I was used to shifting when I heard it get loud, I'm assuming I heard the pipes. But now if I hold it a bit longer I can hear a roar to it and when I shift then, it gives that harley decel that I love and I can feel more power starting off in the next gear.
Yesterday was the first time I think I actually found the sweet spots for shifting. I think I've been shifting too early because when I shift and get into the next gear I can feel it not have the power it should. I was used to shifting when I heard it get loud, I'm assuming I heard the pipes. But now if I hold it a bit longer I can hear a roar to it and when I shift then, it gives that harley decel that I love and I can feel more power starting off in the next gear.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 372
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From: east of albany, ny
53 mpg is REAL close to 52.8, the best I've gotten is 55.1, steady 70mph on open road, about 3000-3100 rpms. average around town and back roads, doing some twisties is 48-49 mpg. If I realllllly start twisting and keep cranking the revs I'll drop down to 39-40 mpg. But it's all fun. Ride safe.
Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 384
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From:
Though mpg is not a priority for me it is fast becoming more and more important to many people and understandably so. Fuel costs have soared and many are off setting this increase in cost of living by riding their bikes more which is a good thing.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 27
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From: indy
went riding down south this past weekend around 250 miles with my wife on the back and still managed 56 mpg
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,004
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From: Parkton, Maryland
One of the Harley magazines did an article on this a while back and I seem to remember they came up with somewhere around 3000 rpms.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
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I didn't think I would be riding 120 miles daily to/from work as much as I am - I'm having a blast.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Nomad
I will ride my motorcycles no matter what mpg I get, but I do pay attention, especially these days.
....
I guess I was so surprised by my mileage because my best tank was cruising mid-morning at 65-70.
My normal in-town riding gets me about 40-42mpg.
But this tank I was riding real hard. Just having a frickin' blast....really wringing it out. Up and down Bridger canyon, Shields Valley, Gallatin Canyon, and to Lone Peak/Big Sky: all pretty twisty, lots of elevation gain/loss and variable speeds. And I got almost as good of mpg as relaxed highway cruising.
Anyway....
I guess I have to go and conduct an experiment to see if I can duplicate the results
