2008 XL1200C Gas Mileage
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Stage III
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
2008 XL1200C Gas Mileage
April 2008 I purchased a Sportster XL1200C. I have been riding around town and started off with getting 35 MPG. Around 1,000 miles I was seeing about 2 MPG improvement per week for about 3 weeks. I average 130 miles per week around town (no highway driving). Today I am at 2,300 miles and the MPG improvement seems to have stabilized at 40-41 MPG's. I am really riding the bike easy with the MPG in mind.
Is this normal? What are others getting? Any suggestions on how to improve this?
Thanks for your help!
Is this normal? What are others getting? Any suggestions on how to improve this?
Thanks for your help!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 6,502
Likes: 97
From: SW Ohio
I have about 300 miles on my 2008 XL1200C and I'm getting 120 miles per fill up before the light comes on. I think that's like 2.8 gallons on my last fill up. Oh by the way thats all city driving too.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 885
Likes: 3
From: Ledyard, CT
I know mines not a 08 1200, but I have noticed over several tanks that on my 02 883 I have been getting better mpg riding it harder than normal. Going ~70 on the highway and reaching higher RPM's before shifting, its gotten me higher mpg (~53 mpg) than taking it easier on the highway (~50-55) and quicker, "quieter" shifts (~47 mpg). Go figure. And I have been filling it to what I believe is about the same amount in my tank.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,754
Likes: 2
From: Fort Worth, TX
In town with mixed city highway, I get around 40. Highway, I get around 52. Worst mileage has been in town with mixed city highway (lots of short distance acceleration) at 35 and some change. Best RECORDED on the interstate has been 53, but I can get a little better than that. Not much, but a little better. Close to 10,300 miles, and it's an 07 Low. Your bike is normal.
Teek
Teek
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
I have an '08 XL1200C with 10,200 miles....
Yes, in-town mileage sucks. I usually get 40-42mpg, and well below 40 when it's colder.
Highway mileage around 50-51 usually, sometimes a little higher.
But not long ago a strange thing happened......
I rode the crap out of my Sporty, up and down the local mountain canyons, lots of shifting, keeping the RPMs high in the powerband, and you know what? I got 52.8mpg out of that tank!!!!!
So my thinking is now to ride it in the RPM range that delivers the most HP/TQ. It kind of works. My last tank (in-town, but riding it loud, wringing out every gear) was 48mpg.
Go fig
Yes, in-town mileage sucks. I usually get 40-42mpg, and well below 40 when it's colder.
Highway mileage around 50-51 usually, sometimes a little higher.
But not long ago a strange thing happened......
I rode the crap out of my Sporty, up and down the local mountain canyons, lots of shifting, keeping the RPMs high in the powerband, and you know what? I got 52.8mpg out of that tank!!!!!
So my thinking is now to ride it in the RPM range that delivers the most HP/TQ. It kind of works. My last tank (in-town, but riding it loud, wringing out every gear) was 48mpg.
Go fig
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Intermediate
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From: Staten Island,N.Y.
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Novice
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: N. Az
No! I'm getting and have been for 35000 miles, at least 50 mpg. If I'm going the speed limit, I can get almost 60 mpg. But mine is a 06 1200R with a carburetor. So, you do need to have your bike checked out IMO.