Miles per tank?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
Some of you guys must get pretty bad gas mileage...
My 2005 1200C averages between 50 to 52 MPG, even though it flows more fuel with the Screamin' Eagle "E" cam. The bike has had it's air/fuel mixture optimized, I don't do very much (if any) city riding, and I'm also pretty easy on the throttle when riding.
The mileage you get depends on 3 things; your engines state of tune, your riding conditions, and your riding 'style'... If you pretend that your bike is a street racer and like to do full throttle runs it will kill your fuel economy..
Anyway, I usually fill up every 100 miles or so as I'm not in any big rush to get anywhere. I like to enjoy the ride, stop to stretch, smoke a cigarette, or whatever.
But if you average 50 MPG and have a 4.5 gallon tank you should be able to ride at least 200 miles before your tank runs dry.
My 2005 1200C averages between 50 to 52 MPG, even though it flows more fuel with the Screamin' Eagle "E" cam. The bike has had it's air/fuel mixture optimized, I don't do very much (if any) city riding, and I'm also pretty easy on the throttle when riding.
The mileage you get depends on 3 things; your engines state of tune, your riding conditions, and your riding 'style'... If you pretend that your bike is a street racer and like to do full throttle runs it will kill your fuel economy..
Anyway, I usually fill up every 100 miles or so as I'm not in any big rush to get anywhere. I like to enjoy the ride, stop to stretch, smoke a cigarette, or whatever.
But if you average 50 MPG and have a 4.5 gallon tank you should be able to ride at least 200 miles before your tank runs dry.
I usually start looking at the 130 - 140 mile mark for a fuel station. Riding solo I have gotten 178 miles before having to switch to reserve (carbed model - still have reserve). Riding with the wife, I start looking at 110 miles and have had to switch to reserve at 130 miles...
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Fairfax, VA
The only problem is, you really dont get 4.5 gal of fuel in a sporty fuel tank. The way the opening is constructed actually leaves an air void in the top of the tank. I ran my sporty to about 140 miles the other day and the gas light poped on around 100-105 miles. When I topped off, I pumped in exactly 3.3 gal. So I would estimate that your actually only get about 3.5-3.8 gals in there.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
I concurr, I average 52mpg plus on my 09 custom and I have had it to 183 miles before a fill up the light came on around 170something, but that is no indication as to how much gas is in the tank because I took only 3.5 gallons of gas. I have had it come on at 100 miles as well. I don't start to think about gas until i'm past the 150 mark (on the open road) or 120 (around town)
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 8,641
Likes: 26
From: Ozark Country
The only problem is, you really dont get 4.5 gal of fuel in a sporty fuel tank. The way the opening is constructed actually leaves an air void in the top of the tank. I ran my sporty to about 140 miles the other day and the gas light poped on around 100-105 miles. When I topped off, I pumped in exactly 3.3 gal. So I would estimate that your actually only get about 3.5-3.8 gals in there.
Instead of estimating run your tank until it is empty and then fill it up. Bet 'ya a $100 bill that it will hold more than 3.5 - 3.8 gallons.
I've run my carb'd 2005 4.5 gallon tank low enough that it took over 4 gallons to fill it up.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Huh? Don't think so. That's only true if your Sporty has the peanut tank. And by the way, you'll never run with the "BiggDogg's" stoppin every hundred miles for fuel. 
Last edited by cHarley; Jun 5, 2009 at 02:13 PM.
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I do have a peanut tank, 3.3 gal. So that's the nightster/iron rule of thumb then.
Stopping for gas stinks
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,358
Likes: 53
From: WA State
My fuel light comes on around 125-128 miles. I usually put in about 2.5 gallons to top it off.
I use the "B" tripometer strictly for gas mileage. I reset it to zero every time I fill up.
I use the "B" tripometer strictly for gas mileage. I reset it to zero every time I fill up.