MPG seems off
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Fort Hood
MPG seems off
I recently purchased a new 2013 Sportster Forty-Eight XL1200 and put a couple mods on it. The V&H Big Radius exhaust, and the Screaming Eagle air filter w/Stage 1 and right now I am only getting around 30mpg. The tank is only a 2.1 gallon tank, and getting 60 miles per tank is becoming a headache. Everywhere I look, and even the sales person I bought it from says I should easily get 100 miles per tank. What could my problem be?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: Simi Valley, CA
How many miles are on the bike? The mileage should get a little better with each tankful and will probably be close to peak by the time you get 1,000 miles on it. New engines can be tight and that has a profound effect on fuel mileage.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 763
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From: New Jersey
Also you say stage 1. Did you put any fuel management mods or change the maps. You could be running to rich. That would cause poor mpg. Check your plugs see if there black. Also are your pipe ends wet or blowing any smoke. Can all be cause of rich condition. Plus the way you ride can factor into it.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: St. Louis, MO
-Beer
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Fort Hood
Originally Posted by 2black1s
How many miles are on the bike? The mileage should get a little better with each tankful and will probably be close to peak by the time you get 1,000 miles on it. New engines can be tight and that has a profound effect on fuel mileage.
Originally Posted by Mac10
Also you say stage 1. Did you put any fuel management mods or change the maps. You could be running to rich. That would cause poor mpg. Check your plugs see if there black. Also are your pipe ends wet or blowing any smoke. Can all be cause of rich condition. Plus the way you ride can factor into it.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 763
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From: New Jersey
The fuel light comes on around the 40 mile mark, and then I can usually ride another 20 miles after that before I have to fill up, and when I fill up its usually 1.9 gallons.
I have about 500 miles on it now, I did put the mods on at 3 miles and a friend of mine said that you shouldn't modify your bike until you have gone past the break in point of 500 miles.
I have the stage 1 HD download for the fuel maps, and the only time I see black smoke is when I first start it up on a cold morning and I rev the engine to keep it from stalling. The only other indicator of possibly burning rich is the smell of burnt fuel while riding... or would I smell fresh fuel when running rich? I haven't noticed if the pipe ends are wet.
I have about 500 miles on it now, I did put the mods on at 3 miles and a friend of mine said that you shouldn't modify your bike until you have gone past the break in point of 500 miles.
I have the stage 1 HD download for the fuel maps, and the only time I see black smoke is when I first start it up on a cold morning and I rev the engine to keep it from stalling. The only other indicator of possibly burning rich is the smell of burnt fuel while riding... or would I smell fresh fuel when running rich? I haven't noticed if the pipe ends are wet.
If you only have the HD download its not running to rich.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: NE Philly
My '07 Stage 1 883 with X14iED that has over 6000 miles on it gets about 33mpg riding in my typical urban stop and go traffiic. It was worse over the winter. I'm getting about 40mpg in mixed traffic. I've only gotten 50mpg once and 45mpg a couple of times when I had some longer runs on the tank. I'm also not dainty with the throttle. I may not be WOT, but I do get ahead of traffic at stops.
In addition to the above given advice, riding style and conditions will effect your gas mileage.
In addition to the above given advice, riding style and conditions will effect your gas mileage.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,035
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From: Western Washington
You shouldn't be burning black smoke or stalling when starting up. Sounds like something isn't right. My fuel light comes on at about 55-60 miles and I fill up before I go past 70-75. Usually add about 1.7 gallons. So with a 2.2 gallon tank i still have a half gallon. i always put in 93 octane from a station that has independent hoses for each octane. I have a 2012 48 with x14ieds v and h slip ons and an SE open round air filter.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 8,218
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From: Reston, Va
^ +1 that.
I was getting about 45-50 mpg on my '07 1200 XLC. Then I added an SE AC, V&H Straight Shot slip-ons and a PC III with the corresponding map. Power went way up, hard driving went way up, gas mileage went way down. I'm averaging about 35 mpg on my daily commute, 80% of which is highway.
I'm thinking of switching to PV in hopes of getting better mileage. On my previous bikes, I was getting 55+ mpg. It would sure be nice to cut my gas expenses down by a third.
Of course, the PV costs $500 that I don't have at the moment. And it's not likely to bump my mpg appreciably.
I was getting about 45-50 mpg on my '07 1200 XLC. Then I added an SE AC, V&H Straight Shot slip-ons and a PC III with the corresponding map. Power went way up, hard driving went way up, gas mileage went way down. I'm averaging about 35 mpg on my daily commute, 80% of which is highway.
I'm thinking of switching to PV in hopes of getting better mileage. On my previous bikes, I was getting 55+ mpg. It would sure be nice to cut my gas expenses down by a third.
Of course, the PV costs $500 that I don't have at the moment. And it's not likely to bump my mpg appreciably.
Last edited by Roni; Mar 12, 2013 at 04:15 PM.
