Magic always works for me.
MPG Calculation?
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 578
Likes: 0
From: Florida Gulf Coast
Just sayin...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Sure you could drag out a calculator, punch in some numebers. It will only get you an approximation of your MPG. This number is often low. There is only one way to get the True MPG, it is teh way the auto companies do it.
It's easier than you think. and doesn't require a calculator or the error involved.
1. Ride until your out of gas.
2. Then push the bike to the gas station, buy 1 gallon of gas.
3. Reset the trip meter.
4. Ride until your empty and the trip meter will show a number close to the MPG that you would get if you used the cumbersome schoolboy calculation method.
5. The last step is crucial for determining true MPG. Push the bike to the next gas station. The trip meter now shows your true MPG.
It's easier than you think. and doesn't require a calculator or the error involved.
1. Ride until your out of gas.
2. Then push the bike to the gas station, buy 1 gallon of gas.
3. Reset the trip meter.
4. Ride until your empty and the trip meter will show a number close to the MPG that you would get if you used the cumbersome schoolboy calculation method.
5. The last step is crucial for determining true MPG. Push the bike to the next gas station. The trip meter now shows your true MPG.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 5
+1 - I think you should be aware of your mileage or proximity thereof on a regular basis. Wife's Deluxe averages 48mpg, all of sudden it dropped to 42 then 39mpg. Pulled the plugs and they were shot. The bike wasn't missing but it was only a matter of time before it let us down. My luck it would have been on the side of the road in the middle of nowhereville.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 325
Likes: 0
From: Reno, NV
+1 - I think you should be aware of your mileage or proximity thereof on a regular basis. Wife's Deluxe averages 48mpg, all of sudden it dropped to 42 then 39mpg. Pulled the plugs and they were shot. The bike wasn't missing but it was only a matter of time before it let us down. My luck it would have been on the side of the road in the middle of nowhereville.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,907
Likes: 69
From: Wesley Chapel Fl.
Make sure you don't smoke when your trying to figure your mileage!
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I think it's a good idea to ahve a rough idea of your MPG , as in Ron's post , you can tell when something is amiss undetected .. I dont always try to figure to the last hundredth of a mile , but I keep tabs on every tank ..
38 mpg to werk , abt 40 miles round trip , and about 42-45 on the road ..
I seem to get better mileage when I stand on the left instead of the right side , put the cap on the seat , leave my azzless chaps on and take my fingerless gloves off ..
38 mpg to werk , abt 40 miles round trip , and about 42-45 on the road ..
I seem to get better mileage when I stand on the left instead of the right side , put the cap on the seat , leave my azzless chaps on and take my fingerless gloves off ..
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Central Arkansas
I know many HD owners who care about MPG!