Your worst mpg, just curious
That head wind is what did you in.... Was on my way to Las Vegas on I70 driving into a 50 mph headwind. Tacoma normally got over 300 miles per tank. Had to fill up every 120 miles.
As for the bike? 103 with S&S 551. When I push it on back roads not getting much out of 4th gear, mileage goes down to around 30. I'm sure I could lean it out and get more, but why? Bike runs too good.
As for the bike? 103 with S&S 551. When I push it on back roads not getting much out of 4th gear, mileage goes down to around 30. I'm sure I could lean it out and get more, but why? Bike runs too good.
Yep, headwind and pushing too hard. I am sure if I would have dropped a gear and slowed a bit it would have been much better. I know I am in the same boat you are. I could lean it out and it would do much better but the smiles per gallon would be much lower even if miles per gallon went up. And who wants to intentionally make their ride less fun. I can stop for more gas.
Yep, headwind and pushing too hard. I am sure if I would have dropped a gear and slowed a bit it would have been much better. I know I am in the same boat you are. I could lean it out and it would do much better but the smiles per gallon would be much lower even if miles per gallon went up. And who wants to intentionally make their ride less fun. I can stop for more gas.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,492
Likes: 4,964
From: North Dakota
On a stock Freewheeler, 30 was the worst, pushing headwinds on interstate. Putzing around in the Black hills got me 46.5. Last 2000 miles averaged 37.
Dyna's been 45 - 46, don't have long term number yet.
Worst ever? Half ton pickup, 350, pulling 32' fifth wheel into 40 MPH winds. 2.9 MPG. Filled in Fargo, had to stop in Jamestown to fill again...
Dyna's been 45 - 46, don't have long term number yet.
Worst ever? Half ton pickup, 350, pulling 32' fifth wheel into 40 MPH winds. 2.9 MPG. Filled in Fargo, had to stop in Jamestown to fill again...
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 281
Likes: 5
From: Reno, NV
Box stock 2011 Roadglide with the 103 engine. Northbound on US 95 in Nevada cruising at 70mph against a strong headwind. 18 mpg! Slowed down after that and for those of you who say "gas is cheap so I don't care", you obviously don't know what it means to be where gas stations can be a long ways apart.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 326
Likes: 5
From: Wilmette, Illinois
Kind of strange that the mileage of bikes has not gotten better. You go back 15-20+ years in cars and the power was much less and mileage was really poor. Now cars get much better mileage and the power is way up. Wonder why bikes are not this way.
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Joe Kucinski
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Good question! One reason is that modern cars have far superior aerodynamics now than they did back then, which makes them more slippery. No significant work of that sort has been done on most bikes, which I reckon have limited scope for improvement. My wife and I often ride together, she on our Sporty and me on a Buell - the Buell gets much better fuel consumption, despite being older, 1200 v 883, etc!