Increasing mpg
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 308
Likes: 60
From: Wi
For my weight two up we are below 320 together and pack light when on the road. The tire pressure is tested at the start of the month and put in one pound to keep at 40 for the front and 38 for the rear. I will lose 1mpg when I am riding two up. The plugs look to be the right color. Before I invest in the bike I am looking for a plan of how to improve the mpg. I miss getting 200 miles out of a tank of fuel and that was a 5 gal tank.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 1,957
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Could be the original owner had some Stage mods done with a tuner and reinstalled the OEM parts back and never re flashed to an OEM tune.
But call FM for a new tune with your new setup.
But call FM for a new tune with your new setup.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 182
Likes: 13
From: Ohio
You have the right tool to get the mileage WAY up on that bike. Learn how to data-log with the Power Vision and accept the changes. It will write a custom MAP for the bike and you can save it into a different slot so you keep the factory tune and the supplied custom Map from FM.
I did this to my 2012 Ultra Limited and got it up to around 44mpg's from about the same as you were getting. I'd add here that I wasn't "babying" it to see that sort of improvement. That was combined mileage with a lot of highway running over 70mph keeping up with a good friend on a 2012 CVO bike.
What I was never able to do with my 2012 was to get the performance of the engine to an acceptable level. It had a very "flat" torque curve, and was "weak" compared to the other bikes that I've owned.
The Techs at FM and several very experienced folks in that industry advised me to ditch the emission camshafts and the power would come around dramatically, as would engine efficiency, fuel economy, etc. I never got that far, sold the bike instead so I can't tell you for sure that all that would have worked out.......Cliff
I did this to my 2012 Ultra Limited and got it up to around 44mpg's from about the same as you were getting. I'd add here that I wasn't "babying" it to see that sort of improvement. That was combined mileage with a lot of highway running over 70mph keeping up with a good friend on a 2012 CVO bike.
What I was never able to do with my 2012 was to get the performance of the engine to an acceptable level. It had a very "flat" torque curve, and was "weak" compared to the other bikes that I've owned.
The Techs at FM and several very experienced folks in that industry advised me to ditch the emission camshafts and the power would come around dramatically, as would engine efficiency, fuel economy, etc. I never got that far, sold the bike instead so I can't tell you for sure that all that would have worked out.......Cliff
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,471
Likes: 2,998
From: Charleston, SC
Beyond weight and running up hill, I've only run into two things that ever changed gas mileage enough to be worth mentioning.
1) clogged or swollen air filter - so change it to be sure, not clean, change.
2) ECM tune - hard to dial in over the internet or sneaker net so take the bike in for a proper dyno tune to be sure. The tech will be able to verify O2 sensor operation, timing, load etc, etc properly.
1) clogged or swollen air filter - so change it to be sure, not clean, change.
2) ECM tune - hard to dial in over the internet or sneaker net so take the bike in for a proper dyno tune to be sure. The tech will be able to verify O2 sensor operation, timing, load etc, etc properly.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,686
Likes: 8,291
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I've found that running E3 spark plugs with a Boysen X wing and Zddp in the oil has not only increased my gas mileage but has given me a big boost of power according to my butt Dyno. The nitrogen in my tires was a waste of money though, just snake oil in my opinion
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 91
From: 44.4 North
I think your stock, possibly dirty, air filter is choking your engine a little. Especially if it's tuned for a stage 1 air cleaner as most canned tunes are.
I'd change the air filter or replace it with a freer flowing air cleaner and retune it. Then contact fuel moto if it didn't improve.
I'd change the air filter or replace it with a freer flowing air cleaner and retune it. Then contact fuel moto if it didn't improve.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 46
Likes: 10
From: Colorado
Hahaha, but seriously.
Plan of action:
1) Call FuelMoto and tell them your problem they may have a slightly better starting tune for you if gas mileage is your primary concern.
2) Run Auto Tune on the new tune FuelMoto sends you (or skip step 1) and re-flash with exported data. Do this several times until you are confident in the tune.
3) Call fuel moto again and send them a copy of your new tune. They should be able to make "non-optimum" adjustments to add in additional fuel mileage. I say non-optimum because they can lean it out and make it run hot at interstate speeds if mileage is the primary concern.
*You could also do the adjustments yourself with a PV but that's a song for another time.
1) Call FuelMoto and tell them your problem they may have a slightly better starting tune for you if gas mileage is your primary concern.
2) Run Auto Tune on the new tune FuelMoto sends you (or skip step 1) and re-flash with exported data. Do this several times until you are confident in the tune.
3) Call fuel moto again and send them a copy of your new tune. They should be able to make "non-optimum" adjustments to add in additional fuel mileage. I say non-optimum because they can lean it out and make it run hot at interstate speeds if mileage is the primary concern.
*You could also do the adjustments yourself with a PV but that's a song for another time.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Sep 29, 2017 at 11:09 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
For my weight two up we are below 320 together and pack light when on the road. The tire pressure is tested at the start of the month and put in one pound to keep at 40 for the front and 38 for the rear. I will lose 1mpg when I am riding two up. The plugs look to be the right color. Before I invest in the bike I am looking for a plan of how to improve the mpg. I miss getting 200 miles out of a tank of fuel and that was a 5 gal tank.
Simple rule of thumb: the higher the weight, the more the air. Your passenger is directly over the rear tire....the front tire probably becomes lighter.
Your owner's manual is your friend....
Last edited by MNPGRider; Jan 30, 2017 at 03:14 PM.
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