08 Harley MPG numbers
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 511
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RE: 08 Harley MPG numbers
Im curious as to if an ECM tweak why HD or the dealers arent callin all of us with stock 07s in for the tweak? Even a new ECM would be worth 12 MPG for those who intend to stay stock. Really Im gettin 42 on the HWY and as I recall thats about what the claimed for an 07. Another 12 MPG seems like a lot for just tuning.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: 08 Harley MPG numbers
ORIGINAL: Longsnowsm
I was looking at the specs on the new 08's on the Harley website. One of the things it says for fuel economy is that the touring bikes will get 54 mpg on the highway. Just how realistic is this? How close are Harley's numbers to reality? That would be pretty awesome with a 6 gallon tank to do an easy 250 miles between refueling. Thoughts?
I was looking at the specs on the new 08's on the Harley website. One of the things it says for fuel economy is that the touring bikes will get 54 mpg on the highway. Just how realistic is this? How close are Harley's numbers to reality? That would be pretty awesome with a 6 gallon tank to do an easy 250 miles between refueling. Thoughts?
Remember the ill-fated Cadillac 8-6-4 engine from the 1970's? It ran on four cylinders when cruising, eight at full power, and I guess six somewhere in between. Maybe HD has extended to "parade download" behavior to cut out one cylinder while cruising. Wouldn't that be a smooth-running engine.
I've been trying to get my '07 up to 50mpg and have accomplished that. It requires a maximum of no more than one semi-cold start and slow (55 mph) rides with few starts and stops in traffic, but I don't think any speed or conditions could prompt this bike to get 54 mpg.
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
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From: North East
RE: 08 Harley MPG numbers
sortasuave: I wasn'taware of new EPA testing in '08. I'm aware of the new EPA standards in '06 and '10 but not aware of the testing change. Can you make any details of this testing change available.
JBBOOKS: The '07's have glowing red headers at A/F of 14.7. I know because I own one. DO you really believe they can lean them out any more (20:1).
iclick: I'm with you on this one. I'm getting 36 (non-stock) running at 65-70. Ill have to try that 55mph test. It runs cooler than my '99 TC88 did and for right now I'm going to leave it alone. I know it can be tweaked to run somewhere between stock/super hot and where it is now. Let's face it, comparing gas mileage bike for bike, other than as an indication how the motor is running, is what I have readreferred to as "pecker measuring."Over 10,000 miles the difference in gas (45mpg to 54mpg) $$$ is $117.
I'm interested in the technical explanation.
JBBOOKS: The '07's have glowing red headers at A/F of 14.7. I know because I own one. DO you really believe they can lean them out any more (20:1).
iclick: I'm with you on this one. I'm getting 36 (non-stock) running at 65-70. Ill have to try that 55mph test. It runs cooler than my '99 TC88 did and for right now I'm going to leave it alone. I know it can be tweaked to run somewhere between stock/super hot and where it is now. Let's face it, comparing gas mileage bike for bike, other than as an indication how the motor is running, is what I have readreferred to as "pecker measuring."Over 10,000 miles the difference in gas (45mpg to 54mpg) $$$ is $117.
I'm interested in the technical explanation.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
RE: 08 Harley MPG numbers
ORIGINAL: iclick
I've been trying to get my '07 up to 50mpg and have accomplished that. It requires a maximum of no more than one semi-cold start and slow (55 mph) rides with few starts and stops in traffic, but I don't think any speed or conditions could prompt this bike to get 54 mpg.
I've been trying to get my '07 up to 50mpg and have accomplished that. It requires a maximum of no more than one semi-cold start and slow (55 mph) rides with few starts and stops in traffic, but I don't think any speed or conditions could prompt this bike to get 54 mpg.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 90
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From: Colorado Springs CO
RE: 08 Harley MPG numbers
Thanks for the great replies guys. 54 mpg does sound very impressive. It sounds like Harley was right about the mpg on the previous models if what I understand from what you guys are seeing... Who knows, I am very curious since the combination of 6 gallon tank and 54 mpg on the highway would be very nice for those of us who do a lot of highway miles. I commute 112 miles a day which is almost all highway miles so good fuel economy and good range on a tank is important to me. This would make this a fantastic combo for my daily use. I guess we will find out soon enough! I can hardly wait for someone to buy an 08 and give us a report. [sm=popcorn.gif]
Longsnowsm
Longsnowsm
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
RE: 08 Harley MPG numbers
Low 40's is more likely, though some individual bikes do get better and some get worse from reports I've seen on here. Alot does depend on how you ride the bike. Your right wrist is a big factor!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 9
From: Lincolnton, NC
RE: 08 Harley MPG numbers
I sent an email to a friend of mine who works at a local H-D dealership asking how the new models are able to achieve the new mileage numbers. He said he'd ask and let me know. Here's the response-
The 2008's have a 6-gallon fuel tank. The design of this fuel tank was influenced somewhat by the Hayabusa in that it was designed to help the air flowing by the fairing to continue a smooth flow toward the rear of the motorcycle rather than being vacuumed into a divot such as the negative pressure caused by the previous year-model's narrower 5-gallon tank. Okay, now for a real answer. The only evident reasons that I have found for the increase in the fuel/mileage would be the Isolated Drive System(sort of like a cush-drive found on VRSC and other makes), the purpose of which is to alleviate unneccessary stress on the drivetrain thus eliminating some friction(resistance). Two other upgrades that may be contributors are the new Induction Module and the Elecronic Throttle Control.
The 2008's have a 6-gallon fuel tank. The design of this fuel tank was influenced somewhat by the Hayabusa in that it was designed to help the air flowing by the fairing to continue a smooth flow toward the rear of the motorcycle rather than being vacuumed into a divot such as the negative pressure caused by the previous year-model's narrower 5-gallon tank. Okay, now for a real answer. The only evident reasons that I have found for the increase in the fuel/mileage would be the Isolated Drive System(sort of like a cush-drive found on VRSC and other makes), the purpose of which is to alleviate unneccessary stress on the drivetrain thus eliminating some friction(resistance). Two other upgrades that may be contributors are the new Induction Module and the Elecronic Throttle Control.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Austin Tx
RE: 08 Harley MPG numbers
Peddler,
Take a look at this link, I didn't read all the way through it but I think it starts to cover the change.
http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/420f06009.htm
If memory serves me right, edmunds.com also had an article on this. I'm sure if you hit any of the larger car review sites (carpoint.com, edmunds, etc) you'll find some story on this topic.
Take a look at this link, I didn't read all the way through it but I think it starts to cover the change.
http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/420f06009.htm
If memory serves me right, edmunds.com also had an article on this. I'm sure if you hit any of the larger car review sites (carpoint.com, edmunds, etc) you'll find some story on this topic.
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