How to increase mpg in a bagger
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Indy area
RE: How to increase mpg in a bagger
ORIGINAL: hdwally
I cannot tell you why, but, I have been told the TC88s run best at approximately 3000rpm.
That has helped my gas mileage. Maybe has to do with torque or not lugging the engine?
I cannot tell you why, but, I have been told the TC88s run best at approximately 3000rpm.
That has helped my gas mileage. Maybe has to do with torque or not lugging the engine?
Years ago I worked with a guy who drove a little Toyota pickup to work. He would consistently drive 45 mph about 30 miles down the highway to work. I would pass him every day on the way in. Once I asked him what gear he used and he told me 5th. I suggested he try a couple of trips in 4th to see what would happen. He reported he got better mileage. It does not make much immediate sense that a higher engine speed could make for better mileage. It all depends on where the torque peak is.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 501
Likes: 0
From: SW Iowa
RE: How to increase mpg in a bagger
I don't get that. If what you say were true, then why ever shift up to higher gears if you want fuel mileage just bang away in 3rd or \\;4th gear, instead of up shifting, dropping r's into the overdrive \\;6th.
 \\;
With my \\;bone stock '08 Ultra, and loaded highway mileage, \\;the cruise set at 65, I get \\;38 to \\;40 using exclusively E-10 ethanol blended fuel. Short hops around town where I use the gears and rarely get to overdrive36-38 mpg \\;mileage. I believe my Ultra gets the best mileage if you keep the r's around 2200, and stay in 6th gear on the highway. It sounds best around 3k on up. Ya pay to play. It takes Horsepower to play, and fuel makes horsepower. Just a law of nature.
 \\;
With my \\;bone stock '08 Ultra, and loaded highway mileage, \\;the cruise set at 65, I get \\;38 to \\;40 using exclusively E-10 ethanol blended fuel. Short hops around town where I use the gears and rarely get to overdrive36-38 mpg \\;mileage. I believe my Ultra gets the best mileage if you keep the r's around 2200, and stay in 6th gear on the highway. It sounds best around 3k on up. Ya pay to play. It takes Horsepower to play, and fuel makes horsepower. Just a law of nature.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Indy area
RE: How to increase mpg in a bagger
ORIGINAL: EG Ultra Classic
I don't get that. If what you say were true, then why ever shift up to higher gears if you want fuel mileage just bang away in 3rd or 4th gear, instead of up shifting, dropping r's into the overdrive 6th.
I don't get that. If what you say were true, then why ever shift up to higher gears if you want fuel mileage just bang away in 3rd or 4th gear, instead of up shifting, dropping r's into the overdrive 6th.
If at any road speed you have the choice of two adjacent gears to use, the one which requires less throttle pressure (throttle opening) will yield the better mileage. If your torque peak was at 9,000 rpm then I guess you would be smarter to use a gear that kept you somewhere below that engine speed, but even if the engine is turning more revs in a lower gear it is still quite likely it would yield better use of the fuel than when using the lower gear ratio (higher gear).
Even though I know everything I have said in this thread to be complete and utter truth, you will rarely see me using 5th anywhere above 60 mph. I would not mind getting somewhat better mileage, but I much prefer the better experience if I have to choose.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
RE: How to increase mpg in a bagger
My mileage varies greatly depending on conditions, and it goes like this:
Backroads, 55-60mph, few cold starts, little stop-and-go: 50mpg
65mph: 47mpg
Interstate speeds (70-75mph), minimal headwind: 45mpg
Interstate, strong headwind (20mph): 40-42mpg
City, numerous cold starts: 38-40mpg
I have a PCIII with Fuel Moto map, Rush mufflers with Fuel Moto custom baffles, and Fuel Moto AC. The PCIII is tweaked in the cruise range for mileage.
Backroads, 55-60mph, few cold starts, little stop-and-go: 50mpg
65mph: 47mpg
Interstate speeds (70-75mph), minimal headwind: 45mpg
Interstate, strong headwind (20mph): 40-42mpg
City, numerous cold starts: 38-40mpg
I have a PCIII with Fuel Moto map, Rush mufflers with Fuel Moto custom baffles, and Fuel Moto AC. The PCIII is tweaked in the cruise range for mileage.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 527
Likes: 3
From: Columbus GA / Phenix City AL
RE: How to increase mpg in a bagger
iClick, I was reading another mileage thread or two, and you'd posted what seemed to be a .jpg of your maps before and after tweaking. For some reason, I'm not able to see that .jpg..... Any chance you could repost it, or email it to me?
I wanna tweak mine too, and I'd like to see the ranges where you made changes.
I wanna tweak mine too, and I'd like to see the ranges where you made changes.