Mileage
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Austin Tx
I just got back from a 2600 mile trip and found a few things effect my milege...
1) The obvious, city vs highway
2) The amount of time the engine spends at full running temp. For example, I noticed the 2nd and 3rd tank while going down the highway always did better then the first. I attribute this to the bike running at "normal" operating temps while on that specific tank of gas. I found on the trip that it took about 30 min or so to get to this temp. (Note that the oil temp sending unit is in the pan)
3) Altitude - The higher up I got (colorado) the hotter my bike ran and the better my milage (Had a high of 57 MPG)
4) The bike does better overall if the RPM's are above 2500 for milage. That includes running it in 5th gear vs 6th for long distances.
The bike is totally stock.
Based on what your telling us, your mileage is about right what I would expect if most of your riding is 100 mile chunks or less.
1) The obvious, city vs highway
2) The amount of time the engine spends at full running temp. For example, I noticed the 2nd and 3rd tank while going down the highway always did better then the first. I attribute this to the bike running at "normal" operating temps while on that specific tank of gas. I found on the trip that it took about 30 min or so to get to this temp. (Note that the oil temp sending unit is in the pan)
3) Altitude - The higher up I got (colorado) the hotter my bike ran and the better my milage (Had a high of 57 MPG)
4) The bike does better overall if the RPM's are above 2500 for milage. That includes running it in 5th gear vs 6th for long distances.
The bike is totally stock.
Based on what your telling us, your mileage is about right what I would expect if most of your riding is 100 mile chunks or less.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 743
Likes: 4
From: Ohio
My 1995 evo was getting 50+ with the stage II mods. Then I bored it 5 over, went with a little higher compression and ported the heads and now getting around 48. 80" runs side by side by side with the 96" bikes though.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,706
Likes: 7
From: Woodstock, Ont , Can
In fact the fuel gauges are accurate but it's where the empty part is calibrated is what causes the problem. Some tanks may contain up to 2 gallons of reserve left when the fuel light is on. 1 gallon would be better, but all you have to do short of bending the float rod and recalibrating it is to get use to your own gauge readings. I seems to always repeat it's readings with the odometer. Miles per tank would only be meaningful if you ran it dry, but fuel cools the pump and it's not a bad idea to keep at least 1 gallon in there for that purpose. My milage varies between 41-44 with tmax, depending on my mood.
Ron
Ron
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
heres an accurate way to know your mileage. fill the tank, reset trip, drive 50 to 100 miles or so, then refill, divide mileage by gallons used to refill the tank, that will give you an accurate mpg. (well its the most accurate way i have found) i get 38 mpg
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 8
From: Roswell, NM
I haven't ever checked to see exactly how much I'm getting on a tank of gas. It usually takes around 4.5 gal to fill up though. Most times I lose track of when I bought the last tank. So, if I can't remember, I'm doing pretty good. Maybe I'm just senile, I can't remember
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Basically, you can depend on two things: First, if the light comes on, gas up ASAP regardless of what the gauge shows, as you don't have much left. Second, don't assume you have only a 6.0 gal. capacity. To find out, drain the tank completely and add gas one quart at a time like I did on my old bike. I wanted to know so I could ascertain exactly how many gallons I had in the tank when it hit reserve (carbed). The crux is to do your own tests so you know the behavior of your own bike, as I think two bikes will likely be different.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 449
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
I just did an 1100 mile trip and averaged 50.5 mpg for the whole trip. This was mostly two lane mountain roads in Colorado and New Mexico. I logged mileage and fuel at each fuel stop.
Around town I get 45 to 50. My mileage increased by several mpg once I had over 2000 miles on the engine.
Around town I get 45 to 50. My mileage increased by several mpg once I had over 2000 miles on the engine.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,345
Likes: 0
From: Metro Denver
on my '07 UC, the low fuel light typically came on around 1.25gal fuel remaining (5 gal tank). That said, it makes sense that your 08 with the 6 gal tank only took 4.8 gal.
I have kept the fuel receipts for every fill-up (yeah, I'm a techno-geek, so it makes sense...LOL) and it allowed me to get a real solid feel for what my UC would do for pure city, combined city/hwy and pure hwy riding.
- -
KoalaCowboy
I have kept the fuel receipts for every fill-up (yeah, I'm a techno-geek, so it makes sense...LOL) and it allowed me to get a real solid feel for what my UC would do for pure city, combined city/hwy and pure hwy riding.
- -
KoalaCowboy