Outstanding MPG
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
I have the suspicion they are pulling it out of where the sun don't shine. I think mid to high 30s is reasonable but above I'd like to see a bike that does not run mile after mile on cruise control get above 40. I drive all sorts of places and not much cruise control so my avg is usually about 35 -38. That includes all miles not just the one little three hour run where I got the good mpg... 
Yesterday was mostly speeds under 50mph, no cruise control, in 5th gear or lower on back roads along the Delaware River north of Trenton and in Penn. A few miles on 295 doing about 70 but that's about it.
I have the suspicion they are pulling it out of where the sun don't shine. I think mid to high 30s is reasonable but above I'd like to see a bike that does not run mile after mile on cruise control get above 40. I drive all sorts of places and not much cruise control so my avg is usually about 35 -38. That includes all miles not just the one little three hour run where I got the good mpg...
Alot of my riding is commuting back and forth to work which is about 40 miles. The majority of that is on the highway with no stops. I run around 70mph. Never see above 38 and I check every tank. Not doubting anyones mileage. Just like to know how to get to that point.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
My 09 ultra is just passed break-in so after changing to Synthetic I was hoping my mileage would increase but so far it hasn't changed to much, I barely break the 40mpg mark.
I always record mileage in my bikes and cars, below is a copy of my "ultra's" mileage record. I use my GPS as my odometer, although, surprisingly the bike odometer isn't off by much.
miles/ gal/ $per gal / Mileage/ cost to fill
190 /4.75/ $2.93/ 40.00 /$13.91
159 / 4.36/ $3.03 /36.47 /$13.21
166 /4.393/ $2.93/ 37.79 /$12.87
190 /4.702/ $3.00 / 40.41/ $14.10
184 /4.803/ $2.90/ 38.31 /$13.92
167 /4.04/ $2.82 /41.49 /$11.39
I always record mileage in my bikes and cars, below is a copy of my "ultra's" mileage record. I use my GPS as my odometer, although, surprisingly the bike odometer isn't off by much.
miles/ gal/ $per gal / Mileage/ cost to fill
190 /4.75/ $2.93/ 40.00 /$13.91
159 / 4.36/ $3.03 /36.47 /$13.21
166 /4.393/ $2.93/ 37.79 /$12.87
190 /4.702/ $3.00 / 40.41/ $14.10
184 /4.803/ $2.90/ 38.31 /$13.92
167 /4.04/ $2.82 /41.49 /$11.39
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Toledo Ohio
I have 3000 miles on my 2009 Ultra. My milage is about thesame as kipd's. Ot the trip I just took I had one tank drop down in to the 20's but I was running hard through the mountians in West Viginia. I figured it was bad gas.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I usually get right around 42 mpg. I just can't help but to twist the wick because I love the sound of my pipes. The best I have ever gotten was 51 mpg. That was in the rain with the cruise set at 45 mph.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 597
Likes: 35
From: On the lake, Ohio
If I could break an average of 40mpg I'd be estatic! I get anywhere from 32-37 mpg from city to highway riding and I don't turn the throttle too far back. Best I ever had was 42 mpg and that was riding the mountain back roads of West Virginia from 15 mph to 60 mph plus constantly shifting gears. Going to try a new mapping this Thursday with the SERT from an experienced indy. Most of my riding is flat highway cruising. Go figure.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 4
From: Georgia
I really don't want to call anybody out on their numbers but you last several have duplicated my experience. I've never seen the high miles that the early posters stated. 
Just wanted to get a reality check on the favorable stats. 
If it's too good to be true, it probably ain't.
Just wanted to get a reality check on the favorable stats. If it's too good to be true, it probably ain't.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 619
Likes: 2
From: Midway, UT.
Just wondering, where do most of you live? I live in the mountains, at 5500 ft, I am one of the ones who gets to good to be true milage on my RK, and every one I know here with a Harley except maybe the big ones like the Ultras get about the same as I do, I thought it was normal, and on the few occasions I got under 50 I was pissed, I am wondering if perhaps altitude has somthing to do with, I doubt it but there has got to be somthing, because I would not lie about it, would just wonder how to get better.
The guy I bought it from also got over 50, his average was 52, we went on a trip to the Rat Fink convention one year, I was on my VStar 650, it would only get about 45, we both drove the same distance, we both filled up at the same place and damn he got 52, I got 45, also we went on a trip over the Mt Nebo lupe a couple of weeks ago, I was on the RK I bought from him, he was on his 08 RK and his bike took 2 tenths less gas then mine did on the trip, so his 6 speed still got better then mine, must have gotten about 53 on his bike that day, so say what you want but that is what we are getting.
Terry
The guy I bought it from also got over 50, his average was 52, we went on a trip to the Rat Fink convention one year, I was on my VStar 650, it would only get about 45, we both drove the same distance, we both filled up at the same place and damn he got 52, I got 45, also we went on a trip over the Mt Nebo lupe a couple of weeks ago, I was on the RK I bought from him, he was on his 08 RK and his bike took 2 tenths less gas then mine did on the trip, so his 6 speed still got better then mine, must have gotten about 53 on his bike that day, so say what you want but that is what we are getting.
Terry