Gas Milage
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 4
I'm suprised at the 6th gear providing less mpg. But then again, I have heard that the 6-speed was to decrease noise levels, not necessarily for power or mileage reasons, so that makes sense. Lugging the engine does make it work harder than keeping it in the proper power band (and its better for the engine).
I wonder if a 5-speed bike would get better mileage than an identical 6-speed model?
I wonder if a 5-speed bike would get better mileage than an identical 6-speed model?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
I'm suprised at the 6th gear providing less mpg. But then again, I have heard that the 6-speed was to decrease noise levels, not necessarily for power or mileage reasons, so that makes sense. Lugging the engine does make it work harder than keeping it in the proper power band (and its better for the engine).
I wonder if a 5-speed bike would get better mileage than an identical 6-speed model?
I wonder if a 5-speed bike would get better mileage than an identical 6-speed model?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
my experiences:
mileage is directly affected by percentage of ethanol- 10% ethanol, 10% drop in MPG.
all measurements below are with 10% ethanol fuel- except perhaps the fill in Montana going into Yellowstone)
My 95 Evo bagger, 80" stage 1
85 MPH = 32 MPG
75 MPH= 38 MPG
65 MPH= 45 MPG
35~40 MPH ( Yellowstone) over 52 MPG!
measured over many, many trips to LA from Phoenix.
Ride speed limit; 2 fuel stops.
Ride faster; 3 fuel stops- so actually takes longer to get there
Measured over past 5000 miles ( bike now has 11000 miles)
09 FLHTC lightly loaded stock, stock avg. 44 mpg
with stage 1 and XIEDS*, avg 43 mpg
this is in touring mode averaging 70 mph
My Pal get exactly same mileage as me on his 2011 Limited 103" Air Cleaner and Pipes ( no tune as per his dealer- you know it runs just fine, I ride it all the time)
The big variable here is wind resistance- I'm not smart enough to calculate the formula for best MPG, speed, rpm etc. My old Kawi Z1 900 had a note in the manual that best MPG was at 72 MPH--- I wish they still did that.
My stock 1953 74" FL gets about 30 MPH- the carburation is way coarse.
My FXRP has overdrive and motor stuff- gets over 45 MPG
Mike
* the bike in stock form pinged at 2800~3200 rpm on grades, the XIEDS were added to remedy that
mileage is directly affected by percentage of ethanol- 10% ethanol, 10% drop in MPG.
all measurements below are with 10% ethanol fuel- except perhaps the fill in Montana going into Yellowstone)
My 95 Evo bagger, 80" stage 1
85 MPH = 32 MPG
75 MPH= 38 MPG
65 MPH= 45 MPG
35~40 MPH ( Yellowstone) over 52 MPG!
measured over many, many trips to LA from Phoenix.
Ride speed limit; 2 fuel stops.
Ride faster; 3 fuel stops- so actually takes longer to get there
Measured over past 5000 miles ( bike now has 11000 miles)
09 FLHTC lightly loaded stock, stock avg. 44 mpg
with stage 1 and XIEDS*, avg 43 mpg
this is in touring mode averaging 70 mph
My Pal get exactly same mileage as me on his 2011 Limited 103" Air Cleaner and Pipes ( no tune as per his dealer- you know it runs just fine, I ride it all the time)
The big variable here is wind resistance- I'm not smart enough to calculate the formula for best MPG, speed, rpm etc. My old Kawi Z1 900 had a note in the manual that best MPG was at 72 MPH--- I wish they still did that.
My stock 1953 74" FL gets about 30 MPH- the carburation is way coarse.
My FXRP has overdrive and motor stuff- gets over 45 MPG
Mike
* the bike in stock form pinged at 2800~3200 rpm on grades, the XIEDS were added to remedy that
Last edited by mkguitar; Feb 22, 2011 at 02:42 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 144
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
I'm suprised at the 6th gear providing less mpg. But then again, I have heard that the 6-speed was to decrease noise levels, not necessarily for power or mileage reasons, so that makes sense. Lugging the engine does make it work harder than keeping it in the proper power band (and its better for the engine).
I wonder if a 5-speed bike would get better mileage than an identical 6-speed model?
I wonder if a 5-speed bike would get better mileage than an identical 6-speed model?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 6
From: Spokane, WA.
6th gear
I'm going to take it to the dealer and let them have a look at it and make sure its in tune. Also, I'm going to try some of the suggestions many of you have made, i.e, slowing down, keeping it in its power band and not lug the motor, staying in 5th gear longer, I've been shifting into 6th gear at 55 mph, even if I'm going to run only 55. Thanks for the suggestions. I'll post results when I've run enough tanks through it to get some good numbers.
SugsPa
SugsPa
I am not sure how my new RK will run - having 255 cams installed out of the gate. Not sure what the gearing is on the 2011 bikes? All for the better I hope....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,977
Likes: 85
From: Nevada
I remember that the dealer told me when i bought my FLSTF '07 that if I was not going at least 70 to keep out of 6th gear.
I am not sure how my new RK will run - having 255 cams installed out of the gate. Not sure what the gearing is on the 2011 bikes? All for the better I hope....
I am not sure how my new RK will run - having 255 cams installed out of the gate. Not sure what the gearing is on the 2011 bikes? All for the better I hope....
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I've had my 07 Electra Glide UC for about a month now and have put approximately 1000 miles on it. I've been getting consistently 33 MPG. Is that about normal for this bike? Most of my riding is on the Interstate at 75-78 MPH. When I shift gears, I usually shift at about 2500 - 3000 RPM. With a 5 gal tank, it doesn't give me much touring distance before a fill up. It has a V&H true duals and K&N filter, other than that, its bone stock. I do use Premium (91 Octane or above) gas.
Thanks,
SugsPa
Thanks,
SugsPa
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