Your Mileage May Vary
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 15
you would be richer at elevation as the air is thinner compared to the amount of fuel. Your ecm should adjust accordingly.
I've been waiting for a thread like this to jump up. It has been touched on before, but I didn't believe it.
I went to Colorado a couple of weeks ago, I'm pulling a trailer, got the 'ol lady onboard and the bags and tourpack are full. I've got a large T-Bag on the tourpack.
From here to Dallas, I'm bucking a hard headwind, and on my first tank, I got 35 mpg. From then on, for the rest of the trip, I ran in 5th gear, not sixth. Running in 5th, I averaged 46 mpg. Low of 41 crossing the mountains, and got 50mpg between Durango and Alburqurque (probably due to the downhill). Once I got east of Alburqurque, the milage stayed 46-47. The sweet spot was 2800 rpm @ 67mph in 5th on cruise. I was plesantly surprised.
I went to Colorado a couple of weeks ago, I'm pulling a trailer, got the 'ol lady onboard and the bags and tourpack are full. I've got a large T-Bag on the tourpack.
From here to Dallas, I'm bucking a hard headwind, and on my first tank, I got 35 mpg. From then on, for the rest of the trip, I ran in 5th gear, not sixth. Running in 5th, I averaged 46 mpg. Low of 41 crossing the mountains, and got 50mpg between Durango and Alburqurque (probably due to the downhill). Once I got east of Alburqurque, the milage stayed 46-47. The sweet spot was 2800 rpm @ 67mph in 5th on cruise. I was plesantly surprised.
Normal running for my is 46 or so
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Chi-town
i got 40 today on a 200 mile ride averaging 75-80mph in 6th... i'll have to try keeping her at 70 in 5th and see how that goes.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 4
From: Third Coast, South Texas
Just something I wanted to mention, but elevation seems to improve mileage. Memorial day weekend I spent 4 days riding western CO in 4 corners area of CO and every tank of gas at those high elevations, all highway were over 50 mpg tanks with the best at almost 55 mpg. So keep elevation and they type of riding in mind when calculating fuel economy. It isn't likely the fuel as much as it is the elevation and air/fuel ratio and the type of riding your doing that can have a big impact. Something to keep in mind. Fuel economy improves, but power takes a hit.
Longsnowsm
Longsnowsm