Gas mileage
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
Gas mileage
My fuel light has been always been coming on around 180 miles since I've owned the
bike, and is good for about 225 miles to empty. But lately I've been riding a little
faster on the highway, around 80, compared to around 70 before. But when I'm
riding at 80, my low fuel light comes on around 150 miles. I can't believe they'd
be this big a difference over maybe 10 mph. When I topped it off at 155 miles
it had about 3/4 of a gallon left in the tank. Seems a steep price in fuel burn
and range for a few extra MPH.
bike, and is good for about 225 miles to empty. But lately I've been riding a little
faster on the highway, around 80, compared to around 70 before. But when I'm
riding at 80, my low fuel light comes on around 150 miles. I can't believe they'd
be this big a difference over maybe 10 mph. When I topped it off at 155 miles
it had about 3/4 of a gallon left in the tank. Seems a steep price in fuel burn
and range for a few extra MPH.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,515
Likes: 6
From:
RE: Gas mileage
Higher rpm higher fuel consumption, but the fuel light coming on is not a true way to measure MPG. Even when filling up you can get false figures if not carefull, I try and top tank off at the filler hole level when on side stand, then do the same next fill up and check mpg's.
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: Gas mileage
GR, I'm pretty consistent with topping tank off at the filler hole level when on side stand. The fuel
light has been very accurate since I've had the bike, it comes on with about a gallon to go whether
it's at 150 miles or 180 miles. I know I'd get higher fuel consumption with high rpms, but I thought
it would be more linear. It seems to take a big jump(or gulp) in fuel consumption at 80+. I'm thinking
now to ride a little slower on longer trips for better range.
light has been very accurate since I've had the bike, it comes on with about a gallon to go whether
it's at 150 miles or 180 miles. I know I'd get higher fuel consumption with high rpms, but I thought
it would be more linear. It seems to take a big jump(or gulp) in fuel consumption at 80+. I'm thinking
now to ride a little slower on longer trips for better range.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: Antioch, CA
RE: Gas mileage
Remember that the coefficient of drag (wind resistance) increases exponentially with speed. The increase in drag from 75 mph to 80 mph is significantly more than the increase in drag from 70 mph to 75 mph, thus a significant reduction in gas mileage with increased speed. If I average 65 mph, I get nearly 50 mpg, If I average 75 mph, I only get around 40 to 42 mpg.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 0
From: Glendale, AZ.
RE: Gas mileage
ORIGINAL: petemac
My fuel light has been always been coming on around 180 miles since I've owned the
bike, and is good for about 225 miles to empty. But lately I've been riding a little
faster on the highway, around 80, compared to around 70 before. But when I'm
riding at 80, my low fuel light comes on around 150 miles. I can't believe they'd
be this big a difference over maybe 10 mph. When I topped it off at 155 miles
it had about 3/4 of a gallon left in the tank. Seems a steep price in fuel burn
and range for a few extra MPH.
My fuel light has been always been coming on around 180 miles since I've owned the
bike, and is good for about 225 miles to empty. But lately I've been riding a little
faster on the highway, around 80, compared to around 70 before. But when I'm
riding at 80, my low fuel light comes on around 150 miles. I can't believe they'd
be this big a difference over maybe 10 mph. When I topped it off at 155 miles
it had about 3/4 of a gallon left in the tank. Seems a steep price in fuel burn
and range for a few extra MPH.
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: Gas mileage
R57, I didn't realize the jump in drag was this significant above 70-75 MPH. I guess I'll just have to
cruise slower for better range.
cruise slower for better range.
Trending Topics
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Gas mileage
oldfartjc
On my 06 Roadking stock FLHRI, I am getting 42 - 44 miles and that is mix of highway and stop and go driving.
On my 06 Roadking stock FLHRI, I am getting 42 - 44 miles and that is mix of highway and stop and go driving.
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 Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
RE: Gas mileage
ORIGINAL: oldfartjc
Maybe somebody has secretly been adding gas to your bike to give you the high milage figures. Hell I've never gotten more then 38 MPG on my 06' RK and that's mostly highway riding. I always top it off to the top since even putting in a little less then full makes a big difference with only a 5 gallon tank for computing MPG. Anytime I get to 150 miles or so my light comes on.
ORIGINAL: petemac
My fuel light has been always been coming on around 180 miles since I've owned the
bike, and is good for about 225 miles to empty. But lately I've been riding a little
faster on the highway, around 80, compared to around 70 before. But when I'm
riding at 80, my low fuel light comes on around 150 miles. I can't believe they'd
be this big a difference over maybe 10 mph. When I topped it off at 155 miles
it had about 3/4 of a gallon left in the tank. Seems a steep price in fuel burn
and range for a few extra MPH.
My fuel light has been always been coming on around 180 miles since I've owned the
bike, and is good for about 225 miles to empty. But lately I've been riding a little
faster on the highway, around 80, compared to around 70 before. But when I'm
riding at 80, my low fuel light comes on around 150 miles. I can't believe they'd
be this big a difference over maybe 10 mph. When I topped it off at 155 miles
it had about 3/4 of a gallon left in the tank. Seems a steep price in fuel burn
and range for a few extra MPH.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 36
From: Georgia Mountains
RE: Gas mileage
Petemac,
My results are about the same. If traffic allows, I'll cruise at 60, but sometimes thats too slow. It takes a lot of power/fuel to push that fairing or big RK windshield down the road at 70-80 MPH.
My results are about the same. If traffic allows, I'll cruise at 60, but sometimes thats too slow. It takes a lot of power/fuel to push that fairing or big RK windshield down the road at 70-80 MPH.