31 mpg?
AMMO! Hooahh!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
He has a 5 gal tank and you have a 6 gallon tank, not quite apples to apples. Haha
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 154
From: Buffalo, NY
Also, to the OP, you sure your tank was filled COMPLETELY when you started out
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
Don't forget it seems like most of todays bikes have some serious speed errors in their speedos. This affects the odometer too.
A speedo showing a + 5 mph error will return 3.18 more mpg than a correct speedo and errors are usually linear so if you are crusing at max error you are showing much better mileage. 6% deviation at 80 mph = 4.8 mph and 6% at 35 mph = 2.1 mph. Bikes with mpg readouts use the ECM to cakculate actual metered fuel that goes through the injectors but still rely on the speedo to get mileage.
A speedo showing a + 5 mph error will return 3.18 more mpg than a correct speedo and errors are usually linear so if you are crusing at max error you are showing much better mileage. 6% deviation at 80 mph = 4.8 mph and 6% at 35 mph = 2.1 mph. Bikes with mpg readouts use the ECM to cakculate actual metered fuel that goes through the injectors but still rely on the speedo to get mileage.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 135
Likes: 1
From: Ottertail, MN
06 RKC, stage one, true duals. I consistanly get 33-35 mpg no matter how or where I ride. Fuel type makes little to no difference for me. Sert and dyno tuned. Bike runs great, wouldn't change a thing except I always wonder about these claims of 40-50 mpg. I've asked this question before and mpg's are all over the board. I've just accepted that I'm going to get around 34 mpg with this bike and like it!!!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
Wind makes a huge difference in mpg when riding with that big sail in the front. I used to have an Ultra and mpg would drop over 10mpg in heavy wind out west. The ethanol also costs you about 10% in energy efficiency. Ride on a calm day and you will probably get over 40mpg.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,650
Likes: 9,107
From: Snow Hill, NC
my 07 stock got around 50 mpg, then got a download, not stage 1, just a new download, went to 47-48 mpg, then did air cleaner, and stage 1 download went down t0 around 45-46, then Power commander 42-43 and finally added a set of Andrews cams and now i consistently get 38-40 mpg....
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 666
Likes: 7
From: the woodlands, tx
MPG long term report
2009 stock 96 CI EG Standard, lower fairings.
Almost 24,000 miles, average 40.3 MPG. Have logged every ride, every fuel purchase.
Houston to Montana, lots of places in between, multiple times.
Headwinds kill the mileage, as does high speed. Dropping out of the Rockies to the Plains adds to the MPG.
Average ride is 180 miles per ride over the last 133 rides. A ride is whatever the mileage is that day.
Learned to log every single thing when flying light aircraft as a kid, still do that as well. Good habit, a bit compulsive though.
Gas is cheap, the fun is priceless.........
Almost 24,000 miles, average 40.3 MPG. Have logged every ride, every fuel purchase.
Houston to Montana, lots of places in between, multiple times.
Headwinds kill the mileage, as does high speed. Dropping out of the Rockies to the Plains adds to the MPG.
Average ride is 180 miles per ride over the last 133 rides. A ride is whatever the mileage is that day.
Learned to log every single thing when flying light aircraft as a kid, still do that as well. Good habit, a bit compulsive though.
Gas is cheap, the fun is priceless.........
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
I asked if it was stock as 2 threads in the past couple of days involved used bikes which were not as represented ( 1 was "stock" and had been modified with intake, tuner and pipes, one had "performance pipes", but was found to be stock)
you need more data, keep a log of fill ups and mileage ( like our Dads did)
a couple of things, MPG is reduced by ethanol in about the exact proportion added.
so 10% Ethanol = 10% less MPG
my bike gets 43 mpg at 65~70 tested over thousands of miles. ( with 10% ethanol blends)
It's a stage 1 2009 EG Classic 96" with xieds ( No tuner). slightly smaller windscreen, solo packing about 50 pounds of crap ( no gold either)
air resistance:
I did extensive testing on my '95 EG Classic ( stage 1 80" evo) over tens of thousands of miles.above 50 mph air eats alot of power.
on that bike at
65 MPH = 45 MPG
75 MPH = 38 MPG
85 MPH = 31 MPG
using these figures I eventually figured out that riding PHX- LA, I had a lower ET if I rode at the speed limit, if I rode my usual 7 or 10 over, I had to make a 2nd fuel stop. ( and I really worked on tuning the carb and ignition advance for the best economy and power I could get)
This is a trip I do quite often.
65 MPH for 30 miles, 75 MPH for 133 miles, 70 MPH for 200 miles, 55 mph for 40 miles
My best economy ever was a day at Yellowstone at 35~40 mph and yielded over 55 MPG
Mike
you need more data, keep a log of fill ups and mileage ( like our Dads did)
a couple of things, MPG is reduced by ethanol in about the exact proportion added.
so 10% Ethanol = 10% less MPG
my bike gets 43 mpg at 65~70 tested over thousands of miles. ( with 10% ethanol blends)
It's a stage 1 2009 EG Classic 96" with xieds ( No tuner). slightly smaller windscreen, solo packing about 50 pounds of crap ( no gold either)
air resistance:
I did extensive testing on my '95 EG Classic ( stage 1 80" evo) over tens of thousands of miles.above 50 mph air eats alot of power.
on that bike at
65 MPH = 45 MPG
75 MPH = 38 MPG
85 MPH = 31 MPG
using these figures I eventually figured out that riding PHX- LA, I had a lower ET if I rode at the speed limit, if I rode my usual 7 or 10 over, I had to make a 2nd fuel stop. ( and I really worked on tuning the carb and ignition advance for the best economy and power I could get)
This is a trip I do quite often.
65 MPH for 30 miles, 75 MPH for 133 miles, 70 MPH for 200 miles, 55 mph for 40 miles
My best economy ever was a day at Yellowstone at 35~40 mph and yielded over 55 MPG
Mike