MPG Help
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 927
Likes: 17
From: Spotsylvania, VA
cptdenny, Thanks for the info, the bike was tuned by a very good tuner. Bike runs good and does pull. I really don't want to have to purchase another tuner, but I will look into the TT Master Tuner. Mike
Mike, when I first got my 110" CVO I was getting up to 36 mpg. After moding to a Stage lll with a SERT tuner, dealer dynoed my bike.
My fuel mileage dropped to 30 mpg. At times it dropped to as low as 27 mph.
Riding 4K miles in this condition, I complained to anyone that would lend me an ear. I got this one recommendation over and over again, both locally and on line. Go see Doc Weaver or at least give him a call up there in Minneola FL. I'm told.
I did, made an appointment and off I went, 140 miles up the turnpike. First thing done was getting rid of the SERT tuner when Doc got it. He installed a TT Master Tuner. Then he spent 2.5 hrs on the fuel map on his dyno. After about 4.5 hrs he was done. Doc got me another 10 HP & 10 TQ over my dealer's dyno tune. Now I'm showing 110 HP 120 TQ at the rear wheel. He also got rid of my throttle hesitation that I wasn't aware I had till he got rid of it.
Now the News you've been waiting for. I'm averaging 40 mpg now, riding the same way when I was getting only 30 mpg average.
You my friend need the best reputable tuner you can find in your area. Even if it means riding several hundred miles to get to him. Ask, research and listen to those that are VERY satisfied with their dyno tune. Then call the tuner and decide if he's the one for the job.
Even though this dyno cost me another $850 with the tuner. It'll pay for its self after 21K miles at present fuel prices.
Ride safe...
My fuel mileage dropped to 30 mpg. At times it dropped to as low as 27 mph.
Riding 4K miles in this condition, I complained to anyone that would lend me an ear. I got this one recommendation over and over again, both locally and on line. Go see Doc Weaver or at least give him a call up there in Minneola FL. I'm told.
I did, made an appointment and off I went, 140 miles up the turnpike. First thing done was getting rid of the SERT tuner when Doc got it. He installed a TT Master Tuner. Then he spent 2.5 hrs on the fuel map on his dyno. After about 4.5 hrs he was done. Doc got me another 10 HP & 10 TQ over my dealer's dyno tune. Now I'm showing 110 HP 120 TQ at the rear wheel. He also got rid of my throttle hesitation that I wasn't aware I had till he got rid of it.
Now the News you've been waiting for. I'm averaging 40 mpg now, riding the same way when I was getting only 30 mpg average.
You my friend need the best reputable tuner you can find in your area. Even if it means riding several hundred miles to get to him. Ask, research and listen to those that are VERY satisfied with their dyno tune. Then call the tuner and decide if he's the one for the job.
Even though this dyno cost me another $850 with the tuner. It'll pay for its self after 21K miles at present fuel prices.
Ride safe...
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 304
From: Providence Forge, VA
I Hate Ethanol!
I purchased heated gear before the winter started so this is the first year I have put a decent amount of miles on my bike during the winter. I too noticed that my MPGs dropped from around forty to thirty one. I have an '07 Road King Classic with a Thundermax and Rhinehart True Duals. I thought I might have a problem with the Thrundermax. While i was in Daytona, I stopped by and saw them. They hooked up my bike and said that everything was fine. Zippers Performance, the manufacturer of Thundermax, is also from the MD / DC / VA area. They told me that that this kind of drop off in MPGs during the winter in our area is typical because of the amount of ethanol in the gas. I thought they were just brushing me off so my buddy, who was also having the same problem, and I put this theory to the test by filling up with 93 octane while in Daytona. Sure enough, I got just over forty miles per gallon. When we got back home and filled up again, I was back down to about thirty one miles per gallon. I was told that sometime in the Spring is when they remove the ethanol from the gas and that I should, once again, see increased mileage. I hope this helps.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
There were a couple of stations on the list in Spotsylvania. I live in Woodbridge and there are definitely none around me.
I purchased heated gear before the winter started so this is the first year I have put a decent amount of miles on my bike during the winter. I too noticed that my MPGs dropped from around forty to thirty one. I have an '07 Road King Classic with a Thundermax and Rhinehart True Duals. I thought I might have a problem with the Thrundermax. While i was in Daytona, I stopped by and saw them. They hooked up my bike and said that everything was fine. Zippers Performance, the manufacturer of Thundermax, is also from the MD / DC / VA area. They told me that that this kind of drop off in MPGs during the winter in our area is typical because of the amount of ethanol in the gas. I thought they were just brushing me off so my buddy, who was also having the same problem, and I put this theory to the test by filling up with 93 octane while in Daytona. Sure enough, I got just over forty miles per gallon. When we got back home and filled up again, I was back down to about thirty one miles per gallon. I was told that sometime in the Spring is when they remove the ethanol from the gas and that I should, once again, see increased mileage. I hope this helps.
I purchased heated gear before the winter started so this is the first year I have put a decent amount of miles on my bike during the winter. I too noticed that my MPGs dropped from around forty to thirty one. I have an '07 Road King Classic with a Thundermax and Rhinehart True Duals. I thought I might have a problem with the Thrundermax. While i was in Daytona, I stopped by and saw them. They hooked up my bike and said that everything was fine. Zippers Performance, the manufacturer of Thundermax, is also from the MD / DC / VA area. They told me that that this kind of drop off in MPGs during the winter in our area is typical because of the amount of ethanol in the gas. I thought they were just brushing me off so my buddy, who was also having the same problem, and I put this theory to the test by filling up with 93 octane while in Daytona. Sure enough, I got just over forty miles per gallon. When we got back home and filled up again, I was back down to about thirty one miles per gallon. I was told that sometime in the Spring is when they remove the ethanol from the gas and that I should, once again, see increased mileage. I hope this helps.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
Likes: 50
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Well, not to sound pessimistic, but that's awful. You were running the dyno map, though, and we don't know what AFR was dialed into the cruise range, probably quite rich.
If you don't mind, send me your dyno map and the tweaked map FM sent you (here). Assuming FM adjusted your dyno map and didn't replace it with one of theirs, I'm not sure how they made the adjustments without any knowledge of how the tuner set your AFRs for the cruise range. If they didn't replace it they may have compared it with an in-house map for your configuration and adjusted accordingly.
I would go to the person who performed the tune and ask them what AFR was used to tune the cruise range. I would also ask if there is some way they could make an adjustment to improve the mileage, and I would specify an AFR of no richer than 14.2 in the cruise range. I'm using 14.5-14.6 and have no heat issues, but most don't like going that lean, which is right at stock levels. FM tunes for 13.8 in their regular maps, which is too rich for my taste but good for improved cooling and throttle response. Remember that most riders complain about heat, and this tuning strategy is in response to the demands from owners.
Adding Auto-Tune would be another option, as then you could specify AFRs throughout the operating range and there would be no guesswork. I usually don't recommend AT for most riders, but in your case it may be the only way unless you can get the tuner to tweak your map.
If you don't mind, send me your dyno map and the tweaked map FM sent you (here). Assuming FM adjusted your dyno map and didn't replace it with one of theirs, I'm not sure how they made the adjustments without any knowledge of how the tuner set your AFRs for the cruise range. If they didn't replace it they may have compared it with an in-house map for your configuration and adjusted accordingly.
I would go to the person who performed the tune and ask them what AFR was used to tune the cruise range. I would also ask if there is some way they could make an adjustment to improve the mileage, and I would specify an AFR of no richer than 14.2 in the cruise range. I'm using 14.5-14.6 and have no heat issues, but most don't like going that lean, which is right at stock levels. FM tunes for 13.8 in their regular maps, which is too rich for my taste but good for improved cooling and throttle response. Remember that most riders complain about heat, and this tuning strategy is in response to the demands from owners.
Adding Auto-Tune would be another option, as then you could specify AFRs throughout the operating range and there would be no guesswork. I usually don't recommend AT for most riders, but in your case it may be the only way unless you can get the tuner to tweak your map.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: St Charles, IL
Just went trough this with my bud and his stock road glide with slip ons. Was in the very low 30's so I went through the bike and air filter was dirty and the right side slip on was leaking. Banged it on and positioned and tightned the clamp and he is now up in the low 40's not sure if this is your case but something to try. By the way 3 dealers missed this.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 901
Likes: 5
From: Springfield, MO
Been reading this thread with great interest. My 2006 FLHX got about 41 MPG stock. After the FM package (intake/dyno tuned Jackpots/PCV) I get about 35-36 MPG. Runs much better of course. I do sometimes think it smells a little rich.
Anyway...
My best riding buddy had a 2011 FLHX with the 103. He has SE intake, SE slips (cat in), 255 cams, and some kind of SE tuner. It was dyno tuned by the dealer. We ride thousands of miles together. Same roads, same speeds, same hijinks, etc. He averages 5 MPG better than me.
I know he has 6th gear, but still... how does that 103 with cams do so much better than my little 88??? Only thing I can come up with is my FM map is letting those injectors squirt plenty of fuel.
Would like to get better mileage when touring, but like the throttle response when tearing up the twisties.
Anyway...
My best riding buddy had a 2011 FLHX with the 103. He has SE intake, SE slips (cat in), 255 cams, and some kind of SE tuner. It was dyno tuned by the dealer. We ride thousands of miles together. Same roads, same speeds, same hijinks, etc. He averages 5 MPG better than me.
I know he has 6th gear, but still... how does that 103 with cams do so much better than my little 88??? Only thing I can come up with is my FM map is letting those injectors squirt plenty of fuel.
Would like to get better mileage when touring, but like the throttle response when tearing up the twisties.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Good quality synthetic lubricants will increase the mpg and hp.
motorcycleoil-site.com/1526120 has specs on this. Synthetics also help your bike run cooler.
motorcycleoil-site.com/1526120 has specs on this. Synthetics also help your bike run cooler.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
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
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 927
Likes: 17
From: Spotsylvania, VA
Just went trough this with my bud and his stock road glide with slip ons. Was in the very low 30's so I went through the bike and air filter was dirty and the right side slip on was leaking. Banged it on and positioned and tightned the clamp and he is now up in the low 40's not sure if this is your case but something to try. By the way 3 dealers missed this.
Thanks.
Last edited by RockerMike; Mar 20, 2012 at 11:46 AM. Reason: Edit