Something interesting I learned today. At least for me.
Bike is a 2009 ElectraGlide Classic. 103 top end with SE255 cams. SERT. Stage 1 AC, Fulsac 2 inch cores in mufflers and CAT removed from stock headpipe.
Now here is the story on fuel.
Zeroed odometer on last fill. Been riding to and from work on this tank about 11 miles each way. Today we were going on a long ride and fuel gauge was reading very close to empty at 153 miles on trip meter. It took 4.5gallons on fill up. This tank was solo riding 70 to 80 mph mostly freeway. Given me an indication of 34mpg

I zeroed the trip meter at todays fill and off we went 2 up. Mountainous terrain and different elevation. Coast, Mountains and desert. Varying speeds on 2 lane highway. At the end of our fun runs I always fill up so I start the work week fresh. Gauge was reading close to half full even though we had just done a 150 mile trip. At fill up it took 3.5 gals and the trip meter showed 153 miles. Indicating 43mpg.
I've always noticed I get better mileage on this bike when we are on longer rides even 2 up.
Just thought I would share

 

Slower speeds produces better MPG.

 

If I keep it under 65 I will average around 42 MPG. My daily driving up and down the freeway at 75 or 80 to and from work I'm getting at 36 to 38 MPG.

I get better mileage outside of CA ... Our special gas mixes suck.

 

I got never past 35 but since I moved to the bay area i get about 30

 

My tiny 88 inch motor gets 36 around town, has a best of just over 50 mpg cruising backroads under 60 and avg on 65 mph freeways 43,

 

Obviously your bike likes your wife better than you.

Long slow rides get better fuel mileage over stop and go 80mph runs, that’s true with any vehicle. Try doing 50mph all day without stopping; you will probably get 50 mpg.

 

After reading the whole post (everyone's comments, not just the OP) the one thing not considered is that when you are riding to and from work the bike is running a richer fuel mix because it is not warmed up. In an 11 mile trip it is reaching running temperatures just about the time you shut it down. You go into work, it cools off, you get off work and repeat the 11 mile ride where it runs on a richer mix most of the way. Yes, you will get better mileage at speeds in the 65 mph range and I have found that for some reason altitude seems to increase mileage, but a series of short trips where the engine is allowed to cool completely between trips is going to use more fuel than one long trip of the same mileage, as you have proven this weekend.

 

the biggest obstacle is wind resistance.

extensive testing over thousands of miles and multiple I-10 trips between PHX and LA on my 1995 EG produced the following:

85 MPH= 32 MPG

75 MPH= 39 MPG

65 MPH= 44 MPG

This showed that riding at the speed limits ( 75 in AZ, 70 in CA) I stop twice for gas.

running 80 MPH required a 3rd stop, which wiped out any time gains from the higher speed.

with my current 09 96" even with the "advantages" of EFI and the lower cruising rpms of the gearing, MPG's are about the same.

Hi flow intake and mufflers, no cat header, XIED's


Mike

 

I commute 50 miles each direction to work everyday. there are two routes that I can take.
One is freeway 70 mph and the other is curvy highway 60 mph.

I noticed that when I take the freeway I get 41-43 mpg.

Highway I get 48-49 mpg.

 

Commuting with speed ranges of 30-60 mph, 10 or so stop lights, typically I'm right around 35 mpg. Stage 1.