Poor Gas mileage
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Poor Gas mileage
Update. I first posted the gas mileage question a few weeks ago. I have 484 miles on the bike. I filled up again and average is 32. When I filled up the bike told me I had 200 miles remaining. The gas mileage has actually gotten worse. Should I go ahaead and take it in or waite for the 1000 mile oil change. The bike runs smooth. The plugs are a light grey and I smell no gas. I am thinking bad ECM. I cant seem to find anyone with the same problem. ! My 08 streetglide always got around 40 with no mods. Any ideas? 2014 FLHXS
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Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Eastern NE
What bike (not your 08 FLHX)...?? Any recent mods?
Seriously, at under 500-miles you're still breaking bike in + riding conditions affect MPG's. Probably nothing wrong w/bike...just need to ride it out, keep monitoring and possibly add a tuner later down the road to make adjustments, as needed.
Seriously, at under 500-miles you're still breaking bike in + riding conditions affect MPG's. Probably nothing wrong w/bike...just need to ride it out, keep monitoring and possibly add a tuner later down the road to make adjustments, as needed.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
1.) the "remaining" means nothing.
fill your tank, ride, fill again and calculate fuel used and mileage traveled.
MPG will increase as the motor wears in.
especially if the bike is bone stock, you have cause to take it in to the dealer- if you have done mods, you may be into "personal responsibility".
This could be a violation of the Federal Emissions warranty with is different than the 2 yr factory warranty- this emissions warranty is a mandate...
basically if the MPG is down 25%...where is that fuel going?
www.epa.gov/obd/pubs/420f09048.pdf
5% may be acceptable if you are running a winter ethanol blend type fuel package.
While a 96" my 2009 is good for 43 MPG with my average use, with a stage 1 using xieds, stock out of the box was 44 mpg after about 5000 miles wear in. Our fuel here is E10 in the summer, up to E15 in the winter.
Mike
fill your tank, ride, fill again and calculate fuel used and mileage traveled.
MPG will increase as the motor wears in.
especially if the bike is bone stock, you have cause to take it in to the dealer- if you have done mods, you may be into "personal responsibility".
This could be a violation of the Federal Emissions warranty with is different than the 2 yr factory warranty- this emissions warranty is a mandate...
basically if the MPG is down 25%...where is that fuel going?
www.epa.gov/obd/pubs/420f09048.pdf
5% may be acceptable if you are running a winter ethanol blend type fuel package.
While a 96" my 2009 is good for 43 MPG with my average use, with a stage 1 using xieds, stock out of the box was 44 mpg after about 5000 miles wear in. Our fuel here is E10 in the summer, up to E15 in the winter.
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jan 5, 2014 at 10:37 AM.
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Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Badlands of ND
That is poor MPG. On my new bikes I have consistently noticed that the MPG increases as the bike wears in. I would ride it for the 1000 and take it in then. Mention it to the techs if it continues.
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Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Grays Creek, NC
Wait until after your first service and then ride a few times and report back. Your bike is breaking in, not just the engine but the clutch and a few other areas.
After your first service they should change your fluids and adjust everything that has broken in, did your 08 have a stage one? The stage one gets rid of your epa tune, also your 08 didn't have the catalytic converter. I think that thing chokes out your engine hurt mileage a little, break it in and go with a cat-less stage one and it will get better, IMHO.
After your first service they should change your fluids and adjust everything that has broken in, did your 08 have a stage one? The stage one gets rid of your epa tune, also your 08 didn't have the catalytic converter. I think that thing chokes out your engine hurt mileage a little, break it in and go with a cat-less stage one and it will get better, IMHO.
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I will waite for the 1000 mile check. I was just wonering if anyone else was having the same problem. Thanks
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Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Massachusetts
On my current 2013 FLHTC when it was new, for the first 400-600 miles I was averaging 32-33 mpg or so, then it progressively got better with more miles, up to 42-43 mpg after a couple thousand miles.
I wouldn't worry too much about it this early in the game, it's new and breaking in..
Don't dwell on it and check it again after 2,000 miles.
Also depends on how you ride....fast starts, mostly around town, short rides, long rides, highway, no highway, etc.
I wouldn't worry too much about it this early in the game, it's new and breaking in..
Don't dwell on it and check it again after 2,000 miles.
Also depends on how you ride....fast starts, mostly around town, short rides, long rides, highway, no highway, etc.