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My name is Ron and I just purchased my first Harley. It is a 2004 V-ROD that is like brand new with only 5,000 miles on it. It's a BAD *** bike when you open it up. A JAP biker wanted to try me on last night and he got me off of the light but I quickly passed him and pissed on his pride. That is the only time that I have opened it up and I was far from using all that it has to offer. My only disappointment is that it burns fuel like my Pro Comp Alcohol dragster that I raced back in the late 70s. We road to today and went 63 miles on a ˝ a tank of fuel. As you can see in the second picture it is not too rich. I would like to know what others are getting in the way of fuel mileage. There is one other complaint about the bike and that is the forward controls places the heel of my right boot directly on the front exhaust pipe. Are the others that have the V&H 2 into 1 exhaust and if so have you F'd up your right boot heel by melting it on the front pipe? What about standard foot controls with that pipe? I'm open for suggestions.
you have the small tank that holds 3.2 gallons usable so 1/2 tank is about 1.5 gallons so you are getting about 40mpg which is reasonable. But then again the fuel gauges on these bikes are not reliable.
Thank you for your input. The salesman told me that it had a five gallon tank and that it would get 50 mpg. I love it so I will deal with it's short comings. Three gallons of fuel is more than enough reach my physical limitations. I went shopping for a new Sporster and left with a 2004 V-ROD and I have no major regrets.
1. That is an absolutely gorgeous bike, and I'd love to have a VRod.
2. The inclusion of a "smiley" indicates a post intended to be humorous.
3. Dude. Decaf. Seriously.
On our '03, I get the best mileage on rides with my wife on the back: 48-50MPG.
Riding on my own? mid-40's! I think it's the way I accelerate... :-D
Unless someone upgraded the tank, the stock is 3.5g with less than 3 gallons actually usable. My personal range is about 100 miles so it's not a big deal since it easily gets 120-140 miles before I get antsy.
There are a couple options to upgrade the tank but only some of the newer models come with them from the factory.
Now dont get too cocky with that vrod hunting down "jap" bikes, i own a jap bike that would tear your vrod a new @$$ and mine isnt even that fast. Albeit the vrod is quick for what it is...enjoy it!
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New member and First Harley
