Sure, Harley's suck, but...

[LoHo]

I've been riding to work on a daily basis, and as a result have become aware of other riders. A guy that works near my site rides a big dresser Harley and we got to talking about riding, mostly about the same-old, same-old. he said he started riding daily when gas went to 4 bucks because his HD gets over 50mpg.

At best, I get a little over 30mpg. How can the ancient technology of HD get that good of mileage? The power differential doesn't seem all of that significant. Another guy has a new 250 Ninja and gets around 70mpg, and has pretty good pick-up as well. What gives?

[randy]

You get double the mpg if you push it half the way or maybe he's bad at math?

Actually I have no clue what the mpg figures are for Harley's.

[redbone]

i'll just throw my 2cents in..and my best guess.
i don't own a harley and never have, but my bro does. i know that they run at somewhat lower rpm's as compared to an xs. they have 2 cylinders, and an xs has 4 to feed via carbeuration, [i think a lot of harleys are feul injected now]. that alone will give them considerably better mileage. just some food for thought
redbone

[Guy_b_g]

2 cylinder engines generally suffer less friction loss than 4 cylinders.

A 4 cylinder air cooled engine will suffer more thermal losses than a 2 cylinder air cooled engine.

Shaft drive suffers more friction loss than chain or belt drive.

HP isn't free, it requires more fuel and air to make more HP. A hopped up Harley engine making the same amount of horsepower as an XS11 probably isn't going to get very good mileage either (plus being less reliable).

And as stated, fuel injection helps too.

[8SpadeEpiphany]

I used to have an 05 Sporster 1100 (don't judge) and I would get 140ish tops on a full 3.5 gallon tank. That being said, a full dresser has to get less then their baby brother, I would lean towards the guy inflated the mileage or he's going off what the dealer said and not what they're actually getting but that's just my two cents.

[hamjam]

I got 42 /45 MPG on the old "buick " my Nomad , shaft drive, EFI and 1600 cc v2 liquid cooled . I expect the new one will as well . my friends ultra classic gets a bit better , so 50 mpg is not out of line . especially where it is warmer

[CatatonicBug]

I just looked on an HD forum to find some numbers, and one guy reports that on an '06 Ultra (full dress), he gets:
49 MPG @ 60 mph,
44 MPG @ 65 mph,
3367 mile mountain trip @70mph 42.89mpg

[Paul Kelley]

XS'S verses Harley

Hi guys,
I had A '79 F daily driver with CR carbs and A 750FD and got 38 to 39 MPG at So. Cal freeway speed. I just bought A 09 Road king and the first 1000 miles have been getting 42 to 43 MPG (stock still) so far.
that's my quarters worth
Paul Kelley

[cueball]

98 xjr 1200

with pod filters, 150 main jets and free flowing mufflers, at keep my licence speeds (under 70mph) = 47.5mpg

[jmnjrpa]

Cueball

How do you manage to keep it at 70 or is that just when they are looking?

[tmworks]

in my stable of bikes i have two 2000 HD super glide sport's. Ones been pumped up a bit. It's not hard to get a reliable 96 HP at the rear wheel and 48 MPG's when properly tuned.

[Pat Kelly]

Think about what these bikes are.
I consider the XS1100 a classic muscle bike, much like the 68 Camaro or 69 Mustang muscle cars. Those cars were dang fast/quick but weren't know for great fuel mileage.
Look at the new Mustangs. As fast or faster than the classic model but definately get better MPG.
Time marches on. When people ask my MPG and I tell them 32 they think it should be better. I tell them they weren't designed to sip gas and putt along. It was "The fastest production motorcycle in the world".

[trbig]

I have ridden many miles with a buddy that had a Road King.. probably somewhere around '01/ '02. He consistently got 52/53 mpg... but he also consistently did about 5 UNDER the speed limit.


Tod

[Bigfoot]

Man, that must have about killed you Tod.

[Ivan]

Man, that must have about killed you Tod.

No, I am pretty sure Tod was riding in circles around him or making his own twisties in the lane.