| Author | Message | ||
     Bigdog_tim |
I have an '09 Ultra with about 5300 miles on it. I love ALMOST everything about this bike - except the fuel economy. The bike is mechanically stock (except for an oil cooler) - and the BEST I get out of the bike is 38 MPG. I get that on my 1125R riding WOT all day. I have done everything I could think of: I check tire pressure at least once a week (always 40 rear/36 front), oil changed at proper times (went to Amsoil at 5K miles), etc. I only by "good" gas (never at Arco - prefer 76, Chevron, Shell). I traded an '01 Ultra with a big bore kit for this bike. My old Ultra would get 42-44 MPG no matter what - even riding two up. I have already called Harley Customer Service. They weren't much help - I suspect discussing ANYTHING related to changing the fuelling on the bike won't get a great response from Harley (given the challenges with emissions, EPA, etc all manufacturers have). So - am interested in hearing the fuel economy from other '09 touring bike owners. In the mean time, I will change primary and transmission fluids (go to synthetic on them). If that doesn't do anything - then I will look at adding an aftermarket fuel management system and dial in the air/fuel mixture myself. This surprises me because I would EXPECT a factory bike to be EXTREMELY lean - and as a result get great fuel economy. Is it possible that the extreme leanness is also causing a loss of power that I make up for with more throttle? Seems counter intuitive - but.... | ||
| Citified |
I am getting mid to upper 30s on my RG but I have just over 600 miles and never use 6th gear, plus heavy breather air cleaner, rush exhaust and stage 1 remap. So, hard tellin not knowin. | ||
| Road_thing |
I get similar mileage on my '96 Road King, but it's got a carb... rt | ||
| Baybueller |
My guess is you are running ethanol blend gas. I have an 07 RG that got 50 mpg stock and now gets 40ish with sert,pipes etc. and a fat fuel/air mixture. Still pings at times, and this really bugs me. | ||
| Mark61 |
Y2K 95" Tw37g white bro.s 2 into 1 and Short Block Charley "scotsman" heads I get 42 to 50 mpg depending on ride style, road and fuel use. Even really hauling a$$ on the back roads it might be as low as 38 miles per gallon. mark61 | ||
| Navygunner |
I would bet its Ethenol blend fuel issue also. I get 48ish all highway and 40 consistantly around town. I do have 9000 miles on my '09. Milage checked every fill up and has been consistant since break in. Patrick | ||
| Bigdog_tim |
Hi Patrick - is your bike stock? I don't think my crappy fuel economy is based entirely on the Ethenol blend problem - I would have seen the same (if not worse) numbers on my '01. | ||
| Navygunner |
Yep, bone stock. I forgot to add that I have noticed slight differences filling at different stations across the state (Mainly ones in large urban areas I suspect to have ethenol blends). I touched 50 mpg on a trip to Lake Charles La filling in a county that doesn't have smog checks. I used the cruise that trip and maintained 75 mph. Perhaps yours will loosen up with miles...... Patrick |
