Fuel economy

**Jared** · 04-12-2011, 09:05 AM

How many miles per gallon do you average?

If you've done something to increase or decrease your mpg, please tell us what you've done.

If you have a fuel processor, what are your settings?

usranger74 · 04-12-2011, 09:19 AM

41-43

I ride mostly back-country roads - flat to some rolling hills and at 55-60 MPH.

**brote** · 04-12-2011, 09:45 AM

When my bike came of the dealer floor I was getting 39.5 now it is about 41.7. Not much interstate driving.

waterman · 04-12-2011, 09:45 AM

Depends upon what I am driving for roads.

Interstate - 36 mpg is close. Low was 32 on one tank with a stout headwind and cruising 80+ actual.

Highway - 40 to 42 most of the time. Best tanks was coming back from Cortez when I did 46, 48 and 52 mpg on 3 fillups.

ccmjr77 · 04-12-2011, 10:02 AM

I used to get close to 40, but lately I have been only getting about 35 at best. I am starting to ping again also, even with fuel processor. Not sure if gas has changed or bike has changed.

cactusjack · 04-12-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccmjr77

I used to get close to 40, but lately I have been only getting about 35 at best. I am starting to ping again also, even with fuel processor. Not sure if gas has changed or bike has changed.

The stations here are switching from their "winter blend" to their "summer blend". That might have something to do with it.

danimal2 · 04-12-2011, 12:54 PM

Last four fill ups I got 45. checking it from almost empty to full trying to get it as accurate as possible. However, I'm not entirely sure that my speedo/odo is accurate. Haven't checked it against my gps yet, but intend to this weekend.

Someone posted up that my year (99) in particular was off from the factory. I'm still running factory size rubber so might not be correct.

usranger74 · 04-12-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by usranger74

41-43

I ride mostly back-country roads - flat to some rolling hills and at 55-60 MPH.

When I posted the above, it was from my riding last summer before I put on a Cobra Fuel Processor. My mileage dropped after that.

Just got back from a 141 mile ride and filled up with 3.7 gals of gas. Or, 38 MPG.

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**schoeney** · 04-12-2011, 02:05 PM

39-42 pretty consistent.

If I ride normal I am at 42. If I ride hard (fast, headwinds, etc) I am at 39.

I am completely stock except debaffle. Nothing to adjust.

waterman · 04-12-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danimal2

Last four fill ups I got 45. checking it from almost empty to full trying to get it as accurate as possible. However, I'm not entirely sure that my speedo/odo is accurate. Haven't checked it against my gps yet, but intend to this weekend.

Someone posted up that my year (99) in particular was off from the factory. I'm still running factory size rubber so might not be correct.

I haven't seen the odometers be off by much. It's the speedo that is off by 10% new.

**ringadingh** · 04-12-2011, 04:01 PM

I think it would be more accurate to see how far you travel on a tank of fuel, I get about 180 miles to the tank most times, and have reached 200 a few times.

**Cajunrider** · 04-12-2011, 04:50 PM

I average 35 - 37 riding 2 up and pulling the trailer, 39 - 40 riding 2 up and 42 - 44 solo. I voted on the 39 - 40 avg on the poll.

danimal2 · 04-12-2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterman

Quote:

Originally Posted by danimal2

Last four fill ups I got 45. checking it from almost empty to full trying to get it as accurate as possible. However, I'm not entirely sure that my speedo/odo is accurate. Haven't checked it against my gps yet, but intend to this weekend.

Someone posted up that my year (99) in particular was off from the factory. I'm still running factory size rubber so might not be correct.

I haven't seen the odometers be off by much. It's the speedo that is off by 10% new.

Is the speedo reading 10% slower than you're actually going, or the other way around?

Typically I find if the speeo is off the odo is too. It's driven via the same cable/gears etc. I know whenever I put bigger tires on one of our trucks or jeeps, it throws both off.

Like I said, I'm going to check both against the gps this weekend and see where they're at.

Bull Durham · 04-12-2011, 06:27 PM

I have the 2005 and it is totally stock. I check every time I fill up, because I can't believe the mpg everyone seems to get except me! I'm usually getting 31 to 34. Doesn't seem to matter how I ride it. I've tried aggressive riding, granny slow and in between and it doesn't seem to matter much for mpg. Doesn't seem to matter with what octane I use either, but have noticed the last two tanks have gotten some 'pings', so maybe Cactus Jack is right about winter / summer blend.

My area isn't exactly flat, have the Allegheny mountains, but compared to the rockies it's pretty hard to call them "mountains". I've cleaned the butterflies and throat, no difference.

Now, last tank fill up, I got 37 mpg and was very happy. I think I only got better once and that was right about 40 mpg.

waterman · 04-12-2011, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danimal2

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterman

I haven't seen the odometers be off by much. It's the speedo that is off by 10% new.

Is the speedo reading 10% slower than you're actually going, or the other way around?

Typically I find if the speeo is off the odo is too. It's driven via the same cable/gears etc. I know whenever I put bigger tires on one of our trucks or jeeps, it throw both off.

Like I said, I'm going to check both against the gps this weekend and see where they're at.

Motorcycle is different. Speed and odometer checked by gps on my 06 and 99 nomads. Both were the same.

Speedo is 10% fast. So 70 indicated is around 63 actual.

04-12-2011, 09:05 AM	#1
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	Fuel economy How many miles per gallon do you average? If you've done something to increase or decrease your mpg, please tell us what you've done. If you have a fuel processor, what are your settings? __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President) Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-12-2011, 09:19 AM	#2
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	Fuel economy 41-43 I ride mostly back-country roads - flat to some rolling hills and at 55-60 MPH. __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505
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04-12-2011, 09:45 AM	#3
brote Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia Posts: 905	Fuel economy When my bike came of the dealer floor I was getting 39.5 now it is about 41.7. Not much interstate driving. __________________ Hank Brote W1HCB 2008 Diablo Black Nomad Lawrenceville, GA VBA # 1234 VROC # 32837 Patriot Guard Riders Naval Advisory Group Vietnam 69-70
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04-12-2011, 09:45 AM	#4
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	Fuel economy Depends upon what I am driving for roads. Interstate - 36 mpg is close. Low was 32 on one tank with a stout headwind and cruising 80+ actual. Highway - 40 to 42 most of the time. Best tanks was coming back from Cortez when I did 46, 48 and 52 mpg on 3 fillups. __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16
	0

04-12-2011, 10:02 AM	#5
ccmjr77 Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anthem, AZ Posts: 642	Fuel economy I used to get close to 40, but lately I have been only getting about 35 at best. I am starting to ping again also, even with fuel processor. Not sure if gas has changed or bike has changed. __________________ ccmjr77 2007 Kawasaki Nomad 1600 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-12-2011, 12:54 PM	#7
danimal2 Advanced Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 987	Fuel economy Last four fill ups I got 45. checking it from almost empty to full trying to get it as accurate as possible. However, I'm not entirely sure that my speedo/odo is accurate. Haven't checked it against my gps yet, but intend to this weekend. Someone posted up that my year (99) in particular was off from the factory. I'm still running factory size rubber so might not be correct. __________________ VBA member #01682 Green 1999 Nomad 1500 carb'd 43,000 miles JOG'd at 20,000, JOG failed at 40,000 SOG'd at 40,000 Darksider
	0

04-12-2011, 02:05 PM	#9
schoeney Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Region Posts: 5,222	Fuel economy 39-42 pretty consistent. If I ride normal I am at 42. If I ride hard (fast, headwinds, etc) I am at 39. I am completely stock except debaffle. Nothing to adjust. __________________ VBA #659 2003 Nomad 1500 (Gone but never forgotten) 2005 Honda ST1300 - Sweet and still kickin 2006 Honda Goldwing - Best Boat in the Marina
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04-12-2011, 04:01 PM	#11
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Fuel economy I think it would be more accurate to see how far you travel on a tank of fuel, I get about 180 miles to the tank most times, and have reached 200 a few times. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
	0

04-12-2011, 04:50 PM	#12
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Fuel economy I average 35 - 37 riding 2 up and pulling the trailer, 39 - 40 riding 2 up and 42 - 44 solo. I voted on the 39 - 40 avg on the poll. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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04-12-2011, 06:27 PM	#14
Bull Durham Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA area Posts: 785	Fuel economy I have the 2005 and it is totally stock. I check every time I fill up, because I can't believe the mpg everyone seems to get except me! I'm usually getting 31 to 34. Doesn't seem to matter how I ride it. I've tried aggressive riding, granny slow and in between and it doesn't seem to matter much for mpg. Doesn't seem to matter with what octane I use either, but have noticed the last two tanks have gotten some 'pings', so maybe Cactus Jack is right about winter / summer blend. My area isn't exactly flat, have the Allegheny mountains, but compared to the rockies it's pretty hard to call them "mountains". I've cleaned the butterflies and throat, no difference. Now, last tank fill up, I got 37 mpg and was very happy. I think I only got better once and that was right about 40 mpg. __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad VBA #1608 KZR #25622
	0

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