Distance to reserve

[Willow]

Riding home from Arkansas today on my stripped Cruiser I got to 180.1 miles before going on reserve.  The distance was helped in there was almost no off hiway travel (stop and go) running normally 70 to 80 mph.

I do get very good mileage on that bike but don't necessarily pay less for fuel.  It needs 91 octane.

For those who saw the claim on Facebook that all after market exhausts result in a loss of fuel mileage, that bike is running TBR 6X6 pipes.   

[98valk]

how accurate is the Odometer?  did u have a tail wind? what was the ambient temp?  were your tires over inflated? were the roads concrete surface or asphalt?  are the tires new or well worn?
why premium fuel?

all above affect MPG, + or -.

[Willow]

how accurate is the Odometer?  did u have a tail wind? what was the ambient temp?  were your tires over inflated? were the roads concrete surface or asphalt?  are the tires new or well worn?
why premium fuel?

all above affect MPG, + or -.

LOL!  Yes, my tires are over inflated by some riders' standards.  The roads were mixed but mostly concrete (I49).  The tires are well worn, rapidly approaching the need for replacement.  The wind was about 8mph generally in the direction of travel.

Premium fuel because the person, whom I trust, who sold me the bike told me it needs it.  It has been altered.

Did you forget to ask me how full I fill the tank?  I fill it to the bottom of the OEM hole at the top of the tank's filler.

That bike quite usually hits reserve at about 160 miles.

[98valk]

how accurate is the Odometer?  did u have a tail wind? what was the ambient temp?  were your tires over inflated? were the roads concrete surface or asphalt?  are the tires new or well worn?
why premium fuel?

all above affect MPG, + or -.

LOL!  Yes, my tires are over inflated by some riders' standards.  The roads were mixed but mostly concrete (I49).  The tires are well worn, rapidly approaching the need for replacement.  The wind was about 8mph generally in the direction of travel.

Premium fuel because the person, whom I trust, who sold me the bike told me it needs it.  It has been altered.

Did you forget to ask me how full I fill the tank?  I fill it to the bottom of the OEM hole at the top of the tank's filler.

That bike quite usually hits reserve at about 160 miles.

so how accurate is the ODO? tires worn it is off a low % and most likely is indicating the higher MPG u saw.
don't need to know about the tank level since its only a few ounces difference. 
worn tires provide the best mpg, so does older polished concrete roads, asphalt provides worst mpg. tail wind was the biggest boost to your mpg.  high pressure in tires always increases mpg.
good read about what affects MPG like tire and road conditions.
https://www.cummins.com/heavy-duty-truck/secrets-better-fuel-economy

6x6 drag pipes always loose HP and MPG unless the engine is always at that narrow rpm sweet spot whereas then the drag pipes boost HP and MPG.  only somebody who has done a lot of dyno work with the 6x6 pipes would know the rpms sweet spot. the makers of the pipes would have known.
that's why Harley circle track racers came up with the drag pipe design, since they ran the engine at same narrow rpm during a race and not because the engine sounded cool with them.

so if one was better mpg always install half worn tires. the cummins report has the % increase.

[Willow]

so how accurate is the ODO? tires worn it is off a low % and most likely is indicating the higher MPG u saw.
don't need to know about the tank level since its only a few ounces difference. 
worn tires provide the best mpg, so does older polished concrete roads, asphalt provides worst mpg. tail wind was the biggest boost to your mpg.  high pressure in tires always increases mpg.
good read about what affects MPG like tire and road conditions.
https://www.cummins.com/heavy-duty-truck/secrets-better-fuel-economy

6x6 drag pipes always loose HP and MPG unless the engine is always at that narrow rpm sweet spot whereas then the drag pipes boost HP and MPG.  only somebody who has done a lot of dyno work with the 6x6 pipes would know the rpms sweet spot. the makers of the pipes would have known.
that's why Harley circle track racers came up with the drag pipe design, since they ran the engine at same narrow rpm during a race and not because the engine sounded cool with them.

so if one was better mpg always install half worn tires. the cummins report has the % increase.

LOL!  You are very knowledgeable about many things regarding the mechanics of the Valkyrie, but every now and then you say (type) something that causes me to disregard even what you do know.  You just did that twice.  Eight mph tailwind?  6X6 pipes always loose HP and MPG?  Loose?  I am not truly sure what your definition of drag pipes is.  Most folks use that term to refer to wide open pipes.  I don't have those.

Thank you for your points.  My point was simply that I was pleased to go from 160 to 180 miles to reserve.  My other Standard sized tanks normally hit reserve around 143.

I had a good day.

[John Schmidt]

"I had a good day."
===========================
Carl, with a bow to 98Valk...your last statement is the only important fact that exists in this case. 
We also had a good day but unfortunately it didn't include a ride due to an unhappy left hip. Temps in the low 80s, blue sky with rather mild breezes. Had a good sermon(based on Proverbs 31), then we spent a quiet afternoon enjoying each other's company, topped off with a stop at the DQ which is near some boat docks, a park & walking/bike trail. Drove there to take a short walk, then back to the car and watched the submarine races. 

[Jess from VA]

Before I discovered the website that shows all the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) exits that have gas close-by, I once hit reserve up there, and got amazingly good mileage on reserve, by easing way up on my wrist, slowing down, and coasting down all hills (though I did not shut down the bike on downhills).

The Interstate gas gauge meter bars are not that accurate, and prone to bouncing back and forth between bars.  Then, once you stumble to reserve, the meter bars disappear and start flashing at you (making you nervous), so you have no idea how much gas is left.

With 1.1 gallons on reserve (all model Valks), on the Interstate, you reset one (of 2) tripmeters to zero as soon as you hit reserve.  So if you are getting 34-5 MPG, that's how many miles you have left (with the .1 as a little extra).

I think I got closer to 50 MPG on reserve that day, and close to an hour of nursing and coasting it along.  Then, by pure luck, I picked an exit that had a gas station right close by (pulling in on fumes).  

Since that day, I try to never get much below a quarter tank.  And have never seen the bar meter flashing at me again.  

If you will ride the wonderful BRP, print this out and carry it on the bike.  https://www.blueridgeparkway.org/gas-availability/

[f6john]

However you and the Valkyrie did it, that would fall under the impressive category from my experience.

[da prez]

  Good on you Carl. I did 160  before reserve and got a little nervous. No gas anywhere I could see. I have since learned how to use the phone gas locater.  It is all in maintenance  and the twisty thing on the right.
  When riders say they get 25 mpg , makes me wonder 

                                            da prez

[scooperhsd]

My standard with a Pingle petcock usually has about .3 gallons reserve. The Pingle may be contributing to my "25 MPG" tanks, as it advertises that it will ensure that you won't be limited by lack of fuel flow.

One thing I've noticed is that my mileage takes a big hit going over 70 MPH / 3000 RPM. Its in the shop right now trying to find what's going on.

I would also like to get a shorter windshield - I can't see over the top of the present one.

[Chrisj CMA]

I have owned my Valkyrie for 22 years. Approximately half the time with Cobra 6x6 exhaust and the other half with OEM. The shop I bought the bike from installed the Cobras and assured me they did not rejet. I’ve never dyno checked the HP however I can check the gas mileage. No change in gas mileage from the Cobras to OEM.  Also no change  in top end speed or drive characteristics gear to gear, so I believe HP difference between the two types of pipes to be negligible.  Also my bike is a  97 so it’s a bit  stronger
than later model years.

I don’t know how long till reserve because the only two times I hit reserve was pulling a trailer in headwinds. That doesn’t count!  I look for gas at 100 miles and make sure I have by 130. I don’t see a need to test the reserve especially with a Pingel there’s not much gas left once you hit reserve.

Every bike is a bit different and as stated riding style is one of the most important factors.  As far as actual gas mileage the most I ever recorded was 40mpg and that was before changing to OEM. normally and it’s been rather consistent for 22 years is right around mid thirties. 33-37 or so depending on conditions and throttle usage. lol

One last comment. If one’s tires are inflated to a psi within the max psi for that tire it is not over inflated. The psi rating on the bike or owners manual only applies if you have the OEM Dunlop D-206 tires  which no one has had for years now.

[Chrisj CMA]

My standard with a Pingle petcock usually has about .3 gallons reserve. The Pingle may be contributing to my "25 MPG" tanks, as it advertises that it will ensure that you won't be limited by lack of fuel flow.

One thing I've noticed is that my mileage takes a big hit going over 70 MPH / 3000 RPM. Its in the shop right now trying to find what's going on.

I would also like to get a shorter windshield - I can't see over the top of the present one.

LOL. No, just because a Pingel CAN flow more gas than OEM doesn’t mean it IS flowing more. Our bikes draw what they want and no more. With an OEM petcock the Max flow is very close to max demand at high demand conditions so any degradation of flow can cause the OEM valve to deliver less fuel than the bike is demanding.  Your poor mileage may have several causes. The Pingle fuel valve is not one of them

[Serk]

That's very impressive! While I admittedly rarely let my Standard(Tourer configuration) GET to reserve, 120 was about as far as I'd get before she politely asked me to switch it over...

(I do tend to average a *ahem* slightly higher average MPH as well though.)

These days my butt's asking for a break by about 100 miles, so that's my standard refueling range, no matter the range of the bike...

[DIGGER]

Years ago I installed a Interstate tank on my Tourer.   Mt magic number under normal riding conditions is 160 miles before I need to try and find gas without having to take my standard fuel switch to reserve.   I have gone as far as 170 miles without having to go to reserve.   My gas mileage is about 33 mpg but if running 80 for long distances it drops considerably down to around 26-30 mpg

[mbramley]

  Normally I would hit reserve at around 120 miles on my standard. Coming back from Billings running into a pretty good head wind with the trailer behind me and keeping up with traffic per say I got as low as 15 mpg. Normally I believe it to be in the neighborhood of 29-30 mpg on a good easy day. All stock.

[Jess from VA]

My Interstates will get 220 to reserve most of the time (unless I'm hauling ass all over the place or constant freeway or my last fill-up was with a pump that would not slow feed).  OE petcocks, but both rebuilt with cover-sets.

I think a lot of mileage variations reported is affected by how full you get your tank at the pump.  IF the pump will slow feed (about a third won't), after a fast feed shutoff, I slowly fill right up to the neck, using my legs to gently rock (burp) the big IS tank, and I get it right up to overflow (every time I can) (and that is at least a half gallon more gas after a fast feed shutoff).  I'm sure this is the main reason for my better than average distance to reserve.

I also have a very professional tune and carb adjustment by a master mechanic.  (A good man knows his limitations   ).   

[HayHauler]

But Carl, what OIL do you use???  That affects fuel mileage as well, right?

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Willow]

But Carl, what OIL do you use???  That affects fuel mileage as well, right? 

LOL!  I am tightly devoted to Rotella.  Yep, it must be the Rotella.  (That should get an argument started  )

[scooperhsd]

But Carl, what OIL do you use???  That affects fuel mileage as well, right? 

LOL!  I am tightly devoted to Rotella.  Yep, it must be the Rotella.  (That should get an argument started  )

I've used Rotella in 2000 VW new Beetle (TDI), but I've never tried it in my Motorcycles.

[scooperhsd]

My standard with a Pingle petcock usually has about .3 gallons reserve. The Pingle may be contributing to my "25 MPG" tanks, as it advertises that it will ensure that you won't be limited by lack of fuel flow.

One thing I've noticed is that my mileage takes a big hit going over 70 MPH / 3000 RPM. Its in the shop right now trying to find what's going on.

I would also like to get a shorter windshield - I can't see over the top of the present one.

LOL. No, just because a Pingel CAN flow more gas than OEM doesn’t mean it IS flowing more. Our bikes draw what they want and no more. With an OEM petcock the Max flow is very close to max demand at high demand conditions so any degradation of flow can cause the OEM valve to deliver less fuel than the bike is demanding.  Your poor mileage may have several causes. The Pingle fuel valve is not one of them

I understand that - just saying that a need for fuel being strangled by the fuel petcock will not happen with it .

[98valk]

My standard with a Pingle petcock usually has about .3 gallons reserve. The Pingle may be contributing to my "25 MPG" tanks, as it advertises that it will ensure that you won't be limited by lack of fuel flow.

One thing I've noticed is that my mileage takes a big hit going over 70 MPH / 3000 RPM. Its in the shop right now trying to find what's going on.

I would also like to get a shorter windshield - I can't see over the top of the present one.

LOL. No, just because a Pingel CAN flow more gas than OEM doesn’t mean it IS flowing more. Our bikes draw what they want and no more. With an OEM petcock the Max flow is very close to max demand at high demand conditions so any degradation of flow can cause the OEM valve to deliver less fuel than the bike is demanding.  Your poor mileage may have several causes. The Pingle fuel valve is not one of them

yep.  What I didn't lie was the imbalance in the fuel hoses from the Tee to each carburetor bank.  I installed this Fuel distribution fitting which makes the hose to each Carb Bank equal.