To hell with mileage, lets have some fun!

[Momz]

Last weekend while out riding my bike started to sputter as if I was running out of gas. I was, so I turned the petcock to "Reserve", but the closest station was less than 2 blocks away. I pulled in, put my petcock to the "On" position, and pumped in 4.712 gallons of regular, then reset my tripmeter to 000.0.

Today I completed 224.5 miles (by my tripmeter) when it sputtered again and I had to switch the petcock to the "Reserve" position. I drove on home on reserve (tripmeter now shows 225.8 miles).

Tomorrow I will put 1/2 pint of "Seafoam" and fill the tank, and reset the tripmeter again.

So lets do a little math here: 224.5 miles divided by 4.712 gallons of fuel equals 47.6 MPG.

I truely believe that with proper maintenence, tire pressure, and not driving in city (stop & go traffic), and keeping your speeds below 3000 RPM/70 MPH most Valkyries can be competitive with HDs in the area of fuel mileage. As you know the "Fat Lady" will spank HDs in terms of acceleration.

I also spoke with a few Valk owners at IZXI that had Cobra pipes. Most said that there mileage increased.
Seems a bit strange but it may have a certain impact on the fuel mileage.

But lets face it, these are fairly torquey machines and it is fun to race others and I say "to hell with mileage, let's have some fun"!

[Momz]

Just filled my tank this morning, but first I added half a bottle of Seafoam, then filled the tank with 4.652 gallons of 87 Octane. I also zeroed my tripmeter.

Of course this tank full won't get that type of mileage. I was on I75 heading north when I spotted another bike at least 1/8th mile ahead of me and I was already going 70-75 MPH. Well when I caught up with the other bike, I saw that it was a late model HD Supergllide. We acknowledged each other and started to play around. He'd speed up and I'd pass him. This went on for a couple of miles, then we got serious. At a 70 MPH roll-on it wasn't even close. So we did it again with the same results. We also did two 85 MPH roll-ons. At one point I looked down at my speedo and saw 120 MPH, then looked in my mirror and the Superglide was too far behind for me to continue this stupidity.

Yes I admit to "STUPIDITY" as I was just in my jeans and a white tee-shirt (IZXI Joe Boyd). Should something have happened, I'd be hamburger,...if I was really lucky.

No, this tankfull will not give me the mileage of the last tankful.

And during IZXI we had a fuel mileage challenge that was won by Greendragon on his I/S rideing two-up and won by getting better than 46.5 MPG. Yes, he got better mileage than me.
 

[Chillerman]

You do get exceptional mileage  . I am lucky to get 30-32  .

[donaldcc]

On recent trip in Northwest my mileage varied from the best I have ever had (47 - 48 mpg) riding around on a tank at 35 - 40 mph while in Yellowstone.    Never went that slow for an entire tankful.

The worst was leaving Sturgis heading west on superslab with almost an entire tank at 4000 rpm and above (and you all know that means 90 mph, no  ).  Then I got 20 - 21 mpg.  

Most of the time I average 32 - 33 mpg.  What a difference when it is cranked up and allowed to "run".  But . . . sometimes it is "fun to run".

[old2soon]

At the very real risk of sounding not real smart the right hand is gonna do what the right hand GOTTA do!! 70 75 M P H indicated gets that 32 34 M P G on my I/S. I get past that 75 M P H and as the speed goes up the mileage goes down. My trip to Illinois in july i had a 130 miles i did not exceed 60 M P H and got 38 M P G. Wasn't really considering gas mileage when i bought my Valkyrie. The fun and smile factor on the other hand is OFF the chart. Sitting here thinking about the ride tomorrow and got this big $hit eatin grin on my face THINKING about a ride!! Can't beat that with a stick. RIDE SAFE.

[fon1961]

i've only had my valk for a few weeks but i've got to admit that it's hard to keep out of the throttle.

[suthrncop]

i've NEVER got more than 25-30 mpg...

[fon1961]

i'm getting low to mid thirties on mixed city and hwy riding

[Super Santa]

First day I had my 2000 Interstate, I burned 7 tanks of fuel (876 miles).  Mileage for that day was just under 25 MPG.

Since then (4 years and counting, including that first day) my average mileage is over 38 MPG.  I do keep records.

[BigAl]

Momz I have figured the reason out you are getting such good mileage.

You sir own a rare California model.

Yes there is such a thing and Detonator owns one as well.

He consistantly gets better mileage than most and he rides it hard.

They do in fact get better milage than a Valkyire destined to Tennessee.

This is a fact and do you know if yours is a California model.

PS: WHen you lean a bike out by changing pipes or air booxes you will get considerably better mileage.

Assuming the motor lives on the lean mixture.

[Momz]

Big Al

My bike is definately not a California model. It was sold when new at a dealership were I once worked here in MI. And I've had it torn down to the just the frame with a motor in it.

[Robert]

I get a consistent 33mpg on short runs around town a bit longer run I get 35 to 38 which I would say is the normal figure for most. I only ride 2 miles to work every day so I never really get the mileage normalized. On a real run like for hours it can go anywhere between 35 to 48 mpg at 75 to 80mph.