Whats "normal" mileage

[Dozer]

Okay...I made the last "proving" run on the Valk after rebuilding the carbs and now I have more questions. I put 400 miles in it since the rebuild. So far it seems like in town mileage (to and from work + local errands) is around 27 MPG. Yesterday I rode to Louisiana to check performance and reliability. It was a round trip of 275 miles. The ride over was between 55 & 70 mph on back roads that had some hills and long curves...nothing that could be called twisties, & the wind was nominal.

The ride back was on the same roads but kicked up between 65 & 70. I topped off in La and thought I'd ride till I reached reserve. I pulled in my driveway with 135 miles on the odo and never did hit reserve. After I did the mileage numbers, it looks like 34.6 average. I know its all relative but what would be considered normal for this bike? Also a ? about the choke. I cant use full choke (enrichener)...bike wont run or start. slight part choke works okay but I dont seem to notice an rpm rise. I checked the lingage and adjustments both on the grip and carbs. All is within book specs. Again, I dont know whats normal.

I will tell you that inspite of the heat, the bike performed much better than I did. I was never so happy to get home and cool off. Add to that, that even though this is a super performing bike, it is the most uncomfortable long distance bike I have ever ridden in my life! I couldnt find that sweet spot. With my feet on the hiway pegs I felt like being cramped into a bulkhead airline seat with the front seat reclined in your lap...when I stretched out the rear cylinders burned my legs. This bike just does not fit me, which is really too bad cause its a great running & handling machine. I think I am beginning to see why my son dosent ride it much.

[PhredValk]

The 'choke' has a lot of free movement that doesn't do anything. Once it gets hard to push it's actually working. You can see the slide on the throttle side move. In warm weather, or when the engine is hot it won't start with the choke; if it does it will actually run worse and at lower RPMs.

I ride an IS; I get 32-34 city and 28-38 hiway, depending on speed, wind and how much fun I'm having.
Fred.

[Hoser]

Mileage sounds near normal, and I think the choke will work better when it gets cold enough to need it.  Hoser

[DLSSOJC]

I have a 2000 Interstate and it is the most comfortable and enjoyable longer distance bikes I have ever owned and ridden. More comfortable than all my Harleys including a Road King and a Ultra Classic Electra Glide. And of coarse a multitude of different cruiser and sport bikes. I do have the Air Wings that help with the heat, and a drivers backrest which is invaluable when kicking back and putting your feet on the highway pegs. I have never ridden the tourer or standard models, so don't know how comfortable they are? I would suspect wind protection is not as good on them. I get around 36-38 MPG on mine on longer trips when I have checked.

[Poor Ol Harry]

When mine RAN ......I used to claim round 35 + r -.....LOL!

[pocobubba]

To and from Inzane on RT 40 running 70 -80 mph , one up full leather lyke bags and an over stuffed T-bag 31-35 mpg on my standard . FYI my wife's 2004 wing trike about 1 mpg better [ i don't think she could have stuffed anything else in or on that bike]

[GJS]

I just did a 2200 mile trip on my Interstate.
The worst milage I got was about 23-24/mpg after runing between 75-85/90mph
At 50 mph through the hills and slower roads, I got 33-38mpg.

I have done a bunch of work on the geometry of my bike to get a good fit.
I'm 5'10", 220lbs with a 30" inseam.

I went with a Corbin Dual Tour seat. Lowered me about an inch. (also added the backrest)
Installed 11.5" shocks, again lowering the rear a little.
Went with XF6 6 degree rake kit, with 1"3/8 fork extensions. This lowered the front end a little and lengthened the bike by 4.5"
As well, I setup my highway pegs to be far forward and up high.

Good luck with getting your bike to fit. The Interstate has radiator pods that provide the best engine heat dispersal of the three Valkyrie models (once your moving) This is the only bike I have ever ridden for 12+ hours a day, for several weeks in a row. Sure I'd have 'monkey but' towards the end of each day, but it was doable.
I don't think I have ever ridden a big twin that I would want to try that on.

Cheers,

Glenn

[cookiedough]

If your Valk is giving you that much uncomfort, I'll gladly take it off your hands for free - 

If fits me perfect 5'10" and 275lbs. no mods really done, all pretty much stock.

I keep the upfront hwy. pegs up high also so when I ride with shorts the engine heat doesn't burn my legs. 

I could see someone over say 6'2" being cramped and having to go with say mick-o-pegs and say an ultimate king boy seat to set you back farther being a bit cramped. 

Just don't do what I did when I first got my Valk almost 5 years ago when end of season starting to get colder out.  I never could get my bike started when engine was cold since I never learned until 3-4 months later the darn choke lever pushed hard that last 1/2" down to actually get the choke to work at all.  If engine is hot or if you ride daily when say above 60 degrees out,  I never use my choke lever since shouldn't need it and starts best without choke applied.

Mileage varies, but most achieve between 32-36 avg. mpg.  I never have been under 30 mpg but never over 40 mpg.  Bike runs best on 89 octane NO ethanol but runs also fine with 87 octance 10% ethanol with no noticeable gain using 91 or 93 octane.

[Pete]

When driving in super economy mode IS = 44 MPG, std = 41 MPG.
From there it is all down hill and dependent on you speed, riding style, etc.
25 to 30 is not unusual when really pushed and spirited riding.

Normally I get:  IS = 37-41MPG and std = 32 to 38MPG. I avoid Interstate highways and seldom exceed 70 MPH. Most of my riding is  secondary roads at 55 to 65 MPH. I am retired and almost never get in  hurry anymore.

As for comfort, I find them comfortable when adjusted to fit me using the as supplied bars, seat and pegs.
I do not use highway pegs. I am 5'9" 225 LBS.

But comfort is a personal thing and if it does not fit and you cannot adjust it to fit then so be it.

[Tropic traveler]

As bad as 27-28 mpg & as good as 41. Most of the time it's 30-32.
That is from the 1997, our '98 & '99 gets 3 or 4 more mpg on average.

You didn't say what seat you had on your Valk. The seat can make ALL the difference in the world as to riding comfort! 

[Dozer]

Well thanks guys...I guess what I have is pretty close to normal. The choke, I understand...half of the travel is "dead" space. I just wasnt sure what to expect. I pull the choke on my Roadstar and the RPM increase no matter what the temp...but thats not really apples to apples is it.

As for the uncomfortable ride position, Yeah, I suppose things could be mod'ed to fit. I am over 6' and my son is 6'3. The bike is his so I dont feel free to so anything to the bike but keep it running!
It is a 2009 Tourer, 36000mi, Stock seat, stock everything. The only mods are cut piggies and he added a seat back rest which was not installed. That attach point kept digging into my back bone when I treid to slide back. Yep, the hiway pegs could be about 6 " higher for me too. So my thought is if I am not comfortable, neither is he. If its not fun, why ride. And THAT is why the carbs were gunked up...he didnt ride it. I dont know what his plans are for the bike but for the time being its staying in my garage and I'll alternate riding it and my Roadstar...maybe a tank at a time.

Normally I ride my 05 Roadstar and I am pushing 60K miles. I bought it new so you can see its not a garage queen. My longest ride was over 1200 mi at one time from NE Ohio to Houston. I just stopped for gas, food and to pee!   My problem with that bike is staying awake because it'si so comfy for me to ride. I can stretch out and cursed near sit on the pillion seat and ride in comfort.. But as I said...thats not really apples to apples is it. If I could cross the valks performance and my Vtwins comfort Id have one hell of a bike IMHO

[Hoser]

Suggest you get a diffirent seat,  I have a 99 tourer, I assume that is what yours is.  The 2000-2003 seat is better, and the more expensive seats are better yet.  I have a diamond custom with velour insert, it is great. The back rest is a must. Hoser

[Dozer]

OOPS! I made a typo....much like poo poo! I said "It is a 2009 Tourer, 36000mi, Stock seat, stock everything. The only mods are cut piggies and he added a seat back rest which was not installed." 

Sorry...that should be 2000 Tourer...everyone knows there is no such thing as a 2009 Valk...duhhhhhh

[PhredValk]

The secret to better mileage is the occasional can of Seafoam or other carb cleaner/tune-up in a can and 3200RPM. Under gets good mileage, over is bad, but a lot more fun!

My first trip on the new to me 99 IS from Edmonton, Alberta to Southern Ontario (2200 miles each way) I got 31-32 MPG (miles on the odometer, converted litres to US Gal); last year, more relaxed and not passing everything in sight I got 36-38.5 most days. 70 MPH is right on 3000RPM with the 205/65-16 car tire. 12-15 hours per day, day after day. I love this bike!
Fred.

[Sonny]

My 99 Std gets an average around town of  33 to 34.  Highway about the same if I'm running close to the speed limit. But in the twists and back roads I've gotten as good as 47. But that is riding very conservative.

[Blackduck]

Mase, by chance is yours a 98? They seem to be a little hungier than the others.
I had a 98 (Aussie version) and it always used a couple of litres more than the 2001 of a mates when on a run.
Cheers Steve

[Mildew]

I think the 98's are faster. Anyone see me running through Atlanta last night.  I went from Ellenwood to auburn Ga in thirty eight minutes .  Probably burned a couple of gallons though but it still gets better fuel millage than my car or truck even when I'm only getting 25mpg I got 49 before but it wasn't any fun.

[Momz]

During last years IZANE in Bellaire MI, I held a "fuel milage" challenge.
There were two Interstates and my 98, and well all got 42+ mpg.
Greendragon rode his I/S two up and got 44.5 mpg.
OK, no expressways, but through Traverse City stop and go traffic, and a sporting pace through the Leelanagh Peninsula.
If my bike revs more than 3K or 70 mph, and my milage will go to hell also.
Smooth riding techniques and sane speeds will yeild amazing fuel milage.

[pocobubba]

Mildew , same here , I can squeak it out but alas, no fun . Do what the decal says "WIDE OPEN TILL YOU SEE GOD THEN BRAKE" 65 yrs young and gettin younger .

[hubcapsc]

25mpg is what I get.  It has been that way since I bought the bike despite changing the carbs all around over the years.

I have a new carb bank that I am working on hoping for better performance.

I don't get good mileage, but I think it is me. I don't ride particularly fast, but
I like to be "on the pipe", and am in 4th a lot when others are in 5th.

I like to get engine braking in turns, rather than putting on the brakes in
turns, so I downshift when others don't and power out. Since I don't race
at top speed down the straightaways, some other riders bunch up
behind me in turns... I was leading Smokin' Joe and Punisher through
the twisties on hwy 14 in Arkansas, and right before I powered out
of each turn I felt like I could see Joe's face in one mirror, Allen's in the other,
like they were looking over my shoulder  ... I guess they
didn't think I was going to fall off, and I didn't think they were about
to run over me, so I guess we were all having fun, I know I was 

A lot of shifting that the Valkyrie's awesome motor doesn't require, plus
riding in 4th a lot really shoots mileage in the foot. Wimp has a Red and White,
and when we stop for gas, I usually get around a gallon more than him...

-Mike

[Former BMW Guy]

I consistently get 39MPG using 91 octane NON-ethel fuel.
Tyring hard to break the 40MPG barrier...maybe coasting downhill?

JP

[da prez]

  1998 Tourer averages 36-38. If I progressive shift, I will get 40-41. I have never  done progressive shifting thru a full tank, but I could probably get it up to 44.
   Pulling the trailer to INZANE , I got 25mpg at 85 mph. Doing 70-75 I was at 30-35.
                      da prez

[JaysGone]

I get 30-32 mpg commuting Jess.
Thats putting in 4ish gallons at the 125-140 mark.
I still dont know when the reserve kicks in.
I havent done a highway test.
As I have no place to go down here.
If we had some hills and I coasted a bit.
I might get better mileage??
The R* gets 43 mpg, by the way.
So which bike would you use every day???

[KSDragonRider]

my norm is around 30. i get around 28 quite a bit.

I have the largest clearview windshield, and while i love it, it does push alot of air. I also ride fast on the super slab. I have never gone very far under 70 mph to know what it can do, but im betting i can pull 35 or better.

super slab i run about 4k, and you can watch the bars go away on the gas gauge.

[Mallett]

My gurl only gets about 25 mpg but I ride her hard all the time..80-90 mph. I've had her for about two months & put about 5000 miles on her...very comfortable to ride..put a little over a 1000 miles on her in one day...Love my Gurl