Poor fuel mileage ... really???

[CANADIAN-F6C]

I've read a more than a couple of posts going on about the poor fuel mileage one must accept when buying a Valkyrie. Personally I never thought it was too bad & besides ... if I'd wanted top notch fuel mileage, I'd get a Vespa.
Anyway, this was my experience recently: Myself & 2 buddies did a 1600 km (1000 mile) trip through central & Eastern Ontario - which is a lot like riding the Alegany Forest of Pennsylvania (lots of curvy 2 lane roads, trees, lakes, some decent hills to pull up). I'm riding a 99 Valk - completely stock except for a desmog & a GYTT darkside rear. The other 2 are big twins - a Kawi Voyageur 1700 & a Boulevard M109R (1800). We keep things in the "sane" range (for the most part) when we ride - usually 65 - 75 mph, with the odd blast into the triple figures when conditions allow.
So I'm the oldest bike in the lot, the highest mileage (by far) & the only one with carbs - although oddly the lightest bike of the trio - almost 200lbs lighter than the full jam Kawi.
At one of our "refreshment" stops (one must stay hydrated when riding ) we got comparing gas receipts. We got out a pencil & paper & then realized that we were too old to do math in our head anymore  .. so we got a calculator & found that the Voyageur was getting just a tick over 50 mpg (imperial gallons - works out to 41 USG), the big Boulevard was getting a 45 (he's also the most aggressive on the throttle) and to my surprise, I was right in the middle at 47 (39 US). I thought this was quite impressive for a 17 year old bike, getting a pretty good thrashing at times on the fun roads.
The best part of the ride was pulling up one particular 12% grade. We were sitting about 60 mph at the bottom & the road was deserted, so I threw the ol girl out in the passing lane & gave her a smack in the ass. The big twins were too low in the rev range to keep up & the Honda left them behind to search for a lower gear.
Still grinning about that one.

My question here is why do we consider this "poor" mileage? Does anyone have experience with a full size cruiser that gets consistently better fuel mileage than this?

[Bighead]

I never get over about 32 mpg on my 97 and haven't since the day it was new. On occasion I have gotten around 38-49 mpg when putting around at below 50 mph.
I had a 2010 Street Glide that never got under 50 mpg so in that comparison I consider it poor but I will never complain about it unless I am out of gas it is worth it to me to own and ride the best bike on the planet

[Patrick]

I'm not one that considers it poor mileage and also didn't buy it for mileage.
I bought it because when I saw one I just had to have one, and, haven't had a regret.

[pancho]

If I ever got 39MPG, I wouldn't complain.

[98valk]

search some of my posts, I've posted many reasons. Remember non-US bikes are usually jetted with smaller main jets.  also for starters I believe any R2 emission camshaft bike provides lower mpg than a non-emission R1 camshaft.

[N8171S]

I just returned from a 5885 mile trip mostly towing a komact kamp trailer and averaged 31.8 with my 97 tourer.  I did keep the tach at 3000 or lower.  I rode the bike up Pikes peak without trailer and over Independence pass @ 12,000' with the trailer.  I didn't expect to get this mileage.  I did average 37 on a 4400 mile trip without the  trailer along the East coast a couple years ago.  Did Rt. 1 from Maine to Key West.

[hubcapsc]

I go on reserve around 115-120...

-Mike

[Bighead]

I go on reserve around 115-120...

-Mike

+1

[Fastman71]

I went 155 miles once before I had to switch over to the reserve.  I'm averaging about 38-39 mpg (US).  I consider 100 miles to be bingo fuel state.  At 100 miles, you're ready to get off the bike.

Fast Eddie
Remember, the yellow ones go faster...

Sent from my Verizon 4G LTE Tabletke

[Tfrank59]

I go on reserve around 115-120...

-Mike

+

[gordonv]

I go on reserve around 115-120...

-Mike

+

? 115-120, that would be a very bad day. Mine is currently 175 to reserve (IS  ). To me it's less of the mpg, even though I do calculate that, but how far to reserve/empty, so I know how far I can ride.

[Tfrank59]

Wait, is your 175 Kms or Miles?   Yeah, 115 miles to reserve is lousy.  I ride mostly in town or secondary roads 40-55 MPH

[CoachDoc]

Yep, just under 120 for me before reserve with a stock '97 Standard virtually every time. I'm usually either going 80-85 on the freeways or stop and go around town. I'm sure I'd be getting a lot better mileage if I was tooling around the countryside at 50-55.

[Blackduck]

2001 Std, hit reserve today at 260 K/161Miles.
Usually between 35-39 MPG, does not matter whether I am on it or just tooling around.
Cheers Steve

[Bighead]

I go on reserve around 115-120...

-Mike

+

? 115-120, that would be a very bad day. Mine is currently 175 to reserve (IS  ). To me it's less of the mpg, even though I do calculate that, but how far to reserve/empty, so I know how far I can ride.

You are talking about an IS everyone else is speaking of  the standard. As you know the IS has a larger fuel tank I get to 200 sometimes on my IS before reserve.

[Robert]

2001 Std, hit reserve today at 260 K/161Miles.
Usually between 35-39 MPG, does not matter whether I am on it or just tooling around.
Cheers Steve

This is my experience also, but I have a belly tank that allows me to go much longer that to me is a nice option. Around 275 miles is when I start to look for gas if I am riding alone. But if riding with someone else they usually dictate the gas stops.

[Fazer]

I hit reserve at 130 almost on the nose, with mostly around town riding--98 Tourer.

[pancho]

search some of my posts, I've posted many reasons. Remember non-US bikes are usually jetted with smaller main jets.  also for starters I believe any R2 emission camshaft bike provides lower mpg than a non-emission R1 camshaft.

I've wondered about this for a long time,, why some seem to get such good mileage. I have a 97 standard with bags and fairing, solo riding, close to stock except exhaust (Cobras) it runs good,,  it doesn't matter how I ride,,(I guess I am always riding pretty much the same overall) always just nudging 32 MPG. The bike is a 48 state 97, I've never looked, but I wouldn't expect it to have emissions cams..?

[big poppa pump]

I usually don't bother paying attention to gas mileage on my Valks, but I did keep an eye on the mileage when I rode out to Inzane and back this year. I consistently averaged around 33-34 mpg on my Yellow Valk with speeds between 80-85 mph @ 4000 RPM. If I keep my speeds between 70-75 mph (< 3500 RPM), my mileage shoots up to around the 40 mpg mark.

[Blackduck]

My first Valk was a Aus spec 98 Std and it was thirsty, have seen that 98's seem to be on the common ones listed as liking fuel.
Had hit reserve at less than 120 miles/ 26 MPG with that one.
The 01 I have now belonged to a mate and when running in he used 1-2 litres less than me at each fill up running together.
Honda had to drop to 78 mains when they added the noise reducing foam pad in the airbox.
Take that pad out and you need to 100's to cure the resulting flat spot.

[Pete]

Standard consistently 152 to 155, when riding slower 165 to reserve then takes 4.2 gallons.
Best mileage to date 40.

Interstate 210 to 220 to reserve.
Best mileage to date 44.

I do not consider either to be bad mileage as most of the bikes I have owned got between 40 and 50 MPG.

[Patrick]

search some of my posts, I've posted many reasons. Remember non-US bikes are usually jetted with smaller main jets.  also for starters I believe any R2 emission camshaft bike provides lower mpg than a non-emission R1 camshaft.

I would think that to be true and have wondered about it.  The timing certainly is quite different between the 2 shafts.
Mine have been early 98s and wish I'd known to look at the numbers when the covers were off. I'm too lazy now to take one off just for a quick look.
I've heard that all starting in 98 had the R2 shafts, but, I'm thinking maybe not. At least I hoping not.


I don't worry about getting fuel until 150-160 miles and seldom have to put in 4 gals. A couple small changes have been made over the years, but, not much.

[F-six]

Both my Standard as my Interstate averaging 34 to 35 mpg, both bikes have a triggerwheel and I ride 'normal'.
 

[Gryphon Rider]

I think the only heavy cruiser that I've ridden with that consistently got worse fuel mileage than me is a Suzuki Intruder 1500 LC.  I don't know if they got better when they switched to fuel injection and rebranded them as a Boulevard C90.

[cogsman]

I'm averaging 300km on an IS tank.