Gas mileage and other mysteries

[Momz]

Just a short time ago I posted that I got 208 miles on a 98 Standard (Rat Rod Valk) before going on reserve and someone pointed out that my math was off a bit. But he calculated my mileage was 42.7 mpg.

Well I installed an I/S ICM last week, and it is very hard to keep from using the throttle with exhuberance. It is quite easy these days to bring up the front wheel while shifting into second gear (kinda scary actually).

Yesterday we went on a Poker Run/Vintage bike show. I lead the group when the directions got a bit confusing and we got turned around. There were times we were riding in excess of 80 MPH and a few impromptu "roll on" drag races, so I'm saying that as a group, we had quite a spirited ride.

On the ride home their were several groups of HDs ahead of us, so it became my quest to pass each and everyone.  Today we also had a chapter meeting and we again had to pass each and every HD both to and from the meeting. So I'm saying that my throttle was twisted with vigor most of the time.

And after all of that foolishness, my tank went on reserve at 198 miles. That's 10 miles fewer than last week before the ICM swap and even more throttle lunacy on my part. Tommorow I will fill up and try to correctly calculate my true MPG. My 198 miles on the odometer read the same on my wifes Goldwing.

Why do I need to pass every HD in sight?

[Garfield]

Must be nice to go 208 miles on a tank of gas. I fill up about every 120 miles. I tried for 150 miles the other week and ran out of gas at about 148 miles. Thank god I ran out of gas in front of a gas station and just coasted up to the pump.

[R J]

Question:

What tank or size is this monster?

[bogator]

  I am in the same boat, I go on reserve at 128 miles, then I have about 25 miles to go get gas------one time I ran 55-60-thru a tank ----gased up at 145 ----took 4.7 gals---I would like to get 198 miles per tank ---but that aint gonna happen---

[alph]

Why do I need to pass every HD in sight?

because you can't stand the noise, and you're a fraid of getting hit by oil and parts flying off of it!!

[Big Rig]

Why do I need to pass every HD in sight?

Because they are broke down on the side of the road? 

ahh, come on, you know you were thinking it!!! 

Add your funny one liner here:

[RLD]

Must be an I/S tank. I've hit 243 miles before reserve one time (personal best on this bike) while riding with the MN VRCC this last August. That tank was good for 43.8 mpg. Note: I still had 180 miles to go till empty. Gotta love the R&M belly tank. My last Valk hit a high of 47 one time in the Black Hills while riding around mostly side roads at 50mph or less. I am not a slow rider, but every once in awhile, events align where the mileage is excellent for such a large bike.

[f-Stop]

Hey Momz, I think I was the one who checked your math...it's a habit - like when I check my son's math homework...and I still give extra credit for 42.7mpg on a Valk.  That means you're still breaking the curve for the rest of the class!

Anyway, I'm embarrassed to say that I ride like a little ol' lady compared to you and still get 32mpg -or less - on my Standard.

Maybe I should consider driving more like that "Blue Hair" who passed me on I-10 a while back going about 80mph. She was up on the wheel like Cale Yarborough in her big Merc and wasn't going to let some youngin' in his truck get in her way!

[Ice]

AS of late I am able to get about 148-160 mpg on my standard before switching on reserve ( was never abel to do that in Germany), I have not changed anything on the bike, stock exhausts and no engine mods, so I think my engine is just now breaking in. Of course when I goose the throttle that changes but not by much.

[iliveforcurves]

I switch to reserve at about 154 miles every time.  I haven't tried to see how far I can go on a tank, I don't want to have to get off and push such a heavy bike.  Now my Ninja 250 will go over 300 miles before switching to reserve, but that's at over 70 mpg.

[Momz]

I filled my tank today after going 198 miles before reserve. It took 4.8 gallons to fill the tank. I did however travel 0.4 miles on reserve to get to the gas station (negligible at best).

So my fuel consumption equates to 41.25 mpg. Not bad for some very spirited riding and Harley hunting.

[Hef]

2000 Standard with no engine modifications, 130 Miles before reserve during normal riding. On the interstate hwy at 70-75mph, hit reserve at about 100-110 miles.

[Black Dog]

Hey Momz,

Yer still getting great mileage, but unless yer runnin a different fuel valve (pingle?), seems you may have an issue...

Specs on the Standard/Tour show Fuel Capacity: 5.3Gal. (1.1 reserve).  That being the case, you should need about 4.2 to fill after hitting reserve (and that would be full to the brim).  Your filling 4.8 gal, only 4/10 mile after flipping to reserve indicates you may have a fuel valve problem. 

Just sayin'...

Black Dog

[Momz]

Black Dog,

I have a stock tank (no I/S), howeverI do have a 3/8th spacer under the front of the tank. I believe that may have a slight effect on the fuel pick-up tube.

I had considered a Pingel petcock when I has building the Rat Rod. I had read that the Pingels have even less reserve range and I already had a petcock "cover set" so it was rebuilt.

[Jess Tolbirt]

On both of my Valks they will go to reserve at 138 miles. the old one was a 98 tourer and the one i have now is a 97 tourer...
this is interstate at 75 to 80 mph. just like clockwork at 138 and will take 4.2 gallons if gassed within about 5 miles or so....i figure i am getting about 36mpg....

[Michael K (Az.)]

2000 Standard with no engine modifications, 130 Miles before reserve during normal riding. On the interstate hwy at 70-75mph, hit reserve at about 100-110 miles.

Hef, you and I are brothers in petrol!! '97 Tourer!

[Cruzen]

A lot of factors affect gas mileage.  Weight,  altitude, tire pressure but mostly on a Valk it’s speed.

Here is what I experienced during a recent trip to Colorado On a recent trip to Durango Colorado:  Note the difference in MPG depending on where the fuel was purchased.
 
For the first and last parts of the trip we were running Arizona 89 Octane gas
Two up approximate 415 lbs riders and luggage:
29MPG from Phoenix to Flagstaff running between 70 and 80 up and down the 4500ft changes in elevation between the two towns.

34MPG from Flagstaff to Kayenta AZ. Running 70 -80mph. This is flat and hot.

36.00MPG from Kayenta to Cortez Colorado.  Mostly flat.

From this point on we are riding up and down mountain roads specifically San Juan Skyway doing between 25 and 65MPH. Durango has base elevation around 5000ft and we hit some elevations around 9,500 ft

41.35 MPG on (Colorado blend) Shell 88 octane from Cortez to Durango and up to Silverton Ridgway and back.  Two up about 335lbs plus about 15lbs of stuff.  Riding up and down mountain roads specifically San Juan Skyway doing between 25 and 65MPH. Durango has base elevation around 5000ft and we hit some elevations around 9,500 ft near Silverton

37.37 MPG on (Colorado blend) Shell 88 octane from Cortez to Durango to Ignacio and back.  This was relatively flat and we hit 75 for much of this trip.  Two up about 335lbs plus about 15lbs of stuff.

39.71 MPG on (Colorado blend) Shell 88 octane from Cortez up to Ouray to Silverton and back.  Two up about 335lbs plus about 15lbs of stuff.

40.67 MPG on (Colorado blend) Shell 88 octane from Cortez to Chinle, Arizona. Two up approximate 415 lbs riders and luggage doing 70-80mph.

Notice the drop in MPG when running on Arizona fuel.
35.20 MPG on (Arizona blend) Chevron 89 octane from Chinle to Holbrook Arizona. Two up approximate 415 lbs riders and luggage doing 70-80mph.

37.67 MPG on (Arizona blend) Chevron 89 octane from Holbrook to Scottsdale Arizona. Two up approximate 415 lbs riders and luggage doing 70-80mph.

[fudgie]

2009 E-10, 2 up, fully loaded, 75-85+ mph, 3500-4000 rpm= 31 mpg
2010 E-10, 2 up, fully loaded, 75-85+ mph, 3500-4000 rpm= 34 mpg

Home around town= 36 mpg

Gumout Regain=