WHAT IS THE AVERAGE MPG?

[BIG--T]

I assume an IS wouldn't get the mileage a standard or tourer would because of weight.

So having said that, what do you think the average mpg would be on a standard or touer driving normally and not twisting the wick?

Thanks

[RoadKill]

Some are better than others,at 1000 ft above sea level I average 28 to 30 and have managed up to low 40's at higher altitudes. High 30's riding normal at 6 to 12 thousand ft elevation. YMMV A LOT!

[Daniel Meyer]

Not twisting the wick?

Is that even possible on a Valk? 

I average 30mpg.

[Mikey]

32 riding by myself, 38 riding in a group. 1200 ft of elevation... well 600-1200.

[Chiefy]

Nice and mellow 34mpg solo, 30 two up.  Pushing her around, about 25 mpg.  I don't push her too much two up.

[BIG--T]

I DON'T GET IT. I'VE GOT A VTX 110CI (1800CC) THAT GETS 42 MPG AND THAT'S NOT TAKING EASY!
I GUESS BECAUSE OF CARBS AND MAYBE THE GEARING?

[musclehead]

I DON'T GET IT. I'VE GOT A VTX 110CI (1800CC) THAT GETS 42 MPG AND THAT'S NOT TAKING EASY!
I GUESS BECAUSE OF CARBS AND MAYBE THE GEARING?

definately! 6 carbs are thirsty and the gearing always has been a goldwing sightseeing speed setting

'04 I did about 6500 miles and logged every stop mileage and gallon on the way to and back from inzane. i averaged 25 MPG and didn't care I was scooting along the superslab at 80 mph

[santa]

Got 33.4 today on a 300 mile trip with the wind doing 75 mph on interstate 65 going to Nashville and Clarksville Tn. and back to Alabama
Santa

[bludragon]

And when its cool outside it guzzles it up  I agree with 25 MPG for my Standard 2001.
Aside from adjusting carbs I had read once about an adjustment that could have a fairly large impact on MPG. This is something I should do and have never done it.  It was discussed on this board

[alph]

the last couple times i checked it was about 32, average.  best was 40, worst was 28.  i do get better mileage going through the twisties, that's when i got my 40, i believe it's cause you'r not holding the throttle all the time and you're coasting more often.

in all due respect, who really cares??  my truck gets 12 to 14 mpg, but when it comes to getting the family safely down the road, that's all that matters.  as for the cycle only getting 30+ mpg, so what. it's not like bought the thing for the enviroment!!

[MP]

My esperience has been IS's get better mileage, because the fairing and pod are slicker.

MP

[BIG--T]

the last couple times i checked it was about 32, average.  best was 40, worst was 28.  i do get better mileage going through the twisties, that's when i got my 40, i believe it's cause you'r not holding the throttle all the time and you're coasting more often.

in all due respect, who really cares??  my truck gets 12 to 14 mpg, but when it comes to getting the family safely down the road, that's all that matters.  as for the cycle only getting 30+ mpg, so what. it's not like bought the thing for the enviroment!!

Alf, I'll care when gas is $5 a gallon cause I love to ride! LOl  I'll cry when fill up my truck!!

[BIG--T]

My esperience has been IS's get better mileage, because the fairing and pod are slicker.

MP

MP you should know since you have both! Must be the aerodynamics. Maybe I need a fairing!

[Jabba]

I average about 28 on the standard and 32 on the IS. 

I do about 1/2 of my IS miles 2-up.  I ride the STD like I stole it.  The IS not so much.

My STD will EAT my IS.

Jabba

[solo1]

The standard Valkyrie has a lot of wind resistance, 6 cylinders, six carbs, and I couldn't ride it like a l'ill ole lady going to church, not my style.  My '97 standard averaged  32mpg over 13 years.  Best mileage was 38 mpg, worse was 24 mpg with a sidecar.

IMHO the Valk made up in style what it lost in fuel mileage.

My VStrom 1000 seems to get about 42 mpg but it's nothing like the Valk.

[Ice]

You know my bike must be a phenomina, its a standard with bags and I exclusively ride two up (wife doesnt weigh a buck, but she makes up for in luggage ) and I average between 37-39 MPG, I always get asked if I have an I/S tank on it and the answer is nope. The last time we rode down to NC for the FCR I actually got 175 Miles from one tank, which was baffeling and scary, but again I was on the BRP behind a lumbering RV

[sheets]

With variances in the road the load and the right wrist she is real sensitive to throttle fluctuations. If the variables change frequently so goes the mpg average. I'm looking for fuel somewhere between 90 and 110 miles. The ODO is my gas gauge. Quick and dirty mental math each time I gas up... some runs equate to 40 . . . some equate to 33 . . . some equate to everything in between. For me a seat of the pants calculation would be a lifetime average of 38 mpg. Yrmv  (99T)

[Black Dog]

'97 Standard, w/hardbags/Hoppe  Fairing/Shield/and sometimes an I/S Trunk, De-Smogged...

Over the years, I've seen a high of 40 mpg (in state day trip, all back country roads with an avrerage speed 50 - 55), and a low of 23 mpg (on the way home from IZII, with 6 other bikes, all doing 80+ across Ohio).

The magic number seems to be at 3000 rpm.  Below that, I'd say 35 mpg is easy...  Above that, for any sustained distance (interstate driving at about 70 mph), I usually come in at about 30 - 32 mpg.  Once that tach gets up over 3K, the sound the six carbs puts out is kinda like a 'flushing' noise 

Black Dog

[R J]

My low has been in the very low 20's.  21 to be exact I think it was.  High has been 41, so what does that average out to?

Like 31.

My records since new has been an average of 32.2 MPG, divide 242,000 + change by 32.2 * $2.50 a gallom ='s $18K + in gas purchses.   Wow, that is way more than I paid for the damn bike.

Who asked this sickening question anyway???????????

It is interesting however.

[Ice]

My low has been in the very low 20's.  21 to be exact I think it was.  High has been 41, so what does that average out to?

Like 31.

My records since new has been an average of 32.2 MPG, divide 242,000 + change by 32.2 * $2.50 a gallom ='s $18K + in gas purchses.   Wow, that is way more than I paid for the damn bike.

Who asked this sickening question anyway???????????

It is interesting however.

RJ,

You delved too deep, just as the Dwarfs did and the discovered a cave troll and more,  your math may be right, but the logic is flawed, never look how much you spend after you bought the ride, it may make you turn green

[Willow]

My esperience has been IS's get better mileage, because the fairing and pod are slicker. 

I'd guess it's more to do with the Interstate ICM than aerodynamics.  My Standard gets much better fuel mileage than my Istate, but as a general rule the bone stock Interstate tends to get better fuel economy than the bone stock Standard.

And when its cool outside it guzzles it up  I agree with 25 MPG for my Standard 2001.
Aside from adjusting carbs I had read once about an adjustment that could have a fairly large impact on MPG. This is something I should do and have never done it.  It was discussed on this board

I don't think it's so much that fuel mileage suffers when it's cool.  The additives in the fuel to make "winter gas" result in poorer fuel mileage.

I normally get 33 - 35 on my Standard.  I run a Dyna ICM and TBR 6X6 pipes.  I don't have one of those horrible lexan windows on the front.  I've done over 200 miles on a tank and I usually hit reserve at 143.  My normal range for a tank is 180.

[Spirited-6]

98 Tourer, I will get 36-38 MPG and have got 41-42, don`t know why. The lowest was 33 on a trip back from Whiskey Run and that was running 85-90 MPH for 70 miles. 

[Pete]

Actual observed:

Stock 97 std 34-35 mpg cold weather 37-38 mpg in the summer (no choke)
Stock 99 IS 38-41 mpg summer. No cold weather figures as it is being SuperValked this winter.

[old2soon]

I assume an IS wouldn't get the mileage a standard or tourer would because of weight.

So having said that, what do you think the average mpg would be on a standard or touer driving normally and not twisting the wick?

Thanks99 i/s. If i take it easy-sight seeing-going easy on the right hand-i've seen 40-42 MPG. Get serious with the right hand-she'll drop into the low 20s easy. Overall avg-low 30s. Screw it lets ride-no fun worrying about MPG. Besides-i didn't buy it for fuel economy. I've got an oldsmobile with a 3.8 for that. Bcuz you dang sure can't put a price on fun!!

[tbone]

99 i/s    36 to 40.

[Marcel]

1998 Tourer as low as 24 to as high as 39.

39 being in the mountains cruising at 45 t0 50.

2001 Interstate heavier, but actually a fairing is not always a detriment, it gets 33 around town and

about 28 at 70 to 80 and sometimes 90 on the intersate on the Interstate.

All of these figures were done above sea level and above water.

Al

The Harley 96 ci will get 35 on the interstate in 6th gear at 80 mph at 2500 RPM.

Modern Technology has a few advantages and that is just one.

KLR 650 will get 50 doing just about anything including 85-90 on the the super slab.

[hotglue #43]

I get at least 55 smiles per gallon.

[Marcel]

55 Huh

You may be running lean, but I don't know what on.

Al

SHould have read further , you said smiles not miles.

You crafty fellow.

My wife said that everytime she passes me going through town and I am on a bike

all she sees is my pearly whites gleaming.

Smiles got it.

[BIG--T]

The standard Valkyrie has a lot of wind resistance, 6 cylinders, six carbs, and I couldn't ride it like a l'ill ole lady going to church, not my style.  My '97 standard averaged  32mpg over 13 years.  Best mileage was 38 mpg, worse was 24 mpg with a sidecar.

IMHO the Valk made up in style what it lost in fuel mileage.

My VStrom 1000 seems to get about 42 mpg but it's nothing like the Valk.

38 AIN'T BAD!!

[BIG--T]

WELLI I JUST FOUND OUT I GET 30 MPG AND THAT IS RUNNING PRETTY HARD. AFTER I TOPPED OFF THE TANK, I HAD TO PUT HER ON RESERVE AT 135 MILES. SO NOW I KNOW WHEN SHE HITS 130, START LOKKING FOR A STATION!

[Mr Bojangles]

'98 Tourer Desmoged, stock exhaust, stock jets  35 mpg city 38 to as much as 41 hwy while on trip to MI last summer. I'm almost always at 65 to 70 and use the cruise control whenever I can.  Mi. trip was from Dallas in Aug. w/ bike loaded and solo. Avon tires at 38/41. Mid-grade-fuel. (89)
                                                                     BoJangles

[BIG--T]

'98 Tourer Desmoged, stock exhaust, stock jets  35 mpg city 38 to as much as 41 hwy while on trip to MI last summer. I'm almost always at 65 to 70 and use the cruise control whenever I can.  Mi. trip was from Dallas in Aug. w/ bike loaded and solo. Avon tires at 38/41. Mid-grade-fuel. (89)
                                                                     BoJangles

Wow, I'd like to know your secret! Usually aftermarket pipes and airbox or air intake mod makes a difference in mileage and HP. But i understand there's no mods for the airbox. Maybe desmogging mine would help with mpg.

[Challenger]

99 I/S all stock, baffles drilled, 36 -38 average, have seen 40 at 65 mph on two lanes. got 33 coming home from Marlinton on the super slab with cruise locked on 85.   2000 STD with hard bags & shield 34-36, have seen 38 at 65 mph, both are always two up,

[Willow]

... I'm almost always at 65 to 70 ...

Wow, I'd like to know your secret! Usually aftermarket pipes and airbox or air intake mod makes a difference in mileage and HP. But i understand there's no mods for the airbox. Maybe desmogging mine would help with mpg.

He told you the secret.    

Desmog will gain you no fuel mileage.    

[Momz]

I consistantly get 200+ miles before switching to reserve on my 98 srandard Rat Rod.
Yes, it is modified and lighter than a stock bike.

Come take my Fuel Mileage Challenge at IZXI.

[BIG--T]

... I'm almost always at 65 to 70 ...

Wow, I'd like to know your secret! Usually aftermarket pipes and airbox or air intake mod makes a difference in mileage and HP. But i understand there's no mods for the airbox. Maybe desmogging mine would help with mpg.

He told you the secret.    

Desmog will gain you no fuel mileage.    

So what is the secret? Stock exhaust, CC, or mid grade fuel?

[Willow]

So what is the secret? Stock exhaust, CC, or mid grade fuel?

Unless you've altered your timing enough to require it, mid grade fuel is just a waste of money.

Hold your speedo below 70 mph and you'll get great mileage.  Maybe more importantly, if you're willing to hold your speed below 70 indicated it says something about how you manage your speed and acceleration otherwise.

[BIG--T]

So what is the secret? Stock exhaust, CC, or mid grade fuel?

Unless you've altered your timing enough to require it, mid grade fuel is just a waste of money.

Hold your speedo below 70 mph and you'll get great mileage.  Maybe more importantly, if you're willing to hold your speed below 70 indicated it says something about how you manage your speed and acceleration otherwise.

Willow  I just got the bike less tha 2 wks ago and it is stock other than the Cobra pipes. I assumed as my VTX 1800, the Valk is not a high compression engine and I use 87 octane. And you're right, I've mostly ridden around town pretty agressively and I haven't had the chance to go on a trip yet but probaly will tomorrow. 

[highcountry]

25-30 for me at 6000' plus.

[NW roller]

Well my mileage sucks but who cares I'm doing 80 plus so I get were I want to go. I cannot seem to keep the bike under 80. I get about 130 miles on a tank.