Valkyrie Standard Mileage - economy run?

[Pete]

Just came in from a solo 170 mile loop on a 1997 Valkyrie Standard with Windshield, Baker Air Wings and OEM leather bags (nothing in the bags).

165.9 miles on 4.2 gallons of regular non ethanol gas. Closest to 40 MPG I have ever come on a standard.
Went full tank to reserve with 5 starts/restarts, 3 of which were long enough for some cool down.

Granted all riding was done under 65 MPH on 2 and 4 lane country roads with light traffic at an elevation of 700 to 750 feet. Some small towns, small hills and a few traffic lights were encountered.

Based on time and mileage it appears that I averaged between 55 and 60 MPH for the trip. Temperature range was 78 to 93 degrees.

I was not riding for fuel mileage, just enjoying a nice morning ride in east Tennessee.

It got interesting when I did not hit reserve between 152 and 155 miles, which I normally do. It went on reserve at 165 miles about 300 yards from my normal fuel station.

I was short shifting the lower gears (as I was in no hurry) and the max observed RPM was approximately 3000.

I did pass some slower traffic but never had to downshift or speed up to do either.

If I had realized it was an economy run, with a few changes I think I could have exceeded 40 MPG.
Although not by much.

[old2soon]

Every cursed time-and I mean EVERY-I try to keep it under 3000 R P Ms-I'm sorta kinda almost successful-key word-ALMOST!  Since replacing the cover set I've seen 38 M P G on my I/S-ONCE.  Fuel-relatively speaking-is now rather inexpensive Soooo I tend to rip thru the fuel while on Phatt Ghurl.  RIDE SAFE.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I got 42 mpg in Yosemite once. But it was 35-55 mph.

[indybobm]

I did basically the same thing yesterday with my Tourer. Switched to reserve at 168 miles. 39.8 mpg at fill up.

[Jess from VA]

Best mileage I ever got was on BRP (several times).   It's 45 (posted), no lights, plenty of twisties and elevations but nothing really drastic.  And you can do plenty of 50-55 from time to time.  I rarely do the math, but sure I approached (or maybe just beat) 40mpg.  

Unfortunately, the BRP can give you a false sense of well being.  Your mileage is the best you ever had, the interstate gauge is barely moving, so you're rolling along easy not worrying about gas.  But if you don't do your homework before the ride, you don't know where the gas is located when you do need it.  

You finally hit reserve and realize you've got 30-5 miles to figure it out (uh-oh).  For it's whole length, only a couple gas stations are actually visible from the BRP itself; there can be one right around the corner from an exit, or it can be 30+ miles from the exit you pick (or farther if you turn the wrong way at the exit).

Even superman is not going to push a Valkyrie up and down the BRP, for very long.

If you ever decide to do the BRP for the first time, go here, print it, and take with with you.  You'll be glad you did.  http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=50  

(these are not all the exits, just those with gas within a reasonable distance)

It's nice to NOT see gas stations (all day).
   

[Patrick]

My mileage is consistently 40+.  I'm very seldom in any hurry and am on back country roads just cruising. When left alone that usually means 60-65 mph. With JoAnn its slower.  Thats not say that every now again the Badger has to be let loose.  I think most of it has to do with the right hand.

[Rams]

I don't think some folks believe me, regardless here's my story and I'm sticking to it.     Many times I have been challenged on the mileage I got on my test run with my new Interstate Tank and added belly tank.   412 miles with out putting my foot on the ground except at stop lights/signs.   Coasted through a few stop signs (to be honest) but, I was trying to get the best mileage I could get.

At the end of the run, I was down to way less than a cup of fuel but I'm really not sure, I imagine it was close to fumes.  6.9 gallon I/S tank and a three gallon belly tank.   I surmise the fuel lines may hold about 1/10 of a gallon but haven't thought it was worth the effort to find out, I just tell folks it holds ten gallons.    I'm also running an Austone Taxi Tire on the rear.   (Lower highway RPM)  Do the math.   It was a nice cool day with favorable winds and I was not in a hurry.    Yeah, I really needed to go.   I won't try that again, I don't think my kidneys could repeat the effort.  Is better mileage possible?   Probably but, I'm happy with what I'm getting.

[cookiedough]

I got 40 mpg once puttzing around, but lately last year the average of 35 has gone down to 33 avg mpg and same roads, etc. which I have no reasoning on why vs. last 6 years?    I am not worrying about it until it goes down below 30 avg mpg though then time to get whatever is ailing it fixed...  Anywhere between 30-40 avg mpg is possible, but once hits under 30,  time to get it fixed..

[Hef]

I have put a 110K miles on my 2000 Standard and have never gotten 40mpg. My best is 38 mpg and my average on a two lane is probably about 35-36.