Original...

[Hooter]

When I bought "snot" it was an abused piece of equipment..I got the bike right and took all winter to fix the neglected part. Yesterday I thought the last thing to do was the air / fuel filters before heading to Baldwin for this years blessing. Never pulled the tank on a Valk before and that was an experience in itself. I need smaller hands!
   Anyway, got the tank off and the top of the air cleaner and well-ah, 34000 miles and the original filter. Looked brown and had no way to get much air.. I took it out and looked at the bottom and the screen was even plugged up. I thought it was running rich and this was the culprit. Someone had taken the tank off on numerous occasions cause the front tank bolt was stripped out. It had a new fuel line as well.
   Took it with me to the dealership my buddy ownes and showed the mechanic. He said he has been doing maintenance for over 25 years and never seen a bike with an air filter that dirty. He said the bike shouldn't even had run. I told him last check I was getting only 33 miles per gallon. He said that will change drastically.
   I'm glad I checked, specially with the price of gas and some long trips ahead. Used bikes need a complete going over. Some people just don't take the time.

[Hook#3287]

33 mpg isn't that bad.

Gas mileage is directly related to the right wrist.

[9Ball]

33 mpg isn't that bad.

Gas mileage is directly related to the right wrist.

agreed...these are not 40+ mpg machines.  Surprisingly, my Rocket 3 and my wife's VTX are both routinely well above 40 mpg.

If you get anywhere in the mid 30s you're doing OK.  I've occasionally gotten mid 40s when riding through the mountain passes in Colorado and as little as 18 mpg in Kansas at near WOT (well not really, but above 100 in both mph and outside temperature).

Good job getting to the maintenance.  Even if the mileage doesn't improve drastically at least you know it's as good as it can be.

[alph]

when ever i fill up the car/truck/SUV i check the mpg, when ever it starts to drop i know two things; either the wife or kids have been "racing" or the air filters getting pretty dirty!!

(not really, i just said that for comic relief) 

i don't think you're fuel milage will go up much, these bikes don't get much better than 33-36 mpg. 

getting "better fuel milage" isn't the goal when i bought my cycle, but i did tell the wife that!!

[Hooter]

33 mpg isn't that bad.

Gas mileage is directly related to the right wrist.

agreed...these are not 40+ mpg machines.  Surprisingly, my Rocket 3 and my wife's VTX are both routinely well above 40 mpg.

If you get anywhere in the mid 30s you're doing OK.  I've occasionally gotten mid 40s when riding through the mountain passes in Colorado and as little as 18 mpg in Kansas at near WOT (well not really, but above 100 in both mph and outside temperature).

Good job getting to the maintenance.  Even if the mileage doesn't improve drastically at least you know it's as good as it can be.

I ride easy so I shall see what happens now. Not unlike you my Rocket III Touring gets great gas mileage. 140 CUI and 2300 CCs you'd think different but its good on gas. I had the TORs done and mileage actually got better.

[old2soon]

Went on a P G R mission yesterday 187 miles on the round and TRYING HARD to drive sensibly I got 33.74 on the return ride. When I ride it spirited it gets into the mid to high 20s. When i'm playing in the twistys it's high 20s flirting with the VERY low 30s. The fun factor on the other hand-WOW.  RIDE SAFE.

[Hooter]

   I'm just hoping it gets some better. Seems to me my 99 got around 38 (?) and I thought that was excellent for scooter this big. A clean air filter sure can't hurt! I changed the oil and dumped Mobil 1 synthetic scooter oil in it. Don't know what was in it when I got it so I changed it to my brand. (not an oil thread) I'll know tomorrow when I take off for the north country. If I go on reserve before I reach Baldwin I'll know it isn't any better.

   I know the right wrist controls the mileage for sure, but I don't ride like I did when I was riding some of my older bikes. I think my wrist got weaker as I got older? 

[signart]

Synthetic oil will help it and non-ethanol will help mileage even more.

[HayHauler]

I get 25-28, but like Smokin' Joe says, "I ride it like you stole it" most of the time.  It is way too much fun.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[old2soon]

I really hate to admit this in an open forum BUT maybe after all these years is it remotely possible we are finally getting what our folks told us we were seriously lacking-common sense??   If that's the case Mom and Dad would be proud as peacocks!!   I still enjoy the twistys I still enjoy riding I still love the wind but I do find myself slowing down some-at least for me.   Most of us would not turn down better fuel mileage but not at the expense of the WOW factor.   I will say this again-I DID NOT purchase my Phatt Ghurl for fuel mileage.   There were plenty of motorcycles available almost 3 years ago when I was shopping. I have a green T-shirt with a Dragon on the back that sums it up nicely-Valkyrie-By Choice.   RIDE SAFE.

[9Ball]

33 mpg isn't that bad.

Gas mileage is directly related to the right wrist.

agreed...these are not 40+ mpg machines.  Surprisingly, my Rocket 3 and my wife's VTX are both routinely well above 40 mpg.

If you get anywhere in the mid 30s you're doing OK.  I've occasionally gotten mid 40s when riding through the mountain passes in Colorado and as little as 18 mpg in Kansas at near WOT (well not really, but above 100 in both mph and outside temperature).

Good job getting to the maintenance.  Even if the mileage doesn't improve drastically at least you know it's as good as it can be.

I ride easy so I shall see what happens now. Not unlike you my Rocket III Touring gets great gas mileage. 140 CUI and 2300 CCs you'd think different but its good on gas. I had the TORs done and mileage actually got better.

I have the TORS and cat bypass which were installed at the first oil change.  Got the updated tune at the dealer and it runs great.  Haven't messed with Tuneboy...bought one when the exchange rate vs. AUD was at the peak and ended up selling it for almost twice what I originally paid when the AUD was back even with the dollar.  Now there is free software that does pretty much the same thing.

Thinking of selling mine but it's hard to let go...only costs yearly insurance and registration.

[wdvalk]

If you get 30 mpg on a Valkyrie, you aint ridin it right

[Mr Whiskey]

If you get 30 mpg on a Valkyrie, you aint ridin it right

I hear ya!
The day I bought mine, rode it 451 miles from West "by God" Virginia to Ktown Tn. & 2 tanks, back to back, she got 17 mpg! I remember thinkin' "how the 4377 am I gonna feed this monster"!
To & from work she'll get 30, & in the mountains she's seen 40, but on the superslab, she sure likes to eat!
Peace, Whiskey

[cookiedough]

If you get 30 mpg on a Valkyrie, you aint ridin it right

depends on countryside and posted speed limits.  If stay under 70 mph which most speed limits are 55 w/o interstate being 65,  you can go 63 mph in a 55 w/o a ticket and most can achieve 33-38 mpg.  My worst was 30 and best 40 but average 34-35 routine daily driving. 

If I wanted gas mileage all the time, I'd drive my 250cc scooter able to comfortably go 63 mph no problems achieving 62 avg mpg.  Big issue on scoot is 2.2 gallon tank get 120 miles per tank w/o running out (don't ask me how I know had .2 gallons left, if that, upon fillup but I can push that 350lbs. if need be) and not much of a windshield don't like bug splats going 60+.

Now, my air filter once I bought my I/S 5 or so years ago was pretty sure OEM  stock Honda filter and never changed guessing 6-7 years old but only 14K on cycle.  It needed changing for sure with a ton of big bugs/moths, etc. laying on top probably never checked or cleaned but the air filter wasn't terribly discolored just a light brown all around is all.  I thought I would achieve 2-3 more mpg putting on the K&N air filter with pre-filter but although I think the engine breathed better, never really seen much improvement (maybe .5 to 1 mpg tops) in fuel economy.  Was sort of disappointed thinking 2-3 more mpg was going to happen.

[Hooter]

   Mine was 34,000 and original. It was thick with crap and I'd say almost completely plugged. I've got a ride tomorrow and for the next week so we shall see if it improves, or not? Does it matter, Nope the bike is still king.   

[trout dude]

I get about the same as HayHauler and most of the time two up and pulling the boat.
i see people getting high milage but not me my right hand is set in it's ways.
    Trout Dude

[al v]

Will be at the blessing as well. Look for a maroon/cream and navy blue/cream pair of valks. That will be us. Be sure to check out the outhouse drag racing at cross roads bar on sat, assuming they are still doing it this year.