Surprise jump in MPG

[sarge7882]

The fuel milage on my 2010 stock Triglide has been constantly been improving with time but I have not been happy with it until last night. When I first got the tirke, it started out so bad that I would not even figure MPG because I didn't want to be too disappointed with my new purchase. The heat issue was bad enough...and still is. I now have approx 5300 miles on it. Last night on the return trip from a Patriot Guard mission, riding 2-up at 55-65mph in 5th gear, we got 48 MPG! I honestly thought the fuel gauge was stuck so I stopped and visually checked the fuel and it was still almost full after several miles so I knew the gauge was correct. We continued our ride home and filled up when we got to our home town. Sure enough, it came out to 48 MPG on that tank. If ANYONE had posted something like this before last night, I would have said it was totally impossible. I can't explain it.

I will just accept the blessing for that one tank. I won't be able to ride any except to and from work until Friday (<1 mile), so I won't be able to check it again until then. I will post an update after my next ride.

 

[RLPCEP]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>sarge7882</strong>
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<div class="message">The fuel milage on my 2010 stock Triglide has been constantly been improving with time but I have not been happy with it until last night. When I first got the tirke, it started out so bad that I would not even figure MPG because I didn't want to be too disappointed with my new purchase. The heat issue was bad enough...and still is. I now have approx 5300 miles on it. Last night on the return trip from a Patriot Guard mission, riding 2-up at 55-65mph in 5th gear, we got 48 MPG! I honestly thought the fuel gauge was stuck so I stopped and visually checked the fuel and it was still almost full after several miles so I knew the gauge was correct. We continued our ride home and filled up when we got to our home town. Sure enough, it came out to 48 MPG on that tank. If ANYONE had posted something like this before last night, I would have said it was totally impossible. I can't explain it.

I will just accept the blessing for that one tank. I won't be able to ride any except to and from work until Friday (<1 mile), so I won't be able to check it again until then. I will post an update after my next ride.</div>

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</div>Hi, Sarge. The gas mileage on our 2011 pales in comparison to yours. With a combination of some city but mostly highway we are at 36 mpg (the latest - today). We just passed two months and 2000 miles, so it sounds like there is hope. At 60 mph in 5th, you should be turning close to 3 grand? I've been trying to keep my cruise at 2600 t0 3000 for best fuel economy with enough RPM to avoid any lugging. We are, for the most part, flatlanders, so I sometimes, but not often, have to drop it to a lower gear to climb a hill or accelerate. It'd be interested in your RPM operating parameters.<br />
<br />
RLPCEP (Bob)

 

[1550vt]

I took the 6-speed out of mine and went back to the 5-speed. I had to re-gear my pulleys a bit, but my mileage has improved by 3-4 MPG. Of course, if you keep your speed down in the range you were running and in 5th., it will naturally produce better mileage. Lugging the motor in 6th. out on the highway at 65-70mph and 2500-2600 rpm is like dragging a parachute behind the thing and will likely result in lower fuel mileage. The Twin Cam motor likes to cruise at 3000-3100.

 

[sarge7882]

If you averaged the RPMs on this trip it would be approx 3000. I seldom use 6th gear anymore. In fact, while riding 2-up it is almost never used.

 

[1550vt]

I think the HD 6-speed is stock 5-speed gearing all the way through 5th., being 1:1. 6th. gear is like .889-or-so. The POS I took out had an overdrive of .86 which could only be used above 75-80 on a good day.

Folks just need to understand that it is not a "requirement" to put it in 6th.....it's an overdrive gear.

 

[Jwinterstein]

One thing to keep in mind is that the gear ratios for 2011 are different than they were in prior years with 6th gear at 3.15 or so compared to 2.89 (I think it was in 10) The result is that in 6th gear on the 2011 we are running 3000 rpm at about 70 mph. On my 2007 Electraglide, at 3000 I would be at 80 mph. Incidentally, I pulled the stock mufflers and installed Reinhart slip ons and it made a major difference in power especially in the 2000 to 3000 rpm range

 

[Nana]

Welcome, Jim! Glad you found TrikeTalk!

 

[Gorilla]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>sarge7882</strong>
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<div class="message">The fuel milage on my 2010 stock Triglide has been constantly been improving with time but I have not been happy with it until last night. When I first got the tirke, it started out so bad that I would not even figure MPG because I didn't want to be too disappointed with my new purchase. The heat issue was bad enough...and still is. I now have approx 5300 miles on it. Last night on the return trip from a Patriot Guard mission, riding 2-up at 55-65mph in 5th gear, we got 48 MPG! I honestly thought the fuel gauge was stuck so I stopped and visually checked the fuel and it was still almost full after several miles so I knew the gauge was correct. We continued our ride home and filled up when we got to our home town. Sure enough, it came out to 48 MPG on that tank. If ANYONE had posted something like this before last night, I would have said it was totally impossible. I can't explain it.

I will just accept the blessing for that one tank. I won't be able to ride any except to and from work until Friday (<1 mile), so I won't be able to check it again until then. I will post an update after my next ride.</div>

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</div>The key was 5th gear and keeping the speed in the 60 mph range. That's it's sweet spot.

 

[Gorilla]

One thing to keep in mind is that the gear ratios for 2011 are different than they were in prior years with 6th gear at 3.15 or so compared to 2.89 (I think it was in 10) The result is that in 6th gear on the 2011 we are running 3000 rpm at about 70 mph. On my 2007 Electraglide, at 3000 I would be at 80 mph. Incidentally, I pulled the stock mufflers and installed Reinhart slip ons and it made a major difference in power especially in the 2000 to 3000 rpm range

Welcome aboard Jwinterstien, glad you found us.

 

[Bikerbozo]

I just passed the 6000 mile mark on my 3 month old 2010 Tri-glide. The absolute best I have gotten was 33 mpg. Of course I am going 70 mpg on the highway. Wind direction does make a big difference. I don't put it in 6th if there is any sign of bogging down.
And filling up that last 1/2 gallon into the tank is still a major pain. H-D needs an air bubble relief valve in the gas tank. One of these days I won't be in a rush somewhere and will try on a non-highway road. Probably need to head out West next summer.

 

[RLPCEP]

The fuel milage on my 2010 stock Triglide has been constantly been improving with time but I have not been happy with it until last night. When I first got the tirke, it started out so bad that I would not even figure MPG because I didn't want to be too disappointed with my new purchase. The heat issue was bad enough...and still is. I now have approx 5300 miles on it. Last night on the return trip from a Patriot Guard mission, riding 2-up at 55-65mph in 5th gear, we got 48 MPG! I honestly thought the fuel gauge was stuck so I stopped and visually checked the fuel and it was still almost full after several miles so I knew the gauge was correct. We continued our ride home and filled up when we got to our home town. Sure enough, it came out to 48 MPG on that tank. If ANYONE had posted something like this before last night, I would have said it was totally impossible. I can't explain it. I will just accept the blessing for that one tank. I won't be able to ride any except to and from work until Friday (<1 mile), so I won't be able to check it again until then. I will post an update after my next ride.

Now that you've mentioned the fuel gauge - mine goes to E when there are still 2 to 2-1/2 gallons still in the tank. I make it a point to top off at every 200 miles or so and will not be running out of petrol. Still, it would be nice to have a little closer to accurate reading. Is it just my gauge, or is this a common issue?

Bob

 

[Gorilla]

Now that you've mentioned the fuel gauge - mine goes to E when there are still 2 to 2-1/2 gallons still in the tank. I make it a point to top off at every 200 miles or so and will not be running out of petrol. Still, it would be nice to have a little closer to accurate reading. Is it just my gauge, or is this a common issue?

Bob

Wow you like to cut it close, if you wait until 200 miles to fill that 6 gallon tank. That means you are banking 34 + miles to the gallon. I stop at least at 150 to 170 so I have at least a gallon left or I get a low MPG because of wind or something.

 

[RLPCEP]

Wow you like to cut it close, if you wait until 200 miles to fill that 6 gallon tank. That means you are banking 34 + miles to the gallon. I stop at least at 150 to 170 so I have at least a gallon left or I get a low MPG because of wind or something.

You are correct, Sir. I meant to say every two hours or so.

Bob

 

[Bikerbozo]

On my '10 I have actually found the gas gauge to be pretty good. I especially like where it says how many estimated miles left. in July I was pushing it a litte close and it said 4 miles left as I pulled into a station where I filled up with 5.96 gallons.
The wife hates when I play gas roulette! (Oops, she caught me smiling as I typed that and asked why).

 

[Gorilla]

On my '10 I have actually found the gas gauge to be pretty good. I especially like where it says how many estimated miles left. in July I was pushing it a litte close and it said 4 miles left as I pulled into a station where I filled up with 5.96 gallons.
The wife hates when I play gas roulette! (Oops, she caught me smiling as I typed that and asked why).

WOW .04 left. I ran mine dry just to see what the usable was and it was exactly 6 gallons. You do love to play it close.

 

[bdn56]

Cruising in 5th gear at 60 mph, I am reading 3000 rpm. 36 miles per gallon.
6th gear at 65 mph, I am reading 2500 rpm. 32 mpg.
6th gear at 70 mph, I am reading 2850 rpm. 33 to 34 mpg.

These are average for my riding style. Last year out west, I got over 40 mpg in the higher elevations

 

[RLPCEP]

Cruising in 5th gear at 60 mph, I am reading 3000 rpm. 36 miles per gallon.
6th gear at 65 mph, I am reading 2500 rpm. 32 mpg.
6th gear at 70 mph, I am reading 2850 rpm. 33 to 34 mpg.

These are average for my riding style. Last year out west, I got over 40 mpg in the higher elevations

Very useful info, thanks. What means did you use to isolate the MPG by speed and RPM? If by GPS or other such means, I wonder if you could track the numbers at 65 mph in 5th and publish them? Which year are you riding?

Bob

 

[bdn56]

Very useful info, thanks. What means did you use to isolate the MPG by speed and RPM? If by GPS or other such means, I wonder if you could track the numbers at 65 mph in 5th and publish them? Which year are you riding?

Bob

Bob, The past few weeks as I cruised throughout Florida and Alabama, I usually will use a tank full of fuel for each speed and gear to estimate fuel mileage. I had the gas receipts with my notes on each one.
Nothing scientific, just estimating based on fuel used.
(I can't read my writing. I have to change my rpm at 70 in 6th gear to 3000rpm).
I changed my primary sprocket to a 30 tooth from the stock 34. My rpm's will be a little different than stock.
I am guessing at 65mph in 5th gear would be reading at least 3500rpm if not more.
Hope this helps.

 

[subeetrikerdon]

The fuel milage on my 2010 stock Triglide has been constantly been improving with time but I have not been happy with it until last night. When I first got the tirke, it started out so bad that I would not even figure MPG because I didn't want to be too disappointed with my new purchase. The heat issue was bad enough...and still is. I now have approx 5300 miles on it. Last night on the return trip from a Patriot Guard mission, riding 2-up at 55-65mph in 5th gear, we got 48 MPG! I honestly thought the fuel gauge was stuck so I stopped and visually checked the fuel and it was still almost full after several miles so I knew the gauge was correct. We continued our ride home and filled up when we got to our home town. Sure enough, it came out to 48 MPG on that tank. If ANYONE had posted something like this before last night, I would have said it was totally impossible. I can't explain it. I will just accept the blessing for that one tank. I won't be able to ride any except to and from work until Friday (<1 mile), so I won't be able to check it again until then. I will post an update after my next ride.

Make sure no one is adding gas to your tank without you knowing about it.... :beerchug:

 

[BobsHarley]

Say Bdn56 Where did you get the smaller drive pulley and won't that smaller pulley affect the accuracy of the speedo? I would like to change my pulley to have an easier start from a dead stop with 2up