When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Finally! Some honest mpg reporting! I have a hard time believing all these "My 1200 gets 64mpg with Stage II and custom howitzer exhaust" reports.
On my well broken in bone stock '08 XL1200C I get ~40-42 in town, sometimes as low as 38: lots of short hops. On the highway, I have gotten 52 but am really pleased with 50mpg.
Dealer says if I want better, I should buy a scooter.
On my 07 nightster with 3000 miles i average about 100 miles before the low warning light comes on. I have ridden as much as 130 miles...sweating the last ten looking for a station. I make a rule ..100 miles=time to fuel
I have around 750 miles on the bike. \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; I sure hope that my MPG does get better after it gets broke in. \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; I bought it with 356 miles on it, and the exhaust and intake came with the bike. \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\; So I would assume that the dealer would have made sure all the settings or re-map would have been done.
 \\;\\\\\\;
GringoLoco has an excellent point about dividing miles ridden by how much fuel put into the tank. So what exactly IS your mileage? How much fuel are you putting in after riding 90 miles? \\;\\\\\\;2-2.5 gallons? \\;\\\\\\; I've had lows of 36 and some change with a high of 53 at a steady 70 mph on a trip. Wringing the gears when on entrance ramps may have just a little to do with it though!
Teek
Brandenton, why are you going to take it to the dealer. It sounds like your getting the same mileage as the rest of us. When you say 90 miles to a tank, I am assuming your seeing the fuel light at 90 miles and then getting gas shortly after. The fuel light comes on with about a 1/2 gallon left. I see my fuel light at about 85 miles in cooler weather but with the summer heat baking the gas out of the tank, I am seeing the light at 76 miles.
Do an accurate MPG calculation and if your in the 40-50 mpg range, your OK.
Brandenton, I think you're okay for a new bike. \\;\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\; It'll get better, and you'll get used to it. \\;\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\; I get about 100 miles to the tank with mixed driving. \\;\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\; I think you're okay.
+1. \\; I didn't start getting improved MPG until after my 1K service. \\; break in is a bit harder on your MPG. \\; You will be good once you do the service, I also think I am getting better MPG since I switched to synthetic, but I don't want to start the synth vs. regular oil fight.
I fill up at 80 miles. That prevents me from having to go to reserve and makes a nice rest stop on long rides. When new the bike would get gas mileage of 35-38. As it breaks in, you will get much better mileage. But, the mileage is very sensitive to the accelerator pump. So, avoid rolling on and off the throttle if you want better mileage.
i have about 10k miles on my 08 XL1200N. have gone a few 500 mile road trips and around town/highway i get about 80-90mi to 2gal. all the mods i have on my bike is SE a/c, V&\\;H sideshots, and \\;fuel pak. so i think ur getting what i would call the norm.. i think im filling the tank alot but i know im just riding the hell out of my bike
you may feel you are filling up all the time, that is a small price to pay for 11 dollars every couple of days or 100 dollars every week. \\; ouch...
47 MPG with shortshots, SE stage 1 and PCIII. \\; The light comes on at 100-105 miles. \\; We try to fill it up every 100 miles just to be safe. \\; She did go 153 miles on a tank last fall. \\; It took 3.2 gal. \\;
Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.