Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

What is the expected MPG for '06 Sportster?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 16, 2009 | 09:34 PM
  #1  
Scionic Wraith's Avatar
Scionic Wraith
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Hurst, TX
Default What is the expected MPG for '06 Sportster?

I bought my first bike ever, a used 2006 Sportster Low 1200. I am excited about getting 40 MPG. I am being told by other HD riders thay were getting 50 MPG from their Sportsters, even from their Dynas. What kinda mileage are you guys getting? From the dealer I was told that all that modified were the pipes (Screaming Eagle slip-ons). I do not see any blueing or yellowing of the pipes, it foes smell like it's running rich to me. I have changed the oil with synthetic and changed the plugs using the plugs that were the recommended replacement according to the HD dealer. IS 40 MPG ok? If not, what can I look for?

Thanks.

Scionic Wraith
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2009 | 09:38 PM
  #2  
jimsflh's Avatar
jimsflh
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 6
From: Michigan
Default

I'd think you outta be getting at least 50MPG if you aren't wrist down all the time. hell my flh gets over 40 when I ride in group rides.
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2009 | 10:13 PM
  #3  
plysat's Avatar
plysat
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
Default

All depends on how you ride as mentioned above. On my 1200 I get anywhere from 25 - 50+.
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2009 | 10:26 PM
  #4  
Scionic Wraith's Avatar
Scionic Wraith
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: Hurst, TX
Default

Just a little info on my driving habits. It's my work transportation. My trip consists of back roads with speeds on 30 MPH, 4 school zones, and a short 1/2 mile of 45 MPH. I shift from 1st at 15 mph, from 2nd at 25mph, then into 3rd to cruise between 30 and 35 mph. I'ce only pushed half to three quarter throttle twice to get on the highway at keeping steafy 60 mph in 5th gear. I'm pretty laid back in my driving cause I enjoy my ride to work, so I'm never in a hurry RPMs are not high, but sound low. While I'm in the school zone I keep it in 1st because it ifles too low in 2nd at 20 mph, bike shales too much like it struggles. So I never hotrod it. Does this help? Thanks for the replies.

Scionic Wraith
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2009 | 10:40 PM
  #5  
stng_96's Avatar
stng_96
Road Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: Marion Ill
Default

I have never gotten 50 mpg, only way I can see that happening is basically cruising an entire tank away at about 60 on the highway. I usually average about 43 mpg per tank, and lets just say I dont just putt around the whole time.
 
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2009 | 11:10 PM
  #6  
RATROD HOG's Avatar
RATROD HOG
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 4
From: eastern Pa
Default

now this weekend run that baby out on highway 65 + burn that whole tank out,will only get about 110 or 120 miles before reserve kicks in.
do your home work at pump and let us know what you get (MPG)
and Welcome to the Forum
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2009 | 12:33 AM
  #7  
faber's Avatar
faber
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
Default

I have an '08 XL1200C

In town: 31-35mpg

Highway: 52-55mpg

I wring the snot out of it in town.

On the highway here in Montana, I cruise ~85mph.
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2009 | 01:07 AM
  #8  
eazyrider's Avatar
eazyrider
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 812
Likes: 8
From: Cowtown, USA
Default

I have never gotten 50. Maybe 45 tops. But I ride pretty fast.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 17, 2009 | 02:48 AM
  #9  
Ramboamt's Avatar
Ramboamt
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 3
From: Montclair, CA.
Default

Welcome to the forum. I have an '06 1200C with Vance & Hines short shot slip on mufflers and a Kyrukin Hyper Pro R air cleaner and I have re-jetted the bike, richened it up, to eliminate the carb spit and I average 42 - 43 MPG around town. This is my ride to work, seven miles one way on surface streets with traffic signals and stop signs, now on the freeway at 75 - 80 MPH, average southern California freeway driving speeds, I get around 46 - 47 MPG.

My riding buddy has an '08 1200n Nightster and it has EFI and he is averaging around 50 MPG.


Hope this helps out on the average mileage you should expect from your bike
 
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2009 | 06:18 AM
  #10  
blippo's Avatar
blippo
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: VA
Default

45 mpg, combined highway and city
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:25 PM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE