03 Heritage with a Carb. Stock except for drag pipes, K&N A/C, & SE203 Cams. I do not trust the gas gage, it goes to full but reads empty after I've burned about 3 gallons. So I ALWAYS reset my clock & check mileage with every fillup and use midgrade (89 Octane) 99% of the time. 76k miles on the bike.

It varies with how I ride (obviously) but only a couple times have I dipped into the high 30's MPG. I can count on 45+, and last weekend got 53 MPG while cruisin on backroads with temps in the 40's.....Better than a Prius!

 

Thanks for all the responses. I feel good about the MPG I'm getting out of the Road King.

 

What model(s) does everyone think gets the best mileage? With or without fairings or windscreens?

 

The ones with Red spark plug wires get the best MPG, not to mention they are the fastest.

 

I'd say it's time to get some mods on your scoot to knock the mpg's down a bit. I average 38-42, based on route & with Stage-1, TFI & TD's.

 

I get about 44 mpg on my 2010 Road Glide with two up. And yes, red is the fastest color

 

Motorcycles are not very efficient aerodynamically speaking. My Ultra gets about 37 around town, 41-42 at 70 mph, no wind, in sixth. Drops to 38-39 at 75+. I've gotten as high as 52 with a stiff tail wind. Interestingly enough, the mileage goes to 45-46 when running the back roads in fourth and fifth at 45-55 mph.

I remember from my aviatior days that drag doubles for every 10mph increase in speed. That would explain the drop in mileage from 70 to 75, and the increase at 45-55 mph.

 

last time i actually did the math i was getting 46.. its dropped off a bit in the colder weather though..

 

There seem to be three primary factrors that relate to lower milage.... they are
1. Speed (and rapid acceleration). Wind resistance increases rapidly at speed and sucks the gas.
2. Mods done to the engine. (heavily linked to 1 above as well)
3. The percentage of ethanol (crap) in the gas. pure gas which (I am sure was used to get the epa milage figures posted) gets 8-10% better mpg than the 10% ethanol blend.

In short, unless you answer these variables in the thread.....well we are just comparing apples and oranges.

but to each his own.

R. Todd

 

Don't know and don't care, I just fill when its low and ride,