I have owned a 2007 883 since it was new, currently it has 21,000+ miles on it. My rides these days (been riding for over 40 years) are usually pretty tame (figure I've used up more luck than I'm owed) and I average between 57 & 62 mpg (never got less than 53mpg even when the bike was new).

Recently I purchased an 08 1200C with only 1030mi on it for a very reasonable price. My question is I ride the 1200 at the same pace, on the same roads and only get 44mpg?? I know the engine is not worn in yet but is the gas mileage that different??

I've been wrenching since 1967 when I graduated GM Training as well as Tech School. That seems an extreme difference in the two engines.

All input is appreciated.

HJC950

 

When I first got my 2008 1200R,,,also my first Harley, My first few tanks sucked.
33-38 mpg,,
I was not UP In the power band,,I was twisting too much throttle too low on the tach,,
This engine may pull hard at 2,800 rpm's but that takes lots of fuel.
lesson learned.
At a steady 75 mph on the superslab,,tested on long full tank runs
I now get a consistant 49 mpg
all around riding,,bout 45,,
all city, traffic, lights,,38,,
I don't baby It, I get er up In the power all the time,,that Is key.
The 1200 has lots more to give than the 883,,,use it.
Also 883 gearing Is lower to comp for far less power.
Stay outta 5th untill over 55 for easy power and over 60 mph for decent power.
I like my Stock bike,,see no need for a $1,000 proper stage one.
Was also told the 2008 R's have bigger valves and a bit more lift.
Ain't met a Stage one yet that impressed me other than better sound.
Have light raced several,,they got nothin on me..

I did add one Mod to get me away from that awful 14.7 EPA compliant lean AFR
I'm at 14.0 now.
When I save the coin I will Add Rush slip ons,,,gonna stick with my stock breather.
Kinda nice to pop the filter In the dishwasher to clean it,,no Oil no mess..
Read On :::::

The Factory 14.7 EPA compliant AFR Is very very lean.
This produced white chalky plugs on my stocker.

The X14ieD claims an AFR of 14.0
The XieD claims an AFR of 13.8

I have the X14ieD and my plugs are a nice copper color now.
With This I feel safe adding a Hi flow "Baffled" exhaust and or air filter.

I'm no expert, I just could NOT justify all that money for an ECM and dyno time.
$1,000 for a proper stage one just for a single digit Increase in HP and TQ.
what 6 or 7 at best..No Thanks,
The X14ieD's I Installed really feels good. the Bike Is smoother at all RPM's
My MPG did NOT drop probably because I'm using less throttle due to the
apparent extra power which Is really just smoother power delivery.
The Biggest change on my 08 EFI 1200R was cold start ups.
Before the X14ieD I'd start It,,
get 1400 rpms,,,then 15 to 20 seconds later a single Miss,,
It would almost Kill the engine,,followed buy 30 to 45 seconds of a unsteady Idle
ranging from 1000 to 1400 RPM's.
A steady 1,000 rpm idle would be reached at about 1.5 minutes or even 2 minutes.
After the X14ieD, Imediatly after,,,WOW
Hit the starter,,,rock stable Idle at 1400 rpm's then 20 to 30 seconds later
(45 seconds on chilly mornings) I'd have me a Tach parked on 1,000 RPM's
The needle looked welded to the Tach Face.
That one nasty Miss was all Gone!
I never noticed a "Learning curve",,there may have been one but I was so
overwhelmed by my new smooth power delivery I still say my ECM figgerd
It had died and gone to Harley heavan XD
http://www.nightrider.com/parts/

 

Osco said it all.

 

I get anywhere from 48MPG to 53MPG. Where I live, I don't get a lot of city driving, but it's not all open road either. I just assumed the difference in the mileage was maybe getting better or worse gas, because my riding pattern is usually about the same each time I ride.

 

That's about what I get with mine too.

 

The key to good MPG Is the same as performance,,

When I see a rider yank His throttle to WOT or even rotate the throttle
50-70% of Its twist that tells me he was below the power band.

Think of It Like this,,,
Bike 1 In 5th at 50 mph
Bike 2 In 4th at 50 mph
side by side,,,

Ok so they both wanna accelerate very briskly and stay side by side... to 70 mph
Bike 1 will twist the throttle an additional 50%
Bike 2 will twist the throttle only 20%,,,,

Who used the most gas,,,,
simple.
Bike 1
Bike 2 had the torque to use far less.
Bike 2 also spent less fuel with that extra 20% throttle even tho he stayed In 4th
all the way to 70 mph

Bike 1 dumped prolly double the fuel to reach 70 mph

I listened to the Old Sportster pro's when they said Over and Over, "Sporties love to rev"

 

My 2007 1200 gets the same milage, 42 to 44 mpg.
My 1997 883 gets in the high 50's.

Sounds like your right in line. I drive the same as you.

 

Yep,I'm around 45 or 48,and they like it and run the best around 3500 RPM.

 

Holly S&#T I just got 51 on todays ride! About half at 65 and half at 75, no hot rodden just smooth throttle. Thats better than 5mpg more than I have been getting on such a ride. Is it that the Nightster is getting broke in, just over 3800 miles on the clock or the better weather? She was showing 230 temp in the tank. Over the winter she would only get up to 200, got her last fall.


RAL

 

My current bike is an 883 - 1200 conversion and I averaged 48 mpg on the last tank.

My previous bike was an '05 XL1200C and I usually got between 38-43 mpg.