Greetings.

I recently started riding a 2007 sportster XL883L. I love it except for bad gas mileage. I use it primarily to commute 30 miles each way on the freeway, 65mph. I've been averaging 38mpg. Is this normal or should I be trouble shooting for a cause?

 

I would start looking for a problem. Could be crappy winter fuel. I know my wife's 2008 883 gets around 48-50 mpg on the interstate at 65 mph. You should be doing better then 38.

 

Sounds a bit much. That's just a little more than I do on my ultra.

 

Glad to know I can get better mpg. Any suggestions of things to check?

thanks

 

Check your mods, first.

 

air cleaner, tire pressure, a/f ratio

 

what mods have been done to the bike and what tuner is on it?

 

To my knowledge no mods or tuning have been done. I will double check with previous owner.

The air cleaner is clean, the tires are at recommended pressure, I don't know how to check a/f ratio.

 

You can pull a spark plug and check if it's running rich. When was the last time the oil was changed?

 

check your cycl head temp sensor and with the above suggestions...

tire pres, AFR, plugs, airfilter, exhaust... ect