So I recently "finished" my stage one off with my ac from DK, running the 587 ac, v&h big radius 2-2, and stage 1 map from the dealer. I just recently added the ac onto the bike, I've had the V&h big radius 2-2 and stage 1 map in my bike since I got it back in January and typically speaking I've been getting about 40-43 mpg before my gas light flips on. Refill usually at just under 2 gallons with 85 +- 3. With my new ac my gas light is flipping on at 72 miles on the odometer, and still putting about 1.9 gallons in the tank.

That being said I understand I am riding maybe a little harder than usual but not drastically so and I've ridden with my friends doing spirited little trips around town and down the highway and such and have still been about in that 40 mpg range. I've seen plenty of you guys posting up here about 45-50 mpg tanks on your sportys and I'm just wondering if I this low of gas mileage is to be expected about what I've got set up? I understand the gas to air mix is increased and assumed I would lose some mpg but this much? Just wondering if this is normal or if I should go and get a tune? Or something along the lines of xieds or the vieds even with my stage 1 map in the bike from the dealer? Any comments are appreciated.

 

This is the same experience I have when I went to a Stage 1 on my 1200C. But the drive-ability is such a dramatic improvement over stock that I just just call it the price of admission for the way the bike should have came from the factory.
I lost about an average of 5 MPG.

 

I have a 2012 iron with s/e air cleaner, slip ons and a pcv and around town my fuel light will come on at 68 miles but on a run its about 100 miles.

 

Yep, same here.
I have recorded a tank by tank MPG log while I was tuning my bike after Stage 1
and its worth the 4-5 mpg loss for how much smoother it runs.
I went from a best of 48-49 all 55-60 mph highway to a worst of 34 mpg all city.
Right now I'm around 45 mpg highway depending on headwind and speed
and 35 city. It runs so good and the pipes and plugs look good along with oil temp
and head temps so I leave it alone and ride it no longer checking MPG.

 

I lost 2-3 Mpgs with my dk intake, rush pipes, and xied. If I drive nice tho, There isn't any difference in mileage at all.

 

I was getting 48-50 on my '07 1200 XLC before stage 1. Now, I'm averaging about 40-42. The bike runs much sweeter though. I used a PC3 instead of HD load a new map. I'm considering, however, replacing the PC-3 with a PV unit in hopes of improving the mileage and getting rid of my decel popping.

 

I don't have any popping at all and I woul certainly say is running better much more responsive and all that good stuff. But do you guys think the stage 1 map from hd is likely inferior to a map from xieds or something of the like? Because I've never had 50 might on my iron and because I see references to high mpg fairly frequently, that I've never seen on my bike at all.

 

A good Stage 1 should not decrease the MPG IF you ride the same as you did prior to the Stage 1.

A good Stage 1 can help the engine to run more efficiently, resulting in an increase of MPG.

A few things happen that can cause a decrease in MPG-

1. Playing with the extra power is the cause of a decrease in many instances

2. Using an HD Download is NOT going to help the bike run more efficiently...it is going to keep it at EPA mandated AFR which is too lean and is inefficient powerwise.
The better way to go is an XiED product (more info HERE) or a full tuner (more info HERE)

3. Inefficient exhaust set-up. Most aftermarket exhausts increase the engine pumping loss. Result is that more twisting of the throttle is needed in low and mid rpm range...equaling reduction in MPG. An inexpensive way to fix that is the Thunder Torque Inserts.

Once you have #2 and #3 taken care of....then you just need to decide if the fun of playing with the extra power is worth the reduction in MPG.