You should expect in 40 the way you describe your riding style I get 32 to 35 actual mileage ( not HD Trip meter) but always going 80 plus MPH. HD odometer and trip meter are 2 to 4% off so if you calculate your mileage looking at that then your mileage is even worse.

 

I'll have to search it, just can't wrap my head around changing all the gear ratios to make 6th more useful.


That's what made me ask about the main drive gear, which if I remember right is sixth gear, like the other options, change one change all.


Thanks

 

with a stock 103 (especially pre2014), anything below 65 and maybe even more like 70 you shouldn't be in 6th gear. you are probably running somewhere around 2000rpms. HD will tell you to run at more like 3000-3200. put some 255 cams (or other similar torque cam) and you can get by with that 65mph even better. Like above said, lugging the motor is not good for your mileage and you are developing carbon build up.

you can see in my sig all my mods, and with that i never get below 35mpg and mostly i get anywhere from 38-45. so hard to determine if your bad mileage is the lugging, maybe a bad tune, or some of both. next time out, try keeping your bike in that 2800-3200 rpm range and see what happens. you don't need to go on a 1000+ mile trip to check it either. you should be able to tell on a 150 or so mile trip.

 

I have a 13' CVO Ultra, 110 with Rinehart XT True Duals and it has been tuned and dyno'ed.
My friend has a '10 Ultra and it's been upgraded to a 103with V&H's and it has also been tuned and dyno'ed.


We travel between 70-75 MPG and we bet between 39-40 MPG's, and we're usually within 1 or 2 10ths of a gallon of gas at fuel stops.


I don't watch my MPH for shift changes but instead RPM's.
I usually shift at 2500 RPM's on flat roads, I'll run in 6th gear at 2200 RPM's on a flat roadway if the engine doesn't appear to be struggling.


It seems to me that mileage starts to decline above 2800 RPM's.

 

6000mile '15 RGS + 4" RCX slip-ons + PM SuperGas + Stage1 + SoCal 91-octane + 80mph indicated + 3100rpms indicated = 33~36mpg indicated

75mph = 38mpg

70mph = 40mpg

65mph = 42mpg

These are my observations...My mileage may vary.

I hope FuelMoto+PV2+download will increase hp/tq/mpg at the same mph indicated.

 

Man i get crappy mileage compared to most of you guys. I have a totally stock bike except for some slip on mufflers and i average 32-35 mpg i do ride on the faster side. I usually run 80 -85 on the hwy with an occasional 90+, but most of the time im right at 3000 to 3100 rpm....its a 13 flhtk

 

6th gear is great out West where speed limits start at 65, 70 is common and actual speeds are sometimes even faster. Solo mixed two lane and freeway for me is 43mpg with Fuel Moto headers, jackpots, stage 1, and power vision. Loaded, pushing over 75, 38 mpg is common. Riding into 20 knot winds all day, 34 mpg has happened.

I agree with earlier posts that 55 is barely okay on the level just cruising no load on the engine, no hills not wind, but any load on the bike is a direct load on the engine. Bump your rpms up (stay in 5th at 55) so the engine is not working so hard and you may find you get better MPG with the tune you have now. Also, your plugs will stay cleaner.

 

40-41 mpg from Oklahoma to Florida at 85-90.mph. I am 6'1"/285

 

Was told by my mechanic that using 6th gear below 65mph causes premature wear on the plastic shoes because of chain slap. I dont shift into 6th till I'm close to 70mph. I'm getting 46mpg average on my 08 RK solo riding with 40/40 (I'm 300lbs btw)

 

You had a good tailwind, obviously.


OP, were you experiencing a lot of head and cross winds? Fully loaded down with luggage and camping gear, I average between 38-42mpg overall. When cruising at 80mph + on interstates, loaded down, Im usually around 36-38 and then if there are strong winds I will be lucky to get 34-35.


That's on a fully stock 103 streetglide with a TP.

Today, on backroads and mountain roads, I averaged 48 mpg.