I guess that I'm about average, 31-34 mpg overall, I rarely do in town. My usual is hit the interstate in about 2-2 1/4 miles depending heading east or west, then maybe 6-30 miles to my destination. I do like to do some lake circling and that can vary the miles per significantly cause there's usually some one that wants to talk about their grand dad's sidecar, or how they would be able to get back into motorcycling again with one of those, or anyone that has one knows the etc.
Doc
'92 Harley FLHTC/TLE. Started out with stock motor and the S&S E carb that was on the solo bike when I bought it. Never got great mileage as a solo but with the sidecar was getting around 27 with a tailwind going downhill. Made some changes: lost the S&S and went back to the standard Kehin CV carb and a Screamin' Eagle air cleaner. Changed out the primary set and went from the old 1.44 to 1.54 ratio (good for 200 rpm). Also went with the Andrews sidecar/trike cam. Now I'm getting a consistent 36 mpg on the highway at 65-70 mph. I'm having to shift more to keep the revs in the sweet spot, but what the hey. Oh yeah, I'm running factory pipes and mufflers on the thing. I also added the Klockwerks WFB windscreen. I kid my buddy that the windscreen is good for an extra 5 mpg. With new tires front and rear, I might break into 37 or 38 mpg. Bear in mind, my rig is no starship in terms of acceleration, but who needs to go that fast anyway. The ride is the thing.
With my 2004 Ultra HD and TLE sidecar, I get 34-38 mpg depending on speed, wind, hills, etc. It gets 42-44 solo. It's fuel injected with only 2009 mufflers added for a slight additional roar.
With my GL1800/Escort rig I get 33-35 on the highway if I keep it below 65 MPH. In town I get about 25 to 30, depending on the roads.
well I can't leave well enouft alone, I've put a 16 tooth sprocket on my primary drive. Boy I sure got the power. But moved my rpm's up about 400 rpm's. Don't know what this has done to my gas milage yet but what every it is I'm staying with it for now for sure. Top end 85 mph, that's good for me. Now if my steer-rite will get hear I'm ready to go. You watch some Tureky will make me a offer I can't refuse now that I'm about to get thing just the way I wan't. Rudyr
rudyr - 6/16/2010 2:50 AM
well I can't leave well enouft alone, I've put a 16 tooth sprocket on my primary drive. Boy I sure got the power. But moved my rpm's up about 400 rpm's. Don't know what this has done to my gas milage yet but what every it is I'm staying with it for now for sure. Top end 85 mph, that's good for me. Now if my steer-rite will get hear I'm ready to go. You watch some Tureky will make me a offer I can't refuse now that I'm about to get thing just the way I wan't. Rudyr
What brand of motorcycle?
gnm109 - 6/16/2010 9:09 AM
rudyr - 6/16/2010 2:50 AM
well I can't leave well enouft alone, I've put a 16 tooth sprocket on my primary drive. Boy I sure got the power. But moved my rpm's up about 400 rpm's. Don't know what this has done to my gas milage yet but what every it is I'm staying with it for now for sure. Top end 85 mph, that's good for me. Now if my steer-rite will get hear I'm ready to go. You watch some Tureky will make me a offer I can't refuse now that I'm about to get thing just the way I wan't. Rudyr
What brand of motorcycle?
I would all so like to know this.
rudyr's tug is a Triumph America with a Texas Ranger sidecar, if I recall correctly
Lee
MB5+TW200+CRF250L+GTV300+INT650
XL883R w/Texas Ranger Sidecar
Zuma 50F + Burgman w/Texas Sidecar<Mrs. SwampFox
His gas mileage is going to suffer, I would guess around 5 mpg or more drop based on the engine sprocket change. This is the opposite of the direction I went with my tug. Here in SoCal, I put on more freeway miles than anything else, so I was looking for less acceleration and better fuel economy. And I just realized I got the ratios backwards in my previous post. I went from a 24/37 combination for ratio of 1.54 to 25/36 for a ratio of 1.44. While I did have a reduction in acceleration as a result of the primary ratio change, I consider it acceptable given the overall improvement in gas mileage. I spent about $210 for my carb, air cleaner, clutch basket, engine sprocket and cables. As I am getting an extra 40-50 miles per tank, at $3.00/gal., my return on investment hits at about the 70th tank of gas or maybe less, probably by the end of this summer. Not a bad investment.
dunesie - 6/16/2010 10:23 AM
His gas mileage is going to suffer, I would guess around 5 mpg or more drop based on the engine sprocket change. This is the opposite of the direction I went with my tug. Here in SoCal, I put on more freeway miles than anything else, so I was looking for less acceleration and better fuel economy. And I just realized I got the ratios backwards in my previous post. I went from a 24/37 combination for ratio of 1.54 to 25/36 for a ratio of 1.44. While I did have a reduction in acceleration as a result of the primary ratio change, I consider it acceptable given the overall improvement in gas mileage. I spent about $210 for my carb, air cleaner, clutch basket, engine sprocket and cables. As I am getting an extra 40-50 miles per tank, at $3.00/gal., my return on investment hits at about the 70th tank of gas or maybe less, probably by the end of this summer. Not a bad investment.
Your said your bike is an 80" 1992 FL. That gearing would make you around 3.15:1. I had that on my 88" 2004 HD FL when I got it. I didn't like haveing to run in 4th gear below 60 mph.
Make sure that you don't lug your engine with that gearing....
dunesie - 6/16/2010 10:23 AM
His gas mileage is going to suffer, I would guess around 5 mpg or more drop based on the engine sprocket change. This is the opposite of the direction I went with my tug. Here in SoCal, I put on more freeway miles than anything else, so I was looking for less acceleration and better fuel economy. And I just realized I got the ratios backwards in my previous post. I went from a 24/37 combination for ratio of 1.54 to 25/36 for a ratio of 1.44. While I did have a reduction in acceleration as a result of the primary ratio change, I consider it acceptable given the overall improvement in gas mileage. I spent about $210 for my carb, air cleaner, clutch basket, engine sprocket and cables. As I am getting an extra 40-50 miles per tank, at $3.00/gal., my return on investment hits at about the 70th tank of gas or maybe less, probably by the end of this summer. Not a bad investment.
Your said your bike is an 80" 1992 FL. That gearing would make you around 3.15:1. I had that on my 88" 2004 HD FL when I got it. I didn't like having to run in 4th gear below 60 mph.
Make sure that you don't lug your engine with that gearing....
Why running in a lower gear if necessary do you think is so bad even if for miles. I am sure many running around town do not ever see high gear. Many times in the mountains even with my solo I never see high gear for miles. This is why motorcycles have more then on gear. Now I do see if first is so high it constantly puts a strain on the engine and drive train. I will say many times gearing is personal preference. Not trying to start a flame just making conversation.
I do a lot more shifting, and I mean a lot more, as a result of the gear change. I'm turning about 3000 RPM at 70 MPH with the newer gearing. HD went to the new primary ratio in '96 and I have heard complaints from late EVO and TC riders about more shifting and not always being able to get into 5th or 6th gear. My buddy with a new Tri-Glide complains he doesn't get into 6th when riding at 65 mph because it lugs the engine. The big thing is to know where is the sweet spot (for my rig, betwee 2100 and 2700 for the best pull in all gears. If I'm turning less than 2100, I drop down a gear. On some long hills, I'll be in going back and forth between 4th and 5th to keep the revs in the right place. Is it a pain? Sometimes, but the nearly 30% improvement in fuel economy is worth it.
Now, go take a look at my "I can't drive 55..." post and let's get that discussion going.
I have not installed my rig yet but I have gone to a Backer DD6. Yes I am doing a lot more shifting but I am now turning less RPM at 80 then I use to at 70. If I did not like to shift then I would by a old Hondamatic. LOL I do a good bit of running in fifth but that is why it has more then one gear. Now when I put my rig on might have to change the engine sprocket.
ratcollector - 4/22/2010 7:53 PM
new to hacks, finally got it on and have been puttin on some miles. I used to get 40 on the old cb750 but now with the hack it's all the way down to 31. it was pretty windy but that was quite the drop. what are some of you getting out there. I have an old csc friendship 1
Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad 1700 alone was 36-37 MPG. Adding a Hannigan Astro GT sidecar dropped it to 30-32 mpg.
