OK... with diesel prices rising towards the sun and my 6 mile thru town drive to work, the 14 MPG is getting out of hand. Might go up to 16ish once we get done with winter blend, but still.... Time to look seriously at a bike again after our brief flirtation with getting one back in January.

What kind of mileage - no kidding conservative numbers - are you guys seeing on your Harleys? Still looking at a Duece, but that new Street Rod is nice, too. 'Course, I probably can't get one of those any time soon.

Wondering if it's worth the premium for the Harley over something less expensive. I don't plan on dumping tons of money into it for custom this and that, just riding it!

So, what are your mileage numbers? Thanks!

 

The mileage on a H-D will vary just like any other vehicle.
I can get 40+ on the road, or 20 around town. It all depends on how much you twist the wick.
If I were you, I'd find a "beater" bike to ride back and forth that you wouldn't have to worry all day about someone stealing.
I bought a used Yamaha XS 850 several years ago for $600, rode it for 3 years, then sold for $600.
Had a lot of fun on that bike 'cuz I knew that even if I totaled it, I wasn't out too much.
My H-Ds.....different story.
I'll still have fun on 'em........just not to the same outer limits.

 

I'm doing good to get 40mpg on the highway with my 1990 FXSTS (Springer). Upper 20's around town. All this running on regular unleaded.
I believe the newer Revolution motors require premium fuel.

MikeyB

 

I commute with my '02 yamaha vstar 1100. It's not a 17k road king and it's not a 600 dollar beater. Somewhere in between. I stay under 60 mph on my commute and get 50 mpg consistantly (hand calc). The owners manual suggests 87 octane. I've had it across the country and back twice now and up on the big roads (75mph+) it drops to 40-42 mpg. She'll definitely see some miles this season---#2 was spotted at 2.42/gallon today ride safe. ride often.
greg

 

buy a moped... I had one when I was 14, used a $.70 worth of gas a day and I was on it ALL day..

 

Joel,
In Newport (spring and summer traffic) you will see 20-25 mpg with the Harley. I'm in Narragansett and had a 77 FLH for years and that's what I was getting in Newport. However if your riding the back roads (i.e Ocean Dr. ect....) you will see mid 30's. But the fact that you are attending the war college, you will most likely be driving downtown. Any bike under 750cc would be ideal. And it's easier on the wallet.
Good luck
Odie

 

Had a 95 evo softall got like 20 in town 35 hyway last bike was a stroked and bored shovel to 98in got like 12 in town and mabe 22 hyway.

 

My 95 dresser carburated got 38 mpg at best 20 in town. My 2000 Road King fuel inj. would get 50 hwy & 35 in town.

 

Just sold my Buell S3T (1203 cc) - 40 mpg combined city/hwy and 47 to 51 hwy
22k miles and only problem was a Borla exhaust that broke (they replaced it no questions asked)

Loved the Buell but the wife wanted a road sofa so we ended up with a 02 Goldwing (1800 cc). Great bike but does not "speak" to me like my previous Harleys and the Buell. The wing gets about 38 combined city/hwy and 40 to 43 hwy

Hi way speeds for all MPGs were/are 75-80+ I am sure I could do better if I slowed down but what fun would that be?

Do not just go for a smaller cc bike for better MPG as some of the hot ones (yes, I admit to having a couple of plasitc bikes) ude lots of fuel. The key is (IMHO) lower RPM and plenty of torque to get the job done with RPMing the pee out of it.

Ride safe and enjoy riding!

 

Our blast got 70ish. 150ish miles on about 2.8 gal. It was carb'd. A single cylinder 498cc. Nice short distance commuter bike. Sold that for our 2003 XB9R. Only have a little over 1K miles, so no real mpgs. But its avertised to get around 50. Purty peppy too.

 

I get around 33 with my 92 Tour Glide. Going to replace the carb in a couple of weeks to see if I can increase it a bit.

 

The BaldHog get about 35 around town, and when the sun is out and the bugs are out, you can't be doing this

 

my 02 fxdwg wideglide got 44 on my last trip to oragonand in town its never the same cuz i always have to hear the roar but i think its 28+-

 

My custom 113 ci motor gets 20-25 in town about 27 on the open road and 10 mpg when I twist the wick.....my 79 FLH gets 23-30 mpg over all with a modified engine

 

My old Honda 750 made mincemeat of 114 and Defense Highway(?) on the way in from Portsmouth. Back then I never worried about gas mileage; just filled it up when I hit reserve. Prolly mid - low 40's.

I'm not into the chromosexual thing; but would expect a new HD fuelie to return about 40mpg in normal riding (all things being relative).

Most of the big 4 cylinder bikes are around 40 mpg as well.

Just like in our trucks; playing with the throttle can skew the results.