Gas Mileage Question

[IndyGuy]

I took my 2011 Tri-Glide on its first extended road trip, 1100 miles, over the Labor Day weekend. It was me, my wife, and about 30 pounds of clothes and stuff.

The first 500 miles of the trip the bike averaged about 33 mpg, mostly interstate riding. And by the way, this is with the ECM update that is talked about in other threads.

For the remainder of the trip the bike averaged 27 mpg, again mostly riding on interstates. The only difference between the two legs of the trip is the fact that we made some purchases and added about 30 more pounds to the weight of the bike.

Can that extra weight really make that much difference in gas mileage, or could something else be going on? Also, before the ECM update, I was getting about 33 mpg, so it did not appear to make much difference (in a positive way).

 

[trikermutha]

I took my 2011 Tri-Glide on its first extended road trip, 1100 miles, over the Labor Day weekend. It was me, my wife, and about 30 pounds of clothes and stuff.

The first 500 miles of the trip the bike averaged about 33 mpg, mostly interstate riding. And by the way, this is with the ECM update that is talked about in other threads.

For the remainder of the trip the bike averaged 27 mpg, again mostly riding on interstates. The only difference between the two legs of the trip is the fact that we made some purchases and added about 30 more pounds to the weight of the bike.

Can that extra weight really make that much difference in gas mileage, or could something else be going on? Also, before the ECM update, I was getting about 33 mpg, so it did not appear to make much difference (in a positive way).

Lots of things can change your mileage. wind,hills,speeds,weight,tire pressure etc.

 

[eagle1]

the biggest mileage killer is how often you use the brakes. if you slow down useing the brakes waiting for a red light for instance. vs if you see ahead that the light is going to turn green, slow down instad of comming to a full stop the 2 sec. later start from a full stop. just a suggestion.

 

[1550vt]

My wife weighs around 110 pounds in the rain. It has never made any difference in whether she and her bags were with me or not. I never noticed any difference pulling the trailer either. Like others have said, wind has a lot to do with it...you're riding on a parachute. I pretty-much averaged around 31-32 at interstate speeds (75-ish) and could improve that greatly on up closer to 34-35 on the two-lanes at 55-60MPH. I seriously doubt that 30-pounds added to the total weight had much to do with it.

 

[trikermutha]

Oh did we all forget the great gas we are buying these days..That ethonol (Spelling) burns more gas than the more pure gas. Just my observation..I live in the city..

 

[Bikerbozo]

Wind & Ethenol. The 2 greatest threats. I can tell you that after adding the lift kit brackets ( tglidestuff.com , see add somewhere to right) that my mileage has gone up on average a couple of mpg.

 

[1550vt]

Biker....I never dispute another mans word and I believe what you say...BUT....never let them try to fool you into thinking adding chrome makes one go faster and get better mileage. Adding chrome only makes the cash-register ring at the Stealership.

 

[IndyGuy]

First of all, I don't disagree with anything that has been said so far. I do realize that this questions begs opinions versus facts. So here is a little more information.

I made 8 fuel stops on the trip. The mileage for each stop was: 32, 32, 35, 27, 30, 27, 27, and 28. The first 27 was after adding 30 pounds, interstate driving, no wind to speak of. The 30 was over two days with some city driving included. The remaining three were on I-70 eastbound from Kansas City on Labor Day and there was a pretty strong wind out of the north but not a headwind.

Also, I have been buying the highest octane gas that is available at the pump. Like I said, I know there is no definitive answer to be had. I just found it interesting that the constant between the higher mileage and lower was the added weight. Yet I don't believe that it should have made that much difference.

Also, on Monday, when I would combine miles driven with miles remaining per the odometer, I was barely getting 170 miles on a tank. That is 30 miles less than what I had been getting.

 

[Bikerbozo]

Biker....I never dispute another mans word and I believe what you say...BUT....never let them try to fool you into thinking adding chrome makes one go faster and get better mileage. Adding chrome only makes the cash-register ring at the Stealership.

Chrome? I don need no stinkin' chrome. The replacement brackets lift the rear of TG up 1.25". I find it handles better and it seems the wind flow is different. With 14 months and 22,000 miles I have enough gas stops to see patterns. :Joker3:

 

[RSW]

I'm new here, but two thing sticks out to me. One is where you buy your fuel at. If it is right off the interstate, you are getting the cheapest grade of gas there is. They don't waste any of the good additives because most customers are a one time deal. We use our local Maraton and get 3 to 5 mpg better because of the STP additives they use.

The other thing is using the highest octane fuel. I read a artical in Popular Mechanics one time that said you get more horsepower and fuel milage out of lower octane gas. They said that you should only use the higher octane if you were running higher compression. Also heard that the higher octane will also mess with your computer controlled timing. Just my random thoughts on it. Maybe play around with the grades and quality of gas you use.

 

[1550vt]

It's just a natural fact that you are not going to get good fuel mileage out of a heavy trike....we all know that. It's great to be able to milk another 2-3 MPG, but it won't help you a lot in the long run. Sometimes, you have no choice as to what you have to put into that gas tank. Some places out in the hinterland only have one grade of fuel....and it is not the good stuff either.

The thing to do is get an axillary tank in the trike, or carry a can full if you want to run with the 2-wheelers. You will sacrifice some storage capacity, but it's not all that hard to get a 2-gallon-ish axillary tank inside the tour pack on a Harley conversion, or TG. Some of the kit-makers offer this option, but there is no room for one under a TG and many other conversion kits. My little 1.8 gallon tank has saved my behind more than once.

 

[Alan Oakley]

With 15,000 on an 09 Wing with Motor Trike IRS, I have found that I never get better than 31 MPG while driving at 65 plus. My mileage increases by 2 or 3 per gallon if I keep it under 65. Just an observation. I rarely ride two up so my experience doesn't account for that kind of riding. Prior to the conversion I often got 38 plus but I sure am not complaining......ride safe

 

[sandrooney]

Just put gas in it when it needs it and ride. That kind of stuff will drive you nuts.
SR

 

[Paw Paw Willie]

You are right!!! 29.5, 30.4, 31.9---------- Does it matter?????!!!!!

 

[Bikerbozo]

It only matters to those of us that are A) Engineers, B) Obsessive-Compulsive, C) Anal Retentive or D) All of the above.:Joker3:

 

[pettifogger1]

It matters if you are getting 28 mpg and the nearest gas station is 175 miles away.

 

[Guido Gonzeaux]

It matters if you are getting 28 mpg and the nearest gas station is 175 miles away.

I would love to get 28 mpg. The best I have done so far is 24.6.

 

[Nana]

It only matters to those of us that are A) Engineers, B) Obsessive-Compulsive, C) Anal Retentive or D) All of the above.:Joker3:

OMG......... your poor, poor wife!!!!! :Trike1:

 

[cewhit1]

I use Mid grade in my 09 TG when temps are 75 and below, runs good and mpg is around 38-39 mpg. 75 and above, better use high grade because of ping. Low grade fuel burns quicker.

 

[eagle1]

govt just mandated E-15. we gotta watch out for it; as it bad news for bikes
see jeff hennie's article on E-15 in american iron mag. pg. 108.

 

[1550vt]

38-39 MPG! I don't doubt your math, but I have NEVER heard of any TG, or Conversion getting that kind of MPG. Maybe putting around at 50-60....but not at 70-75 mph..

What speeds are you averaging and what sort of roads are you riding on to get this almost 40-MPG.

 

[Gorilla]

38-39 MPG! I don't doubt your math, but I have NEVER heard of any TG, or Conversion getting that kind of MPG. Maybe putting around at 50-60....but not at 70-75 mph..

What speeds are you averaging and what sort of roads are you riding on to get this almost 40-MPG.

Hey VT I get 39 to 40 with my trike. 2007 Police Road King modified into a Road Glide with Champion Conversion, 103 motor S & S 510G cams, Big Sucker Air Filter, True Dual V & H exhaust, Power Commander with a DYNO tune just before Maggie Valley in June. If I keep my RPMs up around 2500 on NON-CORN fuel. Thats 65 MPH. Been doing it for the last 3000 miles. Around town in the Fl Keys it will drop down to 37 if I keep the RPMs up in the 2500 range in the lower gears. Right back to 39 to 40 on the road away from stop and go. Road to Key West from Key Largo and back in the Petersons poker run in September 201 miles on 5 gallons. I lose 2 MPG on 10%. I normally calculate my MPG every fill-up. If I ride with maintaining a RPM between 2000 and 2300 by shifting to soon the mileage goes down to 35 to 36 MPG.

 

[1550vt]

I stand corrected. You just don't hear about many getting that kind of average fuel mileage. I think 60-65 is the "break-point" where the parachute is deployed. If you put the sucker in-the-wind at 75...I don't think you could average that. My foot (hand) has always been a little heavy I guess.

I think all the roads down there in the Keys run down-hill anyway.

 

[Gorilla]

VT you are correct on the breaking point. Next time I ride a distance without my partner I will check the mileage at 75. My wife likes 65 so that's what I normally ride at. What's really nice here in the keys is that they are down hill both ways.

Also the big secret to the mileage is you have to keep thinking to keep the RPM's up in the sweat spot of 2300 to 2800 on my bike.

Ride safe brother.

 

[1550vt]

There is one particular 2-lane highway that runs between Naples to someplace down there. Runs across Alligator country. Anyway...I remember that road was severely crowned. I have never ridden a road that sloped to the edge that much before and after about 20-miles of it, my arms were hurting because I was having to ride with so much push the the left on the bars to keep the trike in the center of the lane.

Where are you going to find a place to run 75 down there anyway....in between the Keys, or will you will have to come up to Miami and hit the turnpike?

 

[Gorilla]

That road is US 41. It was recently repaved and is a very nice ride. I have my places to ride fast at, just not for any distance

 

[427dave]

I get 38-42 on my TriGLide Running 55-60 in Wisconsin where I can buy gas withOUT ethanol. I am back in Florida now and there are no stations in our area that do NOT have ethanol. So back to the 10% blend and the mileage is back to 32-36, pisses me off. I saw a NASCAR ad where the drivers said they ran ethanol blend because they got better mileage and horsepower. I do NOT understand that when ethanol has a lot less BTU content.

 

[morrishuckeba]

I just back off a 249 mile trip. I am not a aggressive driver I keep it with in the speed limit I live in the mountains about 1/2 of the trip was on flat land and 1/2 was in the mountains around 8000 feet. I am pleased with my mileage it averages 44.59 miles per gallon. The only thing I have put on my bike is a power commander, muffler and air cleaner it is a 07 ultra with a Roadsmith conversion.:wave4: