HD Trike gas milage

Woodsman · Mar 3rd, 2009, 12:29 PM

I took my trike for a little romp the other day, about 250 mi. Most of this was on freeways, kept it at the speed limit, 70 mph. I did this just to check the gas milage, and for some bike time of course, I averaged 29.6 mpg. WAY off of what they advertise. What kind of mpg is everyone else getting?

The HD site says 48 highway, 33 city.

biglew55 · Mar 3rd, 2009, 11:13 PM

I was getting 39 from my bone stock 96" even though they advertised 54. Not a trike, but gives you an idea.

Woodsman · Mar 3rd, 2009, 11:45 PM

On my 08 FLHT I averaged around 36, city and highway.

NEWHD74FAN · Mar 4th, 2009, 01:51 AM

Intuitively, because there is more road friction, aerodynamics and weight issues with a trike being physically greater, I would not expect nearly as good fuel mileage as the equivalent two wheeler in a straight line.

Add to that, when turning, the trike' rear wheels tend to scrub off the speed and losses would go to the rear end differential and oil frictional as heat, as well as...how strong your right wrist action is. As for OEM vs EPA published mileage, both are done under controlled road and limited vehicle operatng conditions and always better than actual...

zoood · Mar 4th, 2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWHD74FAN

Intuitively, because there is more road friction, aerodynamics and weight issues with a trike being physically greater, I would not expect nearly as good fuel mileage as the equivalent two wheeler in a straight line.

Add to that, when turning, the trike' rear wheels tend to scrub off the speed and losses would go to the rear end differential and oil frictional as heat, as well as...how strong your right wrist action is. As for OEM vs EPA published mileage, both are done under controlled road and limited vehicle operatng conditions and always better than actual...

I wonder how mine will pan out. Ive 1993 EGC. When 2 wheeled, I was getting 245 miles before reserve on a 5 gallon tank.
RJ

Mattman4403 · Mar 4th, 2009, 09:38 AM

I think the estimates on mileage from harley are done with that elusive 180 pound rider on a downhill run with a tailwind. With stage one and SERT on my 04 two up we averaged out to 36. On the 08 stock 96 we run out at 42

Retrop · Mar 4th, 2009, 10:35 AM

I don't think many folks get anywhere near what the MOCO publically advertises for miles per gallon. In my case the only way I can get near 50 mpg is to push it down an empty mine shaft.

Woodsman · Mar 4th, 2009, 06:34 PM

I knew the mpg would be down but I was hoping for low to mid 30's. That whole trip I consiciously tried to keep my right wrist from its normal twisting action.

leapfreak · Mar 4th, 2009, 08:42 PM

I'm somewhere between 25 and 30mpg on mine. I really haven't done a precise check yet as I only have 400 miles on the bike and I consider it still in the breaking-in phase. But with a super race tuner - stage one kit - Reinhart dual slip-on's - well - I don't think I'm going to be anywhere near the 42mpg I had on my Heritage Classic. If I stay close to 30 then I will be happy.

trikerman · Mar 10th, 2009, 04:57 PM

Here's a picture of my Road King Classic which I had triked 18months ago, before it was triked I got 50mpg, since the conversion I only get 33mpg. A friend of mine who had is Road King triked with a different company gets 43mpg.

John

Mar 3rd, 2009, 12:29 PM	#1
Woodsman Start The Engine Ride: 2009 Tri-Glide Join Date: Feb 27th, 2008 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 28	HD Trike gas milage I took my trike for a little romp the other day, about 250 mi. Most of this was on freeways, kept it at the speed limit, 70 mph. I did this just to check the gas milage, and for some bike time of course, I averaged 29.6 mpg. WAY off of what they advertise. What kind of mpg is everyone else getting? The HD site says 48 highway, 33 city.

Mar 3rd, 2009, 11:13 PM	#2
biglew55 Community Guru Ride: 2009 FLHX Join Date: Oct 1st, 2008 Location: IA Posts: 2,151 My Mood:	Re: HD Trike gas milage I was getting 39 from my bone stock 96" even though they advertised 54. Not a trike, but gives you an idea. __________________ "Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die tomorrow." - James Dean Ride it hard and ride it far!

Mar 3rd, 2009, 11:45 PM	#3
Woodsman Start The Engine Ride: 2009 Tri-Glide Join Date: Feb 27th, 2008 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 28	Re: HD Trike gas milage On my 08 FLHT I averaged around 36, city and highway.

Mar 4th, 2009, 01:51 AM	#4
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 3,716 My Mood:	Re: HD Trike gas milage Intuitively, because there is more road friction, aerodynamics and weight issues with a trike being physically greater, I would not expect nearly as good fuel mileage as the equivalent two wheeler in a straight line. Add to that, when turning, the trike' rear wheels tend to scrub off the speed and losses would go to the rear end differential and oil frictional as heat, as well as...how strong your right wrist action is. As for OEM vs EPA published mileage, both are done under controlled road and limited vehicle operatng conditions and always better than actual... __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<<

Mar 4th, 2009, 09:38 AM	#6
Mattman4403 Play The Throttle Ride: 2008 Ultra Join Date: Nov 6th, 2008 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 299 My Mood:	Re: HD Trike gas milage I think the estimates on mileage from harley are done with that elusive 180 pound rider on a downhill run with a tailwind. With stage one and SERT on my 04 two up we averaged out to 36. On the 08 stock 96 we run out at 42 __________________ Change is the only constant.

Mar 4th, 2009, 10:35 AM	#7
Retrop Warming The Wheels Join Date: Aug 21st, 2008 Posts: 142 My Mood:	Re: HD Trike gas milage I don't think many folks get anywhere near what the MOCO publically advertises for miles per gallon. In my case the only way I can get near 50 mpg is to push it down an empty mine shaft.

Mar 4th, 2009, 06:34 PM	#8
Woodsman Start The Engine Ride: 2009 Tri-Glide Join Date: Feb 27th, 2008 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 28	Re: HD Trike gas milage I knew the mpg would be down but I was hoping for low to mid 30's. That whole trip I consiciously tried to keep my right wrist from its normal twisting action.

Mar 4th, 2009, 08:42 PM	#9
leapfreak Warming The Wheels Ride: 2008 Ultra Classic w/Motor Trike Kit Join Date: Jan 6th, 2007 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 145	Re: HD Trike gas milage I'm somewhere between 25 and 30mpg on mine. I really haven't done a precise check yet as I only have 400 miles on the bike and I consider it still in the breaking-in phase. But with a super race tuner - stage one kit - Reinhart dual slip-on's - well - I don't think I'm going to be anywhere near the 42mpg I had on my Heritage Classic. If I stay close to 30 then I will be happy.

Mar 10th, 2009, 04:57 PM	#10
trikerman Warming The Wheels Ride: 2000 Road King Classic flhrci Trike Join Date: Sep 17th, 2007 Location: Stoke on Trent, England Posts: 52 My Mood:	Re: HD Trike gas milage Here's a picture of my Road King Classic which I had triked 18months ago, before it was triked I got 50mpg, since the conversion I only get 33mpg. A friend of mine who had is Road King triked with a different company gets 43mpg. John __________________ I'm on the road to nowhere

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HD Trike gas milage

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