The best I ever got on mine...while riding very slow and timid while breaking in a new piston/cylinder was 62 mpg.

I normally get around 55 mpg.

On aggressive rides in the mountains it can drop to 45 mpg.

If you ride around in a lot of STOP/Go traffic - or at 70+ mph on the highway for extended periods, or you have a big windshield and saddlebags.....your mileage won't be great.  

You need to stop for gas every 100 miles.........unless you like walking!

I was driving to the store just the other night and spotted a bike on the side of the road with the flashers going. I asked the stranded rider (guy about 25 years old) if he needed help. He said "I ran out of fuel" I said "jump in, I'll take you for gas".

He had just picked up the bike (2017 Harley Sportster) and the dealer told him he could go 200 miles on a tank. I asked how far did ya get? He said 120 miles. I asked "did the dealer give you the bike with a full tank?" his reply...."I don't know, I just assumed they did". Do you have a fuel gauge on that bike? "No just a low fuel light" How long has it been on I asked. "Oh, about 40-50 miles."

I said, "now you know"

Not bad. My Sportster went dead @ 32 miles.

I get a pretty consistent 60 mpg - but I am not an "aggressive" rider, nor do I do much interstate-type riding.  No windshield.  Not a lot of stop-n-go either.

Here is what I do:  I take about 10 layers of clear tape and put them on my speedo so I can "peel" off one at a time.  Then every time I fill up the tank, I use a Sharpie to note the miles of odometer on top layer of tape.  I then get almost exactly 135 miles before I have to go to reserve, and after that I will go up to 160 miles before I completely run out!  I did the check on this two times to verify so I can trust it.  I am also outfitted with the Raptor petcock.

I also carry along two 32oz. Gatorade bottles of gas in my left saddlebag.  That gives me an extra 1/2 gallon in an emergency.

I ride a lot of unknown roads up through upper South Carolina and Western North Carolina and who knows when the next gas station will come along!

Happy trails!

MMRanch wrote on 09/30/17 at 18:02:14:



Are you still running on the LEAN side ?

mileage is a relative thing ,unless you have a gps speedo and your careful to refill the tank to the same level each time ,I doubt you'll be able to tell what mileage your really getting.Rear tire size and wear,and the stock speedo will all make the mileage read higher.