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Disappointing Fuel Mileage

2K views 16 replies 13 participants last post by  phoenixsteve 
#1 ·
Well, got the first full tank through the Wee. This is the '09 model I picked up a month ago. I got 44.99 mpg. A little disappointed since the Harley was pulling 43 mpg. So how much does the cold weather really affect gas mileage? I hope between freezing temps and letting her idle in the mornings that that is what caused me to get lower than expected mileage. Time will tell. Today's ride to work was 20 miles at 22 degrees F. Tired of waiting for Spring so I am riding!
 
#2 ·
What kind of riding are you doing? Highways at 75 MPH or backroads in third gear at 7,000 RPM?

As far as being weather-related, it's the winter gasoline formula that kills your MPG's.
 
#3 ·
My last few tanks have ranged from 49-51 MPG.

In summer my average is in mid to upper 50s. I've seen 60.x MPG once - in mid summer last year while making some fairly long daily commutes to a hospital.

So yeah, I'm seeing a lot of difference from winter to summer. Approaching 10 MPG difference.

I rarely exceed 60 miles per hour as I spend no time on interstate highways.
 
#6 ·
I'vw posted it previously, but here is a graph or 5 years of riding my 2006 DL650.:



You can clearly see the lower fuel mileage at the beginning and end of the seasons when the weather is much colder. Temperature and high speeds have huge effects on mileage. The short duration fluctuations relate to highway riding vs taking it easy and some of the clumps of higher milege spikes are when on road trips into the USA where I was taking it easier.. I also graphed fuel mileage compared to temperature and the two tracked together well

..Tom
 
#9 ·
My '07 ABS Wee averages mid-50' for fuel mileage. I cruise the highway at around 65, seldom over 70, but when I do get above that for awhile, it really screws the mileage.
 
#12 ·
Thanks for all the replies. It made me think that this first tank definitely involved long warm ups and alot of stop and go as I would take it out through the neighborhood long enough to allow it to reach operating temperature. Sounds like I really haven't given it a fair shake. I can only hope that I get at least 10% more once the temps warm up. I will report back then.

In the meantime, I gotta go find my shotgun. I am gonna blow a lying groundhog's head off!
 
#13 ·
Well, 10" more snow coming tonight but I did manage to put another tank of gas through the Wee. I was able to open her up a little more on more open roads and I got 49.2 mpg on this one. Feeling better because that sounds more like what other Stromtroopers are reporting. Or at least closer to the averages. Enjoy it if your weather is allowing you to ride today and be safe.
 
#14 ·
...was able to open her up a little more on more open roads and I got 49.2 mpg on this one...
Sounds completely normal to me for this time of year.
 
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