Fuel Economy

[CruisingMale]

(':explode:')

I took my first long distance ride last week and am very disappointed in the fuel economy.  The valkyrie standard is perfect in every other way for me.  

Has anyone thought about changing the final drive gear ratio?  Is there a kit available?  Digging into the transmission is way too complicated.

I am getting about 25 to 30 mpg at 80 to 95 mph.  and 35 mpg under 65 mph.

I might as well be in a cage!

:flamer:

[Valker]

Originally posted by CruisingMale
I am getting about 25 to 30 mpg at 80 to 95 mph.  and 35 mpg under 65 mph.
I might as well be in a cage!

That is about average for the fuel economy on a Valk. I do get high 40s to low 50s when I am just cruising through the mountains at 50 and below though. If fuel mileage is a really high priority, and you won't be happy without it, I'd look at other bikes. I ride with several friends who have Harleys. If we are out of the mountains, they get better mileage than me.
I also have a 250 Ninja (55-95 mpg) and a Reflex scooter (50-70 mpg). I have 86K miles on the Valk, 7K on each of the other two.

[livestm]

That your not riding a 99 tourer trike I average about 23 over 70 with 2 up
BUT ITS MUCH BETTER THAN A CAGE ANYTIME

[lweekswi]

I have a Trigger Wheel on my Interstate - went from average 36 both Interstate/State Hiways, and under 75mph  to 43 - best I've had is 47.

Gas here right now is between $2.43(Walmart) and just tonite saw $2.53 for regular unleaded... mid-grade obviously more.. ugh...

Going for a ride on the Pig Trail tomorrow, one of my favorites (so far).

[timk519]

Originally posted by CruisingMale
I am getting about 25 to 30 mpg at 80 to 95 mph.  and 35 mpg under 65 mph.

I might as well be in a cage!

That sounds about right. On my 4K mile trip Ontario - Florida and back - I generally got in the 40MPG range doing ~70 MPH, and in the 50s when I was running down the Skyline Drive / Blue Ridge Parkway around 50MPH.

Go much higher than 70 MPH, and the mileage will drop significantly.

As for "might as well be in a cage" - well, if you're just looking to go from "A" to "B" with the best gas mileage, get a Jetta TDI. I've got a '99 and it does about 700 miles for about $50 CDN, which isn't bad considering my I/S only does ~500 miles for the same price.

But the I/S is a heck of a lot more fun, so it wins every time!

[MrBones]

I don't get all that great, about 35 average. But i get alot more smiles per gallon than alot that i have rode. So it boils down to what is more important to you milage or smilage. I before this bike never had one that never made under 50 mpg. Lots of Goldwings. But will never trade my Valk for anything.

Your choice, I made mine.

Jack  

[Bent]

Recently added a K&N air filter, my fuel mileage is definitely better but
I notice my rear tire isn't wearing as fast either  Hmmmmmm strange coincidence???

[MP]

Originally posted by CruisingMale
I am getting about 25 to 30 mpg at 80 to 95 mph.  and 35 mpg under 65 mph.

I might as well be in a cage!

That sounds about right. On my 4K mile trip Ontario - Florida and back - I generally got in the 40MPG range doing ~70 MPH, and in the 50s when I was running down the Skyline Drive / Blue Ridge Parkway around 50MPH.

Go much higher than 70 MPH, and the mileage will drop significantly.

As for "might as well be in a cage" - well, if you're just looking to go from "A" to "B" with the best gas mileage, get a Jetta TDI. I've got a '99 and it does about 700 miles for about $50 CDN, which isn't bad considering my I/S only does ~500 miles for the same price.

But the I/S is a heck of a lot more fun, so it wins every time!

+1 on the Jetta TDI!  Beats my valk all the time.

Your valk sounds about right, at those high speeds.

MP

[mello dude]

(':explode:')

I took my first long distance ride last week and am very disappointed in the fuel economy.  The valkyrie standard is perfect in every other way for me.  

Has anyone thought about changing the final drive gear ratio?  Is there a kit available?  Digging into the transmission is way too complicated.

I am getting about 25 to 30 mpg at 80 to 95 mph.  and 35 mpg under 65 mph.

I might as well be in a cage!

:flamer:

Yup, The standard is a fantastic ride, but with 6 carbs its a gas hog. Not much can be done with it. I did notice that my mileage went up when I went from dino oil to Mobil one synth oil.

[MP]

Nothing available on the final ratio.  Actually would not do much good anyway.
Wind resistance is about 90% of the fuel economy.  Keep under 65, and it is pretty good.  As you open it up, 6 hungry mouths need feeding, and your drag is going waaayyyy up!

I say this with a smile, but if your only reason for buying a valk is fuel economy, you screwed up!  LOL   

Enjoy it for what it is.  A beautiful, unique, crowd gathering, fun to ride, fire breathing dragon!

If you need something that gets 50+ mpg at 85 mph, you need to trade bikes!

MP

[cookiedough]

Avg. 33 mpg going 62-65 mph and if I baby it going 55 mph, I can see 38mpg tops, but never have seen that 40 mpg mark.  Worst was 30 mpg.  Still better than my tundra that gets 17 mpg and almost just as good as my 4 cylinger Corolla getting 35 mpg at twice the smiles per mile -    Can't complain at all about that.  My 1984 Honda Magna never saw over 38 mpg either so at twice the CC's and 300lbs. heavier, I can deal with only a 4-5 mpg loss in fuel economy.
HD's may get above 40 mpg, but at twice the price, not worth it being less powerful, more costly, and tons more rumble/vibration - not my style.
Sorry, no mods really to see over 40 mpg in my opinion unless going crazy slow at 40 mph all the time = no fun at all.

[timk519]

Installing a "dial-a-jet" kit'll get you better HP and MPG, and it solves the 'over-lean' condition caused by rolling on the throttle on the interstate in 5th gear when you go to pass.

[Challenger]

I know every one likes to whine about the MPG of their Valks, I've said it before and here it is again, I ride with three HD's alot, Two softails and a road glide, When we stop for gas we all take within a pint of each other. The HD's have the standard pipes & power commander upgrades. The difference is they have to find the 92 or better fuel at usually 10 cents more a gallon, I love the way my Valks run and would not trade that for a couple of MPG. Ride and be happy! 

[grover]

I usually get 32-36mpg around town, which is where I do most of my riding.  I've had thumpers in the past that get 70+ mpg, but I still prefer to ride the valk. 

[Colin]

Gas here right now is between $2.43(Walmart) and just tonite saw $2.53 for regular unleaded... mid-grade obviously more.. ugh...

Hey guys don't complain about your gas prices here in Spain a US gallon of regular unleaded (95 octane and no ethanol) is the equivalent of 6.17$ today. 

You don't know how lucky you are, here in the mountains on the twisty stuff I seldom get more than about 29 to the gallon BUT I enjoy every minute of my rides.