Fuel consumption

[kentiem]

My Harley's (1200 XL, EVO) were always very fuel efficient compared to Japan twins; I now find that my (fuel starved?) TC96 uses 25% more fuel then an EVO at slow touring trips (say 30-50mph through forests, mountains etc). Is this progress I wonder? At highway speeds the difference in fuel consumption is much smaller.
Could it be that the internal friction of the TC through the chain driven cams is much higher then that of the gear driven XL and EVO camshaft engines?
Has anyone experience with the effect of the S&S gear drive on fuel consumption, or any other explanation for this issue?

Kentiem
XL1200R, TC96

[lowrider01]

I have a 2001 FXDL with a tc 88,big bore kit (95) carb,thunderheader,i get 50-52 miles on hwy,city i get 38-42 ....




keep ur knees up rubber dwn

[BlueBob]

I'll be honest. I was a little disappointed with my fuel consumption when I traded up from a 1200 to TC96 too. I reckon I figured the added fuel capacity would really show, but it sure hasn't felt that way. Perhaps I should actually test the fuel economy sometime to see what it actually gets... especially now that I'm running a lot richer than I was two weeks ago.

[kentiem]

At moderate speeds my XL1200 runs some 20km/l vs 16.5km/l for the TC96; I guess thats some 48mpg vs 40 mpg, The question is why - I understand that a bigger engine will be less economical; but this is a hugh difference. I have to say that a friends Vulcan 1500CC has TC96 like fuel milage - he was always very frustrated with my EVO's low consumption when we fueled up after a tour.

Kentiem

I get 43 MPG on my FLHTI with the 95" conversion. I get 42 MPG on my 80" Evo FLST, with the high compression pistons, cam, carb, and ignition upgrades. The champ is the 07 XL1200L...54 MPG. Those mileages reflect a 50/50 split of highway and backroads.

Rick

[jmk713]

My '02 Lowrider...rejetted, pipes, and K&N consistantly returns 49 to 52 mpg in a mix of city/highway riding. Speeds vary up to 75 or so. Mostly in the 65 range however; plus no hole shots, burnouts etc. Do like to do top gear roll-ons though.

My 05 Springer is really good on fuel. It is close to stock. Did hole saw the rear out of the stock mufflers and did very slightly richen the idle mix, but ever around town with careful riding I get around 57 MPG.

Kitch in Zona

[milindh]

Hey Kentiam

I think that not only are the engines larger displacement but the newer bikes are getting heavier and heavier. Have you compared the weight of your TC bike vs. the Evo bike? I know some of the big baggers are up to 842 lbs. empty. It takes more wrist twistin' to get that much bacon shakin'.

Also, I think the ever tightening EPA restrictions are makng the engines less and less efficient power wise. They might put put out less emissions but they use more fuel to do it. Doesn't make much sense does it? Of course the EPA's mission is to reduce emissions and they don't care if they drop your gas mileage to 10 mpg as long as their mandated goals are met. It's the nature of narrow sighted agencies. I'm hoping Obama appoints Jesse James to head up the EPA....

[Wrightturn]

Hey Milindh,

I think you are on target with the EPA. Lean burn engines are a problem for air cooled engines. If it is Obama we can expect to miss our Air cooled Harleys along with our air cooled VWs that much sooner. Errors in the past do not mean they will get it right in the future. Why would I think the most liberal man in DC would help us ? Living in the great state of Florida that has no form of state inspection for any vehicle gives me hope. With all the integrity of a Fla election I always have hope.

[milindh]

I personally don't think there'll be much new coming out of the EPA. They already have all the regulations they need to outlaw just about every Harley on the road. However the enforcement of those regs is a state job. Out here in Kalifornia they would have to create laws and inspection stations to check non-compliant bikes and I don't think there is the political will or funds to take on all the bikers in Kali. That's my asessment anyway. This last year I bought my air cooled FXR4 (which is non-compliant all the way) over a nice Street Rod (my second choice) because I believed the older aircooled bikes would get a pass. I bet a pretty good chunk of cash on that belief.

What I do think we'll see more of is the EPA and CARB (out here in Kalifornia) going after the blatant EFI modifier makers like they did with the Power Commander. They also nailed Jesse James and some of the S.F. Bay Area custom bike builders. Big fines. Expect more of that. By the way, all these busts came while we have had a Republican US president and Republican Governor in Kalifornia. Those big agencies like the EPA and CARB have a life and will of their own. Presidents and governors come and go. Guvmint bureaucracies can often have a life all their own. Also the fact that the Guvenator (Swarzenegger) rides a tripped out Harley will keep us violators and outlaws safe for a while.