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2003 VTX1800R Power Commander and MPG

4.2K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  cycledude  
#1 ·
OK, I am completely new to this style of bike. My first bike was an '03 Sabre with V&H exhaust, nothing fancy. Sold it to upgrade to a bigger bike, the 1800R. Sabre got 44 MPG reliably. This VTX1800 is getting 30 MPG. The Power Commander download shows the following: 2002-2003 Honda VTX1800 Retro California model DG Hard Krome 3" Equalizer staggered straights, Hypercharger air box, Dynojet "O2" sensor eliminator kit. I am not interested in power, beating anyone of the line, racing, etc. I bought the bigger bike for my 6'4, 250lb frame and only interested in MPG as I prefer to cruise, hence I bought a cruiser. My question is how to get the most MPG. Do I return the bike to factory, taking off the Power Commander, Hypercharger, adding back the O2 sensors and replacing the exhaust? Any thoughts or ideas. I don't want to start removing only one thing and then having problems. What is the best combo for the bike for MPG with what I have? Factory MPG showed up to 38, which is where I would like to be. Thanks in advance.
 
#2 ·
Go here;

www.powercommander.com

Find a dyno shop near you and talk with the operator and tell them you want a "Best miles per gallon" map. They will put your bike on the dyno, shove an air/fuel sniffer in the exhaust to make sure the bike doesn't go too lean and make you a custom map for mileage. It will run you around $300
 
#5 ·
It is very rare when a second owner is given all of the original equipment that the
original owner replaced.
However, it is possible to find some OEM parts on E-bay and Craig's list.

My take on the hypercharger is that it brings air into the intake which is not
preheated by the engine. The stock airbox brings in air from between the
cylinders which gets a little pre-heated once the engine warms up.

Years ago, riding an early 1970s CB750, I would notice riding at night that if I rode
down a warm hillside into a cooler valley
that the engine seemed to gain a few ponies from the cooler air.

But the preheated air really only makes much of a difference
if you ride in the late autumn, winter and early spring.
If you are a rider who rides 12 months a year, then having the stock airbox will
allow the engine to run at the lower "warmed up" idle speed instead of the faster
'start-up' idle speed. But how often and how long are you sitting around at idle?
During the summer time, especially around OK City, it would make no difference,
the heated air coming off the asphalt is just as warm as the air from between the cylinders.
 
#7 ·
I’ve had the pc3 usb for some years now. I won’t get into the debate on using one or not using one. My mileage was 30 to 37 depending on how I ride. Earlier this year I got my first custom dyno tune. It helped my mileage greatly. I consistently get 40+ mpg highway and 37+ around town. My drivability greatly improved. It dyno’d out at 94 hp. Not bad for a stock ported air box with a k/n filter and Vh big shots. I know it is expensive getting one dyno’d, but if you can afford it, do it. You won’t be sorry.