how to improve mileage vtx 1800

that's about it... slow down, go easy with the right wrist...

Trade it in on a vespa.

X'N said:

Trade it in on a vespa.

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leave one of the Hooter girls at home ...




naaaaaaaaaah ... that's just crazy talk!

i have been getting 37 consistently driving around town with a bit of free way and i drive conservatively and let the torque carry the motor and stay out of the hp area. i also dont race traffic or people at lights. i just cruise.

I get 39-40, sometimes 42 on freeway unless I hammer it above 70 on the freeway. My set up is 2002 Retro with HPP, high flow airbox (guy was in Mich and passed away) and HK 2-1 Xcelerators. In town I get 34-36. 8) #

NSTG8R license on the way!

I used to get 36mpg, sinc i put on the V&H bigshots and K&N airfilter I was able to get 39 to 40 mpg. But I ahve also ran into days where i went back to 36mpg. So it maybe getting better gas mileage at the higher RPMs because it breathes better or My riding habits changed a little due to different sounds and power. No power commander, and I did the desmog mod.

jagular said:

There are lots of variables to consider. I have windscreen, Leatherlyke bags, aftermarket pipes, Lindby bar, aftermarket seats, so the bike itself is heavier than stock. I drive predominantly highway miles, so my mileage is very good, around 45 MPG sometimes 47 MPG.

So, how do I do it?

I lost weight myself (I'm down to 165 lbs.).

I don't go over 5 MPH of the posted speed limit.

I leave and stop gently.

I typically go into work (which is 46 miles away) on the highway and I go in late (around 9 AM) and go home late (around 6:30 PM) to avoid stop and start traffic.

Hope this helps.

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I would bet you have a PowerCommander... try removing it... I would bet your gas mileage would improve.

I have an S&S airbox w/ K&N filter, Roadhouse slipons... no PCIII... W/S... bags... and fully loaded 2 up and I get mid to high 40's mpg on highway @ 70-80mph on my '03 retro ... even w/ the 1800 rear drive I never dropped below 37-38 mpg

I average 36 to 38 mpg. My riding consists mainly of a 44 mile roundtrip to work which is mainly hwy (65 to 70 mph) I go easy on the
throttle and let the massive torque do the work. My bike is somewhat modified, exhaust, intake, desmog. I also have a tall windscreen and bags, not sure what affect those would have on mileage and I'm no midget, 6'3 225.

I feel thats pretty good mileage for such a large V twin, a buddy rides a 650 V Star and only averages 45 or so. I didn't buy my bike for
mileage anyway, I'd ride a scooter if I did, lol.

32mpg? :shock: You must be hammering it alot. I have stock 1800 C, leatherlyke bags,windshield-- I ride it pretty hard and still get 40mpg. Iam wondering how much effect your fairing has.

as they say in hypermiling circles - fix the nut behind the bars first. Scott

Try running Shell Gas improved my mileage 8)

Iam having vtx 1800 from the past 3years, how to improve my mileage.
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kenny5

Idaho Drug Treatment

I'm lucky if I get 30mpg with mine. I have Cobra pipes and a power comander. I like the sound of the beast so that might have something to do with my riding style and gas milage!

average 36 to 38 mpg. My riding consists mainly of a 44 mile roundtrip to work which is mainly hwy (65 to 70 mph) I go easy on the
throttle and let the massive torque do the work. My bike is somewhat modified, exhaust, intake, desmog. I also have a tall windscreen and bags, not sure what affect those would have on mileage and I'm no midget, 6'3 225.

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Shoot I can pass you with my Harley :a13: LOL
Just kidding

i get 44mpg +- on trips with 2 up as long as I stay below 70mph-that is corrected mpg
The big increase I got was when I went to the 1300 final. In the mountains it's better

Put your right wrist in check and your mileage may go up.

Shift properly, don't hit the throttle hard.

Even with my ocassional slam on the throttle, I get 40 MPG. Even my dad got less than me, and I drive more aggressively than he does.

You gotta save the gas when you can, so you can blow it all guilt free later

If your exhaust is extremely quiet, then you're getting good mileage. if I throttle is perfectly, my HK3s sound nearly like stock, but the moment I exit that ideal RPM range, I hear the thumping get louder, and god forbid I hit the gas, I hear the exhaust blasting louder than short shots. Very variable sound range, I know

All it boils down to is the wrist, for me. There are some cheap mods to increase performance, and increased performance means you can use less throttle for the same performance, essentially saving you mileage. Most of the mods have already been mentioned here, air intake, exhaust, etc.

How to improve MPG with an X? Well.....you could do what I did in a dream (yes a real night dream)that I had about a year ago....have the bike converted to a 3 wheeler, disable the engine and install a bicycle pedal arrangement with a 3 speed "click" shift on the handlebars. Couldn't pull out in traffic without standing up an pumping the pedals as hard as I could and backing up traffic but could pedal 70 mph+ up and down hills on the freeway :shock: ....zero gas usage...go figure . But in the real world (not the bizarro Bisley dream world) just watch your right hand and find a riding style that is still fun without hotrodding it...good luck with that one. I average between 38 and 42 mpg with my '03 Retro 1800 when i ride sane. Bisley

My mileage was about 33-34. I read that the FPR (Fuel Pressure Regulator) in a common fail on the VTX. Won't cause the bike not to run, but will get poop for MPG and could smell gas and run real rich. I figured for the amount of money I've put into mods for HP, a $36 part to try to get better mileage was a good idea. BTW I am running cobra slashcuts, openairbox with K-N and a PCIII that had a dyno done. I took my dyno MAP and lowered every setting on the table -6 and re-loaded it on my bike. Kept my A/F curve, but leaned it a bit. Got 36-37. Just installed my new FPR and got 41-42 (Riding 75-80mph). I'm sure I will get better mileage on back roads when I get a chance to try. I'm not saying a FPR will work for everyone, but it did make a difference on my bike.