Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[ridinrev]

This maybe a dead horse continually being beat... but my bike (2002 VTX1800c) is continually getting between 26 and 30 mph on the Highway! I've got the V&H bigshots, PCIII USB and Dyno tuned with it (done again this past may), K&N Air filter and modified air box. Just had the valve maintenence performed as well as the standard maintenenences. I don't hunker down on the throttle. It does have a Hondaline Shield and saddlebags. ANY suggestions? It is a sad day when my bike gets 5-8 mpg less than my car. (under normal cruisin  ) 

[snake]

This maybe a dead horse continually being beat... but my bike (2002 VTX1800c) is continually getting between 26 and 30 mph on the Highway! I've got the V&H bigshots, PCIII USB and Dyno tuned with it (done again this past may), K&N Air filter and modified air box. Just had the valve maintenence performed as well as the standard maintenenences. I don't hunker down on the throttle. It does have a Hondaline Shield and saddlebags. ANY suggestions? It is a sad day when my bike gets 5-8 mpg less than my car. (under normal cruisin  ) 

I thought mine was bad, just getting 32-35mpg.  But I figure I could get better mpg if I stayed under the 3/4 throttle mark I usually run. Good luck. If it was tuned right... I would have thought you'd get at least 35. The hondaline shield is big, but I run a much bigger fairing. ?? Is your shield angled back any? I see some people run with theirs almost straight up and down. I keep mine at the same angle as my forks.

[ridinrev]

Yes, the shield is angled as approx. the same as the front forks. I even thinking of putting some actetone in the tank to booster the fuel vaporization. about 3/4 ounce for every tank.

[TomVTX]

02 1800 c here also.  I'm getting about 35-37, V&H bigshots, shield, saddlebags, lowers, but I don't have the PC III.  I'm burning 87 octane.  You may have more HP, etc..., but from what I've read, you have to give up the gas mileage some to get the max hp.  Another words, you can't have the best of both worlds. 

[ridinrev]

Thanks for all the input. I got this bike 14 months ago and I guess that I'm still thinking that a bike should get better fuel economy than an automobile. (lighter, smaller, no heavy draws such as A/C)

The acetone is for better fuel vaporization and was thinking about maybe 1/2 once for every tank fill.

I watched as they did the load bearing Dyno runs with the NEW PCIII USB. A/F is a pretty constant 13 throughout the power band and 102 HP max with 104 lbs torque. This was the third Dyno done on the bike at H of H in Houston, Texas. so I don't think it is the map..could be but pretty doubtful. The bike has 10,900 + miles on it with new Dunlap Elite tires. (great tire BTW)

I've been ridin for going on thirty five years now and this is the very first bike that I got this crappy of gas mileage. Even my 1994 1500 Gold Wing and 1997 Valkyrie got between 42 and 46 mpg. But when you got two coffee can sized piston heads eating up fuel on every stroke, you can't expect the world... Wait YES I can!

[snake]

Just think of it like this... you bought it because ITS A HOTROD! Hotrods don't get good mileage. Will you trade it in for better mpg? Hell no. Will it still piss you off to pay 13 dollars to fill it up every 120 miles? Hell yeah. Would you like a longer criuising range? Yeah, and thats the only thing I fault mine for. And thats with the 5.3 tank!

[snake]

Here's the easy way to increase mpg. Kinda costly though. and will take the big grunt out of takeoff:
Honda final drive assembly. This version is for the VTX1300 but can be installed on the VTX1800 to increase gear range and MPG. FREE SHIPPING. 41300-MEA-671

The gear ratio gives better mpg, less grunt.
 

[rod181]

I have Vance and hines on mine and Kury Hyper charger and honda line saddle bags as well and its giving me 32-35 mpg. My Civic gives me 38 lol but the cicics engine is smaller then my VTX 1800N

[1shot1kill]

Guys I don't know what to tell you other than you need a better map.
Johnny Cheese did mine and did the "duel" map for better milage.
First long trip with the wife and a large T bag on back and we got 50 mpg.
Now I know you are going to say BULLSHIT, but my wife will verify what I am saying because I wanted a witness.  I could not believe it myself.  We ran about 70mph most of the way.
Before the new map I had a lot of popping , poor responce and 34 - 36 mph.
I have Vance & Hines, KN, and Barron's BAC, PCUSB III
Now that Johnny is gone I can't tell you who to see but I (like Johnny) think most of the turners answer to PC mapping is "more fuel".   Your bike is drowning

[1shot1kill]

Just talked to RD to find out if he knew what happened to Johnny.  He has no idea.
Any of you guys know him or if you live around the Austin area and can find him, tell him to let us know he is alive.  He is a great tuner and runs a good dyno.