Awful Fuel Mileage on '08 Nomad

[Ramakill]

While installing Chuckster's two plate intake on my 'Nad last week, I also gave the throttle body a bit of a scrub. I used spray degreaser (is that good enough??) as I had some on hand. They looked OK but the old toothbrush I used went in white and came out black, so the previous comments are quite valid.

I noticed the black gunk on the edges of the brass butterflys more than the throats themselves, so I gues everybit helps.

[the Brus]

My 07 has never done better than 34 mpg, that said it doesn't vary much running 55 or 80. Mine averaged over the 20K it has right at 32 MPG and that's with V&H pipes and processor and Kuryakyn Pro-Hyper Charger intake. While it's not 40 mpg, it goes around 120 miles a tank and it always seems time to get off any way. Performance-wise my 1500 Custom ran harder by far, but with the 3 and1/2 gallon tank I barely ever got over 100 mile. JB-)

[Nimbo]

@Redjay,

I think you just said the magic words..."and debaffled stock muffler". I was wondering it that would be an alternative to buying aftermarket pipes.

I saw a page or post showing how to drill out the stock silencers with a hole saw and a wooden dowel guide. Is that the one that you're talking about?

Nimbo

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by Nimbo

@Redjay,

I think you just said the magic words..."and debaffled stock muffler". I was wondering it that would be an alternative to buying aftermarket pipes.

I saw a page or post showing how to drill out the stock silencers with a hole saw and a wooden dowel guide. Is that the one that you're talking about?

Nimbo

Thats the correct post, make sure you use a good high quality holesaw meant for cutting steel. Then the job goes fast and neat.
The cheap holesaws make it a tough messy job.

[redjay]

For me the debaffled stock mufflers were perfect. Not too loud but it sounded like a V Twin at last. There is a video of how to do it on YouTube.

[vf24renegade]

My 99 Nomad got around 37-38 mpg which I thought was bad. Then after I did the cam chain tensioner extenders it dropped into the toilet around 28. It runs great, seems to have more pep, etc. I'm gonna try cleaning the throttle body. Next I suppose it's carb overhaul or see if something's leaking.

[redjay]

Getting good mileage from a Nomad takes a conscious effort from the rider. Drive it hard and you are going to think there is a hole in the gas tank.

[steevo]

i get 30+mpg, am heavy, and ride as fast as often as possible :-)

[steevo]

*ride fast as often as possible.

[Loafer]

When I'm trying to keep up with my sons, there isn't good fuel mileage.

[johnberryus]

I too was fairly disappointed in my fuel mileage and capacity after a month of riding I have not gotten better than 35mpg, and mostly 30 - 31. I am used to 40 - 50 on my Sporty and our V-star.

I do RIDE HARD all the time however, I commute 35 miles each way daily 75 - 80 mph sometimes faster. i did finally get a chance to just go 2up with the Ol' Lady and take it easy on some back roads and managed about 38mpg over the next week or two I will try some of the suggestions here and will let everyone know how I did.

[rolfe]

Originally Posted by coacha

That seems mighty low for any Nomad, unless you are towing a trailer. My '99 carbed gets 32-38 most of the time, unless towing the Clampett Mobile, then it goes into the 20's. At slab speeds, it is around 32-34.

My 1999 averages around 35 - 40 MPG having a 1500cc engine with removed baffels.

Now the 800 does get 45 - 50 MPG as I owned one.

[ccrider]

So far this season I have averaged about 39 mpg and that is about half 2 up.

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by johnberryus

I too was fairly disappointed in my fuel mileage and capacity after a month of riding I have not gotten better than 35mpg, and mostly 30 - 31. I am used to 40 - 50 on my Sporty and our V-star.

I do RIDE HARD all the time however, I commute 35 miles each way daily 75 - 80 mph sometimes faster. i did finally get a chance to just go 2up with the Ol' Lady and take it easy on some back roads and managed about 38mpg over the next week or two I will try some of the suggestions here and will let everyone know how I did.

That kind of mileage sounds about right from the riding styles you describe.

[siriusjoe]

My '08 Nomad is getting only 32 MPG. It has stock intake, V&H baggers, and no fuel processor. I cleaned the throttle body and it was a little dirty, but it made no difference on the MPG. The spark plugs are in good shape but the color looks like the engine is running lean, and the bike does run really hot.

I ordered a Cobra FI2000R today, and I'm hoping this will actually improve my gas mileage.