30 MPG on a new Nomad?

[tanker]

Hello fellow members,

I am breaking in my new Nomad and currently I have 450 miles on it. My last MPG was 30 (5 gallon on 150 miles) city-highway use. Isn`t is too low? I know that the engines generally have higher consumption rate during the break in period but 30 seems to be still too low compared to the 38-35 MPG that many of the owners claim for their bikes. Any thoughts?
Thanks, Gabor

[jamiep24]

My first tank was high 20's, second tank was mid 30's and my third tank was up to 40. You're not alone, I was scared, too.

[pagemastr]

tanker: I have barely a hundred more miles on an '08 and two tanks I kept track of were both at 38 MPG.

All country roads the first tank, next tank some freeway riding but not much. I am waiting for weather to break enough in the next couple weeks to get some riding in where I might get some averages from a few tankfuls.

Break-in: Not according to Maw KAw, like I stole it sort of thing!

[Sin City Stan]

690 miles on the clock of a new 09 Nomad. about 33 bumping arounf town. 35-37 on the road.

[ringadingh]

It should get better as time goes. In the cold weather here I only get about 150 miles to the tank, once it warms up I usually get 180-200 miles to the tank. You may have had a headwind against yourself also. All these things play a factor in your mileage.

[pirate]

Yes, give it a few tanks and it should improve. I know mine did. My first couple of tanks were like yours, but now I consistently get 38-40.

[meat]

I'm in the 38 to 40 range with my 08. I have 9600 miles on it now. MPG seems to get better with miles.

[radco]

What is disappointing about the NOMAD is the MPG,, It is a more advanced motor then the HDs,, but gets less MPG,, My Buds Ultra get a average 50mpg,STOCK mtr, I avg 43/45.mpg,,on my 04 Nomad...You would figure that our bikes would have the same or better MPG then the HDs..and to see the 09 Nomads and Voyager MPG rating of 38 is a real
disappointment!! IMO...I love my Nomad but I am into riding long distance,,so MPG is a bit of a factor.....Rich

[rewindgy]

That was one of the biggest disappointments I had when I first got my Nomad - mileage. 1988 Venture > 100 HP rear wheel - 982lbs wet - Average 50 - 52 mpg consistently. You wanted to pass someone - twist throttle - you wanna pass faster - twist harder! Same size gas tank - way more liles per tank! If the voyager gets 38 I'd be supprised? I'll bet 35 2 up on average! IMHO.

[dogdoc]

Stan: How do you like your new nomad? bags? overall?? Nice looking bike.

yeah HD getting 50 sucks when we own Nomads.

[refugio]

Nice......That different looking the way the seat sits up on the tank

[tanker]

Thanks Guys,

it sounds a little better. And yes, I did not consider the strong head- and side wind I had all week during commuting on the HOV lane.

[cactusjack]

Nomad gas mileage was disappointing at first. I traded in a 2005 Suzuki C50T that averaged over 50 MPG. That engine was constantly being run at the upper limits of its capabilities and still got excellent mileage. I gave that up for a Nomad that barely brakes a sweat at freeway speeds and the mileage sucks. I didn't buy it for fuel economy, so it isn't that big a deal, just a shock at first.

Remember a lot of HD's have 6 speed gearboxes which is a big boost to their fuel economy.

[blowndodge]

Scott, 5 speeders get about 50 as well. My buddy's Heritage softail beats me by 10 mpg's religiously. However in defense of the Nomad, it's about as areodynamic as a barn door and it loves to cruise at high speeds. That a recipe for potential lousy gas mileage. I actually once took a back road to a friends house where the speed limit was 55mph. I held the speedometer between 60-65 or actual speed about upper 50's for about 180 miles. I got 46mpgs. Never got it since. I travel the interstates at 75-80. There's were you get the bad mileage.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Scott, 5 speeders get about 50 as well. My buddy's Heritage softail beats me by 10 mpg's religiously. However in defense of the Nomad, it's about as areodynamic as a barn door and it loves to cruise at high speeds. That a recipe for potential lousy gas mileage. I actually once took a back road to a friends house where the speed limit was 55mph. I held the speedometer between 60-65 or actual speed about upper 50's for about 180 miles. I got 46mpgs. Never got it since. I travel the interstates at 75-80. There's were you get the bad mileage.

Yeah, I know mileage goes to hell once you get above 65 or so. I did a run on I-8 between Gila Bend and Casa Grande (about 50 miles), at an average of 80-85MPH and got 29 MPG recently.

My C50T was a 5-speed, but it had a 805cc engine and weighed 200 pounds less than the Nomad. I was just saying the 6th gear in a Harley benefits them considerably in the mileage department.