Gas Mileage on 07/08 Models Buells & Harleys

[BuellPastor]

I have an 2006 XB12s and am currently getting 43-44 MPG around town and 50+ on the highway. I was thinking of upgrading to an 08, but have heard the mileage is worse. I have especially heard that about Harleys. It is my understanding with Harleys that while they have always come lean from the factory, that is even worse now and this causes worse mileage. I've also heard it said from some Harley guys that HD will likely go to the Night Rod engine as it will be the only one to meet the coming epa requirements. Same may be true for Buell having to use the 1125R engine. As for me, I love the character of the air cooled engine (including the mileage and power delivery) But I would love less heat and no stinking fan noise.

What do you guys know?

 

[GatorBuell]

The rumor is Buell will be going to Rotak for all its future engine needs Starting in 09' with all new models except the 1125R. [up]

 

[LeFox]

The rumor is Buell will be going to Rotak for all its future engine needs Starting in 09' with all new models except the 1125R

according to an interview with eric, he still believes in a future with the aircooled vtwin...so i won't bet on a rotax engine in the '09 models

 

[ulyscol]

I have been keeping detailed records of my 08' Ulysses fill ups and so far have been averaging only 35mpg. I am a little disappointed in this average. I am still under a 1000 miles so hopefully something will magically happen in the engine to get me into the 40mpgs soon.

 

[GatorBuell]

I have been keeping detailed records of my 08' Ulysses fill ups and so far have been averaging only 35mpg. I am a little disappointed in this average. I am still under a 1000 miles so hopefully something will magically happen in the engine to get me into the 40mpgs soon.

It will after about 1500K. I have a 12Ss the same tank as the Uly and Im getting around 180 - 200 before the light comes on and I Flog it a lot. It was only around 110 - 120 miles at the light under 1500K

Quoting GatorBuell
The rumor is Buell will be going to Rotak for all its future engine needs Starting in 09' with all new models except the 1125R

according to an interview with eric, he still believes in a future with the aircooled vtwin...so i won't bet on a rotax engine in the '09 models

If he came out and said 09' bikes will have a liquid cooled Rotak then no one would by a 08' they would just wait. But like I said its just a rumor and I will be keeping my 06' 12Ss regardless.

 

[BuellPastor]

Scobbie - that is fun! I love doing that with HD guys. Its a shame most of them don't know anything about Buells. I actually think most of them don't know much about motorcycles in general. I also have fun with Jap bikes too. They don't know what to think of this thing. My only gripes are heat and fan noise. Other than that I love this thing. If money was no object I would never get rid of this bike. As it stands now, the only way I would is for more room for wife (don't count on her riding) or my daughter.

 

[GatorBuell]

why?

Economics- Rear wheel horsepower, top speed, GP podiums, and Magazine reviews sell bikes. It sucks because when it comes down to it most people will never use all that horsepower and even more are not capable of riding those bikes to their potential but if your company wants to grow and cut away a bigger slice of the market share you have to compete. Hence the 1125r replacing the XB12R, torque is fun and more usable on the street compared to the top speed of a Jap bike but what sells more. The Jap wins because most new riders want the newest fastest best motorcycle reviewed bike on the market. They all want to be Matt Maladin or Niky Haden so they buy the bike that won the most superbike championships or the bike that won at Daytona. As much as Eric knows what really matters on the street he still answers to shareholders at some level and for Buell to keep moving forward it must compete at some level. I don't believe Eric is as concerned with the powerplant as he is with the rideability and the trilogy of tec in the bikes ( If you notice the Trilogy of Tec does not include a Harley V-twin). He was never a motor guy (i don't think) but bases his bikes on handling and rideability. The Harley motor was convenient and the logical choice back then but times have changed and if you dont keep up you will not last. We all cant keep buying new Buells every year to keep the company going can we. Don't get my wrong I'm with you, I love my 12Ss and it is by far the funnest bike I have ever owned. I love the torque of the Big V-twin but we are a very small group and He has to, for the sake of Buell motors, chase down the future and I don't think the Harley V-twin will get him there. Just my .2 cent but I would like to see a Buell reviewed with the big 4 with a title like " The Top 5 Sport Bikes Of 09' "

 

[LeFox]

gator...

i can't say you're incorrect, but you're missing something.

yes, buell needs a gp headline to get people into the stores and sell bikes, but that's only part of the sales.
the people currently riding and liking the buell, don't want that gp rocket or a jap high rev bike. that's why, aslong as it is possible with environmental laws, the aircooled vtwin will keep it's place in the streetbike model.

and for now, they can't find room for the radiators on the streetbike models

but, i got my engine, if it breaks, i'll buy nhrs replacements

 

[GatorBuell]

True Buell owners are Buell owners for a reason. I personally like the stance that Buell takes, not really worried about the headlines and just make fun bikes. Yes diversity will carry a company through the toughest of times but you also have to be aggressive and take a swing at the big dogs from time to time. I guess only time will tell what happens with the company and I will buy as many Buells as my wife will let me to help out. I just read that Buell recorded positive sales in the first quarter even when parent company Harley-Davidson had losses. Sales from the Uly and the 1125R dealer inventory pushed sales. I found this link- half way through a Rep from Buell talks about the future for the Air cooled V-twin and the new Rotax. From the vid the Harley will stay and the Rotax will expand . Uly Xt review

 

[LeFox]

the incut interview with eric buell:

eric uncut

 

[GatorBuell]

the incut interview with eric buell:

eric uncut

Yep he knows whats going on.

 

[midlifecrisis]

My 12R is an '06, so maybe I should keep my mouth shut, but... I'm just over 4K miles and I'm averaging 50MPG!
My riding is 50/50 cruise and flog so I think my figures are pretty much spot on. Granted that nothing pleases me more than hitting that apex perfectly, regardless of the corner speed, but I like to relax and enjoy the scenery too. Sometimes though, I get that wild hare up my @ss and I gotta get that front wheel up or put some Vette drivin' yuppie in his place. An air cooled Buell is the best of all worlds, period. In a perfect world we would all have 20-30 bikes in our garage, from a Sportster to an Electra Glide, from a 1098R to a BMW tourer. Right now I can only afford one bike and it's gonna be the best for all seasons, an air cooled Buell. 50MPG and all the power I need, if not all that I want.