Is the Harley 121 VVT more fuel efficient than the new Harley 117?

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[@leonardsullivan1182]

17 in medical school…blessings to that young lady in all her future endeavors

[@RidingandWrenching]

Exactly!

[@KrakensGarageandAdventures]

It's a really good comparison for the VVT. Excellent gas mileage, Cue. God bless that you lady in med school.

[@RidingandWrenching]

Thanks Eric! I was super impressed with the 17 year old med student. That's incredible

[@xanbiker]

Surprising results indeed.

[@lancmac]

VVT spreads the torque band... The 2024 with a fixed timing cam has a higher rpm efficiency band. But a smaller peak torque band... Personally with my totally stock 2023 CVO RG I get 40 to 42 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on cruise control at 70 mph.. I have gotten as high as 56mpg that way... But at 80 mph my mileage drops back to 40mpg.. The trick is staying in the torque band and then weight plus wind resistance...

[@RidingandWrenching]

Great explanation! Speed is the enemy of efficiency

[@RoadReality]

Great comparison - weight and engine tech makes a huge difference! My 114 gets around 37 MPGs when I ride mostly highway, but upwards of 45 MPGs when I'm cruising the backroads. It's way more efficient than I thought it would be! I had a 2016 Vaquero before this, and THAT bike got a best of 36 MPGs. Between the better MPGs, more accurate range estimate, and bigger tank on the Street Glide, I can go almost twice as far on my Harley as I could on the Kawi before the low fuel light comes on.

[@RidingandWrenching]

Speed makes a difference too!

[@donbennett9201]

that's very interesting. I also would have expected the VVT to outperform however I guess that new 117 has got it all figured out

[@RidingandWrenching]

I'm guessing that weight is the primary contributor to the difference. I will run this test again on my next long ride....except we will switch bikes so that the weight balance out

[@alfonsodennis8450]

It was nice seeing you in Milwaukee my friend and thanks for allowing me to help with the introduction.

[@RidingandWrenching]

You did a great job sir!

[@Jim_Berry]

The lighter rider and bike makes a huge difference. I've noticed this myself when riding with friends.

[@RidingandWrenching]

I think you are correct! Next time we will switch bikes to see how much of a difference it really makes.

[@HDVIBE]

Very interesting experiment. Thanks for sharing this information.

[@RidingandWrenching]

Thanks Rick!

[@erikmohr164]

Very informative video. Thank you!

[@RidingandWrenching]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jesusmelendez9563]

My expectation was that the 117 would be more efficient. I believe that the 121 engine simply won’t be the most efficient because of its displacement size.

[@RidingandWrenching]

That could be the case. I am going to do a second round sometime in the coming weeks to determine if the weight difference explains the difference in MPG

[@garyehrhardt3136]

Very nice and interesting as well, well done 👍

[@RidingandWrenching]

Many thanks!

[@jessieholt9238]

I wish u would have done the same going back after the slip-on tabs were added to the 117 Roadglide, but it was a great comparison video. Cue

[@JoeGoeMotorcycleAdventures]

Man, that was an awesome comparison! I’m shocked that the 117 was the winner. For sure thought it was going to be the VVT. Although, I haven’t been having the best luck with mileage on mine. I’m sitting at about 37mpg currently. And 17yrs old in medical school…WHAT!?!? Great video brother!

[@RidingandWrenching]

Thanks bro! I ordered the book. Hopefully I can find time to read it

[@haroldwiser2641]

Interesting and very thorough comparison! I wonder if the batwing fairing caused the UL to finish dead last. I would have guessed your 121 VVT would've won.

[@RidingandWrenching]

I had the same thought. I don't know which fairing is more aerodynamic. The batwing seems to be a little less aerodynamic but I'm not sure. I also wonder if the size of the windscreen is a factor. The most noticeable difference is the weight. The UL is significantly heavier than the 24 RG.

[@mrjkjhoedog]

First I want to say definitely jealous of this fuel economy. I wasn’t really surprised by numbers between the bikes performance with each other because they are the newest bikes. One thing I would have put into consideration is RPMs at the same speed. For example friend of mine has a 22 RGL 114 and I have a 16 RGU 103. My bike being a V-twin and older with less tech than his are considerable different in fuel economy. On the trip to Daytona we were rolling 80-90 consistently and his RPMs were considerably lower than mine at the same speed, mind you he also has a passenger and I didn’t. While he stayed in the 2800-3000 RPM range I was in the 3200-3500 RPM range. Higher RPMs is more gas consumption. I love my bike but looking forward to one day buying a new one for this and a few more reasons. (I do like tech too) At each fuel fill up, which was because of me, he always had 1/4 more in fuel on his gauge than I did. Some mods to the bikes yes but nothing that would be considered huge changes. Stage 2 at the most on both.

[@RidingandWrenching]

I was surprised by the results because my expectations for the VVT technology were too high. I plan to do a second round of testing....except this time, we will switch bikes. I need to know if the excess weight on my CVO reason for the difference.

[@mrjkjhoedog]

@@RidingandWrenching look forward to seeing it.

[@Jedi_Obi-Wan]

Cue, A very important variable that you did not take into account is riding style. Although you all traveled the same distances, individual riding style plays a big role in fuel economy. Shift points (short shifting), coasting habits, use of down hill momentum, etc. The 121 VVT is going to be faster no doubt.

[@RidingandWrenching]

Good point. While editing this video, I found myself wishing we had swapped bikes in between gas stops. That would have equalized rider weight/riding style.

[@joeyclark1487]

👍

[@TimT0564]

I think the Whiskey Neat is faster and gets better efficiency than the DP. LOL Surprising results, but exposes some of the limitations of VVT and why it isn't always the best to have. That said, I love the VVT in my '23 CVO. But for power, the 132" Heritage simply blows it away as it sucks fuel.

[@RidingandWrenching]

The VVT 121 is an amazing motor. I was shocked that the 117 got better mileage. I'm guessing the weight difference gave it the win.

[@JA-zh5xi]

Once you add the cam, that can make a significant difference to the downside for mileage?

[@RidingandWrenching]

I didn't notice a drop in efficiency on my 107 when I installed the cam. May have gotten slightly better fuel economy unless I'm hammering it

[@tjeanneret]

For me, the châssis + engine of my Street Glide 121 VVT is the best bike I Ever rode. I regret deeply that they are not completed by the Ultra Limited fairing and controls. Were it the case, it would have been the perfect bike I am dreaming of since many years…

[@RidingandWrenching]

agreed. I wish lower fairings and a permanent tour pack were an option

[@kadimsilahtar]

How is the cooling performance compared to that of the twin cooled ultras?

[@RidingandWrenching]

Great question! Stay tuned. I will cover that in a future video. It isn't hot enough in memphis yet to do a good test

[@lorettarobertson4685]

Do you think the weight difference between the riders have anything to do with the final numbers on mpg?

[@RidingandWrenching]

Probably....that's the only explanation I can come up with

[@chrischaney9492]

Good afternoon from Indiana.

[@RidingandWrenching]

Howdy from Memphis!

[@karlwalton8151]

On the CVO what riding mode where you using to compare this data cause that could make a difference also for the 121 and the 117

[@RidingandWrenching]

I normally keep my bike in touring mode. Even in touring mode, this bike is so much more powerful than the 107 in my 2018RG

[@karlwalton8151]

👍​@@RidingandWrenching

[@jimrhoads9075]

How do you like that BadBoyz seat?

[@RidingandWrenching]

I like it. It's still a little stiff, but I didn't have the pain that I experienced with the stock seat

[@brucem8129]

Q, did you replace the seat on your CVO? If so, what seat?

[@RidingandWrenching]

Bad Boyz Cycles re-upholstered the stock seat, added a back rest and a tourpack backrest

[@harryhowell5644]

One time I rode my road glide limited on a trip. It has the 114 stage 1. On a flat road, little wind, single up it said I got 54 mpg ! Average speed was 55 mph.

[@RidingandWrenching]

Wow!!! Speed definitely makes a difference

[@bradlozano2571]

What?....55mph ?...I would have been so bored to death i would have fell asleep...

[@harryhowell5644]

Well it was all back roads and some towns. 55 mph combined hwy/ city

[@bradlozano2571]

​@@harryhowell5644The only roads that would run a whole tank of gas at speeds of 55 or less where i live would be going over the Sierra Nevada Mountains from Cali to the Nevada side....But other than that its 80mph Highway riding for me

[@JustGKue]

I may need to upgrade sooner lol

[@RidingandWrenching]

Stop going so fast!

[@robertmccreary4749]

What is power comparison? More power usually means more fuel used.

[@RidingandWrenching]

The 121 is the most powerful of the 3. The 114 is least powerful but also least efficient.

[@Yodabass]

Hay Cue is the bike night still going on every week

[@RidingandWrenching]

No, only once per month on the 4th Wednesday. Apparently a lot of the businesses complained about the activities, so they have reduced it to monthly. Also, no slingshots allowed, no loud music or burnouts. A few of the clubs in Memphis are having bike night events on Wednesday. I attended one at Pound for Pound.

[@Yodabass]

@@RidingandWrenching thanks Cue I’m coming from Baltimore in August hope to see you there

[@jr388]

In what order were you riding? Drafting saves gas.

[@RidingandWrenching]

121vvt was leading, 114 Ultra Limited 2nd, 117 24 Road Glide 3rd. Riding in a staggered formation about 1.5-2 bike lengths apart.

[@kellybgliding]

117 great gas mileage

[@RidingandWrenching]

It was really impressive. I can't wait to put that 117 to a "test".....maybe it needs to meet Kong!

[@nelsongn9]

The biggest little KZbin channel on the entire interweb

[@RidingandWrenching]

Yes sir!

[@user-nv1dk9ex1f]

I bet the VVT BS aint what its cracked up to be.

[@RidingandWrenching]

I find that the motor in my CVO is fast and efficient. I was surprised to learn that the 117 appeared to be more efficient. I haven't determined if it's faster....yet