Fuel Efficiency: Highway vs Backroads on an Indian Pursuit
Photo by David Brown via Pexels
One of the first questions newer riders ask about touring bikes is: "Will this thing drain my wallet at the fuel pump?" For an Indian Pursuit, that depends a lot on how you're riding. Highway cruising at steady speeds gives you one answer. Twisty backroads through New Brunswick give you a surprisingly different one.
I've spent enough time on both to have real data from real riding. Here's what the Pursuit actually delivers in fuel economy — and how to plan for long rides in Atlantic Canada.
The Real Numbers
| Riding Type | Consumption | Approx. MPG | Range (22.7L tank) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published combined (Indian spec) | 6.0–6.7 L/100km | 35–40 MPG | 320–360 km |
| Highway (real-world, 110 km/h) | ~6.0 L/100km | ~44 MPG | ~340–360 km |
| Backroads (real-world, twisty/rural) | 6.0–6.7 L/100km | ~42 MPG | ~320–340 km |
| City / stop-and-go | ~7.3–7.8 L/100km | 30–32 MPG | ~290–310 km |
On a steady 110 km/h highway run — the standard limit on New Brunswick highways — the Indian Pursuit settles into an efficient cruise. Revs stay low, throttle inputs are smooth, and the big 108ci PowerPlus motor is barely breathing. You're looking at around 6.0 L/100km in real-world conditions — giving you roughly 340–380 km of range before reserve.
On backroads — Route 114 through Riverside-Albert, the Fundy Trail Parkway, rural roads around Sussex — the Pursuit delivers 6.0–6.7 L/100km depending on how hard you're pushing it. Range works out to 340–380 km per tank — still excellent for a big touring bike.
Why the Gap Is Smaller Than You'd Think
Most people expect backroad riding to kill fuel economy. On a sport bike or smaller engine, it does — aggressive acceleration through corners adds up fast. The Pursuit's big, torquey motor doesn't have to work as hard to maintain speed through curves. It pulls from low RPM without straining, which keeps consumption more consistent than you'd expect.
The engine was designed to lug. On twisty roads where a smaller bike is screaming at 7,000 RPM, the Pursuit is rolling through at 2,500–3,000 RPM with plenty of torque on tap. That efficiency advantage shows up in the real-world numbers.
Fuel Stop Planning for New Brunswick Riding
With 320–360 km of real-world range, fuel planning is manageable but worth thinking about on longer days. That said, some sections of the Fundy coast and rural interior still have long gaps between stations — knowing where fuel is available is basic trip prep.
Route 114 loop (Moncton to Alma and back): About 180 km total. With 320–360 km of range, you're doing this on a single tank comfortably. Fuel is available in Hillsborough and Sussex if you want a top-up, but you don't need it.
Fundy Trail Parkway day trip from Saint John: About 185–200 km round trip. Fill up in Saint John before leaving — there's no fuel inside the Parkway, and the next station after St. Martins is in Alma. Still well within a single tank.
Full Fundy Coastal Drive (St. Stephen to Aulac): ~290 km one way. Highway pace, one fill-up mid-route is plenty. Stop in Saint John for fuel and food.
What Affects Fuel Economy on the Pursuit
- Wind protection: A taller aftermarket windshield reduces highway drag noticeably. Klock Werks flare wings are a common upgrade on the Pursuit for exactly this reason — they improve comfort and efficiency on long highway stretches.
- Luggage and load: Full saddlebags and a passenger add weight and aerodynamic drag. Plan on losing a few percent in efficiency for fully loaded touring.
- Tire pressure: Keep tires at spec. Under-inflation increases rolling resistance and costs you range. Check cold PSI before every long ride.
- Riding style: Smooth throttle inputs are the single biggest variable. Aggressive acceleration in and out of corners versus a measured approach can swing your consumption by 10–15% on backroads.
- Temperature: Cold engines run rich until warmed up. Short trips in early spring cost more per km than long warm-weather rides.
Comparing to Other Touring Bikes
For context, a Harley-Davidson Road Glide typically sees 6.0–6.5 L/100km in similar conditions — notably worse than the Pursuit's real-world numbers. Sport touring bikes like the Kawasaki Concours or BMW R1300GS can hit 4.5–5.0 L/100km, but the Pursuit is competitive for a cruiser platform its size. You're not sacrificing much economy for the comfort and style.
