Need Improved Milage On old RT w 998 Engine?

[cplbayou]

Has anyone found a way to increase gas mileage?? Tuner, extra tank, any suggestions, love my spyder but miss mileage of my old bike.

[pegasus1300]

I have put iridium plugs, better wires, less restrictive air filter none of which made enough difference to bother about. Fortunately I didn't do any of those things for mileage but to make maintenance easier,which they all have. My mileage hangs right around 30 mpg. That gives 150 mile range before I get too deep into reserve and it's about as far as my bladder can take. I have a little over 34000 miles on it.

[Peter Aawen]

Right now I am testing an ECU reflash with the potential for better milage (if you can avoid the temptation to wring it out all the time!!)

The re-flash has been done by a bloke here in Aus who's been doing reflash upgrades for BRP & CanAm owners & machines etc all over the world, and the initial indications from it are looking VERY GOOD!! Not only is it a bloody great improvement from the performance point of view, (read = 'Freaking Fantastic!' ) but taking it easy on the throttle is a whole lot easier to do & while doing that, I've just topped 160 miles with 1/4 of a tank still showing on the gauge - and I never got that sort of range before, let alone anywhere near that with a fair bit of fanging it around thrown into the mix too!!

So give it a day of so & I'll have the first tank full for economy worked out, & this weekend we are doing a bit of 2-up touring to see how that goes & add to the fuel economy data (if I can resist the temptation to wring it out all thed time!!) Watch this space - the white blur you see zip thru is gonna be me flashing by on my 2013 RT!

[Wfreysr]

M

Right now I am testing an ECU reflash with the potential for better milage (if you can avoid the temptation to wring it out all the time!!) The re-flash has been done by a bloke here in Aus who's been doing reflash upgrades for BRP & CanAm owners & machines etc all over the world, and the initial indications from it are looking VERY GOOD!! Not only is it a bloody great improvement from the performance point of view, (read = 'Freaking Fantastic!' ) but taking it easy on the throttle is a whole lot easier to do & while doing that, I've just topped 160 miles with 1/4 of a tank still showing on the gauge - and I never got that sort of range before, let alone anywhere near that with a fair bit of fanging it around thrown into the mix too!! So give it a day of so & I'll have the first tank full for economy worked out, & this weekend we are doing a bit of 2-up touring to see how that goes & add to the fuel economy data (if I can resist the temptation to wring it out all thed time!!) Watch this space - the white blur you see zip thru is gonna be me flashing by on my 2013 RT!

wow this has my attention.. I have a 2011 RT 998 and get 28-30 MPG back and forth to work running ethanol free 91 oct. Gas.

[Bob Denman]

How about slowing down?
I used to average 33 mpg with my 2010...
But it would drop to as low as 27; when the speeds increased!

[KX5062]

How about slowing down?
I used to average 33 mpg with my 2010...
But it would drop to as low as 27; when the speeds increased!

You're right with a however. It is easier said than done in some places. Cruising at 55 MPH on the interstate will net you really good MPG, but it may not be the safest way to travel.

[Bob Denman]

55?

I usually roll along at 60, to 62 mph.
Folks have turn signals and steering wheels in their vehicles: they can easily find their way around me...

[Easy Rider]

Has anyone found a way to increase gas mileage??

There is no magic.
Slow down. Shift up sooner. Won't help much.
It is what it IS.

So......you have to stop for gas every two hours or so.
Is that REALLY a problem ??

Adding a bigger or extra tank is a BIG step.

[Easy Rider]

Cruising at 55 MPH on the interstate will net you ..........

A really BORING ride. I avoid the Interstates at every opportunity; even in the car if time permits.

A lot of major Interstates still have the "old" road, a US route, nearby which often is in really good condition due to no traffic.......and there is little to no traffic.

[Easy Rider]

55?

I usually roll along at 60, to 62 mph.

Doesn't mean that is a good idea.
10-15 UNDER the prevailing traffic flow in any vehicle is NOT a safe thing to do.
On a "motorcycle" it just not smart.
Sorry but it just isn't.

[Chupaca]

Does not increase your mileage but it does make the ryde more enjoyable....just forget about it.....I have made many changes and it has helped in most cases but mileage depends and many variables so i now just ryde. I find most folks will stop at or around 100 miles for a stretch, hydrate, snack or chat so why not get gas at the same time. Coming from a time when we were lucky to get 15 to 20 mpg averaging 33 is great. If you come from cars that have 20 gallon tanks or moped that get 200 mpg then these machines are ..... Let's face it....you will not get much more unless you sacrifice a lot and only ryde downhill....Though we did have a member that converted the frunk into an additional tank and increased his range but not the mileage.....

[Highwayman2013]

You're right with a however. It is easier said than done in some places. Cruising at 55 MPH on the interstate will net you really good MPG, but it may not be the safest way to travel.

55 on the interstate with a 998 engine will mean running in forth gear to keep the engine in it's operating rpm range. Remember the twin likes to rev so keep it around 5,000 rpm and enjoy.

[HankD]

I'm averaging about 31 mpg in my 2017 RTS, but I am generally on the throttle pretty hard so I'm not going to complain. Gas mileage is not one of the reasons I bought a Spyder.

[jerpinoy]

I wonder if you take all extra weight off will increase mpg?

[trucker1]

I usually try to stay off the big roads. To much wind buffering off the cars and semi trucks. I love the back roads and can get around 31 to 33 on our 2011 RT. Most back roads are 55. I try to stay around 61 or 62. Just to keep old smokey at bay with his little radar gun.

[ARtraveler]

You have definitely hit the "average" mileage number. Right around 30 seems to be the magic number. The RT is like a barn door going down the road, add in wind and 100 or so other variables, and that is where you are.

I have learned to live with it. Not going to spends $100's to try and increase the mileage--IMO--it is what it is.

The 1330 version (2014 and up) will give you another 10 mpg. I am lucky enough to have one of those also.

I have had four 998's and they all got about the same.

And yes, my Vulcan gets 46 mpg on a consistent basis.

[pegasus1300]

I'm averaging about 31 mpg in my 2017 RTS, but I am generally on the throttle pretty hard so I'm not going to complain. Gas mileage is not one of the reasons I bought a Spyder.

But remember your 2017 is a 3 cylinder and this discussion is about the older VTwin,apples and oranges. However I thought that the 3 Cyl got better mileage then that. Isn't that one of the reasons so many ditched their VTwins and went to the 1330's.

[ARtraveler]

But remember your 2017 is a 3 cylinder and this discussion is about the older VTwin,apples and oranges. However I thought that the 3 Cyl got better mileage then that. Isn't that one of the reasons so many ditched their VTwins and went to the 1330's.

From my post above:


The 1330 version (2014 and up) will give you another 10 mpg. I am lucky enough to have one of those also.

[SteveLaoyster]

Too bad an AFR+ can't be put in. I looked at their webpage & saw they only make them for the off road Can Am stuff. Here is the address for those interested. http://www.afrplus.com Thanks.

It's actually quite impressive. You can re-map your fuel curve just by putting this in. It plugs between ECM and the injectors & replaces an O2 sensor. Of course it needs to be programmed after it's put in.

[Easy Rider]

Too bad an AFR+ can't be put in.

Those things are usually good for increasing the POWER and use a correspondingly greater amount of fuel.

Most modern engines run pretty lean to start with.......and trying to make them even leaner can result in some NASTY effects on engine parts.
Like burned valves and melted pistons.

[BajaRon]

The easiest way to improve fuel mileage on any Spyder is to fit a smaller windshield. But no one wants to do that....

[SteveLaoyster]

Those things are usually good for increasing the POWER and use a correspondingly greater amount of fuel.

Most modern engines run pretty lean to start with.......and trying to make them even leaner can result in some NASTY effects on engine parts.
Like burned valves and melted pistons.

Definitely don't want a meltdown. At least with the AFR+ you could get an idea where you stand with how rich or lean the trike is running.

I have seen where some diagnostics machines have a tailpipe sniffer to test the air to fuel ratio.

[Bob Denman]

Doesn't mean that is a good idea.
10-15 UNDER the prevailing traffic flow in any vehicle is NOT a safe thing to do.
On a "motorcycle" it just not smart.
Sorry but it just isn't.

So run over me: My Great-Grandkids will have a BALL spending your Great-Grandkid's inheritance!
Riding along with prevailing traffic, is akin to running along in a mob, and wondering why you got arrested during the riot!

[cplbayou]

Thanks for all the replies I probably shouldn't have equated it to mileage, I'm a handicapped rider and would benefit from longer distance and less stops.

[Bob Denman]

I can only tell you this:
While riding to Missouri in a mixed group of 998s, 1330s, and bikes towing trailers: we were stopping every 120 miles or so...
As soon as I broke out of the pack on the way home with my 1330: 180 miles between stops became easy.