WOW

[SpyderMouse22]

I was reading many posts on here about differant things. I am surprised how much information has alot of truth to it. Any post that differs from the owners manuel i do not put thought into. For example i read one about puting 20 lbs of preasure into the front tires. However i was reading about running the Spyder at higer RPMs I wont go into the number because that is a whole new can of worms. I went out today and ran at higher RPM . WOW i have to learn to ride the Spyder all over again. I think i have 2nd 3rd and 4th gear figured out however i came to realize that because of spped limits and situations you cant always run where you want to. My question is about 1st gear. I live in a town with a speed limit of 25mph. So do you think it is ok to run in first gear for the most part? It is not easy getting used to running in higher RPM and it will take time to do this.

[SpyderAnn01]

I wouldn't hang out in town much with a 25 mph speed limit LOL

[crossbowme]

I routinely run into that problem (rural beats the hell out of the cities). I run in second gear in these cases and run it up to six grand before shifting in that and all other gears. First is just geared to low for me. The only thing about that shift point is you might get a vibration if your belt is out of tolerance.

[Yfactor]

I also live in a small town with speed limits of 25 -40. While driving around town I never get past 2nd gear.

[Grandpa Spyder]

IMHO, keep the revs over 4K regardless of speed

I agree, I always try to stay at 4000 rpms and the cruise works in any gear as long as you are at least 3500 rpms. most speed limits where I live are 25 to 35 and I always barrow 5.

[Mo Lee]

I wouldn't hang out in town much with a 25 mph speed limit LOL

Hect, I seldom take right or left turns at less than 25 MPH.

[Bob Denman]

I was a strong proponent of the "low & slow" style of riding... Until the issue of clutch damage got more attention.
Now I try to keep things spinning at 4,000 rpm...
BUT... In the lower gears around Town, I'll often either run a bit faster, (few LEOs), or let the revs drop little bit so as not to aggravate my neighbors...

[daveinva]

I'd rather run high in 1st gear than low in 2nd gear. JMHO.

[wyliec]

Hect, I seldom take right or left turns at less than 25 MPH.

How about u-turns and staying within the lane?

[Ga Blue Knight]

It's more about the RPMs than what gear your in. I Run the the Spyder in first gear up to 4,000-4,500 than shift to second in town. Try to maintain at least 4,000 to 4,500 RPMs and your clutch will thank you!

About tire pressures, you will find the majority of Spyder riders do not follow the manual for 15-17 psi in the front tires (2012 and earlier) for very good reasons. Most keep the front tires at 18-20 as it performs better, gets longer tire life and loses air less quickly.

[Dan McNally]

I only have just over 500 miles on my 2013 RT Limited, but it did not take long to discover that is much prefers between 4500 and 5000 rpm. The engine lugs at lower rpms, but hums happily between 4,000 and 5,000. I originally tried riding with fuel economy in mind, hence lower rpms . . . but the Spyder just didn't like that! Golly, I love this thing!

[Ga Blue Knight]

I only have just over 500 miles on my 2013 RT Limited, but it did not take long to discover that is much prefers between 4500 and 5000 rpm. The engine lugs at lower rpms, but hums happily between 4,000 and 5,000. I originally tried riding with fuel economy in mind, hence lower rpms . . . but the Spyder just didn't like that! Golly, I love this thing!

You will find that you may get your best fuel economy at 6,000 RPMs! On the recent trip to the BRP Owners event I did get 32mpg. I was mostly in 4-5 gear doing around 5,500-6,500 RPMs on the major roads coming home with only one other rider. Going there I was with a larger group taking our time and running in 3-4 gear around 4,500-5,500 RPMs and I got around 29 mpg. I ride with my wife but she weights than 110 pounds most days.

[NancysToy]

No problem remaining in first gear at 25 mph. I do it all the time. You can stay in first well beyond that, if you wish.

[bzbaeren]

I pretty much follow the high rpm rule and notice that the gas mileage does seem to as good or better than when I run at to low RPM so it seems the way to go.

You will find that you may get your best fuel economy at 6,000 RPMs! On the recent trip to the BRP Owners event I did get 32mpg. I was mostly in 4-5 gear doing around 5,500-6,500 RPMs on the major roads coming home with only one other rider. Going there I was with a larger group taking our time and running in 3-4 gear around 4,500-5,500 RPMs and I got around 29 mpg. I ride with my wife but she weights than 110 pounds most days.

[SpyderMouse22]

It did not take long to see the Spyder likes the RPMS higher. Old habits are hard to break. Riding high in first gear was the only thing real hard to do. Will take some time but I will continue to keep the RPMS up. you you look at the RPM gauge it does seem they were trying to tell us something. Red line is really high. I wonder if the Spyder has a shut down if you go over the limit in first gear, My friend has a Harley and he found out his does. Thanks to everyone for your input on this.

[mclaw44]

I was reading many posts on here about differant things. I am surprised how much information has alot of truth to it. Any post that differs from the owners manuel i do not put thought into. For example i read one about puting 20 lbs of preasure into the front tires. However i was reading about running the Spyder at higer RPMs I wont go into the number because that is a whole new can of worms. I went out today and ran at higher RPM . WOW i have to learn to ride the Spyder all over again. I think i have 2nd 3rd and 4th gear figured out however i came to realize that because of spped limits and situations you cant always run where you want to. My question is about 1st gear. I live in a town with a speed limit of 25mph. So do you think it is ok to run in first gear for the most part? It is not easy getting used to running in higher RPM and it will take time to do this.

Right there with ya, I to am learing how to ride my RT-L all over....but make a big differance. Not sure if it was Scotty or Bob that had posted "its all about RPM not the Speed limit" and I have lived by that with a VARY Happy Spyder

[pellcitypete]

Right there with ya, I to am learing how to ride my RT-L all over....but make a big differance. Not sure if it was Scotty or Bob that had posted "its all about RPM not the Speed limit" and I have lived by that with a VARY Happy Spyder

I totally agree I don't run less than 4,000 rpm and Li'LL RED loves it 11,000 miles no oil use or in air filter box

[ARtraveler]

What everyone else is saying. There are times when the does not get out of first gear for me also. I hate driving in first--but if thats what I have to do--then so be it.

I am now shifting at 5000-5500 on most of the shifts.

[Bob Denman]

I don't twist it's tail quite as much; for me, theshifts happen between 4800 and 5200 rpm.
But the bike seems happy, my neighbors seem happy, the LEOs seem happy...
What more could I ask for?

[ARtraveler]

I don't twist it's tail quite as much; for me, theshifts happen between 4800 and 5200 rpm.
But the bike seems happy, my neighbors seem happy, the LEOs seem happy...
What more could I ask for?

Slowly but surely you are edging your way up.

[Bob Denman]

I know...
I've only bounced it off of the rev-limiter once; 9200 rpm in 3rd gear...
(Passing a Garbage truck; it stank so bad that it would have made a Tasmanian Devil jealous )

[SpyderMouse22]

I know...
I've only bounced it off of the rev-limiter once; 9200 rpm in 3rd gear...
(Passing a Garbage truck; it stank so bad that it would have made a Tasmanian Devil jealous )

Ahhhh it does have a rev-limiter and it is ok to run in first gear. This helps my quest to rev on up without worry. I am so excited because now i can focus on getting the pipe wrapped figuring out tire preasure and checking out ride on. Hmmmmm I wonder if my gas boils....... Oh and my shock setting is at 2 I better bump that up too.

[TexGEOas]

As a long-time Harley Road King rider, I was not prepared for the Spyder's higher RPM range (2012 RTS-SE5) . It was scary for me to listen to the Spyder's engine winding up so high after years of listening to a comfortable, laid back low rumble. The Spyder's optimum RPM's are about DOUBLE that of my Harley. But I knew one important thing... do not lug the engine... no matter what. That led me to start out shifting at the LOW END of the optimum range. Not good enough... based on what I was reading here on the forums. So... I put in some EAR PLUGS and rode for a couple of weeks using only the Tachometer to determine my shift points... ignoring the engine sounds... and relieving me of my old notions about what I thought the engine should sound like. It worked. I now ride without the ear plugs and 4200-5000+ rpms now sound great to me and... my Spyder loves me for it.
My gas mileage improved, too...
Difficult to grasp that more RPM's = better mileage but I use Fuelio and it was plain to see.

[Chupaca]

slow cruising is so much easier with a manual clutch...good luck with that..!!