Finally! Take delivery after Labor Day. ECO Mode any good?

[2to3]

Been a long time coming, but my 2022 F3L is ready to ryde day after Labor Day (gonna miss the holiday riding). Now, I have what I hope is not too dumb a question...but none of my 2 wheelers had Eco mode. Regarding the break-in and longevity of the engine...is there any advantage to doing the break-in in strictly eco mode? Does it even matter? Please don't laugh too hard!

[Peter Aawen]

No advantage.... no benefit either!

If you use ECO Mode much/all the time, you might save 2/5ths or 5/8ths of sfa in terms of fuel economy, but it will retard your throttle input even more and you'll never truly reach WOT..... which in turn will mean that when you turn ECO Mode OFF, you'll think you've got a new bike, or maybe had a turbo fitted!

Personally, I wouldn't waste the time & effort of ever using ECO Mode, except maybe if you want to deaden your throttle input when ryding in snow.... . But it's your Spyder.....

[2to3]

"No advantage.... no benefit either!" Yeah, after initial break in, I didn't think I'd be using the Eco...just wondered about first 600. Thanks!

[bikerbillone]

See comment #2, Peter Aawen is right in my book, just another button. Ride with ECO off, one less thing for mind clutter.

[Mikey]

Just drive it like a sane person and don't hold your gas at any set speed for and length of time, like on the highway at 75!!! Enjoy, and relax!!!! After your break-in time drive it like you stole it!!

[CloverHillCrawler]

I found a good use for eco mode during my recent 5 day 2k mile trip.

I was running into issues during more heavy rains/storms that I was pressing through on the higher altitude roads with the rear tire hydroplaning/breaking loose.

By switching to eco mode it made the throttle less responsive and less likely to break loose on me so eco mode is my new "rain setting" for better traction control on wet surfaces.

[troop]

Yup .. I use ECO mode only in the rain and on interstate rides.

[ARtraveler]

Most here will agree that ECO mode is not that good in saving gas. It does adjust your throttle response. I have never liked it. I had a 2014, (the year ECO came out). Tried it on one tankful. Never liked it. Since then, have not used it.

and

RE: break in. Vary the speeds the first 350 miles or so. Gentle on the brakes and tires. They will break in during this time. I am conservative. 7 Spyders and almost 200K miles across the board.

[LongIsland]

Yup .. I use ECO mode only in the rain and on interstate rides.

I'm curious as to why you use eco mode on the interstate? I found that eco mode doesn't provide that extra burst of power that is needed at times, like trying to avoid something with a quick movement or additional acceleration climbing a hill. In 2014, when I tried eco mode, I only used it at low speed (45 mph and lower) or in city driving. I did that for a while found no benefit to me and have ridden in normal mode ever since. I only press eco when I need to reset my trip meter or something with audio.
Next time I am caught in rain, I will try eco to determine if it improves handling for me.

[2dogs]

It all depends on your wrist and how you ride. For some folks, they just can't get it to work. For others, they can get better fuel mileage. 2/3 mpg more and can squeeze possibly another 5/10k out of the rear tire. Brake pads will also last longer. So, if you drive conservatively 90% of the time it will pay off in the long run.

[Peter Aawen]

..... So, if you drive conservatively 90% of the time it will pay off in the long run.

I don't understand?? . What is this strange concept you talkin' about 2dogs?! "drive conservatively"??? . I don't understand the term at all, and have no idea whatever it is that you could possibly mean??

[troop]

I'm curious as to why you use eco mode on the interstate? I found that eco mode doesn't provide that extra burst of power that is needed at times, like trying to avoid something with a quick movement or additional acceleration climbing a hill. In 2014, when I tried eco mode, I only used it at low speed (45 mph and lower) or in city driving. I did that for a while found no benefit to me and have ridden in normal mode ever since. I only press eco when I need to reset my trip meter or something with audio.
Next time I am caught in rain, I will try eco to determine if it improves handling for me.

I've never encountered a situation where the power isn't adequate in ECO mode to make a quick pass while traveling 75-80mph. I do have a F3S that has the 89t rear pulley. My bike is geared lower than RT/F3L's. That lower gearing also increases the chances of tire spin on wet roads.

[2dogs]

I don't understand?? . What is this strange concept you talkin' about 2dogs?! "drive conservatively"??? . I don't understand the term at all, and have no idea whatever it is that you could possibly mean??

Ahh you guys down under, sometimes we see things the same, and sometimes we don't. But if we rode together and stopped for a brew you might have to order a second beer before I got there to order mine, even though I have stage II. First beer is on me if I ever get down there.

con·ser·va·tive·ly
a adverb
1. in a sober and conventional way.
2. in a cautious way that seeks to avoid potential risks.

[Yabbadabbadoo]

The only time I use Eco mode is in slow stop and go traffic.

[pegasus1300]

"No advantage.... no benefit either!" Yeah, after initial break in, I didn't think I'd be using the Eco...just wondered about first 600. Thanks!

There is no "600 mile" break in period, your first service is at 3000 miles and then every 9000 after that. Some have done their first service earlier but this is BRP's recommendation.

[baxter]

Had a 2020RTL and now a 2022 F3L Limited Special and other to turn ECO on to see what it was about, have not use it. Does take away response somewhat, but did not buy bike to drive to church.

[2to3]

Had a 2020RTL and now a 2022 F3L Limited Special and other to turn ECO on to see what it was about, have not use it. Does take away response somewhat, but did not buy bike to drive to church.

That's funny! I will ryde mine to church! BTW, my church is 90 miles away....

[CdnF3Rider]

I took possession of my 2018 F3 Limited in May 2023 and with the exception of a few times comparing acceleration between the 2 modes I have only ridden in ECO mode so far. I have had it up to a ridiculous speed and up on two wheels, so power doesn't seem to lack too much. I get 35-36mpg with 91 octane. After reading a few threads here I am going to try a few tanks with ECO mode off and see if I notice a difference.

[Gwolf]

Mine stays in Normal mode almost all the time. Almost never use Eco or Sport modes. Eco mode does not seem to make any difference in gas mileage and it will squeal the tire in Normal mode too.

[JayBros]

Here's what BRP says ECO Mode does.

[Pirate]

There is no "600 mile" break in period, your first service is at 3000 miles and then every 9000 after that. Some have done their first service earlier but this is BRP's recommendation.

My 21 OP guide shows a break in period. That is all it says about that.
Operating During Break-In

A break-in period of 1 000 km (600mi)
is required for the vehicle.

During the first 300 km (200mi), avoid hard braking.

[JayBros]

The OP guide tells you to avoid hard braking during the first 200 mi to allow the brake pads to bed in sort of naturally. One could bed in the pads the way Bajaron recommends with EBC fully sintered pads but the lawyers would object because to putting that in print because it could put an inexperienced rider in a potentially dangerous situation that could get BRP sued.

[Dasmoetorhead]

I have never even thought of using ECO Mode.

[bikerbillone]

Heck, I don't even know why it's there. :-)

[fuzzyspyder]

I have no idea what kind of fuel mileage these Spyders get. Guessing high 20's to mid 30's. So basically my response to eco mode is why? This is the same why? I ask when the "should I use premium" debate comes up in bikes.

We spend a fairly sizable bucket of $$$ for these toys. The manufacturer recommended premium. The tank holds 7 gallons, premium is about $0.10 a gallon more than regular, so $0.70 a tank more per fill. I have read until my eyes cross as to why we should use premium (mostly in the Harley world) and to be honest, I don't understand it all, but, if the company that designed, tested, manufactured and warranted these toys says you should, why not? If we can't "afford" to spend $0.70 a tankful or for 200 ish miles of fun, then maybe we can't afford the toy. And it is my experience we go from fretting over $0.70 a tank more to spending thousands for farkles, bling, accessories, mods etcetera. Yep said we. I love for my ride to be mine. I actually hate showing up for a ride and have another bike "look" like mine ... and you know what I have come to find? The only way to prevent that from happening is to not change mine ... LOL. Of course I am unable to eliminate the obsession of spending my "expendable cash" on my toy.

This same logic seems to apply to eco mode. Is it really worth $0.70 a tank full to take away some of the WOW factor when we ride?

Just my $0.02 worth.