Finally! Take delivery after Labor Day. ECO Mode any good?
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!
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 09-02-2022 at 10:13 PM.
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.....
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!!
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.
2020 F3 SE6
Safety and Lighting: LED Headlight upgrade, IPS LED Fog lights, Show Chrome LED Fender Signals, LED Signature Light, Tric LED Afterburnerz, MotoHorn 2.0
Suspension: Wilbers Front and Rear Shocks, BajaRon Sway Bar, Vredestein Quatrac Front and Rear Tires
Comfort: Blue Ridge Windshield, Corbin Dual Touring Saddle, Ultimate Floorboards, OEM Passenger Backrest with Rear Shelf, OEM Passenger Floorboards Modified with High Risers from Pierre
Tackform Center Mount Phone Holder w/ rapid charging USB-C.
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.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
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.
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.
..... So, if you drive conservatively 90% of the time it will pay off in the long run.
I don't understand?? . What is thisstrange 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??
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.
2022 RT Sea To Sky
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I don't understand?? . What is thisstrange 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.
The only time I use Eco mode is in slow stop and go traffic.
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Elka Stage 5 rear shock with spring preload adjust
Monster Stage 2 ECU
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Baja Ron sway bar
Baker Air Wings upper and lower
Viking saddle bags
Third pegs
Vredestein tires front and rear
Mad Stad windshield
X-creen windshield deflector
Front and rear drive cam
Garmin Zumo XT
Heated gear wiring
Lamonster LED headlights
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BRP heated handgrips
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BRP passenger backrest
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Barkbusters Storm handguards
"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.
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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.
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....
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.
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.
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.
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.
Artillery lends dignity to what would
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F3 ultimate boards
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Lamonster billet sway bar end links
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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.
Current Ride: 2019 Can-Am Spyder F3 Limited - Cool Change.
Past Rides:
2014 HD Triglide - Fat Bottom Girl
2006 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 - Jessica
2003 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 - Helga
2014 HD Ultra Limited - Harley Quinn
2008 Honda Gold Wing GL 1800 Trike w/Champion Conversion - Fat Bottom Girl 2
2001 Honda Gold Wing GL1800 - Tweety
2015 HD Triglide - Fat Bottom Girl
2011 HD Ultra - Raven
2006 K1200LT - Vianca
2007 HD Ultra
2006 HD Ultra
2004 Honda Goldwing
2001 Honda Goldwing
1996 Honda Goldwing
2000 Honda Aero
1985 Honda V65 Magnum
1992 HD Softtail
1976 HD Sportster
1973 HD Sportster
1965 HD Sportster