gas mileage

[bensallen]

I know the Spyders aren't known for great gas mileage and I just got mine today so a couple of "Newby" questions, so be kind please. LOL I read that the tank holds 6.6 gallons. When I picked mine up it was near the red on the gauge. It would only hold about 4.7 gallons before the pump shut off. I rode quite a bit after that and the gauge got back down to the "red" and I filled up again and, again, it only took about 4.5-4.7 gallons to fill up. I had ridden only about 120 miles. Questions,,, is that normal to only take that little to fill up? Is there that much left in reserve? I feel like my mileage sucks but then again my trike only has 2200 miles on it (2011 RT-S) so it might not be completely broken in. I hope that when I get used to the proper shift timing my mileage will improve. What are you guys and gals getting?

[Purple Guy]

I've kept track of my mileage since my first tank of gas.
I log my fill ups at Fuelly.com
Here's a few stats from my 49 fill ups...
7842 Miles - 12,620 Kms
All time avg 35.6 MPG - 15.1 KM/L
Last Tank 39.8 MPG
Best Tank 41.0 MPG

Last 10 fill ups...

		Date	Miles	Gallons	MPG
		15-05-31	193.37	4.861	39.78
		15-05-31	121.66	3.556	34.21
		15-05-27	221.71	6.057	36.60
		15-05-23	212.14	5.887	36.04
		15-05-18	199.09	6.148	32.38
		15-05-09	84.20	2.795	30.12
		15-04-21	198.65	5.882	33.77
		14-10-20	177.71	5.312	33.45
		14-10-19	180.63	5.485	32.93
		14-10-04	101.35	3.181	31.86

[Bob Denman]

The fuel gauges have historically NEVER been all that accurate...
When I had my 2010 RT; I'd plan my fuel stops for right around 135 miles or so, and I'd normally take just over 4 gallons. (Usually about 33 mpg...)
An awful lot of it has to do with how your right wrist "dances with the loud grip".
Most of us have gotten used to using the trip odometers as the basis for fuel stops. I would always use "Trip A", for fuel stops, and save "Trip B" for accumulated mileage totals... The fuel gauge itself, was almost NEVER looked at...

[AY4B]

Has anybody here ever intentionally let their spyder run out of gas to see how much it takes on the refill and how many miles can their spyder go on a tank? You could take a gallon along for when it happens.

[Bob Denman]

That actually HAS been done...
Search the fuel mileage threads; it's in there!

[BlueLghtning]

Has anybody here ever intentionally let their spyder run out of gas to see how much it takes on the refill and how many miles can their spyder go on a tank? You could take a gallon along for when it happens.

I was riding with a friend this weekend that has a 2010 RSS Spyder and her husband had to catch up to me to let me know she needed gas soon. I don't remember how many gallons it took, but she said she had been on no bars for awhile. I know the 2013 RS I'm borrowing if I fill up soon after the light comes on, it's usually just a little over 4 gallons to fill up so it's holding about 2.5 gallons in reserve on the light. It seems to be pretty consistent on the volume and the fuel indicator, so it really just depends how comfortable you are traveling on the fuel light.

[Highwayman2013]

Last trip I checked on our RT was 29 mpg. I went 142 miles took 4.8 gallons. Do not try to squeeze more gas in after the nozzle kicks off. If you want more peace of mind get one of these:http://www.reda-innovations.com/

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

My experience is dry tank to gas overflowing is right at 6 gals. About 20 miles after last bar goes off.

[Firefly]

Last trip I checked on our RT was 29 mpg. I went 142 miles took 4.8 gallons. Do not try to squeeze more gas in after the nozzle kicks off. If you want more peace of mind get one of these:http://www.reda-innovations.com/

Don't trust those REDA gas cans!

Had one leak fumes and gas on me while on a long trip. All my clothes smelled like gas for the rest of the trip.

When I contacted REDA they said they had some defective caps go out. To me this was unacceptable. Left the REDA at a gas station near Boston.

[Bob Denman]

I would caution that one bad experience with them; doesn't mean that they're ALL bad...

[Chupaca]

keep an eye on who is posting what mileage. The new 1330 ACE engines get much better mileage and have a different tank capasity. Most RT owners (998 twin) have disconnected the fuel and temp guages because they aren't that good. When you do this the fuel and temp appear on the panel digitized. They replace the dash guages with outlets or other guages (voltmeters, ampmeters, oil pressure etc). The best way to know is to run out of gas but also know the tank does not hold 6.6 gallons. There is air space and the most I have gotten ,without running out of gas, was 5.4 gals. Also remember the different model 998 twins get different mileages. Mine is an RS

[Highwayman2013]

I would caution that one bad experience with them; doesn't mean that they're ALL bad...

Agree.
Been using mine for 4 years in the saddlebag. I don't keep clothes in the same bag though. Rain suit, tools, mini air compressor, tire plug kit, extra oil. There is a slight smell but nothing overwhelming.

[sduskin]

Has anybody here ever intentionally let their spyder run out of gas to see how much it takes on the refill and how many miles can their spyder go on a tank? You could take a gallon along for when it happens.

I put 6.001 in my last tank for a 2014 RT-S and I had been on E for quite a while. If I remember the manual correctly, it's only a 6.1 gal tank.

[billybovine]

All models 2013 and earlier have a fuel tank capacity of 25 L or 6.6 G
2014/15 RS and ST models have fuel capacity of 23.5 L or 6.2 G
2014/15 RT models have a fuel capacity of 26 L or 6.9 G
2015 F3 models have a fuel capacity of 27 L or 7.1 G

[Bob Denman]

Thanks, Billy!
Wasn't it determined, that the useable tank capacity for the 2010 to 2013 RTs was just about 6 gallons?

[billybovine]

Thanks, Billy!
Wasn't it determined, that the useable tank capacity for the 2010 to 2013 RTs was just about 6 gallons?

Depends on how you fill it. Couple weeks ago I drove into the gas station with no bars for a while. Took 24.2 L that's 6.39 US gallons. So i don't think the 6.6 gallon capacity rating is too far off.

[ARtraveler]

Our experience from just a week or so ago.

I failed to gas up on the 2011 at an appropriate point in our ride.

The gas light always comes on at about 150 on this particular . The 2010 used to come on at 135.

We went 178.2 miles and put in 5.5 gallons. That was 32.4 (32 mpg--on that trip).

My longest on a 998 Rotax--180.4 and 5.8 gallons. That is 31.1 (31 mpg for the trip). It is a bit scary when the fuel gage is on empty or below. We always set mileage odometer A to zero at every fill so we know how many miles on the tank. Most fills are at the 150 mile marker.

My experience with the 1330: The gas light comes on between 200 and 205 miles. I get between 39 - 42 mpg--depending.

[WEB-WVR]

When I first looked at Spyders back in 2008-2009, for me an avid motorcycle rider....the small gas tank and poor mileage was a real negative. I just purchased a Spyder this April....the negative still remains.

IMO: The Spyder needs a larger fuel tank. A bike designed for touring with such a small tank makes no sense. Second, the design engineers at BRP really need to work an better fuel efficient engines... some cars weighing 2-3 thousand pounds get better mileage.

Still lovin the

[Big F]

I've kept track of my mileage since my first tank of gas.
I log my fill ups at Fuelly.com
Here's a few stats from my 49 fill ups...
7842 Miles - 12,620 Kms
All time avg 35.6 MPG - 15.1 KM/L
Last Tank 39.8 MPG
Best Tank 41.0 MPG

Last 10 fill ups...

		Date	Miles	Gallons	MPG
		15-05-31	193.37	4.861	39.78
		15-05-31	121.66	3.556	34.21
		15-05-27	221.71	6.057	36.60
		15-05-23	212.14	5.887	36.04
		15-05-18	199.09	6.148	32.38
		15-05-09	84.20	2.795	30.12
		15-04-21	198.65	5.882	33.77
		14-10-20	177.71	5.312	33.45
		14-10-19	180.63	5.485	32.93
		14-10-04	101.35	3.181	31.86

What is your take on why the last tank had the best mileage??? getting 39+ is awesome!! I usually get low to mid 30's when I check mine (2014 RT Limited)
BIG F

[Bob Denman]

It might just be the dance that your right wrist is doing with the loud grip...

[JayBros]

Purple Guy and I are close. Through 7,440 miles my average is 36.0, best tank 40.5 and worst tank 32.2.

[retired1]

What is your take on why the last tank had the best mileage??? getting 39+ is awesome!! I usually get low to mid 30's when I check mine (2014 RT Limited)
BIG F

When you get to the trip odometer screen, look at the top corner on yhr right side and it gives you average mph for that tank of fuel. Do that a few times and you should be able to find the "sweet spot for your bike.

[Stranger1759]

So what is your trick get to get the most MPG?
Always shift @ what RPM?
Avoid speed's over what MPH?
Any other thoughts?
I know that RPM, shift points etc... depend on motor size and transmission variable's.

[Leslee]

On my 2011 RTS-SE, I averaged about 30 mpg. I used Trip A for tracking when to get gas--usually 120 - 140 miles. I usually got only 4 - 5 gallons in. Rarely had fuel light come on. One time when it did, I went 20 miles before finding a gas station.

[robmorg]

I know the Spyders aren't known for great gas mileage and I just got mine today so a couple of "Newby" questions, so be kind please. LOL I read that the tank holds 6.6 gallons. When I picked mine up it was near the red on the gauge. It would only hold about 4.7 gallons before the pump shut off. I rode quite a bit after that and the gauge got back down to the "red" and I filled up again and, again, it only took about 4.5-4.7 gallons to fill up. I had ridden only about 120 miles. Questions,,, is that normal to only take that little to fill up? Is there that much left in reserve? I feel like my mileage sucks but then again my trike only has 2200 miles on it (2011 RT-S) so it might not be completely broken in. I hope that when I get used to the proper shift timing my mileage will improve. What are you guys and gals getting?

That's about 25.5-26 mpg. I'd say that is typical for an RT with the V-twin engine. I've NEVER been able to get more than 25.5 mpg out of mine - mostly it's closer to 25. I know folks here have reported better mileage on RT's with the 998 engine, but I sure don't know how they do it.

As others have said, the fuel gauge is not accurate at the lower end. But there should be about 6± gallons of usable fuel in the tank on these models, so at 25 mpg, that would take you 150 miles. In my case, I certainly would not go beyond 140 miles without getting more fuel, and then only if I knew I started out with a very full tank. That would give me a very small margin of safety.