bjt
Very Helpful Member
:thumbup: Some things are hard to live down. Trust me, I still get jabbed about a trailer malfunction two years later. :sour: At least the talk about my three wheeler mishap has faded. :thumbup:
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FRED RAU SPYDER CONTRADICTION?
- Thread starter fordguyupnorth
- Start date
:thumbup: Some things are hard to live down. Trust me, I still get jabbed about a trailer malfunction two years later. :sour: At least the talk about my three wheeler mishap has faded. :thumbup:
Mileage Questions
Right now I am crossing the continent with my RT for the 7th time, pulling a trailer every time. My average mileage from all of these trips is 25.6 mpg. However, having kept fairly careful records, I can also say that the RT's mileage has slowly gotten better as the miles have piled up. From the first 10,000 miles to the 50,000-mile point, all averages have increased by about 12%, with the largest increase coming between 20,000 - 30,000 miles. My very best tank got 37.5 mpg, and my very worst, 9.6 mpg. Contributing factors include load, wind, altitude, road conditions, speed, tire pressures, and believe it or not, how high you raise your windshield.:chat:
Right now I am crossing the continent with my RT for the 7th time, pulling a trailer every time. My average mileage from all of these trips is 25.6 mpg. However, having kept fairly careful records, I can also say that the RT's mileage has slowly gotten better as the miles have piled up. From the first 10,000 miles to the 50,000-mile point, all averages have increased by about 12%, with the largest increase coming between 20,000 - 30,000 miles. My very best tank got 37.5 mpg, and my very worst, 9.6 mpg. Contributing factors include load, wind, altitude, road conditions, speed, tire pressures, and believe it or not, how high you raise your windshield.:chat:
Mileage
Forgot to mention something every RT owners knows already - the gas gauge is notoriously pessimistic. When mine first hits the red zone, I know I still have more than a third of a tank left. When the warning light goes on, I usually still have about two gallons in the tank - or at least 1.5 gallons. In my mind, I figure, "warning light means 40 miles until empty," and it has never failed me. I have ridden as far as 60 miles with the light on, and put 6.4 gallons in the tank, so I was REAL close to empty.
Forgot to mention something every RT owners knows already - the gas gauge is notoriously pessimistic. When mine first hits the red zone, I know I still have more than a third of a tank left. When the warning light goes on, I usually still have about two gallons in the tank - or at least 1.5 gallons. In my mind, I figure, "warning light means 40 miles until empty," and it has never failed me. I have ridden as far as 60 miles with the light on, and put 6.4 gallons in the tank, so I was REAL close to empty.
Raptor
New member
That is intresting. Similar thing happened to me last week. I went just over 40 miles with the light on (I was intentionally stretching it as an experiment) and put 5.3 gallons in. I don't know that I would want to go further than that, but it's good to have an understanding of how far you can push it. Given the RT is at least 100 pounds heavier (more with trailer in tow) and produces more drag than the RS you are getting pretty good reserve numbers, Mr. Rau. Of course my RS is somewhat modified which is hurting fuel economy. 
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MouthPiece
Banged Up Member
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
I will confirm that the higher the windshield is raised, the worse the mileage. The two biggest factors in mileage are speed and wind resistance. The vehicle weight is much less of a factor. Raising the windshield increases the frontal area, thus increasing the drag and lowering the mileage.
The smaller windshield for 2011, plus the reshaped, more angled lower wind deflectors, were introduced both to increase ventilation, and to improve mileage. I don't have a good handle on the mileage on my 2011 yet, and I may not be able to compare apples to apples due to performance problems with my old 2010, but the first numbers on the Rouge Rocket are beeter than the initial numbers were on my 2010.
Beside the 2011 windshield, an owner could cut down his 2010 windshield, or purchase an aftermarket windshield from ESI. Frankly, however, I would be thrilled with 33 mpg on an RT with Michigan gas. I averaged over 5 mpg less with my 2010.
ThreeFeet
New member
Thank You sooooo much for that info. I knew the gas gage was a little wierd just didn't know HOW MUCH! had it replaced as the one that was with the bike fluctulated up and down depending on if I was going up hill or down and even hard left or right!!:gaah: Was a PIA!!! Sure will take her out and let her run out as much as I can and still get to a gas station. Or carry a little can in the frunk. Or both. Thanks again.:2thumbs:
effgjamis
Ride Forrest Ride!
Interesting... I went dry and could only get 6.1 in the tank. What's your secret for the 3 tenths????
dancogan
New member
Thanks. I was thinking that the profile of the windshield might be more aerodynamic than my head and shoulders, so maybe I'd get better gas mileage with the windshield up. Guess the only thing better having it up is less wind and less wind noise.
Maybe it was a very cold morring when he filled up?.nojoke
Raptor
New member
A very good possibility. Less expansion/vaporization.
bjt
Very Helpful Member
I was just reading somewhere that this is a myth. The depth that the tanks are buried in the ground results in a very uniform temp for fuel regardless of the ambient air temp.
Bob Denman
New member
I'd rather have a pessimistic gauge than one that helps me wear out my boots hiking...
(Averaging right around 33mpg, so I ain't complaining!) :thumbup:
Firefly
Active member
:shocked: WOW. 9.6 ! WOW!
Prime example of why you can't just go by one tank when checking MPG.
I can say on my GS that adding the CHAD took the MPG down (as well as top speed) BIG TIME.
:agree:I have the EVO 3 w/wings, [GS] It knocked off at least 4 mpg, I can get some of it back when i take off the wings in the Summer.
Top speed ''What top speed '':shocked::roflblack:
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