Lugging? Maybe?

[Sandysandals]

Good Morning. I have 2013 RT Limited with about 3K miles on it. Taking it in this week for an oil change and to 'chat' with the mechanic. Yesterday, I rode about 50 miles on I95 really truckin' I watched my RPMs....as always, but I noticed something that didn't quite feel right. Around 77mph and around 5700 RPMs, in 5th gear of course...it felt like it was lugging and wanted another gear. The rough lugging feel would come and go, and I would feel it on acceleration, then it would smooth out. Is this normal? I did have it up to about 97 at one point (my life did not flash before my eyes, but the size of the speeding ticket DID, so I backed off)....and it did this all the way up. Also, I am only getting between 23 and 26mpg on this thing. Since I'm pretty much clueless....what should I be asking, and HEARING from the mechanic at the dealer when I take it in? Appreciate any help. :helpsmilie:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

WHAT YOU ARE FEELING

First off ..." you go girl " :yes::clap:.....Now in my experience with Spyder I do not believe you are " LUGGING " the engine. You are actually in the SWEET SPOT of the powerband in my opinion. ( right on ) .......This feeling could ...repeat could be caused by ...BELT SLAP.....Have you checked the tension of the belt recently.. It should be approx. 145 lbs. using a "KRIKIT" TENSION MEASURING DEVICE ( do a search if you don't know what this is ,,,about $17 )....You may have the belt too loose ????Also at certain RPM's there is a HARMONIC VIBRATION that I think all Spyders have and may not have a cure......Good Luck ...Mike ...:thumbup:

 

[Chupaca]

Lugging..!!

your mileage will vary and improve with time. To get a good measurement set your trip meter to 0 fill up and ryde till the light indicates fuel low. Fill up as close to the last fill as possible and divide the miles on the trip meter by the gallons put in. As for lugging..if it clears up went you speed up or slow down a bit it is probably harmonics. You can have the belt tension checked at your dealer. At that speed and rpm's you are not lugging but the vibration make it feel that way. Just 3 more miles for the 100 miles per club...careful...:roflblack:

 

[Sandysandals]

Thanks

Thanks....that is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you and I will be doing some research. I didn't know how to describe the feel except that it kinda feels like lugging....so now I have a place to start. :dg1:

 

[Sandysandals]

your mileage will vary and improve with time. To get a good measurement set your trip meter to 0 fill up and ryde till the light indicates fuel low.l...:roflblack:

Thanks...that's what I do. Yesterday was the WORST gas mileage...but I know it was because I was 'flyin' on the interstate. My last bike was a little Suzuki Boulevard (805) and I loved it. But around 75mph, it would begin to feel unstable......not the Spydee. It feels solid, even passing 18 wheelers. No sway or 'buffeting' at all. Now it won't be.....can I keep up with the big boys..............it will be CAN THEY KEEP UP WITH ME? LOL

 

[Magdave]

I too am only getting 26.5 on my best long ride at 60mph. I sure hope it gets better. I have 1k on it. Maybe it is something changed in the 2013 fuel mapping? You may have a belt vibration not uncommon I get one at 63mph but it goes away above and below that speed.

 

[Sandysandals]

HA

Just 3 more miles for the 100 miles per club...careful...:roflblack:

Heck....if I'd known there was a club....I would have scooted on up to 100. :firstplace:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

FEELING PLANTED

Thanks...that's what I do. Yesterday was the WORST gas mileage...but I know it was because I was 'flyin' on the interstate. My last bike was a little Suzuki Boulevard (805) and I loved it. But around 75mph, it would begin to feel unstable......not the Spydee. It feels solid, even passing 18 wheelers. No sway or 'buffeting' at all. Now it won't be.....can I keep up with the big boys..............it will be CAN THEY KEEP UP WITH ME? LOL

For a small investment ( $ 200 ? ) you could get a BAJARON sway bar for the RT that will do wonders for the handling without compromising the RIDE .....Do a search for additional info and testimonials.....Mike :thumbup:

 

[MouthPiece]

Sandy, I have a 2013 RT-S (semi auto) and I get just about 4 mpg less than my 2010 RT-S (manual) did. Right now I'm getting in the range of 26 mpg around town and 29 super slab. I run from Sanford to Deland on I-4 all the time going to court.

I can't address the lugging issue. Admittedly there is a loss of RPM's when I shift from 4th to 5th at 70 mph, and I guess there is this sensation of loss of power.

Hope this helps.

Chris

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Sandy, just ask your mechanic to check the belt tension there is no need for you to buy a Krikit. Like Mouthpiece I was getting less mpg on my 2013 than I did on my 2010.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

THE LESS EXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE

Sandy, just ask your mechanic to check the belt tension there is no need for you to buy a Krikit. Like Mouthpiece I was getting less mpg on my 2013 than I did on my 2010.

This is absolutely very good advice Sandy........Don't learn how to do " ANYTHING FOR YOURSELF ", JUST ACT LIKE A GIRL, and give the dealer $125 and he will fix it right up.....MAYBE ......you will never know for sure because you won't know how to check it.................SORRY SpyderAnn01, But I have a lot of RESPECT for woman and what they are capable of ( HELLO Karyl, aka Murphy Brown ) ..MAYBE more than you do, and I think an awful lot of Dealers aren't trustworthy ....and they treat woman as if they are STUPID ....I'm just speaking from EXPERIENCE ...........If you have a good one I'm glad ........Mike :thumbup:

 

[Daisyjoe]

I have a 2013 RTS SE5 and my gas mileage is around 27 MPG. I am hoping it will get better after the first 5000 miles. Currently have around 3000 miles on the bike. My 2010 RS gets 30 to 33 MPG. I just chalk it up to the nature of the beast. I just want to get rid of the heat problem.

 

[Spyder_Cowgirl]

Dealers and Women

This is absolutely very good advice Sandy........Don't learn how to do " ANYTHING FOR YOURSELF ", JUST ACT LIKE A GIRL, and give the dealer $125 and he will fix it right up.....MAYBE ......you will never know for sure because you won't know how to check it.................SORRY SpyderAnn01, But I have a lot of RESPECT for woman and what they are capable of ( HELLO Karyl, aka Murphy Brown ) ..MAYBE more than you do, and I think an awful lot of Dealers arn't trustworthy ....and they treat woman as if they are STUPID ....I'm just speaking from EXPERIENCE ...........If you have a good one I'm glad ........Mike :thumbup:

Well now, Mike .... you sure don't mince words! For myself, I operate on the principal of "trust but verify" ... ie. I would like to trust that my local dealer is doing everything correctly but there are some things that I check for myself -- belt tension is one of them, oil, radiator level / cap, and panel attachment are others.

Sandy, Mike's recommendation to locate / purchase a krikit gauge is a good one (make sure you get the one that is flat; there is another that has a "tooth" on it that prevents it from laying flat on the belt). That way, armed with your krikit reading (about 145 as Mike said), you can talk sensibly to your dealer about the vibration you are feeling and that you are concerned about belt tension. :chat:

Whatever you do, however, DO NOT let your dealer get away with treating you any differently than their male customers -- Mike is correct, even in this day and age there is still WAY TO MUCH of this stupidity floating around. :gaah:

Best Regards .... Ann

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

GOOD ADVICE

Well now, Mike .... you sure don't mince words! For myself, I operate on the principal of "trust but verify" ... ie. I would like to trust that my local dealer is doing everything correctly but there are some things that I check for myself -- belt tension is one of them, oil, radiator level / cap, and panel attachment are others.

Sandy, Mike's recommendation to locate / purchase a krikit gauge is a good one (make sure you get the one that is flat; there is another that has a "tooth" on it that prevents it from laying flat on the belt). That way, armed with your krikit reading (about 145 as Mike said), you can talk sensibly to your dealer about the vibration you are feeling and that you are concerned about belt tension. :chat:

Whatever you do, however, DO NOT let your dealer get away with treating you any differently than their male customers -- Mike is correct, even in this day and age there is still WAY TO MUCH of this stupidity floating around. :gaah:

Best Regards .... Ann

Thanks Ann for watching my back :roflblack:...And NO I don't mince words ,never have, never will. I have the utmost respect for woman and I think they get treated SHABBILY ( IS THAT EVEN A WORD ? ) AND IT'S a DIS-GRACE ......There is absolutely NO reason why a woman can't work on her Spyder if she wants to and feels comfortable.....We here at Spyderlovers are a FANTASTIC resource for the NEWBIE and even Seasoned Owners. If I think I can help someone I do it....I was an LEO for 37 years and that's what I did then and that's what I still do.....I certainly DON'T have all the answers to ALL the problems ,but the ones I feel safe with I try to advise wisely............OK enough of the SOAP-BOX....and Sandy don't be afraid to try there are so very many people here who will WATCH YOUR BACK .......:agree:....Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Mike calls it just like he sees it; in captial letters, and high volume! :shocked: :thumbup:
But we also never have to ask him what he REALLY thinks about something... :2thumbs:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

This is absolutely very good advice Sandy........Don't learn how to do " ANYTHING FOR YOURSELF ", JUST ACT LIKE A GIRL, and give the dealer $125 and he will fix it right up.....MAYBE ......you will never know for sure because you won't know how to check it.................SORRY SpyderAnn01, But I have a lot of RESPECT for woman and what they are capable of ( HELLO Karyl, aka Murphy Brown ) ..MAYBE more than you do, and I think an awful lot of Dealers aren't trustworthy ....and they treat woman as if they are STUPID ....I'm just speaking from EXPERIENCE ...........If you have a good one I'm glad ........Mike :thumbup:

WOW THAT'S A LOT OF CAPITAL LETTERS. I GUESS YOU MUST BE REALLY PISSED AT ME RIGHT ABOUT NOW. I THINK I WILL HAVE TO MAKE MY FONT IN RED SO YOU KNOW JUST HOW I AM FEELING.

I BOUGHT A KRIKIT AND IT WAS A PIECE OF CRAP SO THAT IS WHY I SUGGESTED THAT SHE HAVE HER DEALER CHECK IT. DIDN'T SEEM LIKE SHE IS A TECHNICAL PERSON AND SHE HAS AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKER HER SPYDER IN SO SHE COULD HAVE THEM SHOW HER HOW TO CHECK IT.

I DON'T LET PEOPLE WALK ALL OVER ME AND I EXPECT THAT MOST WOMEN DON'T EITHER. IS THAT HOW YOU TYPICALLY ASSUME THAT WOMEN SHOULD BE TREATED? LIKE WE ARE STUPID? :lecturef_smilie:

 

[Oldmanzues]

I think/know it is time to dump ICE WATER on this whole mess.
Let just treat people as poeple, who ever they are.
Oldmanzues

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I think/know it is time to dump ICE WATER on this whole mess.
Let just treat people as poeple, who ever they are.
Oldmanzues

I agree and what really made me mad is that I'm the last person in the world who would think that a woman couldn't do something that a man could. Except maybe pee standing up, that is messy. I'm done with this.

 

[Firefly]

It's always good to have a dealer properly set your belt tension and THEN use a Krickett type device to measure it.
Throwing out a number of '145 lbs' does nothing if you don't explain how to do the reading. Is that 145 lbs jacked up? On the ground? Fully loaded? Where in the belt are you reading? The top? The bottom? Near the rear? In the middle?
Then there's the issue of adjustment and how to properly do it.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

YOU OBVIOULY GOT ??????

WOW THAT'S A LOT OF CAPITAL LETTERS. I GUESS YOU MUST BE REALLY PISSED AT ME RIGHT ABOUT NOW. I THINK I WILL HAVE TO MAKE MY FONT IN RED SO YOU KNOW JUST HOW I AM FEELING.

I BOUGHT A KRIKIT AND IT WAS A PIECE OF CRAP SO THAT IS WHY I SUGGESTED THAT SHE HAVE HER DEALER CHECK IT. DIDN'T SEEM LIKE SHE IS A TECHNICAL PERSON AND SHE HAS AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKER HER SPYDER IN SO SHE COULD HAVE THEM SHOW HER HOW TO CHECK IT.

I DON'T LET PEOPLE WALK ALL OVER ME AND I EXPECT THAT MOST WOMEN DON'T EITHER. IS THAT HOW YOU TYPICALLY ASSUME THAT WOMEN SHOULD BE TREATED? LIKE WE ARE STUPID? :lecturef_smilie:

for starters I didn't use all capital letters, only used them to emphasize certain things I was saying...( hope you got that Bob) and you are wrong I am not pi**ed at you. I'm sorry about your " krikit" you just don't know how to use it that's all...And why are you denegrating Sandy by ASSUMING she's not smart enough or capable of taking care of her Spyder. I think you are short changing her and treating her as if she were STUPID......and if you really read my entire POST you never would have suggested what you said in your LAST two comments ......Respectfully Michael come to rescue BLUEKNIGHT911.......:thumbup: :shemademe_smilie: