2014 RT-S MPG Report for Texas

[Texas]

Not too long ago a car costing $100K was unheard of. I never saw one on the road, and most people only saw them in magazines. Now, most people I know of spend $50K+ on each of the two SUVs parked in their driveway. Exotics are no longer considered to be $100K (case in point: the Tesla S can cost $120K and is not considered an Exotic), but instead, $250K+

In my 20s, I never would have spent $10K+ for a motorcycle (my new 1987 Honda Goldwing Aspencade was $7,800), but I have already purchased a few bikes for $30K+. So yes, I believe people would spend $40K on a motorcycle if they felt it would meet their needs. Our society is constantly beckoning for the next new thing. Today you buy a mobile phone that has the ability to use hundreds of applications you don't even take the time to explore, yet as soon as they announce there is a new phone with a 5% larger screen and 10% faster processor, you ditch the old phone for the new one. Though I hate to admit it, if they announced they were coming out with a motorcycle (2-3 wheels) that was all day comfortable, got 100+ MPG, and had the equivalent of 200+ HP and cost $40K; I would at the very least, inquire about it.

 

[Bob Denman]

Let's face it; Everybody likes to "peek over the fence" at whatever "new and improved" gadget they're throwing at us...

 

[Nils888]

Everybody drives their Spyder differently. Those that want to drive really fast have to pay much more close, intense attention to the road. I like to drive at a speed that I can hear my wife humming a tune and I can see more of what is around me. However, I think all of us will agree that we are all having fun

I agree!!!! But another thing that effects the mileage is where I am riding. I don't spend much time riding on Freeways. Most of the places I ride are mountain roads that are just around the corner from my house. Lots of steep hill climbs.
This dose work for trying conserve fuel.

Someday I will try an economy ride when I get down to the flatlands.

 

[Nils888]

I'm sure many are interested in the economy yet puzzels me. This is just the way I see it but if you buy a machine like this (not cheap) as a fun/recreational travel mode, knowing well it is not designed like a mo-ped and does not get great mileage why does it become an important issue. The same can be said about weather to use high test gasoline mostly because it costs more. We are talking pennies to the gallon on a 6.6 gal tank. What's that a buck...it may be that I did come in knowing this, and it is one of the most often asked questions at the pump, that it does not bother me. I do get 33 mpg and my cars do better but I can remember getting 12 mpg on my other fun machines. I do have to say I look for the best price when it comes to my roadster but on the best quality products. The best for those with intrest on mpg's are those apps where they track it for you...I did it till I got a handle on my range and consuption and now just ryde and enjoy...hyea:hyea:jmho....

+1:clap::clap:

 

[den1953]

$40K Thing, Future of Toys

I'm probably wrong on the $40,000 remark as in time our toys always get more expensive. The 2014 RT Limited at 30,499 msrp is just the current model and it's price. $40K Spyders aren't really that many years off. Doesn't really matter how much new technology will go into them or not, the price will go up.

 

[MidTNDawg]

My interest in MPG

has a lot to do with the fuel tank range. I do not want to be stopping for fuel every 150 miles! Texas what kind of fuel are you using? Ethanol added or non-ethanol? In my 4 cylinder Nissans, an Altima and a Frontier, I get approximately 12-15% better mpg with non-ethanol.

 

[Bob Denman]

...But not today! :2thumbs:
Even though it's the most expensive (by far!) vehicle that I've ever owned; it's worth every penny of it, JUST for how it makes me feel! :yes: hyea::yes:

 

[Texas]

has a lot to do with the fuel tank range. I do not want to be stopping for fuel every 150 miles! Texas what kind of fuel are you using? Ethanol added or non-ethanol? In my 4 cylinder Nissans, an Altima and a Frontier, I get approximately 12-15% better mpg with non-ethanol.

I always get fuel near my house because it is the cheapest in town. I'm paying $2.93/Gal. for 87. I'm not sure how much Ethanol is in it, because they only post a sign saying "may contain up to 10% Ethanol". Even more important though is the switch back to the summer blend fuel. I'm not sure when it will happen, but I know that by law, they have to have it by June 1. Between that mixture and the higher temperatures (air is thinner which results in lower wind resistance), I will definitely see an increase in mileage. The quality of fuel that I put in my vehicles is hard to control due to the fact that you really don't know what is in it, and when you need it, you may not have a lot of choices. So rather than focus on that (which really does not make the most difference), I focus on the way I drive. No matter where I get fuel, no matter if it is 87 or 93, no matter if I get Shell or Chevron, my mileage is always within 2 MPG of what I always get (as seen with all of my other vehicles). Since the Spyder is new, it will take a few more tanks to stabilize my mileage, but it will increase. But again, I can't stress enough that it is in the way you drive it. If you have more of a head wind, slow down. This is done to try to keep your drag coefficient about the same. Approach hills at a lower speed and ease off the throttle going down. Watch the RPMs, etc...

 

[F4 Customs]

Windshields can change fuel economy....

...if you install a wider and/or taller windshield. Does anyone have any good numbers on the percent of change once you installed a different shield?

 

[hogrider46]

Safety?

I always get fuel near my house because it is the cheapest in town. I'm paying $2.93/Gal. for 87. I'm not sure how much Ethanol is in it, because they only post a sign saying "may contain up to 10% Ethanol". Even more important though is the switch back to the summer blend fuel. I'm not sure when it will happen, but I know that by law, they have to have it by June 1. Between that mixture and the higher temperatures (air is thinner which results in lower wind resistance), I will definitely see an increase in mileage. The quality of fuel that I put in my vehicles is hard to control due to the fact that you really don't know what is in it, and when you need it, you may not have a lot of choices. So rather than focus on that (which really does not make the most difference), I focus on the way I drive. No matter where I get fuel, no matter if it is 87 or 93, no matter if I get Shell or Chevron, my mileage is always within 2 MPG of what I always get (as seen with all of my other vehicles). Since the Spyder is new, it will take a few more tanks to stabilize my mileage, but it will increase. But again, I can't stress enough that it is in the way you drive it. If you have more of a head wind, slow down. This is done to try to keep your drag coefficient about the same. Approach hills at a lower speed and ease off the throttle going down. Watch the RPMs, etc...

I think it's safe to say, you worry more about mpg than the traffic around you. I'm sorry but I hope to never have to ride behind you. jmho

 

[MidTNDawg]

I agree on driving style

Our Nissan dealer says no other owner they service gets the mpg we do, not even close. I am not as gentle with my RT but still practice economy riding. I do not slow down as much in curves as would be economical, but I still got 32-33 mpg on our 2012 which I turned back in when we picked up the 2014. It appears I may be able (weather!) to ride next week. I very clearly get better mpg in/on whatever with ethanol free, and fortunately the nearest station for us carries pure gasoline. Too, I have established ethanol free stations along all the routes I ride so I estimate over 90% of the fuel used in the Spyder was ethanol free.


Also, auto dealers are "discouraged" by manufacturers from talking about what ethanol added fuel does to the engine, especially the catalytic converters. Or at least two different dealers (2 different mfrs also) tell me this. Seems our government frowns on the truth.


Also note that an improvement of 15% in mpg with ethanol free means burning more gasoline with ethanol added than gasoline burned when using pure gasoline. So . . .

 

[MidTNDawg]

For me, your assumption

I think it's safe to say, you worry more about mpg than the traffic around you. I'm sorry but I hope to never have to ride behind you. jmho

is likely to leave you behind. Economy riding is not necessarily slow riding. For me, it eliminates "jack rabbit" starts and slamming on the brakes stops.

 

[Texas]

Our Nissan dealer says no other owner they service gets the mpg we do, not even close. I am not as gentle with my RT but still practice economy riding. I do not slow down as much in curves as would be economical, but I still got 32-33 mpg on our 2012 which I turned back in when we picked up the 2014. It appears I may be able (weather!) to ride next week. I very clearly get better mpg in/on whatever with ethanol free, and fortunately the nearest station for us carries pure gasoline. Too, I have established ethanol free stations along all the routes I ride so I estimate over 90% of the fuel used in the Spyder was ethanol free.


Also, auto dealers are "discouraged" by manufacturers from talking about what ethanol added fuel does to the engine, especially the catalytic converters. Or at least two different dealers (2 different mfrs also) tell me this. Seems our government frowns on the truth.


Also note that an improvement of 15% in mpg with ethanol free means burning more gasoline with ethanol added than gasoline burned when using pure gasoline. So . . .

Funny you say that. I have a Prius. It is rated for 45-50MPG, but I've never gotten less than 58MPG per tank, and have gotten as much as 64 MPG on one tank. Though I know I get much better MPG than most, I still have a lot to learn, as there are guys out there called "hyper-milers" that can get over 100MPG on a tank.

My point is: it takes no skill to go fast. I did it for years. It totally bores me. I used to race sport bikes in the 80s; but eventually we all move on to something better.

Most people are closed minded and think that only those who are cheap want to get high MPGs. Go tell that to the guy who just spent $120K on his Tesla S (Electric Car). Money is not an issue at all for me. However, there is an old saying "Money won is twice as sweet as money earned". Oh you have much to learn young grasshopper. Getting high MPGs is an art. I've done more than most in my life and have been pretty successful, but 100 MPG in a Prius? I have much to learn...and that is what excites me. Very few of us have minds that thrive on the constant calculations, planning and control that it takes to achieve high MPGs. For those of you who get upset over other people's enjoyment: Please get a life. I don't tell you that you are living your life wrong. Give us that same respect.

 

[Nils888]

Funny you say that. I have a Prius. It is rated for 45-50MPG, but I've never gotten less than 58MPG per tank, and have gotten as much as 64 MPG on one tank. Though I know I get much better MPG than most, I still have a lot to learn, as there are guys out there called "hyper-milers" that can get over 100MPG on a tank.

My point is: it takes no skill to go fast. I did it for years. It totally bores me. I used to race sport bikes in the 80s; but eventually we all move on to something better.

Most people are closed minded and think that only those who are cheap want to get high MPGs. Go tell that to the guy who just spent $120K on his Tesla S (Electric Car). Money is not an issue at all for me. However, there is an old saying "Money won is twice as sweet as money earned". Oh you have much to learn young grasshopper. Getting high MPGs is an art. I've done more than most in my life and have been pretty successful, but 100 MPG in a Prius? I have much to learn...and that is what excites me. Very few of us have minds that thrive on the constant calculations, planning and control that it takes to achieve high MPGs. For those of you who get upset over other people's enjoyment: Please get a life. I don't tell you that you are living your life wrong. Give us that same respect.

God I am happy I am closed minded!!! God forbid I might end up like you! :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflb lack::roflblack:

I will stick to driving a gas hog truck!!!! :doorag:

 

[Texas]

God I am happy I am closed minded!!! God forbid I might end up like you! :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflb lack::roflblack:

I will stick to driving a gas hog truck!!!! :doorag:

It is also these type of people who are compelled to post negative comments on a thread that they have no interest in learning more about. This does nothing but ruin the thread for those who are wanting to learn more. I really don't understand what their malfunction is. Go create your own threads about your own wasteful interests. As a honorable man, I can promise you I won't make negative comments on your threads.

 

[Bob Denman]

God I am happy I am closed minded!!! God forbid I might end up like you!
I will stick to driving a gas hog truck!!!!

:shocked: not cool...
He never said that EVERYBODY had to drive a Prius, or ride slowly; he just said that it works for him... :thumbup:

I happen to like riding nice and slow... I can look around and enjoy the scebnery a little bit that way!
"Sonny-Boy" bpight himself a Ford Fiesta three years' ago...
rated for about 42 mpg.
He regualarly gets 49 mpg with it... and never less than 45 mpg.
(I figured that he was lying to me, so I drove it... and got 48 mpg!)
I'm not a big fan of the current Prius; I'm waiting for the next generation... it might use electric motors in each hub for power it, and a much smaller engine that only provides electrical power!

 

[den1953]

Cars & Bikes

Ford is the biggest hybrid automaker of the domestic brands and The Chevrolet Volt actually is an electric vehicle with a small gasoline range extender generator in it. Electric motorcycles are just in their infancy with brands like Brammo and Zero constantly upgrading their range and speed every year. Hybrid motorcycles apparently just haven't caught on with just a few show bikes from Japan and a tiny moped hybrid from India and a flood of questionable quality stuff from China. I don't think that engineering a 100 mpg two wheel motorcycle that can do the speed limit with a big adult on it would be that difficult. I actually think a 50 mpg trike is just as feasible.

 

[Mr. White]

Texas, are you the gentleman I met at Yamaha Fun Center in Boerne the other day? You were talking to Troy and doing the paperwork on a black 2014 RT. We are going to have a Texas Trike Reunion April 24-26 in Kerrville...meet us if you have time.

:spyder2:

 

[Texas]

Texas, are you the gentleman I met at Yamaha Fun Center in Boerne the other day? You were talking to Troy and doing the paperwork on a black 2014 RT. We are going to have a Texas Trike Reunion April 24-26 in Kerrville...meet us if you have time.

:spyder2:

Yes Sir, I am. Do you have the details on the reunion? That would be the perfect time to spend a couple of days in the area and ride the three sisters. It was nice to meet you. Troy and Rocky had nothing but great things to say about you. I would love to meet up with everyone in Kerrville to see their rides.

 

[Nils888]

It is also these type of people who are compelled to post negative comments on a thread that they have no interest in learning more about. This does nothing but ruin the thread for those who are wanting to learn more. I really don't understand what their malfunction is. Go create your own threads about your own wasteful interests. As a honorable man, I can promise you I won't make negative comments on your threads.

Texas. Why don't you go back and reread your own post #33 in this thread. Can you tell me that is does not have an insulting tone towards people who like to use the throttle for fun?