Mileage vs Oil Usage

[MikeinGA]

I've had many V-Twins and none have used oil like this. I know BRP is trying to make people think that it's normal, but it's not. The only reason an engine would use that percentage of oil is do to loose tolerances or a leak, and my Spyder doesn't have a leak.

That is normally true, but not with Spyder GS/RS. I have a 2011 RS-S SE5 and the first 1,000 miles I had 26 mpg and used 1 1/3 quart of oil. Then I saw the problem the black hose that went from the rear cylinder head to the air box was the problem, at high rpms it was sucking the oil from the rear cylinder head and was putting it dirty engine oil in the throttle bodies. that causes high oil use and lowers the mpg. Now I get 36 to 38 mpg on mountain roads and 40 to 44.6 mpg on the high way. I have over 15,000 miles on my RS-S and now no oil in the air box. There are many ways to fix the problem, they maybe there still on Spyderlovers. That's IMHO.

Mike

 

[Grandpa Pete]

I get about 27-30 mpg and chew about a quart of oil every 2500-3000 miles. Pretty soon I won't have to change the oil. I'll just keep adding:joke:

 

[Jeriatric]

From a reliable source.

There is a leakage test that shows the Rotax 990 rings and valve seats shape:


0%-15% (excellent)

16%-25% (good)

26%-40% (fair)

41%+ (poor)



http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?51016-Engine-condition&highlight=leak+test

The only reason an engine would use that percentage of oil is do to loose tolerances or a leak, and my Spyder doesn't have a leak.

 

[finless]

I use a little less than a quart between oil changes.
I am not going to worry about it. Tail pipe is clean.

Bob

 

[ARtraveler]

All my pre-2014's used a bit of oil between recommended changes. 1/2 to a quart. MPG--pretty much 30-31 across the board.

My 2014 used no oil during its first interval--here 4000 miles. I am getting 37mpg on most tanks. Got 38 the last fill up.

 

[flamingobabe]

I never go anywhere without a quart of oil in the frunk.....about every1000 miles I check the oil and need a little...about a quart every 5000 miles...that is too much......on the Valkyrie we never put oil in except between changes.....I have a 2013 ST....33-36 mpg....my 2009 used about the same amount of oil with 31-35 mpg

 

[SPYD3R]

V-TWINS

I've had many V-Twins and none have used oil like this. I know BRP is trying to make people think that it's normal, but it's not. The only reason an engine would use that percentage of oil is do to loose tolerances or a leak, and my Spyder doesn't have a leak.

V-TWINS are NOT all the same.... the ROTAX is a high-reving engine... if you were riding V-TWIN Harleys, or the Yams, Kows, etc... those V-TWINS max out at half of what the ROTAX does... so that's not a fair comparison...
i have 40,000+ miles on my '09 RS/SE5, i get anywhere from 32 - 36 mpg dependent on altitude and temperature, and i use less than 1/2 a qt. between oil changes.... and remember to try and keep your RPM's around 4000+... or down-shift to a lower gear... these engines are made to rev.....
Dan P
Easley, SC
SPYD3R

 

[DrewNJ]

The 60 degree rotax vtwin is notorious for using some oil. Its pretty well documented on the Aprilia bikes. This is not unusual and just because a motor uses some oil doesn't mean its a bad thing or that something is wrong.
They do burn a bit more the harder they are run....

 

[Dan_Ashley]

My 2012 RT--S burns about 4 oz (1/2 cup) every 500 miles. I get between 27 and 32 miles per gallon, depending how fast I drive. If I go over 70 the MPG drops a bit, and on the mountain twisties it drops when I'm going up hill.

 

[Jeriatric]

Excess Oil consumption

Some here, and a couple of techs, have recomended keeping the oil level at half a stick. Thought being, above that and oil gets sucked into the filter box/filter system.

Mine hardly uses any at freeway speeds - 70+. Have run 1500 consecutive miles on freeways and never had to add a drop. Same machine in the twisties....using lots of RPM's....throttle up & for back pressure....and it'll suck up a quarter quart in one days riding.

Personally. Think they're all as different in oil consumption as we are as pilots.

Same goes for fuel mileage. Could be your piloting skills, could be your spyder has a thing for gas pumps. :joke:

:doorag:

 

[nikki.ullis]

While taking apart my bike (2014 RSS) to install the juice box, i checked oil level (i'm half way to my 2nd oil change) and i was about a qt low. When we pulled the air box, there was probably about a tablespoon of oil in the air box =/
My other half is not at all happy about that, I was hopeing this didn't mean something was wrong with my baby, but it looks like this is somewhat to be expected

 

[dtkennney]

2014 rt. I average 40mpg with 0 oil usage. Currently have 6000 miles on it. I absolutely love the bike.

 

[coz]

one pint

useage between changes seems to be about normal, give or take.

 

[AZCowboy]

Is there any relation between oil usage and gas mileage? I get less than average mileage and use about a quart of oil between oil changes. Any one else experience this?

JT

Yes I go through a quart to a quart and half between every oil change. I asked dealers about it and they said it is because it is a high proformance engine and runs higher RPMs. REJ:spyder2:

 

[oldguyinTX]

The :ani29: technician at my dealer tells me that it is common for the 998's to "use" about 1 quart of oil between oil changes. I have gotten into the habit of carrying a quart of oil with me, and checking the oil once a week -(we ride a lot). I do have to occasionally add a bit, but remember that internal combustion engines consume oil as well as fuel. Just the nature of the beast. On the bright side, at least fuel economy is better than oil economy.

 

[jthornton]

The :ani29: technician at my dealer tells me that it is common for the 998's to "use" about 1 quart of oil between oil changes. I have gotten into the habit of carrying a quart of oil with me, and checking the oil once a week -(we ride a lot). I do have to occasionally add a bit, but remember that internal combustion engines consume oil as well as fuel. Just the nature of the beast. On the bright side, at least fuel economy is better than oil economy.

The odd thing is I've never had to add oil between changes on any internal combustion engine except the Spyder... well maybe my `81 Chevy truck used oil can't remember now.

JT

 

[jthornton]

I bet it did.
But here's what I wonder:
I pull the plugs quite regularly and even though I seem yo use a quart between changes the plugs look textbook perfect.
It would seem that the oil burns very cleanly.

Good to know the oil burns cleanly.

I know for sure the Custom Deluxe 10 went through 3-4 engines and transmissions before I sold the truck with maybe 150k miles on the clock.

Maybe the oil vapoorizes:dontknow:... imagine if we had to replace the engines after 50k like the good ole days.

JT

 

[oldguyinTX]

The odd thing is I've never had to add oil between changes on any internal combustion engine except the Spyder... well maybe my `81 Chevy truck used oil can't remember now.

JT

My 57 Chevy lived on re-manufactured oil. Of course it was 25 cents a quart & gas was 30 cents a gallon. Sure didn't care about fuel mileage or oil usage then!