139HP Rotax motor

[ThreeWheels]

In My Humble Opinion.................

I'm VERY satisfied with the acceleration of the Spyder RT.
I have a manual transmission. In my opinion, almost all modern machines have adequate acceleration.
I would VERY MUCH like better gas mileage. 140 mile range in between fill-ups is pretty poor for a touring machine.
If a bigger motor makes for more range I'm all for it.

 

[SilverSurfer]

Fuel Range

Stating a 'miles per tank' figure can be misleading. One must first be near empty and then fill the tank completely (and if you're not milking the gas nozzle to top it off, then you're not topped off). Note the number of gallons to the decimal point you put in. Then, run the Spyder until it's as empty as you're comfortable with before running out of gas. Refill to complete top-off again. (Note: It seems whenver I'm about to run out of gas, I actually still have about a gallon or a little more in the tank). So let's say out a 6.5 gallon tank, we're using 5.5 gallons of fuel noted at fillup. My best range using this method was 185 miles. 185/5.5= 33.6 mpg. For a 929 pound trike, this isn't too shabby and competes well with Tri-Glides and GW Trikes.

We all would love more power-to-weight ratio, better mpg, etc ... but we're not really broke either. It's a matter of perspective.

 

[SpyderWolf]

My Aprilia Tuono Factory was rated at 137HP and it was a 1000cc. I believe it was the same engine with different 4 valve, twin plug heads. That thing was a rocket weighing in at just over 425lb.

With all of the work you did on your Spyder, couldn't you have swapped out the engine? :dontknow:

 

[GeoffCee]

Stating a 'miles per tank' figure can be misleading. One must first be near empty and then fill the tank completely (and if you're not milking the gas nozzle to top it off, then you're not topped off).

I never run to near empty, it comes from a fear of running dry with all the inconvenience that can add to your journey.

We have done a lot of touring in France where on the motorways they post the distance from one fuel pump to the next. It's a simple bit of information but knowing that distance gives you confidence, either to fill up immediately or carry on to the next filling station.

For the rest of Europe you make more fuelling stops than absolutely necessary simply to ensure you don't run dry. Our Zumo 550 has a miles per tank display which is a very useful reminder, providing you remember to reset it each time you fill up. We tell the Zumo that the Spyder holds about a gallon and a half less than it does. There's no law preventing you from lying to your sat-nav. :roflblack:

 

[SpyderWolf]

We tell the Zumo that the Spyder holds about a gallon and a half less than it does. There's no law preventing you from lying to your sat-nav. :roflblack:

That is a good strategy as well. I usually fill up my GS when I hit 3 bars on the fuel gauge. I have ridden it for a while once with the low fuel light on and no bars showing, and that is a stressful experience for sure.

 

[ThreeWheels]

Stating a 'miles per tank' figure can be misleading.~~~~ My best range using this method was 185 miles. 185/5.5= 33.6 mpg. For a 929 pound trike, this isn't too shabby and competes well with Tri-Glides and GW Trikes.

We all would love more power-to-weight ratio, better mpg, etc ... but we're not really broke either. It's a matter of perspective.

Am I understanding correctly ? You can go 185 miles between fill ups ?
That's outstanding.
My low fuel light comes on at 125 and I'm antsy at 140. Although I only put in less than 5 gallons even at 140 miles.
To compensate for my "antsy" feeling, I've just bought the REDA can to take with me on long trips so I can push the distance between fill ups and still be comfortable.
I miss my ST1100 on these long trips. 7.7 gallons of fuel onboard, 45 MPG. Although the RT is far more comfortable.

 

[SpyderWolf]

I actually "ran out" today on my way to the Fest. The heavy winds took a toll on the gas milage but I just reached down and flipped on the fuel pump and dumped anther 2.5 gal into the main tank and just kept going down the road. And people wondered why I would want want an aux fuel tank.

Any idea what type of mileage you were getting?

 

[darren]

The RT owes its stability and safety to some extent on the Vehicle Stabilility System. Is it possible that the RT's handling, which is already twitchy on uneven roads, would be made worse if a larger sports-tuned motor was introduced? :dontknow:

Could you imagine the amount of tree huggers the bigger engine in the spyder would make, as they launched in to the tree tops because the power was just that much more agressive, I reckon the rs power is just right

 

[Vyperyder]

Hi all,
I was thinking maybe I could take the 1250 motor out of my V-rod Muscle and drop it into the RTS.
Come to think, that has only got 5 gears ...and NO reverse.

Hmmmmmm!!! :dontknow:

 

[GeoffCee]

Could you imagine the amount of tree huggers the bigger engine in the spyder would make, as they launched in to the tree tops because the power was just that much more agressive, I reckon the rs power is just right

Doesn't take too much imagination. :roflblack:

I have no experience of the RS, I have a 2011 RT S which I think is adversely affected by lugging around that fat, heavy body. :sour::spyder::sour:

As for fuel economy... I get over 45 average miles to the gallon out of my Honda Civic car when driven hard and that has a 2,200cc diesel engine. I used to get about 48 touring mpg from my BeeEmm R1150RT bike.

The Spyder RT is a thirsty beast and its range is poor, when compared to other touring machines. :chill:

 

[Bob Denman]

which I think is adversely affected by lugging around that fat, heavy body.

:shocked: Are you talking about me again??? :roflblack::roflblack::shocked:

 

[Idaspud]

My 2007 Harley Street Glide that I had done many engine mods to taking it from 96 cubic inches to 103 Ci which produced 105 hp. and 107 TQ to the rear wheel. Last summer I did a 4,000 mile run and averaged between 46 to 50 miles to the gallon. the Street Glide was also a 900+ motorcycle with fairing. Don't get me wrong I love my new RTS Spyder :ani29: just wish that the mileage was a little better:gaah:







Very Happy with everything about my:spyder2:except the mileage

 

[Bob Denman]

The HD will also get better mileage because fo the reduced frontal area...

 

[GeoffCee]

:shocked: Are you talking about me again??? :roflblack::roflblack::shocked:

Forum rules don't allow me to call you fat, but you can say it about yourself and I think you just did. opcorn::hun:

 

[Bob Denman]

WE GOT RULES??? :yikes: When did that happen? :shocked:

I'm probably already on the "Oh Crap..." list I guess...

 

[challman]

I couldn't wait bolted on the turbo

how much fun is that?

 

[draboo]

Just on the Rotax BRP web site where they show a vVtwin 990 Rotax engine that produces 139HP, my question is if BRP has that motor then why isn't it offered in their RT Spyders. It is my opinion that the larger HP motor would get higher miles per gallon out put to pull around our heavy machines. Larger motor has to work less to produce the same miles an hour as a smaller engine. just wondering. I love my Spyder RT just wish that it would get better miles per gallon and range between fill ups.





Very happy with almost everything about my Spyder RT except gas milae.

I m far from a being any sort of engine "guru" so please anyone..correct me if I m wrong.. but I believe that if you up the hp on this engine, you will lose torque in the process, or at least the rpm range of the max torque would go higher. Spyders being high geared to begin with, this would making taking off from a dead stop more difficult, more on the clutch than anything else. I believe after you get the rpms up thru the gears, things would work much better, but taking off from a stop or hammering the throttle while doing 20mph in first gear might cause spydie to "fall on its nose". :dontknow:

Reworking the Spyders transmission to accept 6 speeds and then redistributing the ratios a bit better so 1st gear was much lower, plus increasing the hp/torque sounds like a great idea, albeit, an expensive proposition for BRP/CanAm/Rotax.

I d be interested to hear from some of those folks who have done the big bore kit with the larger valved heads/upgraded cams on how their machine acts through out the gears compared to stock.

 

[Bob Denman]

Six speeds PLUS reverse (I think!) would require new cases... Why not go bigger at the same time? Stroke the thing out for lots more torque and give us a larger slug in the cylinder just for fun...:2thumbs: I do think that fuel economy at least might improve a bit since the current motor seems to be worling hard...

 

[Dragonrider]

OK, both barrels:

Triumph TT120 (x2) - avg 36mpg
Honda CB900 - avg 38mpg
Suzuki Intruder 1400 - avg 31mpg
Honda GW 1500 - avg 42 mpg
Honda VLX 600 - avg 46mpg
Honda V65 Magna - avg 42 mpg
Valkyrie '98 - avg 34 mpg
Valkyrie '01 - avg 38 mpg
V-Rod '02 - avg 28 mpg
V-Rod '04 - avg 31 mpg
BMW K1200LT - avg 52 mpg
Spyder RS - avg 38 mpg
Spyder RT - avg 28 mpg (so far)

While the Spyder is at the low end of the milage chart, it's no worse than my Harleys, Suzuki's, or some of my Hondas… Other than the BMW, there are a lot of good scooters or cages out there, if you're after milage.

 

[Bob Denman]

I'll bet that the Wing and Beemer do so well because they spent some time at finishing school in the Wind Tunnel...
Shoot! If I wanted fuel economy I'd have bought a Ford Fiesta; my son is getting 42mpg with his... :spyder: