19 MPG ?!?

[BillGargan]

You really should not do this with the Spyder. You can inadvertently fill the emissions canister. Best thing is to fill slowly, with the nozzle pulled back to just below the no-lead ring, until gas and bubbles start to spit out the ring vents. Do not try to top it off. How many bars did you have on the gauge at the time of fill? The light comes on just as you leave two bars, or slightly before, on most Spyders. At that point it should not take 5.5 gallons if filled properly. Beyond no bars you can squeeze in 5.5-6.0.

My light comes on consistently -- over and over again -- slightly after the second-last bar disappears. When I fill up a few miles after the last bar goes away I end up putting in just over 5 gallons. When I stretch it I get to 5.4 or so gallons.

 

[Dudley]

So, I did put 5.5 gallons when the light came on and I had 105 miles on the odometer.... as I was filling I kept pulling out the nozzle til I could see the gas right at the top of the tank.

How many gallons does the tank hold? And there really is no difference between 91 and 87???

So I haven't done any freeway driving yet (I'm easing into it)... so my commute is a lot of stop and go at this time.

This week I have been shifting and driving at a lot lower RPM's so maybe that'll help.

So should I replace my air filter??... and are there any other inexpensive quick easy mods I can do at this time to help out mpg?

I am so lucky to live in CAL and be able to enjoy my bike for so many days out the year!!

You all have some great info so far. Thank you!! :2thumbs:

You won't like what I am about to tell you...please take time to read your owners manual. The issues you have brought up are answered by the manual. You are also compromising your safety by not reading it.

 

[BAZMAN]

mpg

the service rep at the dealer told me to keep nozzle in the tank about 3/4s of an inch so you don't over fill it, seems to be working, he said you can't top it off like a regular 2 wheeler.

 

[krb1945]

Regular seems...

to deliver better mileage in our spyders. My SO has an 09 SE5 and it is getting 33 using regular BP, not promoting them at all we just happen to have a card for them.

We tried using their premium and the mileage dropped by 1.5 mpg. I have experienced the same thing with my SM5 and my 09 F150.

This link... http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/NewBike.html#BreakIn

I have used this procedure on many new engines of the two and three wheel variety and I have had the good fortune to have never had a failure. A proper break-in and top quality synthetic lubricants pay off on the long haul.

It also has excellent information on all aspects of motorcycles.

 

[Trickie Dick]

SWITCHED TO PREMIUM-NOW WHAT

After reading all the discussion on the merits of running premium fuel in the spyder, I thought I would try it today. Filled up this morning with premium. Took a little ride about 125 miles with retread to have lunch with Amanda B. Since I didn't want to stop on the way home, I filled up with regular unleaded with 3 bars at 125 miles. When I pulled in my driveway my fuel light was on. WTH:yikes:
I had always gotten around 28-30 on regular until I tried this little experiment to see if I got better mileage with premium. ( I may have but only slightly) But I sure didn't expect my mileage to drop by a third when I went back.
Ideas:dontknow:
Dick

 

[tjfischer]

It doesn't matter what Octane I use. I get the same millege whether I use 84.5 or 102. The only difference is the price.

Note: I aways use at least three tanks of the same ocatane when I experiment.

 

[NancysToy]

After reading all the discussion on the merits of running premium fuel in the spyder, I thought I would try it today. Filled up this morning with premium. Took a little ride about 125 miles with retread to have lunch with Amanda B. Since I didn't want to stop on the way home, I filled up with regular unleaded with 3 bars at 125 miles. When I pulled in my driveway my fuel light was on. WTH:yikes:
I had always gotten around 28-30 on regular until I tried this little experiment to see if I got better mileage with premium. ( I may have but only slightly) But I sure didn't expect my mileage to drop by a third when I went back.
Ideas:dontknow:
Dick

If the gas you chose has a lot of ethanol in it, you may get better mileage with premium, since it generally has less ethanol. Just conjecture, mind you.

 

[pitmon]

I actually tried this on my way up to atlanta yesterday. I didn't really notice any difference in the mpg no matter which octane I used. I averaged about 150 miles per tank no matter what.

 

[Trickie Dick]

After reading all the discussion on the merits of running premium fuel in the spyder, I thought I would try it today. Filled up this morning with premium. Took a little ride about 125 miles with retread to have lunch with Amanda B. Since I didn't want to stop on the way home, I filled up with regular unleaded with 3 bars at 125 miles. When I pulled in my driveway my fuel light was on. WTH:yikes:
I had always gotten around 28-30 on regular until I tried this little experiment to see if I got better mileage with premium. ( I may have but only slightly) But I sure didn't expect my mileage to drop by a third when I went back.
Ideas:dontknow:
Dick

I guess my real question is, why would my mileage drop so dramatically when I switched back to regular(after only one tank of premium.) It looks like I took two steps backward. Like I said, I had always gotten 29-30 miles per gal on regular and now with this last tank it dropped to 22 +/- after the experiment. Is there something in the software that makes adjustments going to premium but may have failed to make an adjustment going back to regular. :dontknow:
Dick

 

[Dragonrider]

I got 27 mpg until the BRP "fix", now I get 18. I was told that was "within the normal range". Doesn't matter how I ride it, I get roughly 90 miles to a tank.

My dealer is 36 miles away - round trip is one tank.

 

[BillGargan]

I got 27 mpg until the BRP "fix", now I get 18. I was told that was "within the normal range". Doesn't matter how I ride it, I get roughly 90 miles to a tank.

My dealer is 36 miles away - round trip is one tank.

I don't know if your means of measuring your MPG is valid -- but, if your are getting 18 MPG there is a problem with your Spyder.

To ensure you are working with valid facts . . . Fill your tank and mark the mileage on the odometer. Then, each time you fill up over the next several tankfuls (3 is the absolute minimum -- more fills are better for accuracy) make note of the gallons you put in your Spyder at each fillup. After the 3 minimum fillups, make a note of the mileage on the odometer. Subtract the first measure from the the last measure and note the miles. Divide the cumulative miles by the sum of the gallons and note the result. For example, if your 3 tanks are 450 miles and your total gallons are 15.0 then you got 30 MPG.

The Spyder tank does not allow you to fill it once and measure the mileage accurately.

Check my mileage on the Fuelly link in my signature. You will see what I got for an average (34.5) over 25 tanks.

 

[boborgera]

I don't know if your means of measuring your MPG is valid -- but, if your are getting 18 MPG there is a problem with your Spyder.

To ensure you are working with valid facts . . . Fill your tank and mark the mileage on the odometer. Then, each time you fill up over the next several tankfuls (3 is the absolute minimum -- more fills are better for accuracy) make note of the gallons you put in your Spyder at each fillup. After the 3 minimum fillups, make a note of the mileage on the odometer. Subtract the first measure from the the last measure and note the miles. Divide the cumulative miles by the sum of the gallons and note the result. For example, if your 3 tanks are 450 miles and your total gallons are 15.0 then you got 30 MPG.

The Spyder tank does not allow you to fill it once and measure the mileage accurately.

Check my mileage on the Fuelly link in my signature. You will see what I got for an average (34.5) over 25 tanks.

:agree::agree::agree:

 

[ldw777frog]

better mpg

I filled up today and hit the 27 mpg... I think the biggest difference was my shifting and driving RPMs... so I appreciate what you all wrote on here- it really helped me out.

Thank you!