2,204 mile Road Trip Recap

[Pampurrs]

Safe at home after the 2,204 mile trek from Phoenix to Dallas and back.

The Spyder performed flawlessly in every way, and was exceptionally comfortable, despite wicked crosswinds almost the entire trip. I passed big trucks that were going the 75 or 80 MPH speed limit, and was not affected by the turbulence at all. I give the BajaRon Sway Bar a great deal of credit for that.

My only complaint about the Spyder is the abysmal gas mileage it gets on the highway. 28.78 MPG there, and 30.85 on the return home. The only reason the MPG on the return was slightly higher is because Phoenix is lower elevation than Dallas. I'm very disappointed in the highway MPG. I get 35 just tooling around the city, but 30 on the highway is pathetic. I blame this on the 4,000+ RPMs the engine turns just to keep up to highway speed in 6th gear. But then I don't shop for my bikes based on gas mileage, I prefer performance.

On a side note; On the ride home I had to ride in the rain for nearly 100 miles and she held the road well. However, I am now convinced more than I was before, that the shorty windshield doesn't cut it. The rain pelted me in the face like needles. I'm definately getting the taller windshield from F4Customs as soon as I can.

All in all, I'm pleased with the Spyder RT and look forward to the next road trip.

Pam

 

[Centurion]

Glad you had a safe and enjoyable trip! Thanks for sharing your observations. Interesting about your gas mileage, as I would have thought you would get something higher. Were you pulling a trailer? My RT also holds extremely well in the rain. I am glad that I have the taller stock windshield as it seems that many with the shorter RT windshield dislike it.

 

[Pampurrs]

Glad you had a safe and enjoyable trip! Thanks for sharing your observations. Interesting about your gas mileage, as I would have thought you would get something higher. Were you pulling a trailer? My RT also holds extremely well in the rain. I am glad that I have the taller stock windshield as it seems that many with the shorter RT windshield dislike it.

No trailer, just me and the Spyder. Yeah, usually you expect higher MPG on the highway, but apparently not with this high reving engine. I hate to even think what the 998 engines get on the highway :yikes:

Pam

 

[JayBros]

I had 4,700 on my Spyder when I headed to Spyderfest, 1,800 + round trip and 2,200+ total for the event, and averaged 35.18. My mileage has consistently gotten better and I'm at 9,500+ with average since day 1 36.4. As you add miles things should improve.

 

[Pampurrs]

I had 4,700 on my Spyder when I headed to Spyderfest, 1,800 + round trip and 2,200+ total for the event, and averaged 35.18. My mileage has consistently gotten better and I'm at 9,500+ with average since day 1 36.4. As you add miles things should improve.

I hope so. I'm up to a little over 5,000 miles now.

Pam

 

[happyspyder2039]

Safe at home after the 2,204 mile trek from Phoenix to Dallas and back.

The Spyder performed flawlessly in every way, and was exceptionally comfortable, despite wicked crosswinds almost the entire trip. I passed big trucks that were going the 75 or 80 MPH speed limit, and was not affected by the turbulence at all. I give the BajaRon Sway Bar a great deal of credit for that.

My only complaint about the Spyder is the abysmal gas mileage it gets on the highway. 28.78 MPG there, and 30.85 on the return home. The only reason the MPG on the return was slightly higher is because Phoenix is lower elevation than Dallas. I'm very disappointed in the highway MPG. I get 35 just tooling around the city, but 30 on the highway is pathetic. I blame this on the 4,000+ RPMs the engine turns just to keep up to highway speed in 6th gear. But then I don't shop for my bikes based on gas mileage, I prefer performance.

On a side note; On the ride home I had to ride in the rain for nearly 100 miles and she held the road well. However, I am now convinced more than I was before, that the shorty windshield doesn't cut it. The rain pelted me in the face like needles. I'm definately getting the taller windshield from F4Customs as soon as I can.

All in all, I'm pleased with the Spyder RT and look forward to the next road trip.

Pam

wind kills the mpg

 

[SL Ken]

I have about 11,000 on mine and you are right, going to work at about 70-75 mph, I get between 28-33 mpg. Around town and playing in the twistys I get between 40 and 47 mpg. Pretty weird.

 

[Chupaca]

Good to hear..!!

sounds like it was a great trip even with the crosswinds and the rain. :2thumbs: should get better mileage in time but heavy wind will suck down your fuel...glad your home safe and can now plan the next one....:thumbup:

 

[Highwayman2013]

If you think 4000 RPM's is high, do not ride a 998 bike 5,000 RPM is the sweet spot.

 

[Professor]

Safe at home after the 2,204 mile trek from Phoenix to Dallas and back.

The Spyder performed flawlessly in every way, and was exceptionally comfortable, despite wicked crosswinds almost the entire trip. I passed big trucks that were going the 75 or 80 MPH speed limit, and was not affected by the turbulence at all. I give the BajaRon Sway Bar a great deal of credit for that.

My only complaint about the Spyder is the abysmal gas mileage it gets on the highway. 28.78 MPG there, and 30.85 on the return home. The only reason the MPG on the return was slightly higher is because Phoenix is lower elevation than Dallas. I'm very disappointed in the highway MPG. I get 35 just tooling around the city, but 30 on the highway is pathetic. I blame this on the 4,000+ RPMs the engine turns just to keep up to highway speed in 6th gear. But then I don't shop for my bikes based on gas mileage, I prefer performance.

On a side note; On the ride home I had to ride in the rain for nearly 100 miles and she held the road well. However, I am now convinced more than I was before, that the shorty windshield doesn't cut it. The rain pelted me in the face like needles. I'm definately getting the taller windshield from F4Customs as soon as I can.

All in all, I'm pleased with the Spyder RT and look forward to the next road trip.

Pam

Actually Phoenix is higher than Dallas, not lower. The average elevation here in Dallas is 450-550 feet. Phoenix is around 1,100 feet. Running 75-80, I don't think your mileage of around 30mpg is all that bad. Pushing it up beyond 65 sucks a lot more fuel.

 

[Pampurrs]

Actually Phoenix is higher than Dallas, not lower. The average elevation here in Dallas is 450-550 feet. Phoenix is around 1,100 feet. Running 75-80, I don't think your mileage of around 30mpg is all that bad. Pushing it up beyond 65 sucks a lot more fuel.

I thought it was lower here. ....

I've never had a bike that cruises at more than 3,000 RPM before. I'm used to getting at least 40 MPG even pushing 80 MPH. I guess it's the nature of the beast.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

 

[ARtraveler]

Any speeds over 60 mph and your gas mileage will tend to go down the toilet very quickly. You mentioned passing trucks at 75+. I am guessing that is where the mpg went.

I do a lot of 65 - 70 and average 39 - 40 mpg.

UPSIDE: That Spyder does go very fast without to much prodding.

 

[SpyderAnn01]

It isn't easy getting good mileage when the speed limit is 75 or 80. Glad you had a good trip.

 

[jaherbst]

I thought it was lower here. ....

I've never had a bike that cruises at more than 3,000 RPM before. I'm used to getting at least 40 MPG even pushing 80 MPH. I guess it's the nature of the beast.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

Are you sure you had it in 6th gear?
I still get 39-41 at seventy. Hardly makes any difference trailer or not. Cross wind has almost the same effect as headwind so I would guess that was it. I would get 32-34 with the 998 and once averaged 36 for a trip never going faster than 65.

​Jack

 

[Pirate looks at --]

Could Be

Safe at home after the 2,204 mile trek from Phoenix to Dallas and back.

The Spyder performed flawlessly in every way, and was exceptionally comfortable, despite wicked crosswinds almost the entire trip. I passed big trucks that were going the 75 or 80 MPH speed limit, and was not affected by the turbulence at all. I give the BajaRon Sway Bar a great deal of credit for that.

My only complaint about the Spyder is the abysmal gas mileage it gets on the highway. 28.78 MPG there, and 30.85 on the return home. The only reason the MPG on the return was slightly higher is because Phoenix is lower elevation than Dallas. I'm very disappointed in the highway MPG. I get 35 just tooling around the city, but 30 on the highway is pathetic. I blame this on the 4,000+ RPMs the engine turns just to keep up to highway speed in 6th gear. But then I don't shop for my bikes based on gas mileage, I prefer performance.

On a side note; On the ride home I had to ride in the rain for nearly 100 miles and she held the road well. However, I am now convinced more than I was before, that the shorty windshield doesn't cut it. The rain pelted me in the face like needles. I'm definately getting the taller windshield from F4Customs as soon as I can.

All in all, I'm pleased with the Spyder RT and look forward to the next road trip.

Pam

Maybe time to consider a full face helmet, no needles that way.:yes:

 

[Pampurrs]

Maybe time to consider a full face helmet, no needles that way.

No thanks, I don't need to dress like a storm trooper to avoid the rain on my face :sour: Been wearing a 3/4 for 37 years and have done just fine. I just need my taller windshield :clap:

Pam

 

[Pampurrs]

Are you sure you had it in 6th gear?

​Jack

:roflblack: Yeah I had it in 6th gear and was wishing I had a 7th gear. I had the cruise control set on 80-85 most of the time, and the tach was showing 4,100. This engine is not engineered for efficient highway riding.

I still love my :spyder2:

Pam

 

[cyclekid58]

Trek

Safe at home after the 2,204 mile trek from Phoenix to Dallas and back.

The Spyder performed flawlessly in every way, and was exceptionally comfortable, despite wicked crosswinds almost the entire trip. I passed big trucks that were going the 75 or 80 MPH speed limit, and was not affected by the turbulence at all. I give the BajaRon Sway Bar a great deal of credit for that.

My only complaint about the Spyder is the abysmal gas mileage it gets on the highway. 28.78 MPG there, and 30.85 on the return home. The only reason the MPG on the return was slightly higher is because Phoenix is lower elevation than Dallas. I'm very disappointed in the highway MPG. I get 35 just tooling around the city, but 30 on the highway is pathetic. I blame this on the 4,000+ RPMs the engine turns just to keep up to highway speed in 6th gear. But then I don't shop for my bikes based on gas mileage, I prefer performance.

On a side note; On the ride home I had to ride in the rain for nearly 100 miles and she held the road well. However, I am now convinced more than I was before, that the shorty windshield doesn't cut it. The rain pelted me in the face like needles. I'm definately getting the taller windshield from F4Customs as soon as I can.

All in all, I'm pleased with the Spyder RT and look forward to the next road trip.

Pam

what speeds are you running, I just did a trip that was mostly 60-65mph speed limits and my lowest was 39 and several 42mpg on a 2014 RT-S? The faster you go, yes the mileage isn't going to be as good, at 75 of the freeway I drop to about 34.

 

[lwrydr]

Guzzling Gas

When I was coming back from Spyderfest and got into Idaho I was on a freeway and the speed limit was 80......I could
almost watch the gas guage moving......2013 RTL....