Did a little experimenting with MPGs

[ollicat]

I went for an 8 hour ride this weekend and am still learning my 2021 RT Limited. Basically, I learned that with constant speeds from 30 - 55 mph, I can get 40 - 41 mpg per the computer. There was no difference if I was going 30 or 55 mph. Once I hit 60 mph to 38 65 and over, down to about 32 mpg.

I was not surprised by the over 65 mph drop but what did surprise me was no difference in mpg from 30 - 55. I know there are other factors like the bike itself, gas, etc so maybe you will get different results.

 

[EdMat]

Windshield up or down, even that makes a difference.

 

[2dogs]

I'm overly anal about MPG's. If my MPG is off something isn't right. I know exactly what I should get and when I should get it. Example, every 1K of RPM over 3K RPM (60 MPH) will cost me 1 MPG. And yes, windshield up or down will give or take away MPG's. The Spyder's computer will also become accustomed to the way in which you ride so if you have a headwind or a tailwind that you're not aware of it will make your MPG's really go wonky. Although I recommend avoiding it, drafting trucks will give you phenomenal MPGs.

 

[BigPoppa]

On my F3 Limited I've found that my MPG is in the low to mid 30's when cruising around 65-70. 80+ cruising drops my MPG down to the low 20's. I don't spend a lot of time riding around town so I can't speak to my sub 50's MPG.

 

[mecsw500]

Altitude makes a difference. Here at 5,000 feet that's down to about 100 bhp, so I tend to give it a bit more throttle on acceleration which drinks gas faster than at lower elevations. One up or two up makes quite a difference, as does tire types and pressures. I find as well as up to about 55 mph there is no significant difference in mpg, but beyond that mileage tails off quickly. I think it's from turbulence as the Spyder has the aerodynamics of a garden shed. It looks streamlined, but I rather feel it isn't. Going fast enough (ehem) it goes very front end light and wanders about, suggesting front end lift at speed. I don't think it was designed in a wind tunnel, it just looks like it was. When riding in the rain it's interesting to watch the enormous turbulent wake as you get over 55 or so.

 

[BajaRon]

The Spyder is not very aerodynamic. A lot of drag at higher speeds. Just a modest increase in windshield size will reduce fuel mileage a fair amount.

 

[RayBJ]

I'm happy getting 25 mpg when crashing thru the twisties while running with my sport-touring pals. On the super-slabs, I get upper 30s mpg when throttle is steady.

 

[helton61]

I get 25-28 mpg it don't matter how i ride it 16 rtl.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Altitude makes a difference. Here at 5,000 feet that's down to about 100 bhp, so I tend to give it a bit more throttle on acceleration which drinks gas faster than at lower elevations.

In contrast, the summer I kept close tabs on MPG some of my best was going over the Rocky Mountains and some of my worst was in Louisiana at sea level! Go figure!

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I'm happy getting 25 mpg when crashing thru the twisties while running with my sport-touring pals. On the super-slabs, I get upper 30s mpg when throttle is steady.

Interesting, I have a 14 RT and in the Twistie's I ride like I stole it .... I'm avging 40-42 mpg's .....I stay off the Slabs .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[RayBJ]

Interesting, I have a 14 RT and in the Twistie's I ride like I stole it .... I'm avging 40-42 mpg's .....I stay off the Slabs .... Mike :thumbup:

It's the pegging the throttle coming out of the corners trying to keep up with the crazies. The Pedal Commander helps swallow even more. My RT seems to do best at steady speeds up to ~80. Not so good past that.

 

[2dogs]

Interesting, I have a 14 RT and in the Twistie's I ride like I stole it .... I'm avging 40-42 mpg's .....I stay off the Slabs .... Mike :thumbup:

Yea me too. I don't stand on the throtal, I roll it on easily. Instantly hitting the end of the wick sends fuel through the system that doesn't get used.

 

[JayBros]

I rolled off the dealer's lot with a full tank of gas during the first week of Oct 2014. I last refueled on 8/19/23 with 86,448 on the odometer. I have refueled 542 times and a total of 2,101.33 gallons and $4.563.20 in fuel expense. The Spyder has averaged 37.2 mpg to date with a low trip mpg of 28.3 and a high of 52.1. Excel does all the work. There were a lot of miles chasing my son and his BMW GS Adventure riding buddies but many more miles touring.

The biggest inaccuracy in my data is how close to a totally full tank I was at each refueling because of two factors:

(1) there is no "Full" mark anywhere in/on the tank; and
(2) the velocity of fuel coming our of the pump nozzle. The greater the velocity the sooner the splash-back, therefore the less I could "completely" fill it.

I stopped caring about it at 68,850 miles when it crossed the 37.0 mpg point and has been that way for almost 18K miles. The total odometer error is +88.8 miles. I ride where I think it will be most enjoyable and eschew the slabbing whenever and wherever possible.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I rolled off the dealer's lot with a full tank of gas during the first week of Oct 2014. I last refueled on 8/19/23 with 86,448 on the odometer. I have refueled 542 times and a total of 2,101.33 gallons and $4.563.20 in fuel expense. The Spyder has averaged 37.2 mpg to date with a low trip mpg of 28.3 and a high of 52.1. Excel does all the work. There were a lot of miles chasing my son and his BMW GS Adventure riding buddies but many more miles touring.

The biggest inaccuracy in my data is how close to a totally full tank I was at each refueling because of two factors:

(1) there is no "Full" mark anywhere in/on the tank; and
(2) the velocity of fuel coming our of the pump nozzle. The greater the velocity the sooner the splash-back, therefore the less I could "completely" fill it.

I stopped caring about it at 68,850 miles when it crossed the 37.0 mpg point and has been that way for almost 18K miles. The total odometer error is +88.8 miles. I ride where I think it will be most enjoyable and eschew the slabbing whenever and wherever possible.

:agree: about the gas handle/nozzle at the pumps, it can be challenging at times ..... However, there is definitely a FULL point ..... When the gas reaches the lip of the tank ....it's ABSOLUTELY FULL .....and that's where mine is at every tank fill-up .....Mike :thumbup:

 

[Bfromla]

In contrast, the summer I kept close tabs on MPG some of my best was going over the Rocky Mountains and some of my worst was in Louisiana at sea level! Go figure!

Worst in LOUISIANA:hun::dontknow::roflblack::roflblack: try to figure the additional rotations tire made while airborne from pot-holes & bumpsopcorn:, added weight from good ol food stops, & bugs stuck on & in bike. Questionable gas -more so depending seasonal blend change. As well as the variable speeds on every stretch of road. Interstate itself has 4 changes in 30m stretch locally. Thanks for coming by:2thumbs: come on back

 

[canamjhb]

In contrast, the summer I kept close tabs on MPG some of my best was going over the Rocky Mountains and some of my worst was in Louisiana at sea level! Go figure!

Riding high desert/plateau, even mountains will always yield better MPGs than sea level. Provided your riding habits are consistent. Your ECM adjusts fuel to compensate for the thinner O2 at higher altitudes. In addition, lower octane fuel can only be found at higher elevations for the same reason.....

 

[JayBros]

:agree: about the gas handle/nozzle at the pumps, it can be challenging at times ..... However, there is definitely a FULL point ..... When the gas reaches the lip of the tank ....it's ABSOLUTELY FULL .....and that's where mine is at every tank fill-up .....Mike :thumbup:

Mike, point well taken, but even when touring leisurely there's a point where I want to quit trying to get to that lip where the nozzle fits in the tank and get moving again. In a more important vein, I've always been concerned that trying to get the tank as full as absolutely possible increased the risk of getting gas in the purge valve, or bleed valve as it's called in the parts fiche (PN 709000443). Was that a problem peculiar to the V-Twins or the 1330 ACE engine too? I flat don't know and haven't heard about it here in a long time.

 

[2dogs]

:agree: about the gas handle/nozzle at the pumps, it can be challenging at times ..... However, there is definitely a FULL point ..... When the gas reaches the lip of the tank ....it's ABSOLUTELY FULL .....and that's where mine is at every tank fill-up .....Mike :thumbup:

Challenging yes, and a headache also. I've found that staying away from the newer larger stations that have the newer pumps helps with getting an accurately full tank. Older pumps commonly found at "mom & pop" stations are much easier to control when trying to stuff in that last gallon. EPA doesn't want you to have a full tank. Relying on auto shutoff to calculate your MPGs is not an accurate way to rely on. I've tried I don't know how many ways to overcome the frustration of dribbling in that last gallon to get a full tank, but there seems to be no better way than dribble dribble dribble. That extra gallon can mean the difference between a fun weekend and a not so fun weekend, if you know what I mean.

 

[2dogs]

Mike, point well taken, but even when touring leisurely there's a point where I want to quit trying to get to that lip where the nozzle fits in the tank and get moving again. In a more important vein, I've always been concerned that trying to get the tank as full as absolutely possible increased the risk of getting gas in the purge valve, or bleed valve as it's called in the parts fiche (PN 709000443). Was that a problem peculiar to the V-Twins or the 1330 ACE engine too? I flat don't know and haven't heard about it here in a long time.

Haven't that ever being a problem with the 1330s. The problem is to keep the fuel from getting on your shoes.:roflblack:

 

[EdMat]

Challenging yes, and a headache also. I've found that staying away from the newer larger stations that have the newer pumps helps with getting an accurately full tank. Older pumps commonly found at "mom & pop" stations are much easier to control when trying to stuff in that last gallon. EPA doesn't want you to have a full tank. Relying on auto shutoff to calculate your MPGs is not an accurate way to rely on. I've tried I don't know how many ways to overcome the frustration of dribbling in that last gallon to get a full tank, but there seems to be no better way than dribble dribble dribble. That extra gallon can mean the difference between a fun weekend and a not so fun weekend, if you know what I mean.

That is the beauty of what JayBros and others are doing. You can make a mistake in filling, but over time and enuff miles the average takes that out of the equation. Also things like over it's lifetime it's cost me an average of 10 cents per mile, burning premium. Out of the 362 times I have added fuel 17 times I have gotten > 40 MPG and 105 times I have gotten < 30. Over those times there is an average of 1.47 MPG between what the bike says for MPG and what the actual calculation comes to.....calculation being higher.