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Does ECO mode actually effect throttling?

bhfromme

Member
Is the ECO mode on the 14s nothing more than a reminder on the screen? Seems like I read somewhere that it actually affects throttling. Is that true?
 
Eco mode affects throttle response and puts the green arrow on the LCD screen to remind you when to shift.
It distracts your attention from the road and decreases the engine response.

It is far more than a reminder on the screen.
It is at best a waste of time.
At worst, it is a distraction and hazard.

As always, my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.
 
Is the ECO mode on the 14s nothing more than a reminder on the screen? Seems like I read somewhere that it actually affects throttling. Is that true?
I actually used mine today (one of a few times since I have owned the bike). Yes, it does affect the throttling. For that reason, I will not use it in traffic because it doesn't have the acceleration that I would like to have when needing to get out of peoples way, or avoiding others. It is suppose to help with mph, but I am not sure how much it will help. I did 217 miles today and averaged 37.5 mph. Not as good as my M109, but a lot better than the lightnings 15 mph.
 
So let me get this straight. I'm in traffic, need to gun it to avoid some idiot and ECO mode cuts down on my ability to accelerate?

Or I'm just out having fun gunning the crap out my Rotax in lower gears and the ECO mode tries to send me over the handlebars?

All in the name of putting better gas mileage numbers on a sales brochure? Really? Come on BRP I expect better from you.
 
If you lay on the throttle it goes out of eco mode as it senses that you are in a rapid acceleration mode. I use it all the time now but I do not watch the arrow, it has increased my gas mileage.
 
this "mode", does put in a different "map", that softens throttle response, especially below 4 thousand rpm. Above that rpm, I really can't tell the difference.

As for the dreaded shift arrow, I can't read anything in the display anyway, so I ignore it..


I use ECo mode usually, because I don't really need everything the 1330 can give me at a traffic light, it's just more casual, and I think it makes e-shifter more gentle.
 
this "mode", does put in a different "map", that softens throttle response, especially below 4 thousand rpm. Above that rpm, I really can't tell the difference.

As for the dreaded shift arrow, I can't read anything in the display anyway, so I ignore it..


I use ECo mode usually, because I don't really need everything the 1330 can give me at a traffic light, it's just more casual, and I think it makes e-shifter more gentle.


I experimented with eco mode a bit. Agree it remaps the engine management. Currently the only time I use it is on the highway when cruising.

PK
 
I used Eco mode to get accustomed to my new RT-S after years off motorcycles. Yes, it does reduce throttle response, I guess remapping is a great term to describe it. It does improve my mileage but if I downshift and whack the loud handle is gets up and goes, albeit not as quickly as if I shut it off. Around town the speed limits are such that riding with it always on is no big deal and perhaps keeps me from acting like a hooligan if I feel the urge. I don't need all that "raw" power for errand running. On the long recreational rides, now that's...
 
Just curious

I have seen throttle response curves from BRP published on this very website and at least for the 2014 RT, it does indeed affect throttle response and power throughout the whole RPM range. It reduces the response by what looked to me like about one third. The behavior of ECO mode is also briefly explained in the owner's manual. You have to physically turn this mode off. It does not detect the rider's intentions on hard acceleration. I have experimented with ECO mode and fuel economy. My conclusion is that you get better mileage using ECO mode than regular mode, even if you take it really easy in regular mode. My personal opinion is that even with only 2/3 of the available power, the Spyder will still easily out-accelerate most cars in ECO mode and is not at all unsafe. I don't normally use ECO mode because I like strong performance and I didn't buy a Spyder to get good gas mileage. I guess I want to act like a hooligan every once in a while as JayBros says. :roflblack::2thumbs: I just did all this research and experimentation because I was curious.
 
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I have seen throttle response curves from BRP published on this very website and at least for the 2014 RT, it does indeed affect throttle response and power throughout the whole RPM range. It reduces the response by what looked to me like about one third. The behavior of ECO mode is also briefly explained in the owner's manual. You have to physically turn this mode off. It does not detect the rider's intentions on hard acceleration. I have experimented with ECO mode and fuel economy. My conclusion is that you get better mileage using ECO mode than regular mode, even if you take it really easy in regular mode. My personal opinion is that even with only 2/3 of the available power, the Spyder will still easily out-accelerate most cars in ECO mode and is not at all unsafe. I don't normally use ECO mode because I like strong performance and I didn't buy a Spyder to get good gas mileage. I guess I want to act like a hooligan every once in a while as JayBros says. :roflblack::2thumbs: I just did all this research and experimentation because I was curious.

Please read post #5 from Lamont on this subject http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?61713-Eco-Mode-and-Shifting-RPM
 
Selectable remaps for engine performance can be tailored by the oem or programmer to do all sorts of various things. Engine management now is very computer or ECM dependent on almost all vehicles.

Consider that the 1330 uses a fly by wire throttle, plus has various sensors onboard for monitoring all sorts of conditions. In simple terms, traction control is one of the parameters controlled by the ecm and besides pulling back throttle during a wheelspin event, it will even regulate how the throttle is re-engaged.

ECO is a based on remaps to typically alter engine ignition timing and fuel control. Besides economy, the ECM is also protecting the engine from running lean, or detonating. A well designed system, using knock sensors and other high end monitoring can also make tuning adjustments based on fuel quality. No doubt it may or may not be calibrated to return to a normal system under certain input parameters such as throttle position, speed, gear selected, and actual load.

A few weeks ago, I rented a Toyota Camry. Not a base model but some level above. It too had an ECO. I did not read the owners manual, but did notice that the car was configured to engage or disengage ECO automatically with the indicator light following as it when between ECO and Normal.

Possibly the Spyder does this but leaves the indicator on. However, in my opinion from riding, once the ECO is activated, the engine remains detuned and I have not noticed it to have the zip regardless of throttle position.

No doubt, the modern engine has come a long way since breaker points and a simple carb.

PK
 
I didn't realize it can be deactivated. I can't speak for others but I don't buy toys like this for fuel economy! But even with that said I realize BRP's need to be be competitive in the market.

If I can just switch the ECO off I should be fine. Thanks guys. Once again the wisdom here is nothing short of amazing!
 
So if you have a pool would you block off 40% of it? If you have a 50" television would you block off 40%? We buy these things for fun. Why anyone would want only 60% of the fun is beyond me.
 
With regard to the 2014 RT, there is a brief but informative explanation of how ECO works. It is silly to just speculate on such things when you can read about it from the manufacturer.
 
There are times when it is very beneficial to me

When I first tried it on our '14, I didn't like it but I was trying it in city conditions. The lack of snap to the throttle wasn't to my liking. The arrow indicator was distracting and I didn't like that either so I stopped using it. I normally shift between 2500 and 3000 anyway so decided I didn't need to look at the arrow.

However, this past September my wife and I did a road trip that took us down into Nevada. Going from Ely to Tonapah there is no gas for almost 170 miles. Normally that shouldn't be a problem but not knowing how much wind we might be running into or just how much elevation change we would encounter, I didn't want to run low so I engaged Eco. I averaged about 60 to 65 mph. I didn't need quick acceleration and I really didn't notice any feeling of being under powered and when I filled up I put in about 4.5 gallons. We subsequently took another road with even greater distance between gas going from Winnemucca Nv to Lakeview Or and again used Eco with comparable results. I don't know if I would have been fine in non-Eco mode but I do know that it uses less gas and you don't notice the reduced power.

There are also times when you misjudge when to get gas and it is nice to know that you can stretch your mileage if you need to. In the east where gas stations are as plentiful as tics on a deer, maybe you don't care but out west that isn't always the case. I've been on our Yammi Venture when I thought I was going to be parked on the side of the road and that isn't fun either.

There are situations where Eco can be a real benefit and when cruising, you really don't care about the quick acceleration aspect.

Gary
 
Given the, seemingly endless, threads on those trying to save a few dollars per fill-up by using less expensive gas, or threads on fuel mileage comparisons, it shouldn't be a surprise an ECO Mode is available.

Personally, I would be surprised if I would ever use it...
 
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