Fuel economy not as bad as I was led to believe

[NoahMercy]

So the wife now has a couple hundred miles on the '11 RT-S SE5 we got her, and it is averaging 28.5 MPG in mostly 55-75 MPH riding, with a few miles of in-town thrown in for good measure. She has been great about not short-shifting, and keeping it at 5100+ RPMs. So we figure she has about a 160 mile practical range, since I don't like running in-tank fuel pumps nearly dry (often, they rely on the fuel to cool them). That's not bad, as it's only about 15 miles less than my V Star 1300, so our fuel stops aren't dramatically different. While I know "smiles-per-mile" is more important than MPG, it is still a good idea to know what the effective range of a bike is, and any dramatic changes in economy can indicate a problem, sometimes before it becomes major.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

So the wife now has a couple hundred miles on the '11 RT-S SE5 we got her, and it is averaging 28.5 MPG in mostly 55-75 MPH riding, with a few miles of in-town thrown in for good measure. She has been great about not short-shifting, and keeping it at 5100+ RPMs. So we figure she has about a 160 mile practical range, since I don't like running in-tank fuel pumps nearly dry (often, they rely on the fuel to cool them). That's not bad, as it's only about 15 miles less than my V Star 1300, so our fuel stops aren't dramatically different. While I know "smiles-per-mile" is more important than MPG, it is still a good idea to know what the effective range of a bike is, and any dramatic changes in economy can indicate a problem, sometimes before it becomes major.

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If you stay below 65 mph the MPG will improve ....I had an 11 RSS, used only 87, ( w/ethanol ) and got around 32 -34 mpg ......ride safe .... Mike :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree: with Blue Knight above.

Have had four 998's. All got around 30-34 mpg. The secret for me was to not do a lot of over 65 mph riding. If you do the interstates, that is not doable though.

The machine will gulp gas over 65 mph.

However, most of us ride for the fun factor and not the gas saving abilities. :yes:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

That is awesome that she is riding in the proper rpm range, so many don’t. We usually stop at 130-150 miles but it is nice to know how far you can go if the need arises.

 

[Roscojim]

That's awesome!! I usually ride around 4500-5000. At 5000 I'm shifting. Maybe I should let it go a little higher if it's better for the engine.

 

[Woodaddict]

That's awesome!! I usually ride around 4500-5000. At 5000 I'm shifting. Maybe I should let it go a little higher if it's better for the engine.

depends,,,,,,,,,,,,,,your signature doesn't list your machine. 998 twin like s higher revs, 1330 triple likes lower rpm's

 

[Peter Aawen]

That's awesome!! I usually ride around 4500-5000. At 5000 I'm shifting. Maybe I should let it go a little higher if it's better for the engine.

depends,,,,,,,,,,,,,,your signature doesn't list your machine. 998 twin like s higher revs, 1330 triple likes lower rpm's

Going by his posts in the 'Starting Issues' thread he started last week (5-17-2020) I believe Jim's Spyder is a 2012 RT-L... :2thumbs: So it probably won't hurt it any to run the revs out juust a tad more before grabbing the next gear! These Rotax V-Twins thrive on revs! hyea:

 

[wilpir]

This is exactly what I do (2012 RT) am I doing it right? I shift around 5000 to 5500 ride around 4500....

 

[pegasus1300]

I push my 2012 VTwin to 6000 before shifting. That way after the shift it is still in the proper RPM range. It runs good and the power is always there.

 

[ARtraveler]

Another thing I did not mention....If you have found your "sweet spot" for shifting, the shift will be seamless and with no noise or jerking.

I also let mine (SE versions) shift down on their own 98% of the time. If I need extra power, I will shift down one and hit it.