RTman10
New member
So that's something else not to worry about. Good.
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There were many reasons for the change of the site software, the biggest was security. The age of the old software also meant no server updates for certain programs. There are many benefits to the new software, one of the biggest is the mobile functionality. Ill fix up some stuff in the coming days, we'll also try to get some of the old addons back or the data imported back into the site like the garage. To create a thread or to reply with a post is basically the same as it was in the prior software. The default style of the site is light colored, but i temporarily added a darker colored style, to change you can find a link at the bottom of the site.
FUEL GUAGE ACCURACY
- Thread starter RTman10
- Start date
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
The subject of gas gauge comes up from time to time.
The analog gauge is to give you an "idea" of how much gas is in the tank.
The digital gauge is a bit more accurate, but there is no such thing as miles per bars. Like most gas gauges, in the upper range, you get more miles per bar, in the low range less.
The suggestion to zero a trip meter (either A or B) at each gas fill is the best idea. Get to know your :spyder2: and drive accordingly. You will soon know how many miles "your" :ani29: will get per tank, which also depends on "your" driving habits.
When the refill light goes on, its time to start looking for more gas.
Last, refill to the same level each time. I always come up to the filler ring, stop, let it settle for a second or two, come up to the ring a second time, and STOP.
We usually get about 150 miles to refill light on the 998 and 200 on the 1330. I have done 180 on the 998, it showed empty, and took 5.2 gallons to refill that one time.
And of course the usual: WARNING, WARNING, WARNING, your gas mileage may vary.
Excessive wind resistance and excessive speed will both suck up your mpg--if that matters to you.
The analog gauge is to give you an "idea" of how much gas is in the tank.
The digital gauge is a bit more accurate, but there is no such thing as miles per bars. Like most gas gauges, in the upper range, you get more miles per bar, in the low range less.
The suggestion to zero a trip meter (either A or B) at each gas fill is the best idea. Get to know your :spyder2: and drive accordingly. You will soon know how many miles "your" :ani29: will get per tank, which also depends on "your" driving habits.
When the refill light goes on, its time to start looking for more gas.
Last, refill to the same level each time. I always come up to the filler ring, stop, let it settle for a second or two, come up to the ring a second time, and STOP.
We usually get about 150 miles to refill light on the 998 and 200 on the 1330. I have done 180 on the 998, it showed empty, and took 5.2 gallons to refill that one time.
And of course the usual: WARNING, WARNING, WARNING, your gas mileage may vary.
Excessive wind resistance and excessive speed will both suck up your mpg--if that matters to you.
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Bob Denman
New member
The RTs with the 998 engines had fuel gauges that were... pretty dang inaccurate! nojoke
It was ALWAYS best to ride by the tip odometers.
But the 1330 bikes have fuel gauges that are accurate and repeatable. Run them down to when the "Low Fuel" light comes on, and you'll invariably take right about 5.5 gallons.
So that leaves you with over a gallon of fuel for finding an open gas station! :yikes:
It was ALWAYS best to ride by the tip odometers.
But the 1330 bikes have fuel gauges that are accurate and repeatable. Run them down to when the "Low Fuel" light comes on, and you'll invariably take right about 5.5 gallons.
So that leaves you with over a gallon of fuel for finding an open gas station! :yikes:
AeroPilot
Member
Or running into a headwind versus running with a 25 MPH wind at your back
Lots of variables but IMO, the biggest variable on the RT is the wind resistance and how fast you're trying to push it. Some days the low fuel light comes on at 170 miles and some days when you're running less fast or with the wind, you can go 210 before the light comes on (with the 1330 engine). The low fuel light comes on with one bar left on the center gauge cluster and I have gone 30 miles more without running out (reduce speed to 55 and don't be pushing wind). Knock on wood, we have yet to run out of gas. I also like the redesign Mike quoted where previously a full fill would risk puttling gas in the evap canister on the earlier pre '2014 "hot" models.
Lots of variables but IMO, the biggest variable on the RT is the wind resistance and how fast you're trying to push it. Some days the low fuel light comes on at 170 miles and some days when you're running less fast or with the wind, you can go 210 before the light comes on (with the 1330 engine). The low fuel light comes on with one bar left on the center gauge cluster and I have gone 30 miles more without running out (reduce speed to 55 and don't be pushing wind). Knock on wood, we have yet to run out of gas. I also like the redesign Mike quoted where previously a full fill would risk puttling gas in the evap canister on the earlier pre '2014 "hot" models.
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Easy Rider
New member
Bob Denman
New member
:dontknow:
But since it most likely increases wind resistance: there'll be a decrease in your fuel mileage.
Who buys these bikes to save on fuel??
But since it most likely increases wind resistance: there'll be a decrease in your fuel mileage.
Who buys these bikes to save on fuel??
tehrlich
New member
I have 17K on my 2015 RT. I always fill up to the rim of the tank, and as others have said, let it air out a bit, and top it off.
I also track all of my mileage. I typically get 31-33mpg. Then, I read here and see people getting much higher MPG's than I do. Driving patterns and pushing air matter a lot.
A few months ago, I spent 4 days in Big Bend National Park. It is BIGGER than Rhode Island! The maximum speed limit is 45mph for the whole park. I rode my Spyder all over the place chasing the Milky Way. I bet I rode about 600 miles while there, and rarely exceeding 50mph.
I was able to get 42MPG! This was quite scary a couple of times because there are only 2 gas stations in the park, and only one (Panther Junction) has gas capabilities at night!
I also track all of my mileage. I typically get 31-33mpg. Then, I read here and see people getting much higher MPG's than I do. Driving patterns and pushing air matter a lot.
A few months ago, I spent 4 days in Big Bend National Park. It is BIGGER than Rhode Island! The maximum speed limit is 45mph for the whole park. I rode my Spyder all over the place chasing the Milky Way. I bet I rode about 600 miles while there, and rarely exceeding 50mph.
I was able to get 42MPG! This was quite scary a couple of times because there are only 2 gas stations in the park, and only one (Panther Junction) has gas capabilities at night!
Bob Denman
New member
It ALWAYS comes down to the dance that your right wrist is doing with the "loud grip"... :congrats:I've gotten as low as 27 mpg, and as high as 43 mpg.
Bob Denman
New member
There's a reason for this phenomenon!
Warmer air is less dense, so the computers will put less fuel through the throttle bodies, in order to keep the fuel mixture correct! nojoke
And the Winter blends of fuel that are used in the Northern States certainly don't help the situation much!
(But that's not affecting you.)
Warmer air is less dense, so the computers will put less fuel through the throttle bodies, in order to keep the fuel mixture correct! nojoke
And the Winter blends of fuel that are used in the Northern States certainly don't help the situation much!
(But that's not affecting you.)
Easy Rider
New member
Bob Denman
New member
I might be wrong about this; why would you need a different bunch of fuel additives in Florida, for the Winter? :dontknow:
Easy Rider
New member
You need to consider this question the OTHER way around.
In the summer when it is HOT, the fuel contains a lesser amount of high volatility components.......so that the evaporation rate is less.
It gives slightly less mileage because of the different formula.......and because of the HEAT.
The "winter" gas is the "normal" stuff.
I'm not sure that Florida switches back and forth though.
Bob Denman
New member
I have to respectfully disagree...I have always seen better fuel economy in the Summertime; often by as much as ten percent. nojoke
ARtraveler
R.I.P. Dwayne
I have always seen better fuel economy in the Summertime; often by as much as ten percent. nojoke
:agree: x 2. I always fill up on the last drive of the season. I know they change to "winter blend" here in AK. I am done in November--most years. When I check that mileage at the first of the season--its much lower than usual. This year it was about 32 mpg instead of the 39 as usual. :thumbup: I don't know the science behind it--but the mileage is about the same at each end/beginning of seasons.
JayBros
Well-known member
Over 26.5K miles on the clock I am averaging 36.7 mpg. That includes hour after hour of interstate speeds, "spirited" riding in the mountain twisties, two up with the bride and windshield all the way up and every kind of riding in between the above. I routinely ride 230 miles trip total after the warning light comes on and I have NOT YET put 6 gallons in the 6.9 gallon capacity tank; most has been 5.99. May use ECO mode on interstate but it's not a hard rule. On interstate riding I top off every time I stop for a safety/refresh break that usually comes at 2 - 2 1/2 hours. My key on interstates is to fill at high volume facilities.
It is hard to say really. I don't think I would trust one of those new-fangled french-canadian guages mate. Over here we stick with old-fashioned gauges so there is no translation involved.
I have always seen better fuel economy in the Summertime; often by as much as ten percent. nojoke
Bob, I have no idea why or if they change the gasoline formula in North Florida. All I know is my gas mileage on both my Spyder & Harley drop about 2-4 mpg during winter months.
Cheers!
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