gas mileage

[bmwlarry]

I have about 1200 miles on mine and get about 30. Last weekend, however, I rode with about 5 other bikes on a casual ride to the Oregon coast and myself and at least one other RT riders got 39.5 and 40.

 

[flybuddy]

I have trouble figuring the mileage as the last gallon is slow going in and I'm never really sure when it's full as I usually give up trickling it in at some point.

 

[NancysToy]

I have trouble figuring the mileage as the last gallon is slow going in and I'm never really sure when it's full as I usually give up trickling it in at some point.

The best way I have found to be consistent is to insert the nozzle as little as possible, then fill slowly (at least at the end). Fill until the gas just starts to spit back through the slots in the "no-lead" ring. The trick is really to get fairly uniform fills...that makes the fuel mileage calculations more accurate. An average over several tankfulls is still the best, however. Just keep track for a while, and add all the gallons and divide into the entire mileage for that period.

 

[Flight Risk]

I was actually getting in the high 30's and low 40's with mpg. I was loving it. Then it was time for an oil change and the things the dealer normally does on the first oil change after the 600 breakin change. I don't know what changed but my mpg have dumped. Can't figure it out. I will be going to the Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally this weekend in Austin, Tx., and will really pay attention to everything I'm doing. This is driving me a bit bonkers trying to figure it out. I only use the highest octane gas..........grrrrrrr

 

[Flight Risk]

The oil was changed at 3,500 miles.......see above

 

[muonwhiz]

What you have said here may be the key to your poor mileage. First, the Spyder SE shouldn't even shift at 3,000 rpm. I'm sure you may have noticed some hesitation and refusal to shift. The Spyder centrifugal clutch does not begin to engage until 2,000 +/- 200 rpm, and is not fully engaged until 3,200 +/- 200 rpm. It will typically drop about 1,000 rpm between gears. If you shift at 3,000 rpm, it will end up running at around 2,000 rpm, with the centrifugal clutch slipping badly. You need to shift above 4,200-4,400 rpm to assure no clutch slippage. As was said, clutch slippage kills mileage and will eventually kill the clutch.

The Spyder RT will run on 87 octane, but 91 or better is recommended. The higher octane fuel will make the Spyder perform better, which may actually improve your mileage. Higher octane fuels get poorer mileage than lower octane fuels, in themselves, though. If you ride 12,000 miles a year, and get 25 miles to a gallon, the premium fuel will only cost you $100 more a year.

Bottom line...pick up the rpm a bit and see if your fuel mileage improves. Your performance certainly will. You are going to discover a whole different machine once you hit 5,000 rpm!

Thanks! I will definately try the rpms higher before shifting. When you are driving around town at 35-45 mph do you shift all the way up or leave it in 3rd or 4th gear?

 

[NancysToy]

Thanks! I will definately try the rpms higher before shifting. When you are driving around town at 35-45 mph do you shift all the way up or leave it in 3rd or 4th gear?

At 35-45 I am usually in 2nd or 3rd gear, depending on the speed and terrain. Your approach may vary. 5th gear is way too high for those speeds, however.

 

[Bob Denman]

Scotty,
Is that on the RT? :shocked:

 

[NancysToy]

Scotty,
Is that on the RT? :shocked:

Either, but I don't ride Nancy's GS much since I got my own toy.

 

[Bob Denman]

Well I'm definitely in "Geezer" mode... I shift into 3rd at about 24mph, 4th at about 30 and 5th at an alarming 38mph... pps:

 

[muonwhiz]

Well I'm definitely in "Geezer" mode... I shift into 3rd at about 24mph, 4th at about 30 and 5th at an alarming 38mph... pps:

Sounds about like me. The owner's manuel says nothing about this, as to what gears are best or what rpm's are best. I think of the engine like the heart; unless at need, the lower rpms place less demand and therefore should get better gas mileage. But I am still new at this and ready for good advice!

 

[can-am sam]

For those who shift to a higher gear at low rpms, it is like riding a 10 speed bike and shifting to a higher gear too soon. It puts more stress on the "engine" to turn the pedals. When it is in the lower gear it requires less effort. The same with our Spyders.

 

[Bob Denman]

I've got to admit that I do see BOTH of your points; I kind of try and feel how hard the engine is pulling and have been using that as a gauge for downshifitng or upshifting. I'll try moving the revs up the scale a notch and see what happens.

 

[NancysToy]

Sounds about like me. The owner's manuel says nothing about this, as to what gears are best or what rpm's are best. I think of the engine like the heart; unless at need, the lower rpms place less demand and therefore should get better gas mileage. But I am still new at this and ready for good advice!

The bottom line is that with an SE5, you should be above 3,200-3,500 rpm when cruising down the road, to prevent damage to the clutch assembly. The Spyder's performance is miserable there, and the torque is a fraction of what it is blessed with, but if it makes you happy, go for it. Just don't go lower! That means you should not upshift until 4,200-4,500 rpm...minimum.

 

[Jester]

My problem is too many short trips (2 miles or less) and I have a terrible affliction that causes my right wrist to flinch a lot! Result is 25 - 28 mpg.

 

[rock]

fuel mileage

we have a 2010 rts premiere and when we first bot it we only got about 26 mpg..it slowly went up and at about 6000 miles it reached 31 mpg...how ever at 14000 mile we put a k @ n air filter on it and a good exhaust system and am now getting 36 + mpg ...the filter and pipes were the best thing i could have done ..it also a lot quiker and runs cooler

 

[Schnauzer]

I agree with Rock

We had been averaging from 32-35mpg, I had removed the boat anchor of a muffler, replaced it with an exhaust tip right on the cat, and notice the bike ran cooler also. When we headed to Durango, Spydette wanted the exhaust quiet, so I put it back on. We ran hotter and also got 30mpg tops. that was running 60-65 RT SM5 pulling trailer & 2up. I run midgrade 89 octane. Keep in mind if the outside temperature is extremely hot, your fuel consumption will suffer:gaah:. Rotax does not like the heat. 123*:yikes:= 20mpg:banghead:. According to the BRP tech, when the sensor detects the intake air at that temp., it will deliver more fuel to cool the engine.

 

[Knarfoh]

1st 2,683 Miles

Lots of short trips..... Never gone more then 120 miles in one direction. Most trips are very short.

 

[Chazzman]

31-36 mpg with skid plate installed and non-ethanol fuel.

 

[Tin Can]

The wife and I just got back from a trip to Beauford SC. Took seven days rode all around SC from Charleston to Savanna GA Using Beauford as a home base. Rode in the mornings and early afternoon and in the pool by 2pm. Was in the hundreds the whole time. The spyder ran like a dream. I got on the average 30 mile per gal. That is with two people up and the spyder loaded. was pleased with the milage.