I am getting ready

[Griffjag]

I am geeting ready to buy an RT. And I have read a couple of places that when going up hill the RT feels a bit sluggish? is that true? or did the reviewer just not use the correct gears?

Also, How is the RT out on the open road? I love touring and with my 1300 VTX its not bad, but the stops every 130 to 150 miles kinda kill your time.

Anything else you would care to add would be helpfull.

Thanks,

Griff

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I don't have any trouble going up hill but I'm lucky to get 150 miles on a tank on my RT. But for me 150 miles and I'm ready for a rest stop anyway.

 

[NancysToy]

I think a reviewer who is familiar with large-engined touring bikes like the Goldwing, or who has ridden mostly HD and its imitators, would have failed to downshift and would have noticed the lack of torque on a hill. If you just crank on the throttle, especially below 5K, it is likely to feel sluggish. Remember it is only a one liter machine. A sport-touring rider that kept the tach nearer the top of the dial, would probably not have made the same statement. The Spyder RT has sufficient power for the hills or mountains, but you need to use the rpm. Keep it in a lower gear or downshift, and everything is just fine. The Spyder really prefers to stay above 5,000 rpm.

As to fuel stops, 150 miles out of an RT would have surprised me, but some folks have done that well. I never got anywhere near that. At 100 miles I was looking for gas, and the best I ever did on over five gallons was 130 or so. It is not a comfortable feeling when the low fuel light comes on in between towns. Hoping for better with my 2011.....but they still haven't banned ethanol.

 

[cjackg]

I am geeting ready to buy an RT. And I have read a couple of places that when going up hill the RT feels a bit sluggish? is that true? or did the reviewer just not use the correct gears?

Also, How is the RT out on the open road? I love touring and with my 1300 VTX its not bad, but the stops every 130 to 150 miles kinda kill your time.

Anything else you would care to add would be helpfull.

Thanks,

Griff

I am recent new RT owner and have heard those stories too, but my RT always seems to have plenty of power. The only time less is riding double up a very steep hill or ramp. Mine has the 2-Brothers Exhaust but it was installed by the previous owner so I cant say if it made much difference.

The only performance issues that bother me are some occasional low to mid-range roughness, surging etc, but the RT sure takes off when you goose it!

 

[MouthPiece]

As to fuel stops, 150 miles out of an RT would have surprised me, but some folks have done that well. I never got anywhere near that. At 100 miles I was looking for gas, and the best I ever did on over five gallons was 130 or so. It is not a comfortable feeling when the low fuel light comes on in between towns. Hoping for better with my 2011.....but they still haven't banned ethanol.[/QUOTE]

Not only have they not banned it, but it's future use has been reinforced with the present tax plan in Congress. They just never learn.

Chris PE# 0004

 

[Dudley]

We live between San Diego and the Imperial Valley. It is all mountains (up and down) with 6% grades. As someone said, the RT thrives on RPMs. If going up a 6% grade loses you speed, drop one gear. You can safely run 70 mph in 4th gear. I find the RT engine is very smooth and I hardly notice the high RPMs. I have found that with the cruise control, if my running speed is 70 at the base of an incline it will stay at 70. If it becomes unsafe because of curves, etc., I just adjust the speed with the speed adjuster. If I have to get out of cruise, I have to adjust the gear/speed ratios accordingly.

 

[curly]

I've had no problem with hills, but as others pointed out the spyder really likes the higher RPMs. There have been several times I hit 70, turned on cruise, only to find out a few minutes later I was still in 4th gear.

 

[NancysToy]

Not only have they not banned it, but it's future use has been reinforced with the present tax plan in Congress. They just never learn.

Chris PE# 0004

Sigh!!! I know, wishful thinking. What's wrong with a fuel that damages engines, get's worse fuel mileage in a time when better fuel efficiency is needed, and costs more in energy use to produce than the final product provides? Well, as far as our legislators know...absolutely nothing seems to be amiss! :gaah:

 

[Dudley]

I've had no problem with hills, but as others pointed out the spyder really likes the higher RPMs. There have been several times I hit 70, turned on cruise, only to find out a few minutes later I was still in 4th gear.

May I join the club?

 

[bikeguy]

I've had no problem with hills, but as others pointed out the spyder really likes the higher RPMs. There have been several times I hit 70, turned on cruise, only to find out a few minutes later I was still in 4th gear.

I've done the same thing and not even notice it until I glance at the tach. The RT does like to rev.

Cotton

 

[clueless]

As to fuel stops, 150 miles out of an RT would have surprised me, but some folks have done that well. I never got anywhere near that. At 100 miles I was looking for gas, and the best I ever did on over five gallons was 130 or so. It is not a comfortable feeling when the low fuel light comes on in between towns. Hoping for better with my 2011.....but they still haven't banned ethanol.

Scotty it depends on how you ride the Spyder. when my girlfriend is driving and I am passenger she gets 175 miles on a tank every time highway or back roads. she tends to shift earlier, and keep the RPMs around 5,000 and we ride 70 mph top on highways. this is on an RTS Manual.

when I drive and she is on the back, I get 150 miles on a tank. I tend to accelerate faster, ride up near 5,500 rpm, and sometimes go slightly over 70 mph when on the highway. the light comes on about 1 to 1.5 gallons to empty with the replacement fuel gauge BRP supplied as a warranty item.

So we ride until the light comes on then look for gas...that gives us about 35 miles to empty... unless we know that we will be over 30 miles between gas stops we do not worry until light comes on.

 

[Bob Denman]

Scotty it depends on how you ride the Spyder. QUOTE]
:agree: While torque and aerodynamics are the major players in the game, the operator's right wrist can also significantly affect how far you go between stops. I too am an early-shifting, slow riding, right lane hugging place in the butt blockade on the road, but I'm also usually getting 33 to 36 mpg... I rarely will exceed posted limits; largely because I sell insurance and see what a lousy driving record does to what one pays for the stuff... :shocked:
It pays off for me at the pump! :thumbup: I've gotten 185 miles out of a tankful... I was getting pretty nervous, but I only took a touch over 5 gallons in that fillup. :doorag:

 

[zeebill]

Power and fuel milage on an RT is a catch 22 situation. If you stay below 5000 you get fair MPG and lack the power at times to climb hills. If you go above it the RT has fair power for the size of the engine and weight plus shape of what you are pushing down the road.

Cruising range about 130 miles at best for me with a 70 MPH speed limit in this state and me always pushing 75 in cruise I am lucky to get the 120 mile mark before I really need to stop. They knew that mileage would bite with the RT versus the RS and still failed to increase the tank size when people were already telling them it was too small for the RS. Go figure that out? Money is again the top consideration I am afraid and with the changes a larger tank would cost they opted out. I am lucky to see over 27 MPG with the RT and I check every tank out. I do feel there is more than enough fuel for many more miles when the fuel light comes on but like Scotty said that you are going to run out feeling is paramont in my mind too. Bill :dontknow:

 

[ARtraveler]

Similar experience for me also. When I first got the RTS, I complained about the sluggishness compared to my RS. The members put me on to the higher revs and my problem was solved. The bike definately likes it over 5000 for power. Of course, the gas mileage will be in proportion to how fast you go and how high you rev the engine. If I am driving at mostly highway speeds, I average 135-150 out of most tanks of gas. If I get into the slow mode--such as 3rd or 4th gear and enjoying the scenery on the curves and hills, I have got as much as 180 out of a tank before filling up (two times). IMO, I think most people did not buy the Spyder for fuel economy. However, it is nice though to be able to go more than 100 miles between fuel stops. I find that most passengers and others that I ride with--seem to like a stretch break every 50-75 miles or so. For me, I can go to empty tank before I need to stop--but I usually concede to my fellow riders wishes.

 

[Desert Spyder]

I'm a recent convert to RTLand and the fuel economy is a little bizarre. I have the analog gauge which bounces around so you're never sure how much is in the tank. The manual recommends premium fuel also for whatever reason. When the warning light comes on I'll top it with premium and see how it goes. Right now it has regular in the tank. I'm told to expect up to 160 mi to the tank.

 

[NancysToy]

I'm a recent convert to RTLand and the fuel economy is a little bizarre. I have the analog gauge which bounces around so you're never sure how much is in the tank. The manual recommends premium fuel also for whatever reason. When the warning light comes on I'll top it with premium and see how it goes. Right now it has regular in the tank. I'm told to expect up to 160 mi to the tank.

The badly bouncing gauge can be cured. There is a revised part available. I had the same thing, but they replaced my gauge and it was normal from there on out. Have your dealer call BRP tech for details...not the "Mother-may-I?" folks.

 

[Dwight]

Hey AKspyderman,

Off topic but do you think I could ride an RT-S from Kansas to Alaska and back without having to worry about having something go wrong that would require a dealer to repair? I can't think of anything other than replacing tires that doesn't require a dealer. This would be two up with baggage.

Thanks
Dwight

 

[Desert Spyder]

The badly bouncing gauge can be cured. There is a revised part available. I had the same thing, but they replaced my gauge and it was normal from there on out. Have your dealer call BRP tech for details...not the "Mother-may-I?" folks.

Thanks Scotty! You the man!:2thumbs:

 

[ARtraveler]

Hello Dwight: Kansas to Alaska is very do-able. The only place you wont find dealer specific Spyder service is on the Alcan Highway and most of Alaska. There are a couple dealers around Anchorage and one in Fairbanks--so its not a total wasteland. We went on a 2500 mile round trip this summer to Whitehorse, Yukon and Skagway AK. from here, and had no problems whatsoever. I carried a passenger and luggage--spouse rode solo and luggage. We did have our machines checked out at the dealer prior to going on the trip. My RTS was 4 months old at the time and the spouses 2009 had 15,000 miles on it. I put new tires on hers all the way around prior to the trip. If your Spyder has not been giving you mechanical difficulties--I would not hesitate. Alaska is a very beautiful place to ride, and we will most likely have better weather than we did last year. Check out my article on the 2010 riding season in the Alaska forum. There are some tricks of the trade in riding the Alcan Highway. Recommend you pick up the 2011 Milepost magazine from Barnes & Noble (about $25.00) when it comes out. Also, dont hesitate to contact me either by forum or PM.

 

[Slybird]

I just flew from Portland to Phoenix to pick up and drive my wife's "new" used Orbital Blue RT-AC back home. Left the Phoenix area late Tuesday afternoon and got back home early Friday afternoon. Rode just a couple of miles shy of 1,600 miles. I averaged between 24 and 32 mpg, depending on how fast I was going and also the degree of headwind I was fighting. I found that the power was more than adequate going up hills. Using the cruise control, when going up a steep grade at 65 or 70 mph the Spyder might drop one mph but maintained speed, no problem. I honestly never had to down-shift to maintain speed. :clap:I've gone through three Goldwings and a Harley Ultra Classic and I must say that the RT-S is the finest, most comfortable touring machine I've ever owned. The tank size has to go, though. Having had aux fuel tanks on all my bikes and my love of Iron Butt rydes, this stopping every 100 to 120 miles sux! :gaah: