Miles per gallon

[Bob Denman]

Even that 30 percent stop and go is making a difference; all of my riding is out on the open road. (Our Towns are all pretty far apart up here still...)
Each time you have to run up through the gears; dino-juice is running through the bike like crap through a goose!

 

[DocRags]

We did better on our mileage when we were in the mountains...couldn't figure out how much was the altitude and how much was lower speeds than our usual roads around home. Never have had mileage like Mike, though (*sigh*).

 

[reggystan]

Something to consider also because down in Fl I get no more than 22 mpg on my RT using premium fuel 50/50 highway city. But more recently I've been trying to fill up with pure gasoline with no ethanol and my mileage jumped up right away to 33MPG which is unheard of for me. Which leads me to think that there is more than 10% Ethanol in those fuels. When riding up north in the mountains I often run across this non ethanol fuel.. Anyone else using this type of gas?

 

[boborgera]

But more recently I've been trying to fill up with pure gasoline Which leads me to think that there is more than 10% Ethanol in those fuels.

:agree: 10% is the minimum, Which leads me to believe that at times there's more than the 10%
in the mix. :dontknow:

 

[Lamonster]

Lamont rides kind of slow... So my mileage is better when I'm riding with him than otherwise!

I think that's the first time I've seen this in print. nojoke:yikes:

I guess "Ron is always on time or early" would follow as about as true. :roflblack:

 

[bikeguy]

We did better on our mileage when we were in the mountains...couldn't figure out how much was the altitude and how much was lower speeds than our usual roads around home. Never have had mileage like Mike, though (*sigh*).

Me, too. Had a few tanks where the mileage was over 40 MPG in the mountains around Taos, NM and, like you, I don't know if it's the altitude or the slowwer average pace. Around home, in flatter country, I usually get between 28 and 30 MPG on my 2010 RT.

Cotton

 

[BajaRon]

We did better on our mileage when we were in the mountains...couldn't figure out how much was the altitude and how much was lower speeds than our usual roads around home. Never have had mileage like Mike, though (*sigh*).

I think we all experienced that. Here are two probable reasons.

1- Higher altitude = less oxygen. The FI system compensates by leaning out the fuel mixture.
2- Because this combination is known to reduce power, less Ethanol is used in high altitude fuels

This probably isn't the whole story but may be at least part of it.

.... recently I've been trying to fill up with pure gasoline with no ethanol and my mileage jumped up right away to 33MPG which is unheard of for me. Which leads me to think that there is more than 10% Ethanol in those fuels.

Standard Ethanol blended fuels are supposed to have 'UP TO' 10% Ethanol. Fuel companies get a subsidy of our money (Taxes) for adding Ethanol. The subsidy goes up as the % of Ethanol goes up so the incentive is obviously to add more Ethanol. Ethanol blended fuel is actually MORE expensive than straight gasoline. The difference is that we are paying the additional amount in taxes (which we don't see).

Not only is Ethanol bad for fuel mileage but it is very hard on engines. 10% is about as far as you can go without just destroying the average gasoline engine. Anything over 10% Ethanol requires a specially built motor to deal with the destructive characteristics of this expensive fuel additive. Your tax dollars are again at work helping you in ways you never imagined! :banghead:

Rule of thumb is that you'll get about a 10% increase in mileage switching from a 10% Ethanol blended fuel to a non-ethanol fuel of the same octane.

Lamont rides kind of slow... So my mileage is better when I'm riding with him than otherwise!

I think that's the first time I've seen this in print. nojoke:yikes:

I guess "Ron is always on time or early" would follow as about as true. :roflblack:

Sorry Good Buddy! FaranH called me out so I had to

 

[scooterexpress]

Something to consider also because down in Fl I get no more than 22 mpg on my RT using premium fuel 50/50 highway city. But more recently I've been trying to fill up with pure gasoline with no ethanol and my mileage jumped up right away to 33MPG which is unheard of for me. Which leads me to think that there is more than 10% Ethanol in those fuels. When riding up north in the mountains I often run across this non ethanol fuel.. Anyone else using this type of gas?

i've used non-ethanol as a trial to see the diff the end result was there were no diff was also running at a constant speed of 70mph for 75 miles used same amount there and back..now i know the non-ethanol is better for the engine but can't justify the cost when theres no real increase in milage.

 

[BajaRon]

i've used non-ethanol as a trial to see the diff the end result was there were no diff was also running at a constant speed of 70mph for 75 miles used same amount there and back..now i know the non-ethanol is better for the engine but can't justify the cost when theres no real increase in milage.

Did you use one tank or several? Two reasons I ask. Of course there is the issue of dilution depending on how much fuel you got (with a 1 tank test). And it may take a bit for the ECM to adjust to the new fuel as well.

 

[scooterexpress]

Did you use one tank or several? Two reasons I ask. Of course there is the issue of dilution depending on how much fuel you got (with a 1 tank test). And it may take a bit for the ECM to adjust to the new fuel as well.

ok you got me on this one because it was a 1 tank test..but when we were headed to durango it was more than 1 tank think 3 fill-ups no noticable milage differences or horsepower so decided there was no reason to continue to go out of the way for this type fuel..

 

[Bob Denman]

Isn't it really all about the Smiles per gallon anyway?

 

[modagwood]

gas mileage

Keeping the RPM's up will reduce your fuel mileage.

I have a 2012 RT, Performance package, two brothers exhaust, cold air intake, high flow air cleaner, elka front shocks. I have 4300 mi on spider. I use premium gas always. I ride at highway speeds about eighty percent of the time. I ride solo. I have averaged 33 to 37 miles mpg. all the time. I find that if I just use first gear, third gear, and fifth gear, shifting around 4000 rpm I get better mileage, than if I use all gears You might give it a try.

 

[my3gs]

Something to consider also because down in Fl I get no more than 22 mpg on my RT using premium fuel 50/50 highway city. But more recently I've been trying to fill up with pure gasoline with no ethanol and my mileage jumped up right away to 33MPG which is unheard of for me. Which leads me to think that there is more than 10% Ethanol in those fuels. When riding up north in the mountains I often run across this non ethanol fuel.. Anyone else using this type of gas?

I use nothing but 100% pure gas an i am only getting 24-26 but my RT limited only has 1450+ miles on it an its not getting any better. with 91 oct only ?? not much diff HWY or city.

 

[NancysToy]

I have a 2012 RT, Performance package, two brothers exhaust, cold air intake, high flow air cleaner, elka front shocks. I have 4300 mi on spider. I use premium gas always. I ride at highway speeds about eighty percent of the time. I ride solo. I have averaged 33 to 37 miles mpg. all the time. I find that if I just use first gear, third gear, and fifth gear, shifting around 4000 rpm I get better mileage, than if I use all gears You might give it a try.

If you shift at 4,000 rpm with an SE, you will eventually burn up your clutch. The rpm has to remain above 3,500 or so most of the time, in order for the clutch to be fully engaged. I'm hoping you have an SM.

 

[wolfeman220940]

Do you have to keep it at 4,000 RPM for give SM5?

 

[BajaRon]

Not exactly...

:agree: 10% is the minimum, Which leads me to believe that at times there's more than the 10%
in the mix. :dontknow:

 

[modagwood]

gas mileage

If you shift at 4,000 rpm with an SE, you will eventually burn up your clutch. The rpm has to remain above 3,500 or so most of the time, in order for the clutch to be fully engaged. I'm hoping you have an SM.

my rt is an sm, no clutch problems.

 

[NancysToy]

my rt is an sm, no clutch problems.

I figured as much...just didn't want SE owners to think they could get away with this extreme.

 

[CycleChamp]

Miles per Gallon

I have tried both "Regular" & "High Test" gas in my Spyder and I truthfully see no difference in performance or mileage. The only place I have seen where I could buy No-Ethanol gas around here (Lake Placid, Fl) is a Mom & Pop Store/Gas Station a few miles from my house that started advertising "Boat Gas" when they originally opened last year. I haven't checked to see what price they ask for it, and I am assuming it's no-ethanol gas.

 

[Bob Denman]

Let us know if you get a chance to try it. :2thumbs: