more on mpg

[retread]

I know this has been pretty much beat to death, but I've been mucking about trying to put reasons to 30MPG on a road trip.
According to the onfo on the Aprilia website, their Tuono has the same engine/basic powertrain as the Spyder. So, here goes....
Aprilia:133hp Spyder:106hp
407 pounds dry 697 pounds dry
Primary drive ratio:1.935:1 Primary drive rato:1.935:1
Gear 1 - 2.27 Gear 1 - 2.27
2 - 1.63 2 - 1.63
3 - 1.3 3 - 1.3
4 - 1.091 4 - 1.091
5 - 0.96 5 - 0.96
6 - 0.88 6 - N/A
Final drive ratio:2.5:1 Final drive ratio:2.82:1
Rear wheel - 17 inch Rear wheel - 15 inch
So, if my math is correct, the Spyder wheel is turning 1.13 times for each revolution of the Aprilia's wheel, the Spyder has about 75% more weight, a bunch more frontal area, more rolling resistance, and on and on...
Looking at road tests on Aprilias and other bikes in roughly the same displacement class, they get in the mid thirties to low forties for gas mileage, and with the afore mentioned handicaps BRP gave the Spyder, I think I'm going to stop worrying about mileage and start thinking about smileage. Worries cut into fun.

 

[bjt]

Thanks for getting these numbers together. This info has basically been out here in bits and pieces but its nice to see it all put together. :thumbup:

 

[AMTJIM]

Unless you are in an enviroment exactly opposite of your parents when they walked to school and you drive down hill both ways in nice weather it's not going to happen...the machine is mechanically linked to the engine and forced to run high rpms. While the hp is lowered to 106, they would have to detune the engine even more to use less fuel and air. The other option would be to lose the reverse or a smaller rear sprocket, but I was wondering if a 6 spd tranny or a smaller rear sprocket was tested prior to this marketed tranny and the engine was too weak to maintain 75~80 at 4500 to 5000 rpms(not enough hp built at this RPM).

 

[steven888]

say it like it is.

:congrats: That is the truth and nothing but the truth. Enjoy your spyders.

 

[steven888]

overdrive

A 6th gear overdrive I think would help.

 

[BAZMAN]

MILEAGE

THE ENGINE ON THE SPYDER PULLS GREAT FROM 2700RPMS. IN NEW MEXICO I AM AT 5000FT ABOVE SEA LEVEL. FROM MY EXPEIRENCE WITH THE SPYDER IT WILL HAVE NO PROBLEM PULLING AT 4500 TO 5000RPMS AT 75MPH.
ALSO 1ST GEAR IS GEARED TO HIGH TO CHANGE THE SPROCKET.
THE ONLY WAY I CAN SEE TO FIX THE PROBLEM WOULD BE TO CHANGE [IF POSSIBLE] THE 5TH GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION.
AS FAR I AM CONCERNED 5 GEARS ARE PLENTY, CAN AM SHOULD USED HAVE USED MORE COMMON SENSE WHEN THEY GEARED THE SPYDER INSTEAD OF USING THE SAME TRANSMISSION GEARING FROM A CROTCH ROCKET.

 

[draboo]

I have thought about a smaller rear(or larger countershaft) sproket.

I believe this would make taking off with an already tall first gear very..interesting.

(oops,didnt read Basmans post completly)

 

[Spyderman62]

I know this has been pretty much beat to death, but I've been mucking about trying to put reasons to 30MPG on a road trip.
According to the onfo on the Aprilia website, their Tuono has the same engine/basic powertrain as the Spyder. So, here goes....
Aprilia:133hp Spyder:106hp
407 pounds dry 697 pounds dry
Primary drive ratio:1.935:1 Primary drive rato:1.935:1
Gear 1 - 2.27 Gear 1 - 2.27
2 - 1.63 2 - 1.63
3 - 1.3 3 - 1.3
4 - 1.091 4 - 1.091
5 - 0.96 5 - 0.96
6 - 0.88 6 - N/A
Final drive ratio:2.5:1 Final drive ratio:2.82:1
Rear wheel - 17 inch Rear wheel - 15 inch
So, if my math is correct, the Spyder wheel is turning 1.13 times for each revolution of the Aprilia's wheel, the Spyder has about 75% more weight, a bunch more frontal area, more rolling resistance, and on and on...
Looking at road tests on Aprilias and other bikes in roughly the same displacement class, they get in the mid thirties to low forties for gas mileage, and with the afore mentioned handicaps BRP gave the Spyder, I think I'm going to stop worrying about mileage and start thinking about smileage. Worries cut into fun.

One other factor - any given vehicle requires "X" amount of horsepower to push that vehicle to a given speed. Add to that, frontal mass ( how much air gets moved to allow vehicle to go through) weight, rolling resistance, internal resistance, drag ( created from rider, mirrors, additional items other than the frontal area, possible trailer, rate of acceleration, hills, wind, weather, road surface, condition......you get the idea. When all of the factors are put together, plus you look at the powerband of the vehicle itself ie hp at a given rpm, I am thinking low to mid 30's mpg is pretty darn good for the Spyder - after all, any motor turning 4000 ish rpm is going to consume some fuel. And lets be honest, we bought, or are buying this Spyder for the fun factor right? And who here has not twisted that throttle more than needed to feel the power and feel the rush? Yeah I thought so - fun factor wins - it is smiles per miles, not miles per gallon that counts. Now...lets all go get some ice cream alright?

 

[ima rider]

Agreed. 32,38 40 MPG....Who cares,Im having tons of fun and just happy I am 1 of the few in the country who owns a SPYDER :spyder:

 

[AMTJIM]

MPG and engine life are more important to me...the spyder is my only vehicle!

 

[bjt]

MPG and engine life are more important to me...the spyder is my only vehicle!

I'm with you ATMJIM. The Spyder isn't my only vehicle but it is my main vehicle.

 

[Roadkill]

mpg is important to me

... 32,38 40 MPG....Who cares...

+With a 250-mile daily commute, I care.

Ride on.
Roadkill

 

[retread]

Please don't misunderstand where I'm coming from here, my primary transportation is my Spyder, and I'd really like to see better mileage, and I'm continually looking for ways to get it. In the meantime I'm lovin' what I've got, doin' what I can to make it better for me, and hopin' I'll find the money to pay for it! Winter's coming up too fast to suit me, but it will give me the chance to putter around and make things happen without missing ryding weather.