MPG break-in

[Jonnyvermont]

Here is a question: I just rolled 600 miles on my new 2013 RT. I seem to be getting around 21mpg. I am following the shifting recommendations in the do's and dont's, so in riding in the 4800-6500 rpm range.

At 21mpg, I'm interested when I hear that over time if will improve. My question: why is this? What happens during breakin that effects the mpg? What changes?

Thanks!

 

[mrfats]

That's seems pretty low. I believe most of us get 30 - 33 mph. I just turned 13000 miles on my 2011 RTS SE5. Hopefully your mileage will improve.

 

[boborgera]

Here is a question: I just rolled 600 miles on my new 2013 RT. I seem to be getting around 21mpg. I am following the shifting recommendations in the do's and dont's, so in riding in the 4800-6500 rpm range.

At 21mpg, I'm interested when I hear that over time if will improve. My question: why is this? What happens during breakin that effects the mpg? What changes?

Thanks!

New engines usually /will improve after break-in, At around 4/5 thousand miles, Theres a lot of factors involved but have not doubt it will...

 

[Spyder4Tess]

My question: why is this? What happens during breakin that effects the mpg? What changes?

The goal of modern engine break-ins is the settling of piston rings into an engine's cylinder wall. A cylinder wall is not perfectly smooth but has a deliberate slight roughness to help oil adhesion. As the engine is powered up, the piston rings between the pistons and cylinder wall will begin to seal against the wall's small ridges.

There could be a slight loss of compression due to the above which could be why the MPG is lower.

 

[Jonnyvermont]

Ahhhh. Makes sense. Thank you!

 

[happyspyder2039]

Here is a question: I just rolled 600 miles on my new 2013 RT. I seem to be getting around 21mpg. I am following the shifting recommendations in the do's and dont's, so in riding in the 4800-6500 rpm range.

At 21mpg, I'm interested when I hear that over time if will improve. My question: why is this? What happens during breakin that effects the mpg? What changes?

Thanks!

this Mileage is about right for short jaunts around town/city driving/stop n go. For Highway travel should be around 30- 32. What type of fuel octane are you running can have a differance also. I have a 2012 RT-S & was told to shift up @ 5000K & Down @ 4000 K

 

[BikerDoc]

on both my spyders I experienced improvement in mileage over time with significant jumps in mpg after 12000. my 2012 RT LTD has 32000 miles now and I am getting around 34.. I shift at the upper end of rpm range consistently so as to not waste any power.

 

[Jonnyvermont]

this Mileage is about right for short jaunts around town/city driving/stop n go. For Highway travel should be around 30- 32. What type of fuel octane are you running can have a differance also. I have a 2012 RT-S & was told to shift up @ 5000K & Down @ 4000 K

I am using 93 octane.

 

[Bob Ledford]

Break-in MPG

Your machine is almost normal. The biggest problem is that no one can define normal!

First I would tell you a little more about breaking in a new machine. Beside the piston rings and cylinder walls mating the rest of the assemblage is doing the same thing. Gears, bearings, camshaft, crankshaft, connecting rods, valves are seating themselves etc.

Your breaking yourself in to the new machine at the same time. Your getting used to all the in's and out's of it simultaneously. Getting smoother with stop an goes, traffic, starting, and parking.

My beginning fuel mileage was in the dumps too. If I remember correctly it went from the high teens to 20's. Now at 4.700 miles it is in the low 20's to high 30's. depending on how traffic versus highway time I get.

 

[ARtraveler]

As others have posted, your mileage should improve to the 30's. It was 6000 miles for me before the mileage was consitent (around 30-31). At 33,000 miles--I am getting similar. Also compares to our 2011 with 8,000 miles. (30-31 mpg).

 

[kepople]

Fyi: my results

I have 564 miles on my 2012 rts.

Sat we took a short 75 mile road trip.
We averaged 38 mph over the trip from the computer which i assume include stoplights.

Took 3 gallons, and average of 24.8 mpg.

I would think an interstate would yield 28 at best, so no where near 30mpg

Am i about normal here?

 

[C3517C]

Fyi: my results

I have 564 miles on my 2012 rts.

Sat we took a short 75 mile road trip.
We averaged 38 mph over the trip from the computer which i assume include stoplights.

Took 3 gallons, and average of 24.8 mpg.

I would think an interstate would yield 28 at best, so no where near 30mpg

Am i about normal here?

It will get better. Its hard to believe the improvement in mileage over time but it happens for sure. My 2011 RT- s was in the low to mid 20's when it was new. After 20,000 miles it is in the low 30's. My 2008 did the same thing, but far less drastic. Patience, :doorag:

 

[kepople]

Cool. Kinda bummed when my bike buddy tells me he gets close to 50mpg on his harley glide. Maybe hes pulling my chain, I dont know. But I would like to get 30mpg

 

[bamaspyder1]

Cool. Kinda bummed when my bike buddy tells me he gets close to 50mpg on his harley glide. Maybe hes pulling my chain, I dont know. But I would like to get 30mpg

Chain being pulled.....3 friends have the glide and they get on average 36 to 40..

 

[Larry rt]

I tried 89 octane lost 10mpg. Used 91 octane getting , 32 to 40 MPG. , depends on driving conditions . Best mileage was at 50 crushing.

 

[shelbydave]

Cool. Kinda bummed when my bike buddy tells me he gets close to 50mpg on his harley glide. Maybe hes pulling my chain, I dont know. But I would like to get 30mpg

I kept reading how people were getting 40+ MPG on their goldwings... I was talking with one guy at a PGR mission, and he asked me what kind of mileage I get with my Spyder... I told him it was only about 30. Nothing like his GW... He laughed, and said he couldn't get over 24! So I don't know where these stellar numbers are coming from.....

 

[kepople]

I tried 89 octane lost 10mpg. Used 91 octane getting , 32 to 40 MPG. , depends on driving conditions . Best mileage was at 50 crushing.

what rpm were you cruising at?

 

[Larry rt]

Just set cruse control at 50 , rpm stayed around 4500

 

[boborgera]

I kept reading how people were getting 40+ MPG on their goldwings... I was talking with one guy at a PGR mission, and he asked me what kind of mileage I get with my Spyder... I told him it was only about 30. Nothing like his GW... He laughed, and said he couldn't get over 24! So I don't know where these stellar numbers are coming from.....

My [ex] VTX1800 Would get 41mpg, That was intill I put a large Memphis Shades Windshield, and Leatherlyke bags on, The drag with them on knocked the mpg into the high 30's...

 

[exwinger]

Different mpgs

Your mpg is really going to vary depending on riding conditions and will eventually get around 30 + or (-) . I never use my cruise under 65 and that seems to make a difference and actually is better not using cruise but not by much.At 50mph you should still be in 4th gear at the most and around 5000 rpms. I routinely on the highway stay in 4th til I hit 60mph. For normal local driving I tend to ride 3rd and 4th gears and keep the rpms up plus this also gives you throttle room in case you need to get out of some dolts way to avoid an accident.

As far a getting what a wing gets , forget it , it' ain't gonna happen. I ride with wingers a lot ( 1800s ) , and had one myself. They get high 30s on a regular basis .Double up and pull a trailer and it drops some .On my spyder my mpg don't vary much double or pulling a trailer, I seem to stay right around 26-30.For some unknown reason though I do get better mpg riding the mountain twistys , guess it could be the lower speeds and higher rpms.....go figure.