MPG

[Desert Spyder]

:roflblack:

. . . . . put the throttle on the LEFT side.

SSG Bean, you are right, but I wish it were that easy. While the physics can be calculated, the number of variables just gets out of hand - otherwise, everybody would be agreeing on "the" answer.

I am with you, I am looking for a nice general sweet spot of operation for my general conditions of driving. I have the same issue as QuadManiac, of inconsistency tending towards being a rocket jockey. Higher speeds, as far as MPG goes, like Brian said, it can just suck all the gas out of your tank.

I have noticed ( for me, stock SE5, small guy, 5,000' altitude ) 55 mph in 5th, right around 5K RPM is smooth and easy. But I have the "feeling" when I go over 75, I am dropping of the MPG cliff. There seems to be a very sharp decline in MPG. On trips where I stay at/under 75, I get around 37-40mpg. My guess is, going 95 mph is around 10 - 15 mpg or less.

When I get my right hand under control, I will post my results.

Tom

OK, we're onto something here, exponentially speaking. So if the average MPG, city and highway = 35mpg for arguments sake, between fill-ups, then driving 95 as you suggested would equal 10-15 mpg +/-. However, using that formula (?), 25 mph should get you 50 mpg. True so far? I can understand the resistance argument, wind drag, maybe even the 3rd wheel, but I'm trying to understand more on what's going on under the "tupperware". I'm not as gifted as some of you are in this area and I want to know more. Other variables come into play too such as tire inflation. So, what is the best RPM/ speed, best ambient temperature, etc. to achieve the best MPG? And what the heck does the Throttle Position Sensor do?

 

[Tom in NM]

Better minds than mine are needed . . . .

OK, we're onto something here, exponentially speaking. So if the average MPG, city and highway = 35mpg for arguments sake, between fill-ups, then driving 95 as you suggested would equal 10-15 mpg +/-. However, using that formula (?), 25 mph should get you 50 mpg. True so far? I can understand the resistance argument, wind drag, maybe even the 3rd wheel, but I'm trying to understand more on what's going on under the "tupperware". I'm not as gifted as some of you are in this area and I want to know more. Other variables come into play too such as tire inflation. So, what is the best RPM/ speed, best ambient temperature, etc. to achieve the best MPG? And what the heck does the Throttle Position Sensor do?

I will give you the basics of the Throttle Position Sensor.
See the pics below for where it is and what it does. I think it is one of the most important sensors for the engines performance.

As for the formula, most of the variables you mention change over speed, so they are not straight lines. Like Bonecrusher mentioned, as RPM increase, the engine is burning more fuel. But the each of the gears are able to convert the RPMs into "torque" at different rates. I will stop right there and leave it to people who know this to explain it better. But if you are burning 1 quart an hour to go 25mph, with wind resistance increasing a certain amount for every 5 mph you increase it takes a more than 2 quarts to go 50 mph. But at the same time, other aerodynamics are lifting the vehicle, making it lighter, though like hydroplaning, you start losing traction surface.
And on and on.

And the real world has hills, turbulence and wind, too.

I still think there are optimized bands of performance that we can generalize from, but lots of other conditions will have affect on them. It takes a lot of consistency of driving and observation to weed them out.

Maybe one of the experts can post what the gas consumption rate across speed and gears are.

I forget who, but someone found that the dash had a mode that would display an estimated MPG as you are riding (like displays RPM, or MPH) - but there was no instructions on how to activate it and it is not an option in the menu. If you look at the diagram, you can see the Computer has all the inputs to calculate this.

Maybe in the next Update, it is only a software fix, right?

Tom

 

[Desert Spyder]

I knew this thing was a rocket. Just glad you don't need to be a rocket scientist to enjoy ryding it.:thumbup:

 

[bjt]

Yes and no...... If you were running along flat, straight, and level-then yes, that would be true. But, if you have to use more throttle to corner, climb grades, accelerate to pass, overcome headwinds, etc., you'll ultimately use more fuel than if you were at the start of the powerband to begin with....where you could apply less throttle for a shorter period of time.....

I've always found my best fuel economy to be at the beginning of the powerband(peak torque curve) on any of my vehicles.....around 4500-5000 on the Spyder....

I know someone else posted (long ago) about getting the best MPG from the Spyder at around 4500 rpms. I believe that's where I get my optimum economy also.

 

[bjt]

I forget who, but someone found that the dash had a mode that would display an estimated MPG as you are riding (like displays RPM, or MPH) - but there was no instructions on how to activate it and it is not an option in the menu. If you look at the diagram, you can see the Computer has all the inputs to calculate this.

Maybe in the next Update, it is only a software fix, right?

Tom

As I recall, someone found some documentation about the display that noted a MPG screen or display, not that it was an option on the Spyder. I believe this digital display is / was used on a few different BRP products. At the time, a few of us were hoping that this could somehow be enabled or accessed but nothing else ever came of it.

 

[Tom in NM]

Yup . . . .

As I recall, someone found some documentation about the display that noted a MPG screen or display, not that it was an option on the Spyder. I believe this digital display is / was used on a few different BRP products. At the time, a few of us were hoping that this could somehow be enabled or accessed but nothing else ever came of it.

I think you are right on that Brian. That is how I remember it. Too bad it is an un-implemented feature since the hardware can support it.

I also remember (or think I do) reading that the BUDDs system can tell you the MPG on a running Spyder. So, all we have to do is steal a dealer's laptop, plug it in and find the reading - literally riding like we stole it!

Tom

 

[bone crusher]

Yes and no...... If you were running along flat, straight, and level-then yes, that would be true. But, if you have to use more throttle to corner, climb grades, accelerate to pass, overcome headwinds, etc., you'll ultimately use more fuel than if you were at the start of the powerband to begin with....where you could apply less throttle for a shorter period of time.....

I've always found my best fuel economy to be at the beginning of the powerband(peak torque curve) on any of my vehicles.....around 4500-5000 on the Spyder....

Yes...I think I'm best just under 5000 rpm on the Spyder too...it really drops off when I'm going over 75mph on the highway...this usually equates to about 5500 rpm...

 

[Tom in NM]

Same here . . . . .

Yes...I think I'm best just under 5000 rpm on the Spyder too...it really drops off when I'm going over 75mph on the highway...this usually equates to about 5500 rpm...

. . . . I was watching it today, and yes 5500 was right at 75 mph, + or - 1 mph in 5th. It "felt" easy.
6000 was a solid 80 mph. More than that felt like the mpg was going down.

Tom

 

[Desert Spyder]

I was concentrating more on the RPM yesterday, too, on my run up to Big Bear Lake (CA.) Speed averaged 70 and my mpg was 32. Respectable, but it used to be better before the recall and especially immediately following the recall, when it seemed the gauge never moved. Going to Oceanside this Sunday (to see the new RT) and I'll try to keep it at 4500 and see what happens.

BTW, going up (and down) a mountain requires a lot of downshifting. Would you use less gas going down hill or the same on the same road?

 

[Kjen]

We'll see you and Joy in Oceanside Sunday Brian. We shouldn't run out of gas, lol. Hasn't happened yet, guess there could be a first time.

 

[QuadManiac]

Going to Oceanside this Sunday (to see the new RT) and I'll try to keep it at 4500 and see what happens.

Where is the RT going to be in Oceanside on Sunday? Did I miss a posting or is this a private affair?

 

[FANG]

I know someone else posted (long ago) about getting the best MPG from the Spyder at around 4500 rpms. I believe that's where I get my optimum economy also.

I guess that is if the engine is not runnign too lean at this rpm as is occuring with some spyders since the update. I was avg 32 mpg city/36-38 hwy before the update - now I'm lucky to get 30 mpg on the hwy. - Not a happy camper since the update.

 

[Desert Spyder]

We'll see you and Joy in Oceanside Sunday Brian. We shouldn't run out of gas, lol. Hasn't happened yet, guess there could be a first time.

Hi Jen! What was your guys MPG on your circa-USA trip? I bet that was pretty important info to know! I can't remember if I ever ran out of gas with Joy...

 

[Desert Spyder]

Where is the RT going to be in Oceanside on Sunday? Did I miss a posting or is this a private affair?

At the West Coast Spyder Meet & Eat.
http://www.westcoastspyder.com/inde...nt-a-sports-bar&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=5
Ken is driving it in from DC

 

[Kjen]

Hi Jen! What was your guys MPG on your circa-USA trip? I bet that was pretty important info to know! I can't remember if I ever ran out of gas with Joy...

Gee, don't know. We usually run between 31-33 MPG. We don't pay that much attention to anything but NOT running out of gas. Never really had trouble finding fuel, but there were a few times we really had to be on the look out for a source. We normally stopped before darkness fell so most places had something open. You guys sure worry about that stuff. Guess we just ride in the wrong places? Not too far from the beaten path. Civilization always near and that usually means fuel. To each his own. Was fun and kept us on our toes.

 

[Dudley]

Been riding since 1966 and have never run out of fuel. I have never tried to prove a point by seeing how far I can go on a tank. I will usually fill up between 3 and 2 bars. Has never bothered me to stop for gas. With the Spyder, it's even more fun...get a chance to talk to people.

 

[Desert Spyder]

I think the concern of the thread was how the MPG has affected some bikes from pre-recall to post-recall. I don't worry about the gas gauge, just the knuckleheads around me.

 

[Dudley]

I think the concern of the thread was how the MPG has affected some bikes from pre-recall to post-recall. I don't worry about the gas gauge, just the knuckleheads around me.

We have gotten 31-33 mpg from day one. On days with heavy headwinds it may drop to about 29 or so, but it's really not rocket science because the measure of gas going into the tank is never recorded at the exact level each time. I noticed no difference after the update.

 

[COOLMACHINE]

I'm glad we were on the same page.

No problem, bro Actually I had a good laugh with your answer. I could not believe myself that I let my normally repressed inner geek escape like that:roflblack:

3WD

Good 3wheel. I just got back around to this thread and am happy to see I did not offend you. Keep it on 3-wheels Dude. :thumbup: