my spyder mpg and me

[bone crusher]

. . . . I went for a ride up to Madrid, NM on the Turquoise Trail this past Sunday - it was great. I don't think the speed limit gets over 60 mph anywhere on it and because of some of the curves, would guess the average speed would be around 55.

I filled up before leaving and filled up after I got back: 156 miles on 3.75 gallons ( 41.6 mpg ). The fill-up was not measured to the ml, but was really close to the same amount.

Today, I did a run to Mountainair, NM - but I had to cut it short. Lots of expressway and some small town stop and go - and wind-gusts up to 40+, I will be happy if I get 31 mpg when I fill-up tomorrow.

My Spyder is stock ( 4" risers & 6 spoke wheels ) and I do have the Madstad Robobrackets & shield, which I have set to a good slope, though pretty high, since I was riding without a helmet. Unfortunately, I don't have Bone Crushers line-back build and only weigh about 145 lbs., but then, neither do I weigh the Spyder down or act as a windscreen.

I find if I can keep the throttle down and RPMs under 5k, I can easily get up to 40 mpg - I am no SethO or Doc, but that does not happen very often. I think 32 mpg is my overall average - though I have dipped down to 27 mpg a few times.

Tom

Tom,

First of all, do you like your madstad windshield? I'm wavering between that and the CHAD. Is it secure? On the video on his website, the brackets look a little flimsy...

As far as mileage goes, I can see that 50-60mph steady will get you good mileage...my best mileage ever was over 35mpg and that was with a steady 50-60mph speed. When I go on the highway, we have limits around 65....so, I'm usually just below 75...or about 5500 on the tach. This definitely drinks gas.

I am 6'1", 235...yeah, a bit more than 145. Haveta stay in shape so my patients will listen to me!

I think weight also makes a huge difference as I'm using more HP than you just to lug my butt around.

I was doing much better after the first update...just got the second done so will have to tweak the JB again to try to maximize the performance and mileage...if I can average around 33mpg, I'll be quite happy...

 

[Tom in NM]

Tom,

First of all, do you like your madstad windshield? I'm wavering between that and the CHAD. Is it secure? On the video on his website, the brackets look a little flimsy...

I really like the Madstad windshield. I got both the brackets and windshield - Zero Complaints, lots of smiles. Flimsy? - no, not at all. I have found that I do play with my adjustments a lot, but that is just me messing around. I rate the system as high in engineering, machining, quality and functionality. I like the look too, it just blends in and is not noticeable - the CHAD looks never set well with me. The brackets also offer an opportunity for mounting stuff, especially for you guys who have tons of electronics and cup-holders. ​

..............

I was doing much better after the first update...just got the second done so will have to tweak the JB again to try to maximize the performance and mileage...if I can average around 33mpg, I'll be quite happy...

One thing I have noticed is that after any update or dealer service performed ( connection to BUDS ) - the Spyder seems to get GREAT mileage for about three fill-ups. Then, it settles back down to the same pattern that I am experiencing now. Really, after my DPS replacement, I was getting close to 50 for a couple of tanks.

It is like the bike's fuel mappings are altered and then "re-learned". That is my best guess.

Tom

 

[ICE]

I have averaged 32.86 mpg over 20,000 + miles. On a 2000 mile + road trip thru the Nevada high desert, Arizona and back to California I averaged 34.65 mpg with a high of 39.95 mpg. I had 4 fill up during this trip over 39mpg. Average cruising speed was usually 65 to 80 mph. When I got the 39.95 I was cruising around 65 mph thru the Nevada high desert in the middle of the night, temp around 85 F. This trip was during a heat wave in the west. Temps during the day ran in the 90 to a high of 105 F for the entire week!

 

[krb1945]

ICE ...

are you still running the factory style tires or CT tires and what air pressure do you run? Which exhaust and air cleaner? Thanks Ken krb1945

 

[jabba11]

I have averaged 32.86 mpg over 20,000 + miles. On a 2000 mile + road trip thru the Nevada high desert, Arizona and back to California I averaged 34.65 mpg with a high of 39.95 mpg. I had 4 fill up during this trip over 39mpg. Average cruising speed was usually 65 to 80 mph. When I got the 39.95 I was cruising around 65 mph thru the Nevada high desert in the middle of the night, temp around 85 F. This trip was during a heat wave in the west. Temps during the day ran in the 90 to a high of 105 F for the entire week!

That is really good mileage. Also if i can know how much do you weigh and do you have stock or aftermarket windsheild. I would love to get more mileage out of mine for sure, but I aint hatin it still gets better mileage than my liberty.

 

[bone crusher]

One thing I have noticed is that after any update or dealer service performed ( connection to BUDS ) - the Spyder seems to get GREAT mileage for about three fill-ups. Then, it settles back down to the same pattern that I am experiencing now. Really, after my DPS replacement, I was getting close to 50 for a couple of tanks.

It is like the bike's fuel mappings are altered and then "re-learned". That is my best guess.

Tom

Thanks for the info on the windshield. I can't get any more mods until the end of the summer as I just got the sport rack and hard bags...enough spent on those for a while...my next mods will be HIDs (Evan's), and a taller windshield for cooler weather...good timing for that come the end of summer.

 

[ICE]

Here we go, weight 170 plus or minus, Hindle exhaust, green air filter, CHAD windshield set low and back because of the heat, 19# front, 30# rear, running stock tires at the time. Also had soft bags attached.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Here we go, weight 170 plus or minus, Hindle exhaust, green air filter, CHAD windshield set low and back because of the heat, 19# front, 30# rear, running stock tires at the time. Also had soft bags attached.

Are you running a Juice Box, or any other fuel management system?