Question about RPM's

[mattgroveton]

I joined the forum about 10 minutes ago, but have been reading most all the posts here for over a week. My question is...I have read the Spyder owners do's and dont's over a few times and and as everyone here knows one of the main points of those tips is to NOT run the Spyder at low RPM's. Some have suggested using "trailer mode" which apparently will keep you from doing that. Suggested speed/RPM thresholds are listed. That said, I just bought my 2015 Spyder RTS a few days ago. The 2015's no longer have trailer mode which one poster stated is "no longer necessary" on the 2015's. Am I to take that to mean that something changed with the latest model that lets you run at lower RPM's and not hurt the engine? I have to admit I am the worlds worst at running at low "relaxed" RPM's. After reading the suggestions here I tried running my 2015 at higher RPM's waiting longer to shift and so forth. It make me nervous. Please advise me. Thanks in advance.

mdg

 

[Highwayman2013]

Yes the 1330 engine does not need to be run at the same RPMs as the 998 engine.

 

[atitude2]

RPM'S

Since the 2015 spyder has the bigger engine (1330) and also has the extra gear you will know longer have to shift at the higher rpm's.

 

[garb55]

Your 2015 RTS has a 1330 engine
It runs at a lower RPM than the 990 V twin
If you have a semi automatic it will down shift as you slow down so it will not let you run at too low an RPM
If you have a manual shift you should keep your RPMs no lower than 2000
Have fun you have a great machine

 

[mattgroveton]

Thanks guys

Good deal and thanks for the answers.

 

[Chupaca]

Welcome..!!

good to have you along. Glad you decided to join in. That do's and do nots you read has to be changed as far as rpms on the new 1330 ACE engine. Trailer mode also but the rest still applies. Are you ryding or contemplating. ? :2thumbs:

 

[trikermutha]

I pushed mine the other day to 6K + RPM and still was pulling..:thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome:
As mentioned above, there are two different engines now and two different sets of directions.

The 998 (pre 2014 on everything) likes high revs. 5000 - 5500 is the operating range recommended. Running below 3500 was not recommended.

The 1330 in 2014 and up RT models and in the new F3 has a sweet spot between 3000 - 3500 rpms. Much quieter operation and much more torque at the low end.

 

[Peter Aawen]

I thought that the main reason for keeping the 998 revs higher was to keep the centrifugal clutch properly engaged & not slipping (both the manual & semi-autos are effectively the same transmission & clutch, just the SE5 has semi-auto gear shifting instead of manual selection) and since the 1330 doesn't use the same centrifugal clutch anymore, having 'upgraded' to a hydraulic clutch with either manual or semi-auto gear selection, the 1330's don't need the revs kept as high to keep the clutch fully locked??

 

[Pampurrs]

4,000 RPM at crusing speed?

I was going to post this question as a new thread, but since it is relevant, I'll ask it in this thread.

I have a 2015 RT and find that when I cruise at 80 MPH in 6th gear (Typical interstate speed in Arizona), I'm pushing 4,000 RPM. That seems a bit high, since my previous bikes held around 3,000 at 80 MPH in 6th gear. Is this normal for the 1330?

Thanks,

Pam

 

[ARtraveler]

I was going to post this question as a new thread, but since it is relevant, I'll ask it in this thread.

I have a 2015 RT and find that when I cruise at 80 MPH in 6th gear (Typical interstate speed in Arizona), I'm pushing 4,000 RPM. That seems a bit high, since my previous bikes held around 3,000 at 80 MPH in 6th gear. Is this normal for the 1330?

Thanks,

Pam

Once you are in 6th gear and past about 65 mph the rpms will rise. Your redline is at 7500--so here--you are running the engine at slightly over half its capacity. A stroll through the park for the 1330. There is also a built in rev-limiter so you cannot over rev.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Am I to take that to mean that something changed with the latest model that lets you run at lower RPM's and not hurt the engine?

Yes, engine design! The 998 V-twin is designed to be a high revving engine with a redline above 9000 rpm and a comfortable cruising range of 4000 to 6000 rpm. The 1330 3 cylinder inline is designed to run at lower rpm hence the shift points, cruising range, and redline are all lower rpm. I believe I'm correct in saying the centrifugal clutch in the SE6 was designed to lock up at lower rpm also.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I was going to post this question as a new thread, but since it is relevant, I'll ask it in this thread.

I have a 2015 RT and find that when I cruise at 80 MPH in 6th gear (Typical interstate speed in Arizona), I'm pushing 4,000 RPM. That seems a bit high, since my previous bikes held around 3,000 at 80 MPH in 6th gear. Is this normal for the 1330?

Thanks,

Pam

I could be wrong but I believe Rotax has a history of loving to build high rev engines.

 

[Peter Aawen]

....I believe I'm correct in saying the centrifugal clutch in the SE6 was designed to lock up at lower rpm also.

I'm pretty sure that the SE6 doesn't have a centrifigul clutch anymore, that went when the 1330 motor came out, & they've gone to a hydraulic clutch that doesn't need revs to make it lock up, it's all built into the electronics!

 

[Bob Denman]

Peter,
You ARE correct. :thumbup:
The new hydraulic system that now engages the clutch, is the reason for the lack of a caveat regarding low rpm operation.

 

[retired1]

I was going to post this question as a new thread, but since it is relevant, I'll ask it in this thread.

I have a 2015 RT and find that when I cruise at 80 MPH in 6th gear (Typical interstate speed in Arizona), I'm pushing 4,000 RPM. That seems a bit high, since my previous bikes held around 3,000 at 80 MPH in 6th gear. Is this normal for the 1330?

Thanks,

Pam

Yes, it is.:thumbup:

 

[barryj]

Gear sounds are loud

:welcome:
As mentioned above, there are two different engines now and two different sets of directions.

The 998 (pre 2014 on everything) likes high revs. 5000 - 5500 is the operating range recommended. Running below 3500 was not recommended.

The 1330 in 2014 and up RT models and in the new F3 has a sweet spot between 3000 - 3500 rpms. Much quieter operation and much more torque at the low end.

Until I read your post I was taking it easy on my 2013 RT. I have been trying to keep track of the RPM's and I can't imagine hitting 5000 - 5500 consistently. I will have to hit the highway and wee what it is at 75

It has been more fun riding since I saw that the bike likes high revs.

 

[ScreaminMeanie]

I was very glad I had read about the preferred RPM operational range before I rode the RT. It really does perform more smoothly in the 4500-5500 RPM range, and always has plenty of reserve power if you keep in the "zone."

My old RS had much lower comfortable shift points, it seemed to me. Is the gearing significantly different on the RT vs. the RS?

 

[Bob Denman]

4,000 rpm in the 998 bikes, should have you just about at 55 mph...
At this rpm level; the clutches are fully locked, and everybody is happy under the Tupperware! :2thumbs:

 

[Pennyrick]

998 RPM tracking

Last week my wife took her 2012 RT in for routine servicing and had them run an updated BUDS report on her machine.

The optimum RPM range for the 998 is over 4,000 but of course that can't be done at all times. From what I have been able to understand if the 998 spends 35-40% of its' life running over four grand that is considered excellent.

My wife isn't into running up in the 6,000 plus range like I do at times, so her profile is a bit on the conservative side but it is good to see she is keeping the revs up over 43% of the time.

According to the service manager at the dealership this is a strong profile. It was also mentioned that if engine warranty problems develop, the first thing looked at is this profile. If there is evidence that the engine has spent the majority of it's life in the 0-3999 range the warranty work could be denied.