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Ran outta gas today
- Thread starter Firefly
- Start date
SPYDERGUY1
New member
gas
usually 1 bar showing
usually 1 bar showing
stevedfive
New member
The last two tanks I only got 22 mpg. I am sure it is operator error so can anyone tell me at what rpm should I be shifting gears?
I switched over to my trip meter after filling up the other day for the first time, just to see what would happen. I made it 132 miles when the low fuel light came on. I don't know how much further I could have run, and wasn't about to push it to find out.
I second that, and just to let you know, I purposly ran my bike out of gas just to test how many miles I have after my light comes on. On my bike, I have almost exactly 20 miles after my light comes on. I normally put in a little over 4 gallons when i fill up and my average mileage is between 30 and 32mpg.
On long rides I need a smoke and a mountain dew long before the spyder needs a fill up:clap: I keep adding stuff to push more fuel through it, turbo is next :yes: . I compensate by riding my moped or electric bike from time to time. If I need to do really long stints I will have to work out some kinda in flight refueling. And mount a cup holder and a ashtray:dontknow:
jrl.spyder
New member
gas mileage on 1900 mile trip
I've been off the forum for a while, but just want to chime in on this fuel thread.
I just finished an awesome :2thumbs:1900 mile "Ride the Rockies" tour over an extended Labor Day weekend.
Average for the trip was 33.4mpg, so I started looking for gas at about 150 mile increments. Actually did a little better planning than that, because some of those ribbons of highway go along for quite a while between civilization. I did AZ, NM, CO and UT...just a spectacular 5 days of great weather and spectacular scenery. only 3 spyder sightings along the way...Los Alamos, NM, Twin Lakes, CO and Globe AZ.
I'll post some pix in an album this weekend.
Cooler weather is returning to AZ, so a-riding I shall go
I've been off the forum for a while, but just want to chime in on this fuel thread.
I just finished an awesome :2thumbs:1900 mile "Ride the Rockies" tour over an extended Labor Day weekend.
Average for the trip was 33.4mpg, so I started looking for gas at about 150 mile increments. Actually did a little better planning than that, because some of those ribbons of highway go along for quite a while between civilization. I did AZ, NM, CO and UT...just a spectacular 5 days of great weather and spectacular scenery. only 3 spyder sightings along the way...Los Alamos, NM, Twin Lakes, CO and Globe AZ.
I'll post some pix in an album this weekend.
Cooler weather is returning to AZ, so a-riding I shall go
bjt
Very Helpful Member
In easy riding, I normally shift around 4500 rpms. If I'm riding a little harder, I shift at upwards of 5500 - 6000 rpms. I usually get around 30 mpg on my Spyder.
Rider Steve
New member
There's one thing missing in this thread... mileage differences between the manual transmission and the semi auto tranny. The auto tranny probably gets lousier gas mileage than the manual trans (my guess). :spyder2:
SpyderGirl
New member
We have run out of gas on the Spyder once as well... on I-880S in Oakland. We were able to push it down the off-ramp and into the Shell station. I don't remember what the mileage was on the tank... probably about 130 - 140. We were surprised. I know it didn't take 6.7 gallons.... about 6 is the limit.
Our best MPG has been 42.2 and over 175 miles to the tank with fuel to spare. We've gotten over 40 MPG a few times.... typically thought we average about low to mid 30's, but that's with sitting in Bay Area traffic.
Our best MPG has been 42.2 and over 175 miles to the tank with fuel to spare. We've gotten over 40 MPG a few times.... typically thought we average about low to mid 30's, but that's with sitting in Bay Area traffic.
Firefly
Active member
I doubt there is any difference at all-- actually since the SE5 does the downshifting consistently--- it may be better.
SpyderWolf
New member
Interesting question. Why would you expect the SE5 to get worse fuel mileage? Just curious, as it is not a true automatic transmission, but an electronic one with a paddle shifter. You still have complete control over your shift points.
Rider Steve
New member
If for no other reason just to find out what an SE5 is.
Like on most forums people talk in terms they have become accustomed to and that leaves the newbies out in the cold. It's been known for many years that vehicles with manual transmissions get better mileage than vehicles with auto trans (unless the auto industry has been lying to us all this time). Another fact that gets left out is that the lighter RS will get better mileage (unless your a true lead foot) than the heavier RT models will. You can't lump all the models together and come up with any useful information on gas mileage.
NancysToy
Motorbike Professor
The Spyder does not have an automatic trans...it has either manual or electronic shifting. Unlike an automobile, there is no torque convertor to slip and lose power. With today's locking torque converters, highway mileage for the automatics is often the same, anyway.
stevedfive
New member
Sorry about the lack of info. I have a RT A/C with the SE5 trans. I usually shift around 5000 rpm and try to cruise at about 3500 rpms.
SpyderWolf
New member
If for no other reason just to find out what an SE5 is.
It's been known for many years that vehicles with manual transmissions get better mileage than vehicles with auto trans (unless the auto industry has been lying to us all this time). Another fact that gets left out is that the lighter RS will get better mileage (unless your a true lead foot) than the heavier RT models will. You can't lump all the models together and come up with any useful information on gas mileage.
Fair enough, and welcome to the Spyder party.
The SE5 is only semi automatic in the fact that it has certain points in the RPM range where it will downshift by itself. For gears above second, this is usually just under 2500 RPM, while it drops to about 1800 RPM before auto shifting from second to first. The ryder may override those downshift points by downshifting earlier; however, in order to keep the engine from bogging down it will shift when it hits those points.
Upshifting is totally controlled by the ryder. You actually keep the throttle cracked open, and push the paddle. This cuts the ignition for about 2ms, shifts to the next highest gear, and turns the ignition back on. This ends up being much faster than you can probably clutch and shift manually.
The cool thing is if I want to be lazy and not worry about downshifting when approaching a stop sign, I can just let the Spyder do it for me. Also, in an emergency braking situation the Spyder will be downshifting while you are on the brakes which should help you stop faster as well.
I may not have a clutch to dump, but I can still smoke the rear tire at will from a standing start. :thumbup:
I hope that helps explain the SE5 some.
SpyderWolf
New member
The Rotax engine likes higher RPMs than most are accustomed to riding at. 3500 RPMs is actually at the point of lugging the engine while you are cruising. Try cruising above 4500 RPM and things should feel a whole lot better for you, and your mileage may increase as well. :thumbup: I hardly ever get above 4th gear on my Spyder, unless I am running on the interstate above 70.
Firefly
Active member
RT is setup to run at lower RPM'S than RS/GS.......
SpyderWolf
New member
That's interesting, so how much lower? I have never ridden an RT, so have no idea for the feel of it. :dontknow:
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