Ran outta gas today

[Eraser]

That's interesting, so how much lower? I have never ridden an RT, so have no idea for the feel of it. :dontknow:

I wish I had the numbers for you,I'm sure Scotty will.It is completely different from the GS/RS.I like them both!:shocked:

 

[Rider Steve]

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.

I don't own a spyder yet, just test drove one. I guess it's going to be about two months before the 2011 get here. Gives me time to study up on em. Nice to know you can smoke the rear on the auto tranny. That gets a big :firstplace:. I wouldn't mind getting the semi auto but I really don't want to pay the extra 1500.00 for one. Been shifting all my life, might as well keep on shifting. Hopefully I'm right about getting better mileage from the manual tranny. I'd like to see about 35 mpg while tooting around the countryside. 30 is my guess for a high speed slab trip. That's what I'm hoping for anyway. opcorn:

 

[NancysToy]

RT is setup to run at lower RPM'S than RS/GS.......

:dontknow::hun: I actually have to buzz the RT more. A gear lower on the same road than with Nancy's GS/RS. It absolutely does not like anything below five grand! Demos I rode were the same, so I don't think that is just mine.

 

[Firefly]

Hmm-- I stand corrected---- I was sure I heard the RT engine was tuned differently to run at lower RPM's to get a bit better MPG to offset the extra weight????

---- maybe I'm thinking of something else....

 

[NancysToy]

Hmm-- I stand corrected---- I was sure I heard the RT engine was tuned differently to run at lower RPM's to get a bit better MPG to offset the extra weight????

---- maybe I'm thinking of something else....

It is tuned for slightly less horsepower and slightly more torque, to offset the increased weight and improve mileage with the larger profile, but it doesn't seem to like lower rpm. Who knows...mine doesn't run good enough to really make a determination on what is normal?

 

[Raptor]

It is tuned for slightly less horsepower and slightly more torque, to offset the increased weight and improve mileage with the larger profile, but it doesn't seem to like lower rpm. Who knows...mine doesn't run good enough to really make a determination on what is normal?

The GS/RS engine runs at a tad over 10:1 compression, while the RT runs at 12:1. So this plays into what Scotty is saying.

I know for both of my RS machines they are not happy unless they are reving! The RS-S likes to be at about 5450 or higher, and 14, well, she lives at around 6 grand minimum. It's funny though; each bike has their own personality. No two are the same. The RS-S is silky smooth and has excellent manners and is just a joy to ride. 14 has a definite mean streak in her and loves to be "ridden"! I like it...

 

[SpyderWolf]

Thanks for the updated information on the performance of the RT Scotty.

Raptor, I know exactly what you are talking about. If I try to run my Spyder in 5th gear at 65mph, it vibrates enough to let me know it is not happy. 4th gear at that speed and throttle response is instantaneous.

 

[ARtraveler]

I'm still getting 31-34 depending on all the variables. opcorn:opcorn:

 

[Raptor]

Thanks for the updated information on the performance of the RT Scotty.

Raptor, I know exactly what you are talking about. If I try to run my Spyder in 5th gear at 65mph, it vibrates enough to let me know it is not happy. 4th gear at that speed and throttle response is instantaneous.

BINGO! When I first bought these Spyders it took a little while to figure out what they wanted. I'd say we understand each other now... (Evil laughter ensues!!)

Seriously though, of all the things that seem to occasionally trouble this machine, I think the engine is a very solid piece. I have absolute confidence in both of mine.

 

[Raptor]

I'm still getting 31-34 depending on all the variables. opcorn:opcorn:

I would say those are very reasonable numbers Sir! I am getting the same. Maybe a tad higher on the RS-S.

 

[stevedfive]

Thank you to everyone for the driving tips. Up to 26 mpg, however the gas light still comes on and only takes four gallons (4.07 this last trip). I guess I will run it over to the dealer. Anyone else having this gas light issue?

 

[SpyderGirl]

Thank you to everyone for the driving tips. Up to 26 mpg, however the gas light still comes on and only takes four gallons (4.07 this last trip). I guess I will run it over to the dealer. Anyone else having this gas light issue?

Yup, that sounds about right. The light comes on pretty early.

 

[Raptor]

Yup, that sounds about right. The light comes on pretty early.

:agree: with Spydergirl. The light does come on pretty early. So I just ignore it!! :roflblack: Nah, I don't ignore it, I just know that I have a pretty good margin before I get in to trouble. But if I see the light come on and I'm near a station, I'll go ahead and fill up. 4 to 4.5 is usually what I end up putting in, and that's packing it man!

 

[Eraser]

:dontknow::hun: I actually have to buzz the RT more. A gear lower on the same road than with Nancy's GS/RS. It absolutely does not like anything below five grand! Demos I rode were the same, so I don't think that is just mine.

I just got in from a nice 3 hour buzz.Six thou plus is where this machine wants to live.I recall a posting that Doc made about the GS and running it at high RPMs for super smooth performance and zero vibration,that holds true for the RT as well judging from my ryde today.Great Ryde today:thumbup:.

 

[Raptor]

I just got in from a nice 3 hour buzz.Six thou plus is where this machine wants to live.I recall a posting that Doc made about the GS and running it at high RPMs for super smooth performance and zero vibration,that holds true for the RT as well judging from my ryde today.Great Ryde today:thumbup:.

You got it Sir! These babies love to rev. And you won't hurt the engine at all. They really seem to like it at about 6,000. You also get great throttle response, which isn't a bad thing either!

 

[richie]

gas

160 with one bar still showing

 

[RodO]

This is for my RT SE5 on a 10-day trip of 4,435 km (2,756 mi).
Average speeds on the open roads were 100-120 kph (60-75 mph).
Shifts usually around 6,000 rpm.

Fuel consumption = 338.3 L (89.4 US gal).
Average fuel consumption = 7.63 L/100 km (30.8 mi/US gal).

So it looks like the range is about 300 km (185 mi) / tank. The low fuel light comes on with around 7-8 L left, so at around 50 km (30 mi) left.

YMMV. :roflblack:

 

[SpyderWolf]

YMMV. :roflblack:

Most definitely. :doorag:

 

[M2Wild]

Ran out of gas 3 miles from home yesterday.pps: Shoulda topped off before I left for work in the morning. Oh well .... live and learn. I went quiet a bit after the last bar has disappeared.

 

[sandrunr1]

My wife and I just returned from a 2700 mile trip north. Once we went 183 miles on a tank. Mine an se5 took 5.5 gal. hers a sm5 took 5.2 gal. Great trip.