RT 1330 MPG ??

[south GA Farm Boy]

My MPG varies with my riding speed on my 2016 RT Limited! I have been as low 36 mpg and as high as 42 mpg! I am still having handlebar shaking problems, so I am holding my speed down to 55 or 60 mph. Last week I only averaged about 36 MPG, but Saturday we were out for a 140 mile trip and I got 41.8 MPG! So at 55 mph with few red lights and stop signs, I can say 41-42 mpg range, but during the week riding small distances it will be in 36 mpg range!

 

[Commander]

For me it depends on the Gas station when I go to Shell EXXON and SUNACO, I get the best performance and MPG. Plus I use a little bit of Star Tron every couple of thank fulls

 

[d.o.spyder-rts]

I have a little over 2500 mi on my '16 RTS and have gotten a high of 37 an a low of 28.75. I know (hopefully) the mpg will improve with more miles on the :spyder2:. Dale

 

[Arion]

So far... 38.354079 mpg. :thumbup:

Not to put too fine a point on it I observe. Is your background STEM by chance?

 

[Bob Denman]

No... I'm just your ordinary anal-retentive, Obsessive-Compulsive behavior practitioner... :roflblack:

 

[SuperDave_GPS]

I ride my '16 RT Limited like a crotch-rocket.
I tend to average around 45 MPG Canadian, which translates to 37 MPG American.
(6.27 litres per 100 Km to be specific).

Cheers from Canada

 

[BitSlayer]

Around town, we can get low to mid 30's, if the speed is kept around 60ish on the highway it will get high 30's.

Highway runs at 70 or higher get between 28 and 30 mpg.

This is with 93 octane and the results are consistant since after break in.

Adding, never run in eco mode, have tested both eco on or off, results are very close unless going slower or less twist of the throttle.

:agree: that is about the same as what I am getting. I would like to know more about how people are driving to get hi 30's and low 40's. I have never seen that type of mileage from the 1330.

 

[Navy Warrant]

I averaged about 36 MPG on my 2012 RT-S SE5 998 V-Twin (incl hwy), and now about the same on my 2015 RT LTD SE6 1330 3 in-line ACE. Never understood how anyone could get 46 MPG. Ever. Used to use 93 octane (with ethanol), now use 90 octane ethanol free.

As for ECO mode, all that does is give a green light to tell you when it's the best time to shift to conserve, always at fairly low RPMs. I just always up shift after 2nd gear at about 2700-3000 RPM.

 

[ARtraveler]

:agree: that is about the same as what I am getting. I would like to know more about how people are driving to get hi 30's and low 40's. I have never seen that type of mileage from the 1330.

No wheel spinning or aggressive driving here. Always drive posted plus 5 mph or so. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. 39 mpg consistently on the 1330. 31 consistently on the 998.

 

[kngfsh27]

I stopped thinking about gas mileage when I got a gas gauge.

 

[marty1096]

Hello again gang. Wanted some feed back on mpg on your guys and gals rides. I used to get 42-45 mpg on avg. weather solo or 2-up on my scooter but now I'm getting 35-37 mpg riding solo. I run SHELL prem. 95% of the time (try to keep that ethanol crap out of my recreational vehicles when I can) and fill the tank to the same level each time w/bike level. Air filter is new and only have 17,000 miles on the machine, so plugs should be OK. Gave up my "crotch-rocket" days so my loud handle d/n get twisted as hard now-a- days. So my question is- are your mpg's comparable or is gas so refined today that there is less "poop" in it to light the fires?? Thanks again in advance and safe riding to all. MAC:riding:

When it gets low, I fill it up. Too late to worry now about mileage... if I drive fast, I use more gas... if I drive slow, I get more miles...
I bought it and I love my Spyder, and I am stuck with it no matter what mileage I get... and I never use ECO! hyea:

 

[AeroPilot]

All depends on the wind, the roads and your right wrist. We took a little ryde Sunday, just a Sunday Cruise, smellin' the breeze - 175 miles round trip with friends and only 55 of the 174 miles was interstate. Cruised 68 mph on I-25 and was 60 or less on the other roads. Don't remember any winds so we must have had favorable wind directions for our cruising. Only put in 4.25 gals for this one check, but that comes to 41 mpg. I did have the ECO on and the windshield lowered to "smell the breeze". 15 RT base SE6... 21,000 miles. YMMV :yes: :yes:

 

[SithLord]

Hello, new to the forum so please my apologies if I'm posting in the incorrect section.
I have an issue, but to explain and hopefully give as much information as possible I'll give a little history on my bike:

2015 RT-S SE6
7200 miles when purchased
Owned for two days as of this posting
Dealer purchased, used, no warranty
Stock, minus the shorty antenna

I got a ride from the Sacramento area, to San Diego to purchase this vehicle. I've heard the Spyders' fuel economy can be better, 30-40 MPG. Taking that information into account I decided to purchase one anyone. The dealer kept trying to push purchasing a warranty. When I refused, they kept having to take it to the back for various reasons: 1st being they needed to get the engine number. Shouldn't they have had that already? 2nd was to put air in tires. This one took about 20mins, with the excuse being their gauges were defective so they had to try 3 different inflators. Hmmm....

So I start on the 500 or so mile ride back home after filling the gas tank with 91 octane at the nearby Chevron. I noticed after about 2 hours, I had to fill up. I thought that was odd with a 6.9 gallon tank. So I decided to set my trip meter to give me some MPG readings. Being new to the machine, the trip meter was set to "pause" so at 2nd fill up my recording was incorrect. I fixed the issue, and successfully logged the mileage from 2nd fill up to now my 3rd fill up. 156 miles before the low fuel light came on. 20MPG!!!!

I know there are a ton of factors involved:

Speed - I was cruising, literally in cruise control at 80mph
Terrain - I5 North, relatively smooth with the now and then rough spots. A few hills.
Throttle control - Again, I set the cruise so after highway speed was reached, my hand wasn't engaging the throttle
Traffic - 85% of the trip I was in cruise control
Tire pressure - "Checked" at dealership
Air flow - Dealer's records indicate the air filter was changed as part of the inspection. No record of stock or K&N.
Spark plugs - 7k miles, should be a non factor
Load on machine/weight - minus my rain gear I packed in the trunk, I was solo (260lbs) with a hydration bladder on my back
Wind - there were parts of the trip that were windy, and I had my stock windscreen at full height (I'm 6'2)

I had to fill up a 4th time, FYI:
When I got home, I knew something was wrong. Being tired from the trip, I waited until the morning to check tire pressure. My gauge said the front two were low about 3 psi. I do NOT think this can account for losing about 10mpg.
I have not checked the air filter yet. Again, 5 year old bike with 7k miles. Unless the air filter is dipped in mud, I do not think that would account for 10mpg loss. My next thing is to use some Sea Foam injector cleaner. Long shot but I'll try it as previous owner may have used crap gas. I have not noticed any fuel leaks, smells or anything obvious. I use either Shell or Chevron in all my vehicles. For motorcycles and V6 and above I use premium, whatever that is depending on state (91, 92, 93 octane).
I've read the vacuum hoses sometimes fail. I've also read the ECU needs updating from time to time. I have an appointment with a dealer this week to have the bike checked out. Any suggestions? If I can only go about 150 miles between fill ups, with a naked bike, I'm not sure I can continue. I got this bike to two up on long cross state trips. Looking at other posts, I know this performance is not normal. Looking for suggestions as to what this can be.

 

[trikermutha]

Run the seafoam for a tank then drive somewhat at lower speeds and see what the MPG are then.

Also make sure the brakes are not sticking. When you release the brake does it push pretty easy?

 

[2dogs]

Yep. 80 MPH would be the first reason for poor MPG.

 

[ARtraveler]

I suspect the 80 mph on cruise control. After 65 mph, in sixth gear, the 1330 likes gas.

I consistently get 40 - 41 mpg with both my 1330's. 2014 RTS and 2019 F3L. We don't do high speeds much any more. 65 is where we are at on most main highways. Have not done any Interstate driving since moving here in May 2019.

 

[SithLord]

Thanks Trikermutha
I'll run the sea foam, and I have not tried to push the bike in neutral with brake off. I have not noticed any brake like metallic smells to indicate brakes have stuck, but I will try the roll test.

 

[SithLord]

Thanks 2dogs
Wow really? 80mph on this bike will do that? Hmmm.
I'll take a trip at 70 or below and see how that does.

 

[SithLord]

Thanks ARtraveler
I'll try to limit my speed. I was in a rush to get home, so I goosed it a little (but was still safe). I hate night riding and wanted to beat the sunset. I will try lower speeds on a full tank after running sea foam through it.

 

[ARtraveler]

Thanks ARtraveler
I'll try to limit my speed. I was in a rush to get home, so I goosed it a little (but was still safe). I hate night riding and wanted to beat the sunset. I will try lower speeds on a full tank after running sea foam through it.

I hear ya. I don't like night riding at speeds either. Deer can be a real problem. If the lower speeds don't fix it, then you need to start looking elsewhere for a solution.

Shift points on the 1330 are at 3500. I shift there and keep it in that range for each gear. You will find the "sweet spot" for yours. That gives 60 mph or so in 6th gear. The rpms will start increasing beyond that point. Glug, glug, glug.....:roflblack:

My 41 mpg is using 87 grade octane with 10% ethanol. I note NO performance differences from when I was a high test, no ethanol guy.