SE5 gas mileage experiment

[retread]

I've been trying out an idea I had last spring, and it seems to work. Using 4K as a minimum rpm, I run the highest gear I can and stay reasonably close to the speed limit. Been doing this since May, and the average mpg figure has improved by 2.5 mpg. I know the local roads fairly well, so I stay away from stop and go, and heavy traffic areas as much as possible.

john

 

[Chupaca]

RPM's...

Rpm's is one of the varients to your fuel consumtion. Good to know for those watching fuel economy. Glad it is working out for you...:2thumbs:

 

[ARtraveler]

The rpm's on the 998 do seem help with the gas mileage--for some reason. We still run at mostly 5000 and keep the engine in whatever gear needed for the 5000. Get about 30 - 31 most every fill up.

Is your 2.5 mpg better, comparing to what you were getting, or comparing it to the "usual" average of 31?

Curious as to what your actual mpg is at 4000 ballpark. :thumbup:

 

[2RTsGV]

I've been trying out an idea I had last spring, and it seems to work. Using 4K as a minimum rpm, I run the highest gear I can and stay reasonably close to the speed limit. Been doing this since May, and the average mpg figure has improved by 2.5 mpg. I know the local roads fairly well, so I stay away from stop and go, and heavy traffic areas as much as possible.

john

When I bought our 2013 & 2012 RTs in Mar 2014, we both rode them at that rpm range up until Spyderfest 2015. Up until that time neither of us had any issues and on day 2 of Spyderfest while preparing for a ride to Eureka Springs with our group, my check engine light came on (with around 3500 miles on it) and the bike (2013) started stalling ... I nursed it about 3 mile up the road to Pitbull to have it checked out and on this day the BRP Tech was the one that diagnosed the problem as being the purge valve. He told me that its best to run the 998 around the 5k range as this helps to clear the purge valve plus to also occasionally run it around 6k for a couple of miles to keep the purge valve clear. I have been doing this ever since (now have 12000 miles on it) and the bike runs puurrrfectly, on top of which I am getting between 32 & 34mpg. I guess I just wanted to point out what I have learned from running at the 4k range and if you do get the check engine light along with spluttering, running in the 6k range for a few miles might help clear the issue. Hoping the 4k range works for you and you have no issues.

 

[pegasus1300]

I run my 998 at 5000 and shift to the next higher gear only at an rpm that wont let it drop below 4000. I usually get around 30mpg +-.5. I was put on to doing that from things I read on Spyderlovers when I 1st got my RT (2012 bought used in 2015)

 

[retread]

From the time I got mt RT, I ran it at 4K or better, but if the speed limit was 55, I would just leave it in 4th gear. The result was between 26 and 28.5 mpg. The way I'm doing it now, the average is 31. I'll admit I wasn't expecting a huge increase, and I know it'll never match my GS's best of 38, but it was worth finding out. BTW, there are times, usually once a week, when I head to one of my favorite roads and never get above 3rd gear or under 5K rpm.

john

 

[ARtraveler]

From the time I got mt RT, I ran it at 4K or better, but if the speed limit was 55, I would just leave it in 4th gear. The result was between 26 and 28.5 mpg. The way I'm doing it now, the average is 31. I'll admit I wasn't expecting a huge increase, and I know it'll never match my GS's best of 38, but it was worth finding out. BTW, there are times, usually once a week, when I head to one of my favorite roads and never get above 3rd gear or under 5K rpm.

john

Us too on the special roads where third gear is just fine. I ride roads like that almost every day. :yes: My signature pictures show two of those roads.