SE5 Riding Suggestions for New Rider

[Paulf10]

As a result of some replies I got from another thread, and from reading other posts, I am curious what suggestions any of you may have for a new Spyder RT SE5 rider. Such as:

What is a good RPM to shift at?

What is a good Highway cruising speed without putting a strain on the engine? (my point of reference is my Goldwing that will cruise @ 80 mph all day without effort)

Is there a break in period and/or procedure for the rotax engine?

Does gas mileage differ greatly with the way the Spyder is ridden? If so where is the line between dogging it and riding it too hard?

Any other thoughts or suggestions for a new rider?

Sorry for all the questions, but as I stated in another thread, everything I ever knew about riding motorcycles, seems meaningless now. I also appologize if these questions have been addressed in other threads, I just did not see them.

 

[Dib52]

Curious to see the responses here as well, going through the same learning curve myself.

There is a 600 mi break in spelled out in the manual. In short, no full throttle starts, no max speed runs, no continuous running at the same speed, vary the rpm, etc. is what I take away from reading it.

Mileage...have no clue. Only have 160 miles under my belt, most of that being in the first day(100) and trying to follow the break in procedure. Just gassed up today and only put in 3.75 gal for the 105 miles I had on the trip meter.

The tranny has me a little confused at this time, I feel I'm short shifting a bit, just being a tad paranoid about over reving while trying to break her in, hitting the gears at around 4000/5000. The seat of my pants tell me I can stretch it out a lot further, guess I'll experiment with that after some more miles.

We did get her out on the open back roads here in Tx where the speed limit is 65 and I did set the cruise at 68 and she was more than happy. Only time will tell just how far I'll push it, just want to get these 600 miles finished.

 

[ARtraveler]

Mileage: Once you have 5000 or so miles on the spyder you should average about 30-31 mpg.

Shifting: The spyder likes higher rpms. You will find a sweet spot (mine is about 4500 rpms) where you will experience seamless upshifts. Just hold the throttle open, run up to your sweet spot and punch for the next gear. No backing off the throttle like other bikes.

You can down shift two ways. During normal stop, the Spyder will downshift at about 1500 rpms. I prefer to manually downshift--once again for seamless shifting--I do not like the clunk of the automatic downshifts. Downshifting to 4th, 3rd, and 2nd, I usually punch the button at about 3000 rpm. Downshifting to 1st I go to 2000 rpm.

Because of the high rpms--you probably will not be using 5th unless you are riding at highway speeds--60 and above.

I did nothing special to break in the Spyder. Just did not beat the crap out of it.

 

[scooterexpress]

i too shift at the 4k mark shifts good at that rpm i got 2kmiles on mine. from what i was just reading dont try topping off fuel i guess it goes into a canister and cause problems down the road i guess not sure about this part.as far as the break in goes take it out stretch her legs a little don't over do it but don't baby it the 600mil deal is to see how much metal shavings there are and give them any input on anything that might not feel right or sound right. did you get your bike at the greenville place? bought mine in lewisville was told by other spyder owners that greenville don't have a clue at what there doing so just beware i don't know if this is true but i'm just passing on what i was told.

 

[Dib52]

i too shift at the 4k mark shifts good at that rpm i got 2kmiles on mine. from what i was just reading dont try topping off fuel i guess it goes into a canister and cause problems down the road i guess not sure about this part.as far as the break in goes take it out stretch her legs a little don't over do it but don't baby it the 600mil deal is to see how much metal shavings there are and give them any input on anything that might not feel right or sound right. did you get your bike at the greenville place? bought mine in lewisville was told by other spyder owners that greenville don't have a clue at what there doing so just beware i don't know if this is true but i'm just passing on what i was told.

Thought about going up there, seems the pricing was a little lower, but the drive would have been a lot further. Ended up dealing with the guys at Richardson MotorSports, they seemed to have their sh%t together, family owned business, and from what I'm told, good support. Referred by a friend, and a lot closer to home. Hopefully it's a win win in the end.

 

[scooterexpress]

oh i use only premuim gas 93oct book says 91. premuim seems to burn hotter and cleaner i get about like ev1 else about29.5 per gal less if heavy in the throttle

 

[Marker]

Mileage: Once you have 5000 or so miles on the spyder you should average about 30-31 mpg.

Shifting: The spyder likes higher rpms. You will find a sweet spot (mine is about 4500 rpms) where you will experience seamless upshifts. Just hold the throttle open, run up to your sweet spot and punch for the next gear. No backing off the throttle like other bikes.

You can down shift two ways. During normal stop, the Spyder will downshift at about 1500 rpms. I prefer to manually downshift--once again for seamless shifting--I do not like the clunk of the automatic downshifts. Downshifting to 4th, 3rd, and 2nd, I usually punch the button at about 3000 rpm. Downshifting to 1st I go to 2000 rpm.

Because of the high rpms--you probably will not be using 5th unless you are riding at highway speeds--60 and above.

I did nothing special to break in the Spyder. Just did not beat the crap out of it.

:agree: I ride and shift the same way except sometimes I let the SE5 downshift on its own.:doorag:

 

[smurfette]

Welcome!

As a result of some replies I got from another thread, and from reading other posts, I am curious what suggestions any of you may have for a new Spyder RT SE5 rider. Such as:

What is a good RPM to shift at?

What is a good Highway cruising speed without putting a strain on the engine? (my point of reference is my Goldwing that will cruise @ 80 mph all day without effort)

Is there a break in period and/or procedure for the rotax engine?

Does gas mileage differ greatly with the way the Spyder is ridden? If so where is the line between dogging it and riding it too hard?

Any other thoughts or suggestions for a new rider?

Sorry for all the questions, but as I stated in another thread, everything I ever knew about riding motorcycles, seems meaningless now. I also appologize if these questions have been addressed in other threads, I just did not see them.

:agree: with the others that the SE-5 does like to shift at a higher rpm (Smurfette likes it around 4-4200 rpm). In your owner's manual, it does specify a 600 mile breaking in period. Although when hubby brought her home for me (didn't have permit yet), he had it up to 100 without realizing itpps:! I find that a good comfortable cruising speed for her is at about 75-80 mph. Smoother than a baby's :cus:. Just be sure to keep up with the maintenance, and enjoy the ryde!!!

 

[Grandpa Spyder]

My SE5

I started out shifting around 3500 and still do sometimes when in slow traffic. but I like the 4000 to 4500 range. I have been getting around 30 mpg. I only have 800 miles on it right now. I did my own oil change after I took it to the dealer for 600 mile check up. I used Amsoil 10w40 motorcycle oil. It seems to run quieter (I bet that will open a can of worms)

 

[Jesse]

Are you guys serious about these shift points, my RS sm5 is just starting to build power at 4500 rpm's. When I am by myself I like to shift at 7000 to 8000. I understand the initial break-in, but after that have some fun.

 

[ARtraveler]

The shift points I talk about have been working for me for over 50,000 trouble free miles.

 

[Paulf10]

The shift points I talk about have been working for me for over 50,000 trouble free miles.

I just realized you are from Alaska. I lived in Fairbanks for a year and a half. From what I remember, 50 k miles in Alaska is not like 50k in the lower 48! It is a testament to you and the Spyder. It's not like there is a gas station on every corner! Plus with the short ridding season, you must do some serious riding when you do ride!

 

[chris56]

I made a video just to know when I`m shifting .. no time to look at it during my ryde behind my friends BMW 1200 ..
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/media.php?do=details&mid=276

 

[bcspyder]

The Rotax motor loves the rpm's. Minimum shift point for me is 4500 and no worries about more aggressive shifting. With the cost of gas today I would roll right past the premium pump. It is simply a waste of money. I have rode aggressively and two up on good ole' reg with no detonation or hesitation. I think some people believe that there is somehow better performance with more octane but that is not the case. Octane prevents detonation and is only necessary in higher compression motors. While the Spyder has an elevated compression ratio I don't think it is high enough to be pumping premium dollars into it. Just my .02 cents.

 

[ARtraveler]

"I just realized you are from Alaska. I lived in Fairbanks for a year and a half. From what I remember, 50 k miles in Alaska is not like 50k in the lower 48! It is a testament to you and the Spyder. It's not like there is a gas station on every corner! Plus with the short ridding season, you must do some serious riding when you do ride! " PaulF10

It is a little different riding up here and once out of the Metro area, gas stations can be few and far between. It also seems that every 50 miles or so, the gas goes up another dime a gallon. I once paid an extra $1.00 per gallon in Seward--about 120 miles from Anchorage.

RE: premium gas: I am one of those that perceives different performance if I do not use premium in my Spyder. No problem with the GS or the RS--but for me, noticable on my RTS. And the cost for that is an extra .20 per gallon--now $4.42 for premium. Ouch!

 

[TuckMiddle]

Agreed

Mileage: Once you have 5000 or so miles on the spyder you should average about 30-31 mpg.

Shifting: The spyder likes higher rpms. You will find a sweet spot (mine is about 4500 rpms) where you will experience seamless upshifts. Just hold the throttle open, run up to your sweet spot and punch for the next gear. No backing off the throttle like other bikes.

You can down shift two ways. During normal stop, the Spyder will downshift at about 1500 rpms. I prefer to manually downshift--once again for seamless shifting--I do not like the clunk of the automatic downshifts. Downshifting to 4th, 3rd, and 2nd, I usually punch the button at about 3000 rpm. Downshifting to 1st I go to 2000 rpm.

Because of the high rpms--you probably will not be using 5th unless you are riding at highway speeds--60 and above.

I did nothing special to break in the Spyder. Just did not beat the crap out of it.

I started to do a seperate note, but cancelled and came back to this post. This is the bottom line and perfect advice. I'd add that my SM5 is so happy in any gear that except for lower gas mileage than 5th, I'd leave it in 4th all day long. N GA is pretty hilly and except for interstates, 4th is perfect for most back roads, except the real hilly ones. We live 7 miles off a state road and every day it's like 2 short refresher courses at MSF just to/from home. Our big hill is a 2nd gear event below 40 and it's too rough to do above 35.
Ride the bike more or less the same as your Goldwing and just remember to pull and push the handlebars. Don't think leaning will quite do the trick!! As long as you're comfortable, you're doing great. And I also support doing the maintenance when required or getting you dealer to do it. 3,000 mile oil changes are rediculous, but probably should be adhered to for warranty purposes. And last, but surely not least, check in with SL.com a lot. There are some pretty savvy dudes here and they share with the site on a daily basis & the sponsors are really excellant.:firstplace:

Tuck

Good luck and happy Spydering

 

[Paulf10]

I made a video just to know when I`m shifting .. no time to look at it during my ryde behind my friends BMW 1200 ..
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/media.php?do=details&mid=276

I love videos!!!!
Since it was in Kilometers, I was confused at first. But from what I was seeing and hearing it seems like 3rd gear has a pretty wide range.

Your roads look outstanding!

 

[BitSlayer]

Some people have had problems with the shift from 2 to 3 wheels. I hold onto the horns lightly and sit with my knees relaxed. That seems to let 'R run as she wants. No problems passing large trucks traveling in either direction. In Oklahoma riding in the wind is a given. I also don't have problem with cross winds either.

I do find that above 75 MPH I do seem to get a little worse gas mileage than I do when I keep it at or below 75. Also, as with any automobile, the harder you hit it, the lower the gas mileage.

They are a fun ryde...

 

[Bob Denman]

Actually the simplist (And hardest!) answer is to just get on our Spyder, keep the wheels spinning, and find what you like to do best! :2thumbs:
(Sounds like a cop-out and I'm sorry... but there honestly is NO concenus here about where to shift or how hard to flog the bikes) pps: