Shift rpms and fuel economy...

[Eraser]

It is perfectly acceptable to shift between 4000 and 9000. 9000 is more fun, so to hell with fuel economy. Twist the grip and go!!!:yikes:

:agree:,Must be a "Canadian Thing"...let 'er rip!!!(or get a golf cart!)

 

[Jeriatric]

Hey Bob,

Something to think about. In talking to the techs while in Durango they told me the SE5 trans does not lock down until it's in the high 3000 RPM range (like 3750 or so). So if you shift to second at 4000, the R's will drop enough to cause the clutch to disengage until your R's go over 3750 again. Just sharing info.

 

[Bob Denman]

Scotty was touting 3200 rpm as the magic number; Thanks, but I'd follow him into battle anytime! :thumbup:

 

[Jeriatric]

Scotty was touting 3200 rpm as the magic number; Thanks, but I'd follow him into battle anytime! :thumbup:

After having conversed with Scotty my impression of him is similar to yours. Except I'd volunteer to take point. Have never been much of a follower. :thumbup:

 

[WingmanRT]

mielage

I only use min 91 octane or 93 octane when I can get it . I try to stay away from ethanol . I shift gears around 4500rpm to 5000 RPM. I save 5th gear for the 60 mph + and get around 187 miles before I fill up and the fuel light is not on .

I definitely have to try this. I am getting 30mpg MAX!

 

[Bob Denman]

Except I'd volunteer to take point. Have never been much of a follower. :thumbup:

But I'm not much of a human shield! :shocked:

Well... I'm BIG enough... pps: :roflblack:

 

[Jeriatric]

But I'm not much of a human shield! :shocked:

Well... I'm BIG enough... pps: :roflblack:

Bob, you crack me up. nojoke :thumbup:

 

[tofriendscreek]

Bob, you crack me up. nojoke :thumbup:

:agree: You're definitely one of the folks I want to meet sometime.
The last 3000 miles (4000 on the RT) I've gone to shifting above 5000, even 5500-6000. My ryde time to work involves 50-50 rural highway and lots of traffic lights and I normally see 31-33 MPG. If I'm away from lots of traffic 100% on a tank, I'll get 35-37.

 

[Desert Spyder]

Scotty was touting 3200 rpm as the magic number; Thanks, but I'd follow him into battle anytime! :thumbup:

Except when in Trailer Mode, crank it up. I must admit, I got much better mileage after I burned up the Calif gas on the Durango trip.

 

[cmar157]

I have been running up the revs since I read this thread but i dont have enough miles to compare MPG's I only have 600 miles and got 25 MPG on the last fill up. I also might have a heavy hand LOL

 

[Bob Denman]

Shoot... I may have to throw another 500 rpm n the pile... pps:
Not this weekend though; the whole damn thing is shot-full of commitments that make for no ryding! :gaah::cus::gaah:

 

[dannymax]

After getting 32 mpg consistently for the last several tanks I filled up yesterday and it calc'd out to 34.2!! Not sure why....don't think my driving style has changed any, the 5K shifting, first of all wouldn't make that much difference I don't think and secondly I've only been doing it for the last quarter of the tank....so it's a mystery, but a good one.
Besides, we aren't s'posed to understand EVERYTHING!! A few unknowns builds character....they say! :dontknow:

 

[Jeriatric]

After getting 32 mpg consistently for the last several tanks I filled up yesterday and it calc'd out to 34.2!! Not sure why....don't think my driving style has changed any, the 5K shifting, first of all wouldn't make that much difference I don't think and secondly I've only been doing it for the last quarter of the tank....so it's a mystery, but a good one.
Besides, we aren't s'posed to understand EVERYTHING!! A few unknowns builds character....they say! :dontknow:

The best fuel mileage I've seen was running across Texas @ and above 6250. Without trailer. 40MPG

 

[Bob Denman]

Last tankful with the new 4000 rpm shifting protocol: 35.7mpg! :2thumbs:

 

[billybovine]

After getting 32 mpg consistently for the last several tanks I filled up yesterday and it calc'd out to 34.2!! Not sure why....don't think my driving style has changed any, the 5K shifting, first of all wouldn't make that much difference I don't think and secondly I've only been doing it for the last quarter of the tank....so it's a mystery, but a good one.
Besides, we aren't s'posed to understand EVERYTHING!! A few unknowns builds character....they say! :dontknow:

I find the hotter it gets, the farther on a tank of gas.

 

[Jeriatric]

Last tankful with the new 4000 rpm shifting protocol: 35.7mpg! :2thumbs:

Keep it up and you'll be shifting @ 5K pretty soon :thumbup:

 

[Illinois Boy]

It's rare for me to see mileage higher than 30mpg will switching to a full synthetic oil improve milage

For my 2011 RTS-SE5... manual does not recommend a full syn-oil. My mechanic explained it, but I cannot remember the specifics on why... but if the engineers that designed it tells me not to do it... I won't do it. That's just me though. Far be it for me to pretend to be smarter than they.

 

[Jeriatric]

For my 2011 RTS-SE5... manual does not recommend a full syn-oil. My mechanic explained it, but I cannot remember the specifics on why... but if the engineers that designed it tells me not to do it... I won't do it. That's just me though. Far be it for me to pretend to be smarter than they.

Use the XPS 4-STROKE BLEND OIL(SUMMER GRADE) (P/N 293 600 121)or a 5W40 semi-synthetic (minimum)or synthetic motorcycle oil meeting the requirements for API service SL,SJ, SH or SG classification.
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[donnellpj]

First 600 miles, MPG Average, etc,...

I just turned 600 miles on the bike, and will be scheduling my first maint this weekend.

its been 95+ for two weeks here in MD, with heat indexes well into the low 100's, 105-112. Hot and humid has been the recipe here for most of June and July.

No big road trips yet, but lots of city driving commuting to work and running errands.

Im seeing an average of ~30 MPG (+/-). I don't baby the bike, but I don't crank on it either. Gear 1-3 I shift up around 5-6k RPM, and I typically try to cruise no lower than 4k RPM. This helps reduce vibration, and keeps the motor running nice and smooth. Much under 3.5k RPM the motor starts to bog down a little and I lose all my throttle power. Gear 4 I use for cruising up to about 50-55 MPH, then 5th for highway, like an overdrive gear.

I do run 93 octane, typically $18 a fill @ 5 gallons. Worth the extra dollar per tank IMHO. Our fuel here is 10% ethanol, so I try to run the good stuff.

Im planning to add a K&N air and oil filter at the maint appt. hoping to increase fuel by a couple miles per gallon, but I will be satisfied with a little better performance at the throttle too.

Hope this helps some. Great thread, keep it up.

Ryde hard. --Pete :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

I find the hotter it gets, the farther on a tank of gas.

:thumbup: And there's actually a reason for that... and I know it! :shocked:

The hotter it is; the less dense the atmosphere becomes.
The fuel injection will pitch less fuel into the intakes in order to compensate for the thinner air!

And you thought that all that hot air was bad for you! :roflblack: :thumbup: