Shifting in the 2014

[Bob Denman]

:shocked::hun:
I start mine up, back out of the garage, and am in 2nd gear before I'm out of my driveway. :thumbup:
You can upshift from 1st to 2nd, as low as 2,000 rpm!

 

[PrairieSpyder]

I'm happy to see this discussion. I've been having issues with fuel economy, ranging from 29 mpg to 42 mpg. I supposed it was the way I was driving and/or shifting. I've noticed while ryding with MurphyBrown that I seem to accelerate faster from a stop than she does. I may be handling the 1330 like my old 2011 and need to try not to Jack Rabbit so much.

Lamont - thanks for those guidelines. I've been shifting to 3rd and higher above 2500. I'll try these guidelines and see how it works.

3 Wheel Addict - minimum shift speed: I have noticed I have to be over 2300 rpm before it will let me shift into 6th. In my town the fastest speed limit we have is 40 mph and I have to really roll on to get to where I can use 6th.

SllimG & billybovine - I had wondered the same about the fuel guage. I want to get the JThornton 12V outlet in the fuel guage space on the dash, but I couldn't see how to get the guage on the screen. Now I know.

 

[ABCtriker]

Shifting form 13 SE5 to 14 SE6

I had a 2013 Se5 and hated the high RPM shifting. We have a lot of backroads and I was running in 1st and 2nd all the time. It would run at a high rpm whine - hated it. My new 2014 se6 (2500 miles now) is SO MUCH BETTER. I run it in the ECO mod usually and shifting in the 2800 range. and I am frequently into 6th gear just over 45. It sounds happy.

on the 2013 i got 20 - 23 mpg. with the eco mode and high octane, i get 39 - 42 mpg joy riding around the country side.

 

[ABCtriker]

Updated do's and don'ts

Illinois Boy has updated his "Do's and Do Not's for new Spyder owners"
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/...t-Do-s-and-Do-Nots-quot-for-new-Spyder-owners

He has added helpful notes on shifting the 2014 RT

 

[0992]

Question.....do you have to be going a certain speed to shift up? I was trying out my new 2014 and determining the shift speeds. I tried going into 5th gear from 4th at about 32 mph. It would not let me shift up. I then increased my speed to about 38mph and it shifted into 5th gear without any problem. Is this normal?

Your situation is normal. my 2014 is the same way. You can only shift up when you hit certain rpms. It will not let you shift sooner. I also just had my serviced at 3000 miles and used Amsoil and it shifts much smoother now then it did before but the rpm shift points did not change.

 

[zbunker]

Question.....do you have to be going a certain speed to shift up? I was trying out my new 2014 and determining the shift speeds. I tried going into 5th gear from 4th at about 32 mph. It would not let me shift up. I then increased my speed to about 38mph and it shifted into 5th gear without any problem. Is this normal?

I see that some are questioning what type of machine you have. From your Avatar, it looks like an RT. Now, I guess the real question is the type of transmission you have. I also have a '14 ES-6. I tend to keep an eye more on the tech than the speedo. I find the lowest RPM that the machine will allow one to shift is 2500 RPM. From 5th to 6th is a little higher closer to 3000 RPM. Now that is a nice an easy Sunday ride through the park so to speak.

But on another note. It seems to me that the '14 (that has more torque) does not have the 'top-end' capabilities that the previous two cylinder engines are able to reach. Perhaps there is someone out there that could answer that question.
Ron

 

[ARtraveler]

This thread is IMO, the best discussion so far concerning shift points on the new 2014 RT's.

The best "official" information on shift points seems to be in the video presentation showing ECO Mode use. Those low shift points seem quite scary to those of us who were previously Rotax 998 pilots.

I have always shifted by RPM as opposed to speed X. That takes care of a lot of the variables like road conditions etc.

Bob and I have had an ongoing discussion on non ECO Mode use. He recommends 2000 - 2500 rpm's as the ballpark shift point. I used that for awhile, but now use 2750 - 3000 rpm's as my ballpark shift point. I just like the feel and sound of the engine a little more in the slightly higher configuration. I note that others have even suggested higher. Bottom line: I don't think there is anything wrong with any of these suggestions and you drive your 2014 the way you like. I also don't believe that at this level of operation that any 2014's are going to be harmed or be accused of being abused. The owners manual is quiet on the subject as far as I can see and only talks about ECO Mode.

My average mileage is still right at 37 mpg at either 2500 or 3000 shift points. I am holding in that mpg mode with every tank. Now 3500 miles on the tripmeter.

I did try Eco Mode and did not like it. You spend too much time looking at the dash waiting for the green arrow to pop up. That can be dangerous if you are driving in heavy traffic. I have grown very accustomed to the sound of my engine at the "magic" shift point--so don't need to monitor the tach constantly.

RE: Trip meter and Gas gauge at 225 miles and three bars of gas gone. I am guessing that someone forgot to reset the trip meter.

RE: Digital gas gauges showing--you can get that configuration on your RT-S or RT-L if you disconnect the analog gauges. I have found disconnection to be not necessary. So far my gas gauge is rock solid. I do have the gauges disconnected on our 2011 though.


Just my .02 on the subject.

 

[Michiganspyderman]

This thread is IMO, the best discussion so far concerning shift points on the new 2014 RT's.

The best "official" information on shift points seems to be in the video presentation showing ECO Mode use. Those low shift points seem quite scary to those of us who were previously Rotax 998 pilots.

I have always shifted by RPM as opposed to speed X. That takes care of a lot of the variables like road conditions etc.

Bob and I have had an ongoing discussion on non ECO Mode use. He recommends 2000 - 2500 rpm's as the ballpark shift point. I used that for awhile, but now use 2750 - 3000 rpm's as my ballpark shift point. I just like the feel and sound of the engine a little more in the slightly higher configuration. I note that others have even suggested higher. Bottom line: I don't think there is anything wrong with any of these suggestions and you drive your 2014 the way you like. I also don't believe that at this level of operation that any 2014's are going to be harmed or be accused of being abused. The owners manual is quiet on the subject as far as I can see and only talks about ECO Mode.

My average mileage is still right at 37 mpg at either 2500 or 3000 shift points. I am holding in that mpg mode with every tank. Now 3500 miles on the tripmeter.

I did try Eco Mode and did not like it. You spend too much time looking at the dash waiting for the green arrow to pop up. That can be dangerous if you are driving in heavy traffic. I have grown very accustomed to the sound of my engine at the "magic" shift point--so don't need to monitor the tach constantly.

RE: Trip meter and Gas gauge at 225 miles and three bars of gas gone. I am guessing that someone forgot to reset the trip meter.

RE: Digital gas gauges showing--you can get that configuration on your RT-S or RT-L if you disconnect the analog gauges. I have found disconnection to be not necessary. So far my gas gauge is rock solid. I do have the gauges disconnected on our 2011 though.


Just my .02 on the subject.

As usual, insightful.