Spyder issues

[kmakona]

I am new to Spyders and this sight. This might be the best forum, I have experienced.

I recently purchased a 2008 Spyder with 4,000 miles. My first extended ride of about 900 miles, I experienced some questions:

1. I averaged 26 miles to the gallon.
2. My GPS shows one trip of 231.8 miles. The speedometer registers 263 miles.
3. The emergency brake quit working and I can't figure out why.

The Spyder runs great, the highway handling is so stable, in the high winds of Texas i was amazed at how secure it felt.

I am really surprised at the fuel economy. Everything I read people talked about mid thirties.

 

[docdoru]

:welcome: and :congrats: for your RS :spyder:
1. 26 is normal in over 75 mph speeds.
2. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23582
3. Hardware replacing parts BRP bulletin from 2008.

 

[Bob Denman]

:welcome:

 

[aka1004]

Your parking brake may need adjustment. I think there is a "how to" for it. :thumbup:

 

[Firefly]

I am new to Spyders and this sight. This might be the best forum, I have experienced.

I recently purchased a 2008 Spyder with 4,000 miles. My first extended ride of about 900 miles, I experienced some questions:

1. I averaged 26 miles to the gallon.
2. My GPS shows one trip of 231.8 miles. The speedometer registers 263 miles.
3. The emergency brake quit working and I can't figure out why.

The Spyder runs great, the highway handling is so stable, in the high winds of Texas i was amazed at how secure it felt.

I am really surprised at the fuel economy. Everything I read people talked about mid thirties.

:welcome:

That MPG is typical. Mid-30's is NOT the norm - I don't care what anyone says.

Odometer/Speed will be about 2-4% high compared to GPS. GPS could also be off.

The Parking brake isn't needed on an SM5 and is stubborn to get adjusted right IMO-- but there was an update done and your dealer can do the update and adjust it for you. :thumbup:

Enjoy! :thumbup:

 

[COOLMACHINE]

Very stable.

I really like the stability of the spyder.
Here's a link to possibly fixing the parking brake problem.
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26726&highlight=PARKING+BRAKE
I consistently got 30mpg with my spyder combination hwy/city since day one and put 24,XXX miles on it.

 

[fispyder]

:welcome:

 

[BikerDoc]

:welcome::congrats::2thumbs:

 

[bullant12]

1. I averaged 26 miles to the gallon.

I am really surprised at the fuel economy. Everything I read people talked about mid thirties.

1. 26 is normal in over 75 mph speeds.

That MPG is typical. Mid-30's is NOT the norm - I don't care what anyone says.

:agree: You have to look at a couple of factors...
1) This is not a typical yikes motorcyle... it is a roadster, so it is heavier (3 wheels).
2) If you are using an SE-5 model, you don't have clutch control. Manual vehicles tend to be more of a fuel saver than automatics are.

I have made 30 MPG's on a good day... and mine is an SM-5. Coming from a couple that she drives an SUV ( recently traded now to an Crosstour so fuel has gone from 21 to 27 MPG :clap and a I drive a V8 truck... 30 MPG's is :2thumbs:

 

[Bob Denman]

Don't forget that how the right wrist is twisting the loud grip is the largest factor in how much it hurts at the pump... :yikes::gaah:

 

[ARtraveler]

:welcome: Ahhhhh Spyders in Hawaii. The last two times I was there, I tried to rent one--but no Spyders to be seen. Which Island is the dealer on?

Issues you mentioned: Gas mileage---30-31 seems to be an average--go fast--or ride the hills and valleys--and your mileage will vary from that---I can see 26 mpg easy there.

GPS vs mileage odometer--They seem to be off some. Mentioned in other threads.

Parking brake: get it adjusted. If you are SM5--you don't need it--just leave it in gear. If the brake is not releasing fully--it will eventually heat up and throw the bike into limp mode--ask me how I know?

PS: I can relate to the gas prices--Hawaii prices are even worse than Alaska--and we are one of the highest in the nation. Currently $4.23 for reg and $4.43 for 90 octane.

 

[wyliec]

Parking brake: get it adjusted. If you are SM5--you don't need it--just leave it in gear. If the brake is not releasing fully--it will eventually heat up and throw the bike into limp mode--ask me how I know?

I have an SM5 and I use it. I don't use it when I am just parking the spyder; but, when I first start the spyder (in neutral) I'm not on it. I let the engine warm up while I finish putting on my gear and do a walk around. I once started it in my garage without the park brake set and it started to roll. There was more of a pitch to the floor than I thought.

 

[NancysToy]

:agree: You have to look at a couple of factors...
1) This is not a typical yikes motorcyle... it is a roadster, so it is heavier (3 wheels).
2) If you are using an SE-5 model, you don't have clutch control. Manual vehicles tend to be more of a fuel saver than automatics are.

I have made 30 MPG's on a good day... and mine is an SM-5. Coming from a couple that she drives an SUV ( recently traded now to an Crosstour so fuel has gone from 21 to 27 MPG :clap and a I drive a V8 truck... 30 MPG's is :2thumbs:

Weight is a far less significant factor in fuel mileage than drag. The drag on a Spyder is much higher than a motorcycle...more frontal area and a lot exposed suspension parts and air diverters, make for lousy aerodynamics. I think BRP's spec for mileage is 18-45 (at least that's what they told my tech). Depending on the grade and quality of fuel and how you ride, I'd expect 25-30 from most Spyders.

The Spyder SE is not an automatic, with a slipping torque converter. It is a manual transmission with an electric shifter. It will give the same or better mileage than an SM.

Clean and lube the parking brake mechanism under the left footpeg assembly. Adjust the parking brake so it holds tight in 1-2 clicks. It should work better for you then.

As was said, most motorcycle speedos are optimistic.

 

[kmakona]

Wow

This is by far the best forum I have been on. The responses. Are mature and informative. Members with some character.

 

[docdoru]

Members with some character.

Some of us are Huligans...pps::roflblack:

 

[Raptor]

Weight is a far less significant factor in fuel mileage than drag. The drag on a Spyder is much higher than a motorcycle...more frontal area and a lot exposed suspension parts and air diverters, make for lousy aerodynamics. I think BRP's spec for mileage is 18-45 (at least that's what they told my tech). Depending on the grade and quality of fuel and how you ride, I'd expect 25-30 from most Spyders.

The Spyder SE is not an automatic, with a slipping torque converter. It is a manual transmission with an electric shifter. It will give the same or better mileage than an SM.

Clean and lube the parking brake mechanism under the left footpeg assembly. Adjust the parking brake so it holds tight in 1-2 clicks. It should work better for you then.

As was said, most motorcycle speedos are optimistic.

:agree: My speedo tends to be about 2.5 - 3 MPH off and I think that number gets higher the faster you go. I rode by one of those "Your Speed Is" radar stations that local law enforcement puts out a couple of times so this is how I came to this number. It probably varies from machine to machine, however.

That MPG is typical. Mid-30's is NOT the norm - I don't care what anyone says.

Odometer/Speed will be about 2-4% high compared to GPS. GPS could also be off.

The Parking brake isn't needed on an SM5 and is stubborn to get adjusted right IMO-- but there was an update done and your dealer can do the update and adjust it for you. :thumbup:

Enjoy! :thumbup:

Dan, you are correct here. Even though the winds have been just killing my fuel economy as of late, the truth of the matter is that 30+ MPG is not realistic. I have done it a few times on the RSS (SE5) as per Scotty's assesment but when I did the hard math on it, high 20's is the real number. To get over 30 the engine has to be running at peak efficiency in ideal conditions, and even then it's a crap shoot. It is what it is! I just wish the sales guys would be a bit more truthful about it...

And before I forget, :welcome: Enjoy the ride!

 

[Desert Spyder]

What tough luck! Spydering in Hawaii! What island are you on?

 

[jedd]

Some of us are Huligans...pps::roflblack:

:agree::clap::2thumbs::roflblack:

Jim:thumbup:

 

[dltang]

:welcome:

 

[Boriken]

:welcome: Ryde safe.