Steering Update and Fuel Mileage

[BajaRon]

Rode again today. My Spyder has never run better and it seems to run a little better everytime I ride it since the update.

The little bit of popping I had after the update has even gotten less, now it hardly pops at all. Before the update it poppped much more loudly and much more often.

I put exatly 170 miles on and put 4.97 gallons of fuel in. I always top off as much as I can even though I'm not supposed to. I think it's the fireman in me. You'd think I'd know better!

When you top off it gives you a much more accurate mileage measurement because you can fill it to the same spot (or very close) each time. That's not why I do it but it is an extra plus to me.

If you do the math you'll see I got just over 34mpg on this tank. I filled up within 1/2 mile after the update. I rode into the dealership with zero bars.

Of the 170 miles about 70 were freeway and 100 or so were stop and go around town at 35~45 mph. I stop and start pretty aggressively, not crazy but certainly not in a way that would give me good mileage.

So I may be getting better mileage than before the update. Too soon to tell, on just one tank. But it looks good so far.

 

[bone crusher]

Curious to see how I'll do...I was up to near 32mpg before the update with tweaking...

Now the JB is off as I get a feel for what the bike can do after the update...I'll modify a little, as necessary, but will run 2-3 tanks of gas to see if there are any changes...

BTW, am running 87 octane...will continue to do so....

 

[BajaRon]

Curious to see how I'll do...I was up to near 32mpg before the update with tweaking...

Now the JB is off as I get a feel for what the bike can do after the update...I'll modify a little, as necessary, but will run 2-3 tanks of gas to see if there are any changes...

BTW, am running 87 octane...will continue to do so....

I'm running premium because I'm getting better mileage with it. Or, at least I was before the update.

Can't say that it gives me more power or runs better, though you would think getting 2~3 mpg more would indicate both.

 

[BillGargan]

I'm running premium because I'm getting better mileage with it. Or, at least I was before the update.

Can't say that it gives me more power or runs better, though you would think getting 2~3 mpg more would indicate both.

Without accurate measurement -- I refuse to believe you are getting better mileage with premium versus regular -- unless you happen to be using a fuel dealer that gets regular from the dregs . . .

The ONLY thing that premium prevents is knocking. It does not clean your engine nor fuel system. It CANNOT give better mileage. You can search the web to your hearts content and every reliable source will confirm this. Any reports otherwise are only anecdotal and not factual.

The only accurate way to check mileage is to average 3 or 4 tanks by dividing miles by the gallons used. I use a spreadsheet that computes a rolling 3-tank average to ensure that I am not mislead by one or two tanks.

If you can present such data, your reports will gain credibility -- but, will remain suspect because those results will defy science.

 

[QuadManiac]

I have seen a significant increase. I was averaging 25 before, about 30 now (lots of 2 up riding).

 

[dave01]

I have run 3 tanks of premium thru in the last 2 days and am SURE my mileage has improved. I have run either 91 or 93 octane, both without ethanol crap added so thats probably where the increase has come from. The Spyder is getting better by the day and as long as the temp bars stay 4 or less, she runs smooth as can be. But, back to Fl te end of the week and I will see what te 90+ temps make her do

 

[Zerocool]

I have seen a significant increase. I was averaging 25 before, about 30 now (lots of 2 up riding).

Just an observation. I've found riding 2 up gets consistently better gas mileage, as in 34-38 mpg versus 30-34 mpg; 87 octane.

Due to the extra weight balancing the load of the bike? Better rear wheel traction due to the weight? :dontknow:

 

[Hoog]

The only accurate way to check mileage is to average 3 or 4 tanks by dividing miles by the gallons used. I use a spreadsheet that computes a rolling 3-tank average to ensure that I am not mislead by one or two tanks.

If you can present such data, your reports will gain credibility -- but, will remain suspect because those results will defy science.

We'll be running about eight tankfulls through the Spyder ths weekend...all highway. Since the update the bike does seem to be getting better mileage and believe me that will be a change on our trip out west this year. Last year we were stopping every 160 miles or so.


Hoog....credible

 

[wyliec]

Am I the only one that doesn't check mileage?

I know some check mileage as an indicator of how their vehicle is running. If it isn't running right I can feel it.

Just asking; not saying you shouldn't check mileage.

 

[xpeschon]

I'm sure I was getting better mileage before the update, it seems my bars goes down a whole lot faster.. I was getting 33 mpg before the update, I really haven't check it since the update but plan on doing this now, I thought maybe it was just me but I do agree, the spyder get's a little bit better perform's everyday with the update,, after the first few days after the update it did the CRAPPY thing going on, backfire's, sputtering, shifting difficulty but now it seems to run a whole lot better, kind of strange to me but thats what's happen with mine..
Joe

 

[Batmobile]

I'm sure I was getting better mileage before the update, it seems my bars goes down a whole lot faster.. I was getting 33 mpg before the update, I really haven't check it since the update but plan on doing this now, I thought maybe it was just me but I do agree, the spyder get's a little bit better perform's everyday with the update,, after the first few days after the update it did the CRAPPY thing going on, backfire's, sputtering, shifting difficulty but now it seems to run a whole lot better, kind of strange to me but thats what's happen with mine..
Joe

Just curious, has the temperature in your area gone down with relation to the bike running better?

 

[Hoog]

Am I the only one that doesn't check mileage?

I know some check mileage as an indicator of how their vehicle is running. If it isn't running right I can feel it.

Just asking; not saying you shouldn't check mileage.

Every fill up of every vehicle I've owned...forever...I've usually done the mental calculation of that tanks mileage (down to at least one decimal place) before I'm even back in the seat. Just the way I am. All the bills in my wallet are facing the same way, in sequential order with no folded corners. My shirts all hang in the closet facing the same way too. I am getting better about not needing all of the labels facing forward in the pantry...

 

[Lamonster]

Every fill up of every vehicle I've owned...forever...I've usually done the mental calculation of that tanks mileage (down to at least one decimal place) before I'm even back in the seat. Just the way I am. All the bills in my wallet are facing the same way, in sequential order with no folded corners. My shirts all hang in the closet facing the same way too. I am getting better about not needing all of the labels facing forward in the pantry...

 

[Zerocool]

Maybe a little less throttle twisting..........:lecturef_smilie:

:roflblack: maybe :roflblack:

Launching the spouse would be, well, unacceptable.

 

[bjt]

Without accurate measurement -- I refuse to believe you are getting better mileage with premium versus regular -- unless you happen to be using a fuel dealer that gets regular from the dregs . . .

The ONLY thing that premium prevents is knocking. It does not clean your engine nor fuel system. It CANNOT give better mileage. You can search the web to your hearts content and every reliable source will confirm this. Any reports otherwise are only anecdotal and not factual.

The only accurate way to check mileage is to average 3 or 4 tanks by dividing miles by the gallons used. I use a spreadsheet that computes a rolling 3-tank average to ensure that I am not mislead by one or two tanks.

If you can present such data, your reports will gain credibility -- but, will remain suspect because those results will defy science.

He detailed that part of his regular, mid-grade, premium test in a thread about the trip to LA and back. Here's another link where Bajaron talks about this. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showpost.php?p=134549&postcount=11

 

[Recluze]

I am a little anal about calculating fuel mileage too. It is an easy benchmark as to how things are running I think

Before the DPS upgrade I would get 30 mpg. Uphill, downhill, hot, cold, slow fast, it was always around 30 mpg.

Yesterday I thought my fuel gauge was broken because it would not seem to move. Eventually it did. I got 37 MPG going uphill, downhill etc etc and cruising between 70-100 MPH. And this was on 87 octane cheapest gas I could find for those of you involved in that debate. It was between 64 degrees and 95 degrees no humidity for those working that debate.

Bike is completely stock.

I love the extra range it gives me.

 

[BillGargan]

I am equally fanatical -- have been forever. I guess it is the nature of being a trained bean-counter.

I cannot say that my MPG has changed materially (plus or minus) since the update was done. You can check my tank-by-tank history by clicking on my Fuelly link. I think my update was done around the 2000-2500 mile point. I will check Thursday when I get my 3K oil change done.

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

Premium

Without accurate measurement -- I refuse to believe you are getting better mileage with premium versus regular -- unless you happen to be using a fuel dealer that gets regular from the dregs . . .

The ONLY thing that premium prevents is knocking. It does not clean your engine nor fuel system. It CANNOT give better mileage. You can search the web to your hearts content and every reliable source will confirm this. Any reports otherwise are only anecdotal and not factual.

The only accurate way to check mileage is to average 3 or 4 tanks by dividing miles by the gallons used. I use a spreadsheet that computes a rolling 3-tank average to ensure that I am not mislead by one or two tanks.

If you can present such data, your reports will gain credibility -- but, will remain suspect because those results will defy science.

Are you sure yours isn't knocking under load? (Spyder is pretty noisy) You do also realize that the ECU has the ability to retard the timing in order to use lower octane fuels. Either way performance is adversely affected. I rode mine 5000 miles on 87 octane and was satisfied until I tried 91. Now that is all I will use. I am also a skeptic. Manual says 87 or higher in other words 87 is the absolute minimum this engine can run on.nojoke

 

[Hoog]

Is that a bad thing? :roflblack:

 

[QuadManiac]

Every fill up of every vehicle I've owned...forever...I've usually done the mental calculation of that tanks mileage (down to at least one decimal place) before I'm even back in the seat. Just the way I am. All the bills in my wallet are facing the same way, in sequential order with no folded corners. My shirts all hang in the closet facing the same way too. I am getting better about not needing all of the labels facing forward in the pantry...

Do you ride one (or more) block back to make sure you put the garage door down, like I do?