TERRIBLE Gas Mileage & HiPerformance, LLC

[irish2themax]

I have said in earlier posts that I had the technical savvy of a rock.

I have been getting terrible gas mileage (low 20s) ever since I purchased my 2009 SE5. This is...I THOUGHT I was getting terrible mileage until I pulled a trailer on my recent cross-country trip and was only getting 100 miles to a tank (about 16 mpg). When I had to stop for gas, Dick (SE5) still had 2 bars and Gene and Jane (both SM5s) had 4 bars!!

I happened to see a Spyder at the dealer in Topeka KS that was outfitted with the HiPerformance, LLC (one of our sponsors) aerocharger which caught my interest. I mentioned my mileage issue in an e-mail to them and I received a phone call within 15 minutes to discuss my fuel consumption. They said the aerocharger would only exacerbate the problem.

They suggested I install an air fuel gauge and we discussed the meaning of the readings.

They didn't have to take the time to call me but I certainly appreciate both the fact that they did and the honesty they showed in our discussion. Class outfit and I will give them my business whenever appropriate and I STRONGLY recommend them to others.

 

[Dochands]

They are great but they are right. My current mileage with current settings is about 24 MPG, a considerable drop, but a trade off for the remarkable boost of the Stage I turbo. I am still tweaking settings hoping to get a bit better mileage and maintain performance.

Not sure why your mileage is so poor. Do you also smell gas? There was a post I read about a sensor not being installed in earlier Spyders.

 

[3whlLefty]

That's pretty terrible gas mileage for such a lightweight machine. You might consider finding a shop with an exhaust gas analyzer to see what's coming out the tailpipe. If that's normal then you must have a heavy drag in the drive trail somewhere. I get about 35 from my 09 SE5 regularly. I've had 2 tankfuls over 38 this spring and my worst was 30 from a trip thru Denver traffic on a 90+ deg day.

I know we buy these toys for the fun factor but there is a limit. You can buy a high performance small car and do better than that. :gaah:

 

[Firefly]

I get around 28 mpg. I think highway is lower than city due to pushing such a big un-aerodynamic beast down the road. My MPG dropped after going to a bigger shield for sure.

Wind resistance is a major factor--- but the biggest factor is still probably your right wrist......

 

[BillGargan]

I have an 09 SE5 with the full BRP 25" Ultra Touring windshield. Also, I am short (5' 6" or so) and weigh about 195 lbs.

You can check the Fuelly link in my signature and see that my mileage is approaching 35 since the start in April 2009. I have had variations in my mileage but it continues to improve overall here in my 2nd riding season.

For the record, I up-shift conservatively and do not "ride it like I stole it"!

I think you have some good advice in getting someone to put an exhaust gas analyzer on your machine. If it is not coming out the tailpipe, you have some other issue causing your terrible MPG.

That's pretty terrible gas mileage for such a lightweight machine. You might consider finding a shop with an exhaust gas analyzer to see what's coming out the tailpipe. If that's normal then you must have a heavy drag in the drive trail somewhere. I get about 35 from my 09 SE5 regularly. I've had 2 tankfuls over 38 this spring and my worst was 30 from a trip thru Denver traffic on a 90+ deg day.

I know we buy these toys for the fun factor but there is a limit. You can buy a high performance small car and do better than that. :gaah:

 

[Just Doo Me]

When you fill up how much gas does it normally take? Just wondering if your gas gauge is giving you a true reading and if it's possible you have more left in the tank then the gauge is indicating.

 

[boborgera]

Are you sure your filling the tank all the way to the top?
If your filling it by the book you'll find you can put at least a gal. and a half more in just by pulling out the nozzle and nursing the gas in.
That's the way i fill mine, And ill go 165 to 175 miles before the low light comes on.

 

[Smylinacha]

Are you sure your filling the tank all the way to the top?
If your filling it by the book you'll find you can put at least a gal. and a half more in just by pulling out the nozzle and nursing the gas in.
That's the way i fill mine, And ill go 165 to 175 miles before the low light comes on.

:agree:

 

[bone crusher]

I have an 09 SE5 with the full BRP 25" Ultra Touring windshield. Also, I am short (5' 6" or so) and weigh about 195 lbs.

You can check the Fuelly link in my signature and see that my mileage is approaching 35 since the start in April 2009. I have had variations in my mileage but it continues to improve overall here in my 2nd riding season.

For the record, I up-shift conservatively and do not "ride it like I stole it"!

I think you have some good advice in getting someone to put an exhaust gas analyzer on your machine. If it is not coming out the tailpipe, you have some other issue causing your terrible MPG.

Bill,

35mpg is quite high...I only got that once or twice, and that was on backroads with very conservative riding.

I still am tweaking my JB after the second update...right after the update, I went from about 33 to 28mpg. I hope to get over 30 again...I do ride the bike pretty hard though...no need to ride a motorcycle like a hybrid, IMHO...