Terrible gas mileage with ST

[billybovine]

We have 4700 miles on our ST limited that we bought in April. We never get more than 25 mpg. We don't up shift before 5200 RPMs. We down shift when we are between 4200 and 4000 RPMs. When we had our RSS we were getting 30-31mpg. Anyone else experiencing this? Any ideas?

What strikes me about your experience is that it is the complete opposite to mine. On my 09GS I rarely got 30 mpg or over and often got as low as 25. I had just assumed it was because of how I drive. Now I have a 2013 ST Limited and drive just the same. It started out at 25 but quickly increased to 32 after several tanks of fuel. I now have 8,000 mi on my ST and don't recall getting less than 32 for the last several thousand miles. From fill up until the fuel light comes on is 250 to 270 kms (155 to 168 mi). If I can get to a gas station quickly, I will refill about 18.2 L (4.8 gal). The farthest I have gone on one tank is 320 km (198 mi) and refilled 21.5 L (5.67 gal).

I am assuming your driving style has not changed and my driving style has not changed. There must be other reasons for the difference.

 

[Bob Denman]

There HAS been talk of the newer bikes tuned for leaner running... :dontknow:

 

[flamingobabe]

There HAS been talk of the newer bikes tuned for leaner running... :dontknow:

a leaner engine will get better mpg...but at what cost when the plugs are white

 

[Bob Denman]

I actually think that if the temperature sensors are reading that the motor is getting too hot; it richens up the mix to cool the comubstion chambers off... and this KILLS your fuel mileage! :gaah:
That's my inexpert opinion, and I'm sticking to it!

 

[BajaRon]

that's a pucker situation......most I ever traveled was 161.8...crazy.....living on the edge

I've been over 190 miles on a tank several times. Ran out of fuel once at this year's Spyderfest. 197 miles.

 

[jcthorne]

Temperature will have a significant effect on fuel economy on these bikes. When its pretty hot out, in the 90s the exhaust heat on the fuel tank causes significant evaporation, some are going so far as boiling the fuel, when that happens, your fuel is going out the sky, not in the engine.

 

[NancysToy]

a leaner engine will get better mpg...but at what cost when the plugs are white

That is true to a point, but an overly lean engine can get worse mileage, because the power is down so much that the throttle has to be opened much farther just to make the vehicle move. Been there, and it isn't fun!

 

[Spyder Tony]

30 mpg average...

Although I average 30 mpg on my 2013 ST-L using 93 octane, I will only get 25 mpg when driving it like a sport bike. As others have said, the Spyder is not known for its economy. I could get 35 mpg by really babying the throttle...but I bought a SPORT TOURING bike for a reason. I want to drive it like a sport bike when im not 2-up, and am willing to sacrifice economy to do so. I'll buy a Prius when the need for economy surpasses my need for fun...

 

[Bob Denman]

Actually; an argument can be made for purchasing a BMW M3 to save on fuel... :yikes:
Several years ago; the boys at "Top Gear" decided to run a Prius and an M3 on a race track.
The Prius had to run all that it was worth, while the M3 had to keep up with it...!
Results:
Prius: 16.7 mpg
M3: 18.4 mpg
so if you want to save fuel; buy an M3! :thumbup:

 

[Sny]

Worst I've got on my ST is 30, back and forth to work, suburban traffic, short distances.

Best was 36mpg @ a pretty constant 80mph in 99F weather heading to the owners event this May. When I got there, my MC cap was melted from the heat.

This weekend I did about 400 miles from 55 to 80mph @ 70F and the worst tank was 32mpg (at 80mph for more than half of it.)

I have no idea what's up with these things. At least nothing melted this time. My mileage has consistently been better than my GS.

Scotty pointed out an important detail tho. If you run "just lean enough" you get great mileage. But if you go too far, the power drops off so much your mileage suffers. If you run lean enough that you're heating your fuel significantly, you're robbing the fuel of it's stored energy density which in turn makes the motor run even more lean.

The ECM should compensate for this up until it reaches either it's programmed limit (someone told me it's +/- 25% from the base map) or until it reaches the limits of the injectors @ 100% pulse width.

I have the suspicion that whatever BRP comes up with to reduce temps will also reduce mileage in most cases.

 

[bamaspyder1]

13 ST-S 1st couple tanks sucked, but since 30 to 33 mpg 4400 miles heading to Mobile for recall and 2nd service Friday.....:thumbup:

 

[flamingobabe]

Syn and Scotty....I'll get 36mpg for a few tanks and then it'll drop to 19-20mpg same day same kind of travel...just later in the day....so you guys are correct....I do believe there is something different in the 2013's ECM.....

 

[NancysToy]

Syn and Scotty....I'll get 36mpg for a few tanks and then it'll drop to 19-20mpg same day same kind of travel...just later in the day....so you guys are correct....I do believe there is something different in the 2013's ECM.....

I suspect it is something more basic than that...purge valve sticking, idle air valve sticking, bad wiring connection, bad or loose plug wire, bad coil, etc. Those intermittent problems are hard to find. I hope they can cure it with Wausau's help. Concentrate on the performance issues, they don't investigate gas mileage issues unless it is abysmal.

 

[333Club]

Gas Mileage ST

I am only 1200 miles in with my new 2013 ST-Ltd with Semi-Auto trans. I am "up to" approx. 25 MPG. I was hoping this would improve with cont'd break-in but it doesn't sound like it. Could some of the disparity here be between Auto and Manual transmissions??

 

[Sny]

I am only 1200 miles in with my new 2013 ST-Ltd with Semi-Auto trans. I am "up to" approx. 25 MPG. I was hoping this would improve with cont'd break-in but it doesn't sound like it. Could some of the disparity here be between Auto and Manual transmissions??

I wouldn't start worrying just yet. If after 4000-5000 you're still getting 25mpg on the highway talk to your dealer and see if they can find anything.

I'm really surprised that ST's are getting bad mileage. My mileage has been great compared to my GS.

 

[quickster47]

Unfortunately welcome to the wonderful world of low mpg of Spyder ryding! :banghead: I always told everybody that you don't buy one of these for the gas mileage. You can see by my Fuelly what my averages were. This was the primary reason I spent the bucks for the additional 5g in the front trunk with the aux tank. The idea of having to stop every 125 to 140 miles was a foreign thought to me. If I wanted to stop that often I'd buy a Sportster or I would have kept my Aprilia Tuono. Good luck.

Mr. Orange, is there a write up on your installation of the 5 gallon auxiliary tank? Would be interested in seeing what you did.

Carl

 

[quickster47]

Wow!!! Thanks much for the information Mr. O.

Carl

 

[Osros]

I verified I was getting about 30-32 mpg at the 60-65 range after that forget about it and enjoy the bike! I notice it sucks up gas when I ride aggressive 75-80 and more to get around folks but that's expected.

Verify it does as advertised at lower cruising speed and don't worry on it.


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[Wiredux]

I've been over 190 miles on a tank several times. Ran out of fuel once at this year's Spyderfest. 197 miles.

If I recall some older lady picked you up and took you to the gas station.


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[Wiredux]

I have been keeping track of my MPG on my 2012 RT. But the basics should be the same. This is 99.9% interstate driving speeds of 75-80 mph. I think there are factors everyone is not talking into account. Wind, terrain, drafting other vehicles, etc. Each of my tanks was different.

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