Where oh where has the milage gone?

[prider]

This is a continuation of a previous thread. 2012 Spyder RT-S getting 24mpg average with 250+miles. Dealer upgraded computer
bike ran better but still low mpg. Everyone on the forum advised higher RPM. Raised RPM went up to 27mpg. Today had 600 mile service. On ride home bike started riding rough between 5000 and 5500rpm which got worst finally running poorly except above 6000rpm in 2nd and 3dr gear any other gear or RPM the bike would lug. Watched gas gauge fall while riding used 3/4 tank during 85 miles. I spoke to the dealer when the problem started they said the problem was probably harmonics due to highway pegs they installed for me.

I went into the garage, about 2 hrs after parking the bike and there was a strong odor of gas .

My question is what GPM should one expect if ridden correctly and why is the performance changing?
Does ridden correctly mean full throtle at all times,i.e. screaming off the line and popping the clutch etc.
I understand the need for increased RPM such as Kawasaki Nomand compared to a Harley Davidson but is the Spyder RT-S not consired a
touring bike? I am taking the bike back to the dealer tomorrow and any info will be helpful.

Thanks Tom

 

[Arr MiHardies]

I spoke to the dealer when the problem started they said the problem was probably harmonics due to highway pegs they installed for me.

This. Right here. This tells me your dealer doesn't know a damn thing and is grasping at straws, and trying to point the blame at something after market to avoid doing lower paying warranty work in favor of charging for out of warranty work (out of your pocket). My advice is to find another dealer.

27 mpg is on the low end of normal mpg, and it's what i started getting when the heat really kicked in here. Even 24 isn't unheard of.

Few things to check.
1 make sure your gas cap is tight as it will go. I've had bad mileage and poorly running engine when it was loose. Could also be bad/cheap gas. I had problems like this when I went to a non name brand station to fill, and never again after that tank.
As for the gas smell, it happens to most of us, but can be mostly avoided by this important piece of advice: don't top of your tank! This can and will put too much gas in your evap canister, which can increase the fumes as well as cause permanent damage to the canister, which can affect all sorts of things such as engine performance, gas milage and worse gas fumes.

 

[NancysToy]

Sounds like you have a fouled spark plug. It's not fun to change, so the dealer won't want to do it. The cause could be a bad plug wire, bad coil, bad ECM, or a combination. It could also be a result of a bad sensor or something in the wiring, among other things. The place to start is with the plugs. Much of this won't show on computer diagnostics, so you will need a sharp technician. If the tech can't figure it out, he should contact BRP's dealer tech support.

 

[Dudley]

they said the problem was probably harmonics due to highway pegs they installed for me.

Are these guys serious???

I have almost 25,000 miles on the RT and my average mpg is probably 27. I bought the Spyder because I liked it. Better gas mileage would be nice, but one or 2 mpg more will not permit me to buy a Benz with the savings (btw, I had a 2008 C300 and didn't like it). But constant harping on the issue will only greatly reduce the joy of riding.

 

[dannymax]

They said the problem was probably harmonics due to highway pegs they installed for me.
You don't run across this issue everyday!! :shocked:
Believe I'd avoid those guys if I was you!!

 

[Bob Denman]

This dealer does not sound like an asset to BRP... :gaah:

 

[Camdenlake]

They said the problem was probably harmonics due to highway pegs they installed for me.

So who's first to put that in their sig . I have dealt with stuff like that from dealers. If you have others in the reasonable area see what one folks here suggest. I too had the pains of new spyder issues but have put a couple thousand kms or so on since and working great. Nancystoy might be onto it with the plugs and wires. All sounds very similar to mine. Mine in the end was a pinched plug wire from factory.


Josh

 

[leenanj]

This is a continuation of a previous thread. 2012 Spyder RT-S getting 24mpg average with 250+miles. Dealer upgraded computer
bike ran better but still low mpg. Everyone on the forum advised higher RPM. Raised RPM went up to 27mpg. Today had 600 mile service. On ride home bike started riding rough between 5000 and 5500rpm which got worst finally running poorly except above 6000rpm in 2nd and 3dr gear any other gear or RPM the bike would lug. Watched gas gauge fall while riding used 3/4 tank during 85 miles. I spoke to the dealer when the problem started they said the problem was probably harmonics due to highway pegs they installed for me.

I went into the garage, about 2 hrs after parking the bike and there was a strong odor of gas .

My question is what GPM should one expect if ridden correctly and why is the performance changing?
Does ridden correctly mean full throtle at all times,i.e. screaming off the line and popping the clutch etc.
I understand the need for increased RPM such as Kawasaki Nomand compared to a Harley Davidson but is the Spyder RT-S not consired a
touring bike? I am taking the bike back to the dealer tomorrow and any info will be helpful.

Thanks Tom

I have had my Spyder for a few weeks now with 1200 miles on it and have been getting 28-29 mpg from day one so your definatly on the low end.

The harmonic vibration is most likely from the belt which are felt through the foot pegs. I added the Smoothspyder pulley and also tightened
belt a little more than BRP specs and its mostly gone.

Keep the R's up a little higher than most engines and the Spyder is happy.

 

[prider]

First thanks for all of the info.
I wish this was a simple problem to explain like how do I replace something.
The peformace issue is not consistent. It seems to start after riding for a time.
I cannot find a way to repoduce it on demand. It is running fine, I slow down for a turn
or I stop at a light and it start. NO specific duration of riding time. Does not stop until the
bike is turned off and sets for a while. I have tried different rpm ,shifting times, running hard
and easy no difference except in gpm. The dealer tell me the bike runs really sweet.
Common sence tell me that all of the Spyder owners could not find the way my bike runs normal.
If I had to descrive the way the bike runs it would be in the olden days a partical "stuck choke"
or "slightly out of time".


Thanks tom

 

[Camdenlake]

First thanks for all of the info.
I wish this was a simple problem to explain like how do I replace something.
The peformace issue is not consistent. It seems to start after riding for a time.
I cannot find a way to repoduce it on demand. It is running fine, I slow down for a turn
or I stop at a light and it start. NO specific duration of riding time. Does not stop until the
bike is turned off and sets for a while. I have tried different rpm ,shifting times, running hard
and easy no difference except in gpm. The dealer tell me the bike runs really sweet.
Common sence tell me that all of the Spyder owners could not find the way my bike runs normal.
If I had to descrive the way the bike runs it would be in the olden days a partical "stuck choke"
or "slightly out of time".


Thanks tom

You description sounds very similar to mine just prior to fiding the plug wire toast then the TB died. The way i found the wires when it was idleing one day i just happed to pop the cover off where you would check the oil and saw some blue light. Looked a little closer and spark was every where. Puled the wire and it had a decent chunk out of it. So when its dark see if you can see any blue sparks jump from various spots. Could help determine a plug wire issue. Still lots of other things it could be. But wires do seem to be common. Just a pain the change.

Josh