WOW 32 mpg

[J W Miller]

I find it hard to figure, since re-adjusting the drive belt which was very loose plus using 89 octane. Bike runs so much smoother. I can plug along at 1000 rpms less or as low as 40-45 mph in 5th two up. Driving at lower rpms has brought mpg up to 32. In the past any speed less then 55mph had to stay in 4th gear or bike just felt rough, much like it was lugging. Never seemed to do better then 28 mpg. Bike is 000189 RT-S

 

[Mr. White]

I find it hard to figure, since re-adjusting the drive belt which was very loose plus using 89 octane. Bike runs so much smoother. I can plug along at 1000 rpms less or as low as 40-45 mph in 5th two up. Driving at lower rpms has brought mpg up to 32. In the past any speed less then 55mph had to stay in 4th gear or bike just felt rough, much like it was lugging. Never seemed to do better then 28 mpg. Bike is 000189 RT-S

FYI With my new RT, @ 5,000 rpm, I am doing 68 per my GPS. I have been getting 29-30 with every fill. I had no idea the drive belt tension made so much difference. How many miles on your RT when you noticed the loose belt?

:spyder2:

 

[Y Rider]

If I ride 1 up with the windshield down traveling 55-65mph I can get between 36-38mpg. :2thumbs: Riding 2 up with windshield up I get 30-32mpg at 55-65mph. :sour: And if pulling the RT-622 fully loaded riding 2 up with the windshield up I get 25-28mpg at 55-65mph depending on the amount of head wind. :shocked:

 

[J W Miller]

I made a mistake and figured the dealer would have checked belt at 600 mile check up. Reading this board helped figure out what was wrong. At 4000 miles using Nancy's Toy way of checking belt tension I found belt to be very lose. Belt was also running against the pulley flange. Drive belt is so long that it has to be spot on as far as adjustment goes.

 

[NancysToy]

I made a mistake and figured the dealer would have checked belt at 600 mile check up. Reading this board helped figure out what was wrong. At 4000 miles using Nancy's Toy way of checking belt tension I found belt to be very lose. Belt was also running against the pulley flange. Drive belt is so long that it has to be spot on as far as adjustment goes.

Dealer should have checked belt tension and tracking at 600 mile service. That is one of the items on the schedule. If he did check it, he needs to learn the proper procedure and use the proper tools. Maybe you need a different dealer. nojoke

 

[rogerb]

I guess I can't complain about the sevice at my dealer. My average for the trip to Spyderfest was 34.6 miles per gallon overall. 2873 miles. My new saddlebag parts are waiting for me at the shop for replacement. When I got back he looked at it. His comment: Bikes dirty I'll call you when the parts are in and set up an appointment. Have a nice day.:dontknow:

 

[Mr. White]

JW, you don't say what model Spyder you have. I guess a RS would get better mileage, all things the same, than a RT due to weight difference. As I said, I get 29-30, windshield full up running 5,000 to 5,500 rpm.

 

[Bob Denman]

My Spyder seems to have settled in the a pretty steady 34mpg. I short-shift up into top gear and just let the motor pull. I do run 93 octane, so maybe that's my my bike seems to pull better in the lower rpm range? :dontknow:
55mph comes up at 4050rpm...
I honestly don't run too much at 65mph... I stay away from the Interstates whenever possible!

 

[ARtraveler]

I am in the same range as BR1 and use the 90 octane--highest available at most stations here. Bike does not seem to run as peppy on lower octane. Our choices are 87, 88, and 90.

 

[arvoaussie]

Well my truck gets 19 so anything i get on the RT will be an improvement.