Dragonrider
New member
I know this isn't really an issue for those on the East Coast, or Midwest, but for those of us who like to tour in the West, long distances between towns (gas stations) is a given. There have been many comments on the forum about gas mileage, and it being a non-issue. However, it is - the 160 mile range of my RT requires using half a side bag for a gas can. Yes, it's usually insurance, but my last bike was a BMW K12, which delivered a reliable 52mpg on the road.
The Beemer was a tad lighter at 880# vs 929#, but it had lots of tupperware, and two more cylinders, and about the same HP. Further, when I compare it to the loaded V-rod (38mpg) or Valkyrie (680# and 6 carburetored cylinders - 36 mpg), both with zero aerodynamic considerations, I find the Spyder's economy vs performance to be lacking.
It was interesting to note that gas in Kalispell, MT was $0.50 per gallon cheaper than it is in Portland, but touring on a fixed income anywhere isn't as cheap as it once was, and tour planning has to account for the poor milage. Putting this in perspective, I get 27mpg from my F150 Ecotech 4x4 at a cruise controlled 60mph, compared to 32.5 from my RT. My RT has both the CC removed and an aftermarket pipe, which brought the milage up over 15%, but still a long way from the other touring competitors.
Perhaps the solution is the pending hybrid Spyder (probably not), and the all electrics are a total joke, with no utility in the real world.
I love to tour, and NEVER ride in a large city, when I can avoid it, nor ride on the superslab, when it can be avoided. There's too much that I would miss…. So what's the answer? I guess keep grumbling about the Spyder's poor milage, until I can afford to tryke a K12, which is MUCH more comfortable to me than a Honda…. but these are just rambling thoughts, for now...
The Beemer was a tad lighter at 880# vs 929#, but it had lots of tupperware, and two more cylinders, and about the same HP. Further, when I compare it to the loaded V-rod (38mpg) or Valkyrie (680# and 6 carburetored cylinders - 36 mpg), both with zero aerodynamic considerations, I find the Spyder's economy vs performance to be lacking.
It was interesting to note that gas in Kalispell, MT was $0.50 per gallon cheaper than it is in Portland, but touring on a fixed income anywhere isn't as cheap as it once was, and tour planning has to account for the poor milage. Putting this in perspective, I get 27mpg from my F150 Ecotech 4x4 at a cruise controlled 60mph, compared to 32.5 from my RT. My RT has both the CC removed and an aftermarket pipe, which brought the milage up over 15%, but still a long way from the other touring competitors.
Perhaps the solution is the pending hybrid Spyder (probably not), and the all electrics are a total joke, with no utility in the real world.
I love to tour, and NEVER ride in a large city, when I can avoid it, nor ride on the superslab, when it can be avoided. There's too much that I would miss…. So what's the answer? I guess keep grumbling about the Spyder's poor milage, until I can afford to tryke a K12, which is MUCH more comfortable to me than a Honda…. but these are just rambling thoughts, for now...
