My RT mileage review for the Gatlinburg round trip was based on 15 total fill ups. I removed the two lowest and the one highest (downhill mileage) to average 12 fill ups. I also did not always follow the recommended 91 octane per the owner’s manual.

The 12 fill ups that were used on the trip to the Spyders in the Smokies event was done using 86 octane and 89 octane. Starting with 86 octane on the West Coast and changed to 89 octane as the gas got cheaper approximately halfway. I was riding solo with approximately 320 pounds of added weight to the bike which includes rider and luggage and the stuff needed to tour the required distance. My speed was held at no more than 74 mph regardless of the max speed limit that was posted, and trying to keep freeway speeds from 68 mph to 74 mph. The windshield was used as weather required and when not needed the shield was down to its lowest position for that open road feeling. As I reached Gatlinburg, TN. and rode in the mountains, on flat surfaces and in the rain, I experienced all conditions that affect total overall gas mileage. I had a fair portion of the fill ups that were used that did land in between 30 mpg to 31 mpg with a few lows of 26 mpg to 28 mpg. (Final average results below)

On my way back to California I held the same riding conditions with the exception that I only used the recommended 91 octane for all fill ups. This did not result in better performance with regards to quick response to the throttle and when the passing power was needed.

TOTAL MPG:

Going east from San Diego,CA to Gatlinburg, TN. the total average was 28.735 mpg

Going west from Gatlinburg, TN. to San Diego, CA. the total average was 30.0251 mpg

Additionally, I recently ran a few local tests (freeway riding) when I went to meet up with the Try Spyder demo team in Covina, CA at Bert’s Mega Mall, Malcolm Smith’s Motorsports and Huntington Beach State Park. I also held a maximum 72 mph and ran with the windshield up at its full height to push the air around me and not make me part of the drag of the bike. While the windshield being at full height may not sound very important, it turned out to be the way to get the best mpg possible.

First test: At 131 miles I filled up 4.01 gallons for 32.66 mpg going to Bert’s Mega Mall, while returning home I repeated the same conditions and at fill up at 134 miles with a fill up of 4.13 gals for 32.44 mpg for a single tank fill up.

Now just to make sure this was not a fluke I ran the exact same bike conditions to Malcolm Smith Motorsports in Riverside, CA and the Huntington State Beach Park in Huntington, CA for a 3 dealer demo event.

Second Test: At 111 miles with a fill up of 3.6 gals for 30.83 mpg going to Malcolm Smith’s, while returning home I repeated the same conditions and was at 114 miles with a fill up of 3.76 gals for 30.31 mpg for a single tank fill up.

Third Test: At 101 miles with a fill up of 3.31 gals for 30.51 mpg going to Huntington State Beach Park, while returning home I repeated the same conditions and at fill up it was 104 miles with a fill up of 3.31 gals for 31.2 mpg for a single tank fill up.

Fourth Test: I just completed an overnight fun run with the West Coast Spyder riders and I completed one fill up at 140 miles with 4.28 gals for 32.71.

So here is what I believe that you will get for gas mileage with a maximum speed of 74 mph.

Full height shield going through non mountains areas using 91 octane as recommended would be 30 mpg – 33mpg.

Partial use of full height shield going through non mountains areas using 91 octane as recommended would be 30 mpg – 31mpg.

Low height shield going through non mountains areas using 91 octane as recommended would be 28 mpg – 30 mpg.

You can catch more RT adventures on westcoastspyder.com

Remember– it’s about the ryde - not your destination