Fuel management on a Can-Am Spyder

Fuel management is important on any vehicle, including the Can-Am Spyder. A quick look at the low fuel warning system.
This channel chronicles my adventures using a 2023 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited as my only conveyance. We’ll go on a great adventures as well as mundane errands. We’ll also discuss accessories and gear for the Can-Am Spyder.
I usually wear a Tourmaster Transition 4 jacket, a Scorpion EXO-AT950 helmet, and either Klim Baja gloves or Joe Rocket Windchill gloves. I use a GoPro Hero 10 camera and a Purple Panda mic, and I edit video with Final Cut Pro on an iPad Pro.
#canamspyder #adventure

[@danieldorman430]

I just purchased a brand new 2023 rt limited model. I had a Ryker for about three years and the spyder is most definitely the most comfortable motorcycle I have ever owned. I have watched your videos from the beginning when you first purchased yours, and you have convinced me to buy one and I do not regret my decision at all.

[@ejb499]

Get it!!!!! I am a first timer. I just got a rt limited. Super fun!!!!!!!🎉

[@SpyderMinimalist]

Congratulations! I almost have 7,000 miles on mine and love it!

[@SpyderRichard]

I like the fuel management system on my Sea-to-Sky. I don't ever risk running out of fuel. On road trips, when I stop for a break, I usually top off the tank. When I ride, I usually fill up after it passes the quarter tank remaining marker. What I discovered is that the mileage (or kilometers) remaining is more accurate than the fuel gage based on the amount of fuel I end up putting in the tank. That being said, I am not going to push my luck and reach the "you're on your own pal" stage as described by SpyderWayne. Cheers Chris.

[@SpyderMinimalist]

I’m also cautious when it comes to fuel management.

[@jwright320]

I have 30K miles on my car 2022 RT. The biggest factor affecting mpg is aerodynamic drag. The Spyder is a much bigger vehicle than any wheel bike, so has a disadvantage. That being said, riding solo with the windshield down, I can get well over 40mpg, but only if maintaining a steady cruise below 60mph. Any faster and mpg drops to the low 30's. At 75mph or higher, you can actually watch the predicted range number drop as fast as the odometer. 2up with a trailer, I get between 30-35 mpg, as long as I stay below 65mph.

[@eddiesheppard6274]

I had the low fuel warning lights and later the range in the display said I still had 16 miles left I was about 5 miles to get to my Fuel Station All of a sudden the Range display went from 16 miles left to - - - in the display I was lucky as some of the journey to the fuel station was downhill so i could back off the throttle to conserve fuel I made it ok to the fuel station Sine then i always fill up even if the display states I still have a 50 mile range A valuable lesson learnt Hope you get your wallet and credit card back Eddie UK Spyder rider

[@shoncarter3730]

Here's a tip: Keep your wallet in the glove box. When fueling up, you grab your wallet out and leave the glove box open. Once done, you'll notice the glove box open and you'll remember to place your wallet back in. OR use payment app on your phone like Google Wallet, Samsung Wallet, or Apple Pay. These apps even let you put your license/ID on them eliminating having your wallet on rides period. Hope this helps.

[@SpyderMinimalist]

Much appreciated.

[@beanoil]

Low fuel banner will pop up on mine at about 160 miles. Then the gas pump indicator stays on. You have the same 100% failure of the seat strut that everyone does. Use your Google-Fu for the fix, either Show Chrome or McMaster Carr replacement strut. About a 10 minute fix. Same thing is going to happen to your top box lid. Unfortunate CanAm cant get their poop in a group on a 35,000 dollar "Luxury Touring" machine. You have to be a bit nuts, and a lot of love for these things to live with them. I get pretty good MPG as long as I'm just motoring down the road. Spirited riding, obviously decreases MPG, but if I keep it around 65, I can squeeze out 30MPG. 70 and above, all bets are off, and fun factor vs. fuel gauge become polar opposites. I can tell you the banner and gas pump signs are very early warnings. I once was stuck running about another 9 miles after the range left was zero, and by calculation, still had about 3/4 gallon left in the tank. Keep the content coming!

[@SpyderMinimalist]

Thanks for the input and for watching.

[@majorhicksusmc]

I’ve had my Can Am Spyder RT Limited 2 years now. I come from owning BMW touring bikes for 22 years before that (2 K1200LTs and a K1600GTL). Before that Hondas for 30 years. They all got better gas mileage than the Spyder. They all got better gas mileage than the Spyder. The K1200s weighed 840 lbs dry. Took the second one across the country touring a trailer from SoCal to South Carolina, then up the Eastern Seaboard to Massachusetts, back across to SoCal. Over 9,100 miles and averaged 38 miles to the gallon. The K16 with two up would average 45-50 miles to the gallon, and on the multiple week trips we took over the 8 years I owned it, loaded with two passengers, 60 lbs of gear, and it averaged 38-40 miles per gallon. The best I’ve gotten with the Spyder is 32 miles per gallon on a trip from SoCal to Washington state and back. Even Honda Goldwings, which weigh 900 lbs, get better gas mileage than a Spyder. Maybe they should buy their engines from BMW or Honda. They seem to know how to squeeze out better mileage than Can Am. Having said all that, I still like the bike, particularly if you are touring with it, which we do. It is a good choice if you want to tour.

[@terryroehr235]

On my 21RTL I average about 38MPG. My range goes to zero right about 30 miles of range left. I can usually can get at least a half gallon more gas in if i fill slow at the end. My starting range is about 270 miles after a fill up.

[@SpyderMinimalist]

That’s very good. I’ll keep experimenting with mine.

[@DFWMoose]

I highly recommend NOT topping off as was shown. There is a gas evaporation system and topping off can harm just as it can in a car. Did you top off that same way the tank before? I did like how you showed how to calculate your mpg. If you didn’t top off previously then your TRUE mpg would be a little higher as the amount would have been 4.xx gallons or so.

[@malmarsden9730]

Hi Chris YesterdayI went out with my Ulysses friends on 2020 Spyder F3 LTD. SE6 ,we did about 150 klm and on my return to home I checked the litres used andI got 6 , 3 lto’s per 100 klm which is 37.336 mpg . Although we stuck to the speed limits we were travelling at 100 klhmost of the time . I’m happy with those figures but it will be nice to get a more accurate figure when I do a long ride on the freeway . Take care ride safe Mal in Australia

[@SpyderMinimalist]

That’s an incredible rate. I just did a test, without eco mode, and got a little less than that.

[@corymoles5699]

I get about 29-30 mpg on my 20 RTL and know I’ve got a lot of miles left when the fuel light activates. I always get to a station as soon as I can at that point. Both the seat and top box OEM lid pistons are crap. I can’t believe BRP would use those on a $30,000 machine. The good news is improved accessory versions are available for both from LaMonster, Slingmods and others that will correct their operation. The seat piston took longer to install than the Top Box piston my 68 year old hand had a hard time fitting in the available opening. Great upgrades when needed. BTW, if you’re still under warranty, I’d ask your dealer to fix it!

[@SpyderMinimalist]

I’m still under warranty and will address with dealer shortly.

[@RobS-z5u]

I have 2024 S2S. I have never put more than 20L (5.3 us gal) of fuel in. When the fuel light on. First tank of fuel I got 7.4L/100 km ( 31.8 mpg). After 1600 km (994 miles) I’m now getting 6.7L/100km (35 mpg) . I’m more than happy with that. That combined highway city and solo 2up ryding.

[@F1JV]

If baffles my mind that metric nations don’t just have their consumption figures in km/L…so 14.9 km/L on your last set of figures…instead of L/100 km. Obviously it’s not a large number because of gal being much bigger volume than L but whatever…6 of one 1/2 dozen of another but just more logical imo km/L.

[@SpyderWayne]

The Spyder won't achieve the gas mileage equal to the big 2 wheelers, not just due to the heavier weight of the Spyder, but due to much higher rolling resistance (3 tires on the pavement) and higher wind resistance (much wider profille of the Spyder). Low 30s mpg kinda sucks, and so does having to use premium fuel, but heck, I learned and knew of it before buying the Spyder, I didn't like it, but I accepted it.

[@SpyderMinimalist]

Me too.

[@tassietiger99]

You have probably done it by now, but the seat strut (read gas spring) on the 2020+ RT's fail on a regular basis. I'm in the process of replacing both the seat strut and rear trunk strut with heavier duty units. Cost for me is about AUD$62 and about 15 minutes of time to change them out.

[@SpyderMinimalist]

My seat strut failed, but my dealer fixed it (something about a missing screw) and it’s been ok since.

[@tassietiger99]

@@SpyderMinimalist There is only 1 screw holding it in place where the top eyelet fits onto an anchor post on the seat hinge, can only see it by taking the rear seat off. I'm going up to a strut that will hold 7 kilo or 15 pounds instead of the 6 to 7 pounds of the OEM one. hopefully get a bit more life out of it. Some great KZbin vids on it.

[@SpyderMinimalist]

@@tassietiger99 mine has been holding up since my dealer fixed it, but I’ll keep this in mind if it fails again.

[@susierebelryder492]

When the low fuel warning comes in it means you have about a gallon left. (6.7 gals) You can do about 24-30 miles before you run out. Also I use my phone (Chevron) Watch or plastic to pay. It’s never leave the pump. This is in California.

[@SpyderMinimalist]

I need to start using my phone.

[@user-zv5fs2wy7q]

Once your Spyder is broken in, if you run it in Eco mode, don't accelerate rapidly, you will see around 35 MPG.

[@rogersmith5371]

I have a Spyder (a 2012 RE Ltd). I routinely put 95 or 98 (RON) Rated Octane Number in the tank. I know it costs more but is goes much further on tank which in Australia (where I live ) is 25 litres. On a recent long road trip (240kms) I got 6.01litres/100kms which is how we express fuel consumption in Australia - not sure how that works out in mpg. One thing I don't like about the fuel usage is there is no range to empty (at least in my model).

[@SpyderMinimalist]

My model has a pretty useful range to empty system.

[@eddcurry501]

You always have more fuel than the Spyder says.

[@magnusb6311]

I am sorry about your wallet and cards. I think what you need to do is to bring a little spare fuel bottle with you and drive and record when you get warnings and how far you can actually go before the engine stops because it is out of fuel. Good video, but that wallet......

[@ThomasNappo]

Chris go back to where you bought spyder and demand them fix..and replace piston that holds up that seat...you have warranty....that should not happen for Years..😊

[@SpyderMinimalist]

The problem is it works intermittently. If it fails permanently I’ll bring it in for replacement.

[@bluemoonriderlipa6880]

That is why some riders use a wallet with a chain to attach to their belt or belt loop. As for the gas mpg, kinda like a small car and not as good as a scooter. As for that seat issue, and gas cap placement, it is on my "con" list. I think I will be waiting to see if the 2024's get a better seat review.

[@SpyderMinimalist]

I’m experimenting with Air Tags. Wallet, keys, etc.

[@mandytuning]

My range display have been high as 276 and low as 220. Depends what speed and for how long you cruise. I can get 38 with 2up. Tuned and cat delete f3t

[@Cowdog1]

I'm still on the fence. 🤔

[@billwilliams9527]

My man, don't be afraid to use 87 octane (regular). I ride a 2020 RTL and have used 87 since new, no probs. Not saying there won't be, just sayin what I do.

[@stevetiernan7394]

That sucks about your wallet and card. I try to use google wallet on the phone to avoid that scenario. Otherwise, you seem to be spot on with your advice. My fuel light comes on with about 40 miles to empty, but I probably do a lot more city driving than most, and get about 28 mpg. I only use 93 octane as well. Have Can-Am replace that seat piston. You paid way too much to have that annoyance. Ryde safe.

[@sgt.grinch3299]

In my 2024 Sea to Sky, I have about to put 5 to nearly 6 gallons per fill up. It only happened to me once. I just wanted to learn what my range is. I get gas every 150 miles.

[@SpyderMinimalist]

I try to keep it at least half full all the time, but I wanted to test its limits at the beginning.

[@Cowdog1]

I can't express my frustration when you left your wallet!!😂😂 I've done it... only once. 😮

[@SpyderMinimalist]

It’s a real pain, having to rebuild everything.

[@georgebrzeczka3554]

I have gone down to Empty and I See no gas. Rode 30 miles fill up almost 2 gal. cool outside. I rode at 70. Miles hr. Hot saw it on empty stop to fill .4 the gage just drops right to empty. So if l am at quarter a tank i stop. Or start looking for a gas station.

[@shammone3333]

So question I have 2 ryker rallys that get 180 miles per tank and my sea to sky gets 260 miles per tank is that normal? This question is for everyone.

[@SpyderMinimalist]

I can’t comment on the Ryker, but you’re doing well on the Sea to Sky. That’s 37 mpg, much better than I’m getting. Do you spend most of your time on highways?

[@shammone3333]

@SpyderMinimalist yes and no just drove all 3 back to alaska from tucson az. And well some of the high ways in Canada are like city streets.

[@mum-0217]

I am still considering a Spyder. I hope you get you wallet back, its so easy to forget especially if something distracts you.

[@georgebrzeczka3554]

The best thing to do if you forget your wallet leave money in The trunk. For emergencies. I leave a hundred in 20s

[@K22MDL]

I have to say reading the terrible gas mileage you guys are getting is really poor. Sure the Spyder is heavy & has three wheels on the road. But so is any small car, with an extra wheel & usually an extra cylinder. I cant think of many if any that would return such a poor mpg. I drive several cars one of which is a 2.5 ton BMW X6 40D M Sport. It's diesel I realise, but even that returns almost 50mpg on a run! The 200 mile range is better than most bikes I guess but pity the engine is so inefficient.

[@frankxx2364]

Lots of word salads. Math is wrong. Why don you read what CanAm says? The video suck in my new.

[@danieldorman430]

I just purchased a brand new 2023 rt limited model. I had a Ryker for about three years and the spyder is most definitely the most comfortable motorcycle I have ever owned. I have watched your videos from the beginning when you first purchased yours, and you have convinced me to buy one and I do not regret my decision at all.