Why Your 2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited SE6 Is Using More Fuel Than It Should
Shop parts for a 2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited SE6 Motorcycle.Your 2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited SE6 is a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected four-stroke three-wheeler built around the 1330 ACE inline three, shifted through a semi-automatic six-speed transmission and driving the rear wheel by belt. It is heavy, with a lot of frontal area, so it works harder than a conventional two-wheeler at any given speed. If you are refueling more often than you used to, the causes below are worth working through in order.
Confirm the Change Is Real Before Chasing It
Fill the tank, note the odometer or reset a trip meter, ride normally for the whole tank, then refill at the same pump and divide the miles ridden by the fuel you added. One tank proves very little, because wind, temperature, and how you rode that day can swing the result. Track three or four consecutive tanks and compare the average to what you remember getting before.
Anything that changes tire diameter also changes how far the odometer thinks you have traveled. The Spyder reads road speed from its wheel sensors, so a different rear tire size can make your calculated economy look worse than it really is.
Riding Conditions and Habits That Quietly Cost Fuel
Cold weather is the most common non-mechanical culprit. The engine takes longer to warm up, winter fuel blends differ from summer blends, and ethanol-blended gasoline carries slightly less energy than straight gasoline. Add a headwind, and the Spyder's large windshield and bodywork turn that wind into real load.
Sustained highway speeds hurt as well, because drag rises sharply as speed climbs. A passenger or a loaded trailer adds weight and drag. Short trips where the engine never fully warms up, and long idle warm-ups in the driveway, burn fuel while covering no distance at all.
Your own right hand matters too. Hard acceleration away from stops and holding a lower gear than the situation calls for both raise consumption, and the SE6 lets you decide when to shift. If your Spyder has an ECO mode, running with it switched off changes throttle response and shift behavior in a way that uses more fuel.
Rolling Resistance: Tires, Brakes, and the Belt
Check tire pressure on all three wheels first. Underinflation is the most common and most easily corrected cause of a fuel economy drop, and the rear tire carries a lot of load.
Next, look for anything that drags. A brake caliper that is not fully releasing, or a parking brake that does not completely disengage, keeps the pads against the rotor and forces the engine to work against it. After a ride, feel each wheel area for unusual heat; a wheel noticeably warmer than the others is a strong hint.
Front-end alignment matters here too. If the front wheels are not tracking straight, they scrub sideways down the road, and that scrubbing costs fuel. The Spyder uses a belt rather than a chain, so there is no chain to lubricate, but belt tension still counts: too tight adds drag, and too loose can slip under load.
Air Intake and Ignition
A clogged air filter restricts airflow and forces the engine management system to compensate, usually with a richer mixture than the engine needs. If your filter has not been changed in a long while, or you ride in dusty conditions, this is a cheap place to start.
Spark plugs matter just as much. Plugs that are worn, fouled, or gapped incorrectly can fail to ignite the mixture cleanly, so some of the fuel you paid for leaves the engine unburned. Reading the plugs tells you a lot: dark, sooty deposits point toward a rich condition, while healthy plugs show a light tan color. Because this Spyder uses a fully electronic ignition, there are no contact points to wear and no timing to drift.
Fuel System Causes Specific to a Fuel-Injected Spyder
An oxygen sensor that has aged or drifted sends the engine management system inaccurate information about the exhaust, and the system responds by adding fuel. A faulty engine coolant temperature sensor causes a similar problem from the other direction: if it reports the engine is colder than it is, the system keeps enriching the mixture long after warm-up should have ended.
Injectors can be at fault as well. A dirty injector does not spray a proper pattern, and a leaking one dribbles fuel when it should be closed. Both waste fuel. If a warning light has appeared on your dash, the system has stored a fault code a mechanic can read directly. Finally, check for fuel leaks: a strong gasoline smell, damp stains under the machine, or a fuel level that drops while the Spyder sits all deserve immediate attention.
Engine Condition and Cooling
An engine that has lost compression through normal wear cannot turn fuel into motion as efficiently as it once did, so it needs more throttle for the same speed. It usually shows up alongside other symptoms, such as harder starting or a general sense that the machine is down on power.
Because the 1330 ACE is liquid-cooled, the thermostat is part of the picture. A thermostat stuck open keeps coolant flowing all the time, so the engine never reaches its proper operating temperature. A cold-running engine uses more fuel and wears faster. If the temperature reading stays lower than it used to, or takes a long time to come up, have it checked.
Modifications That Upset the Tune
An aftermarket exhaust or a high-flow air filter changes how much air the engine moves. On a fuel-injected machine, the engine management system can adjust only so far. If the change pushes airflow beyond what the system can correct, the mixture ends up richer than ideal. If you added either part without matching fuel tuning, that is a prime suspect.
When to Hand It to a Mechanic
Some symptoms point to something deeper than a maintenance item. Bring the Spyder in if you notice a strong fuel smell, black smoke from the exhaust, spark plugs that come out heavily sooted, a warning light on the dash, or rough running that appeared at the same time as the mileage drop. The same goes for a drop that persists after you have corrected tire pressure, replaced the air filter and plugs, and confirmed nothing is dragging. A mechanic can read stored codes, watch sensor values live, and measure compression — checks that are hard to do in a driveway.
Related Shopping Categories
Shop Fuel System Parts for a 2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited SE6 Motorcycle.
Shop Air Filters for a 2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited SE6 Motorcycle.
Shop Tires for a 2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited SE6 Motorcycle.
Shop Brake Parts for a 2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited SE6 Motorcycle.
Shop Spark Plugs for a 2018 Can-Am Spyder RT Limited SE6 Motorcycle.
Disclaimer: This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace your motorcycle's official owner's manual. Always refer to your manufacturer's documentation for model-specific instructions, torque specifications, safety procedures, and maintenance requirements. If you are unsure or inexperienced, consider seeking assistance from a qualified mechanic or technician.
