2 gallons to reserve?

PneumaticPanther · November 21, 2004, 06:00:40 PM

For some reason my bike starts dying after I use just 2 gallons of gas, and I'm forced to go to reserve. This doesn't seem normal to me, so I was wondering if the petcock's "ON" position uses more than one fuel pickup (the lower one is clogged, possibly?) Would there be any downside to leaving it in the reserve position (other than the risk of running out of fuel).

scratch · November 21, 2004, 08:29:21 PM

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/search.php?mode=results

Will this help?

PneumaticPanther · November 21, 2004, 09:07:39 PM

Most of what i've seen on this forum before focuses on poor gas mileage, not my issue (after the 2 gallons I was at 90 miles, and 45mpg sounds reasonable). The only relevant one I found was this from seshandri_srinath

Quote2.5 gal from full to reserve... OK has someone swapped out the in tank filter so it is higher now and you actually have more reserve... or bondo ... lots of it in the tank...

I'm pretty sure there's no bondo in the tank. Any way I can check the in tank filter to see if it's sitting at the proper height? Also, what about just keeping it on reserve? Any problems with that?

The Buddha · November 21, 2004, 09:30:05 PM

OK take off the tank petcock and put it up against a ruler and take a pic... and post it here ... I'll measure mine and we'll know what yours is like ...
Cool.
Srinath.

PneumaticPanther · November 21, 2004, 09:37:56 PM

So that would involve taking off the tank and measuring item 12 on page 251 in the Clymer manual?

mrblink · November 22, 2004, 12:00:56 PM

I usually have to go to reserve at 2.5 gallons (100-110 miles), and I fill my tank VERY FULL. Sounds pretty normal.

PneumaticPanther · November 22, 2004, 12:04:47 PM

Huh, well, I know that I hadn't filled my tank to the absolute maximum the first time around so maybe that's just the way it goes.

mrblink · November 22, 2004, 12:14:10 PM

When it seems 100% full, slosh it side to side. It magically makes more room. Put in more gas. Repeat. You get the picture...

Kerry · November 22, 2004, 01:16:21 PM

Quote from: mrblinkI usually have to go to reserve at 2.5 gallons (100-110 miles), and I fill my tank VERY FULL.

Really? I usually go ~180 miles before I hit reserve, and then put in over 3 gallons. :dunno:

scootr9718 · November 22, 2004, 01:33:24 PM

I also usually hit reserve around 120 miles or so...I was thinking, I have a 140/80 rear tire on and a Kat shock, both which contribute to raising the rear a bit....would this possibly cause the gas in the tank to shift, resulting in hitting reserve sooner? Just a thought :dunno:

mrblink · November 22, 2004, 01:44:15 PM

I usually ride like a jackass, so MMMV.

PneumaticPanther · November 22, 2004, 02:20:51 PM

MMMV?

mrblink · November 22, 2004, 02:31:45 PM

My mileage may vary

Kerry · November 22, 2004, 02:46:16 PM

Quote from: scootr9718I have a 140/80 rear tire on and a Kat shock, both which contribute to raising the rear a bit....would this possibly cause the gas in the tank to shift, resulting in hitting reserve sooner?

That could do it. So, the next time you're in the middle of nowhere and you "run out of gas" all you have to do is unbolt the fuel tank, set the "C channel" in front up on the frame, and ride for another, oh, 20 miles or so.

Easy huh?

(cough)

Rema1000 · November 22, 2004, 06:23:24 PM

Quote from: Kerryall you have to do is unbolt the fuel tank, set the "C channel" in front up on the frame, and ride for another, oh, 20 miles or so.

Easy huh? (cough)

Now that you mention it, it would be really nice if the "RES" level could be adjusted.

When I am riding around town (99% of the time), it's good to have the warning that I need gas... but I don't need a whole gallon of gas to get to the station. This makes in tempting to put-off getting gas for a day or two. It would be better to hit reserve with (say) 1/3 to 1/2 gallon of gas left. But then, if you were out in the middle of nowhere, it would be nice to know a bit earlier than that

. So something adjustable would be cool.

Smokey63090 · November 24, 2004, 09:45:05 AM

Quote from: Kerry
Quote from: mrblinkI usually have to go to reserve at 2.5 gallons (100-110 miles), and I fill my tank VERY FULL.
Really? I usually go ~180 miles before I hit reserve, and then put in over 3 gallons. :dunno:

I also normally switch to reserve at around 190 miles.

Kerry · November 24, 2004, 10:53:00 AM

Quote from: Smokey63090
Quote from: Kerry
Quote from: mrblinkI usually have to go to reserve at 2.5 gallons (100-110 miles), and I fill my tank VERY FULL.
Really? I usually go ~180 miles before I hit reserve, and then put in over 3 gallons. :dunno:

I also normally switch to reserve at around 190 miles.

Ah, but your '01 tank holds ~.8 gallons more than my '99 does.

Still, with the observed variability in REServe levels from bike to bike, that's perfectly acceptable performance.

Cal Price · November 24, 2004, 10:57:09 AM

I normall fill my '03 at about 180/190 - I have only ever switched to "res" twice both times at one-eighty something and going up a fairly steep bank, plenty of them around here.

ghettorigged · November 24, 2004, 04:36:19 PM

I used to hit reserve around 130 but now (since moving 3+ hrs south & down 1000 ft in elevation) I hit it around 150+ :dunno: Also, my driving has changed from country roads to city streets so I am not sure wtf is going on! :lol:

On a side note, however, having a GS in the city kicks arse!

Parking is 10 times easier and traffic isn't as bad when you can scoot around a wee bit. I'm not a jerk in traffic but I have taken certain liberties from time to time... you know, utilizing my skinny moto profile. :mrgreen:

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2 gallons to reserve?