how does the reserve work?

[Fint]

How does the reserve/main tank work on the gs500s? Are there two hoses, and the normal "on" hose can only reach so low, or are there actually two seperate areas in the tank? I haven't had to fill my bike up yet    only 60 miles on it (since I've owned it) so far.

Could you just be brave/stupid, and leave the level on Reserve all the time and suffer no ill affects (besides risking running out of gas)?

[Kerry]

How does the reserve/main tank work on the gs500s?

There ARE two hoses, which take fuel from different levels in the (single compartment) fuel tank.

Here are 3 diagrams which may help you understand the situation:

From the Clymer manual

From the Haynes manual

Translated from an unidentified German resource[/list:u]Unfortunately, the frame-mounted petcock in these diagrams is the old-style unit that appears on the '89-'00 models.  But the tank-mounted petcock on your '01 is the same.

Could you just be brave/stupid, and leave the level on Reserve all the time and suffer no ill affects (besides risking running out of gas)?

Yes, you certainly can.  But come on - you gotta experience the out-of-gas stutter at least once, and learn how to switch from ON to RES while you're hurtling down the highway in traffic.  :lol: