gas milage and typical amount of gas left when you have to change to reserve

[bargovic]

So i just burned through my tank of gas since i took the bike out of storage.  And I had to change to reserve awfull soon.  I got under 40mpg this tank.  Does a tank with Stabil in it get less mpg?  And i was also wondering what you guys noticed you have left in your tank when you stall and need to switch to reserve. Is i typical to have to switch with 1/2 gallon left in the main tank due to the gas splashing around?  This time i filled 3.8 gallons at the pump. which means i had 1.1 in reserve, and 0.4 left in my main tank.

[MarkusN]

Reserve is not a separate tank, it's just another pickup lower in the same tank. And the GS is notorious for an awfully large reserve. Don't rely on the nominal figures too much; filling a tank to its nominal capacity is half an hours job, if it can be done at all. (And it isn't sensible either, especially not in Summer.)

[bargovic]

I know reserve is just a lower section of the same tank. By "main tank", i ment the capacity above the 1.1 gallon reserve.  So if I think of my main as 4.2 gallons, then i used 3.8 and had 0.4 left when i needed to tap into the reserve. So i was wondering if thats a typical ammount to have left when the bike starts to putter and stall due to the gas splashing.

[speedyts49]

We get anywhere from 35 to 52 mpg depending on how the bike gets ridden.  Cages don't vary as much as bikes it seems to me.

[RVertigo]

Keep in mind that you can't really fill the entire capacity of the tank...  There's always a little space at the top...  So, that could account for the  .4 Gal difference you were seeing.

[Turd Ferguson]

Yeah, your numbers are similar to what I get.  When I hit reserve, I usually put 3.8 gallons in the tank.

Last tank I got 44 mpg...pretty lack-luster, but the bike was ridden short trips (extremely short) for much of that tank.  I've gotten as high as 66 mpg.

-Turd.

[annguyen1981]

Keep in mind that you can't really fill the entire capacity of the tank...  There's always a little space at the top...  So, that could account for the  .4 Gal difference you were seeing.

Also, the engine sputters because the fuel is splashing around the tank while riding, so when the fuel level gets close to gone, the main line can't get enough fuel consistently.

[bargovic]

What about a tank with stabil?  Has anyone noticed it not running as smooth, and/or getting lower milage?

[Admiral Crunch]

37 mpg.  I bought a motorcycle mainly to save gas, and this thing gets horrible mileage.  My wife's Saturn gets just as good.  It was rejetted for more power before I bought it (didn't know at the time), and the mixture is too rich.  I'm going to try to improve it, but I haven't worked up the courage to try my hand at messing with the fuel system.  I was expecting 50 or so when I bought the bike, and 50 was my minimum acceptable mileage.  I love riding it, but it's been a disappointment in that regard.

[joedude]

Ya your bike is definetly burning way too much gas!

and if... IF a 4 cylinder car gets better mileage than a small 2 cyl bike... then there's definite issues! Don't forget to compare similar driving conditions... both in city or both on highway. Cause the Bike, in theory - and if properly running, should come out on top.


PS: Does the saturn also have solar panels? or sails or something like that? 

[3imo]

I don't really have anything to add to this. I just wanted to add another post to my count.

sorry.

[flyingbeagle71]

37 mpg.  I bought a motorcycle mainly to save gas, and this thing gets horrible mileage.  My wife's Saturn gets just as good.  It was rejetted for more power before I bought it (didn't know at the time), and the mixture is too rich.  I'm going to try to improve it, but I haven't worked up the courage to try my hand at messing with the fuel system.  I was expecting 50 or so when I bought the bike, and 50 was my minimum acceptable mileage.  I love riding it, but it's been a disappointment in that regard.

I got my bike for the same reason.  I started getting over 70 mpg, but after getting used to the bike (read, opening up the throttle more) it settled on low to mid 50's.  Sounds like you may need to change back to the stock jets.  I just put a 17 tooth front sprocket on, which has knocked down my rpm's by about 300 across the range, but haven't had to gas up since, so I'm not sure how much it's going to help mileage.  I haven't had a chance to commute much this year, Michigan has been too cold, but it looks like it's supposed to warm up next week so we'll see...

[porsche4786]

I just filled up last night. I put in 3.250 gallons with 178 miles on the OD. When do you guys usually switch to reserve? I the only time I've had to was at about 190miles (not freeway miles). Now I either fill up before that or just switch it to reserve around 180.

[3imo]

again, nothing to add just another one for the post count.

I do use gas in my gs though. if that helps

[bargovic]

I don't really have anything to add to this. I just wanted to add another post to my count.

sorry.

again, nothing to add just another one for the post count.

I do use gas in my gs though. if that helps

Real cool.

[bargovic]

I just filled up last night. I put in 3.250 gallons with 178 miles on the OD. When do you guys usually switch to reserve? I the only time I've had to was at about 190miles (not freeway miles). Now I either fill up before that or just switch it to reserve around 180.

I typically change to reserve or fill up around 180 like the majority... getting about 50mpg. But my first tank out of storage with the stabil i stalled out at 133 miles, and only got 35mpg.... I was also taking many 2-3 mile trips with it everyday to work.  I filled up a new tank and will have to see what i get out of that.

[Scorpio65]

I do mostly highway riding, and i'm running on fumes at 208 miles. I'm getting around 41 mpg.

[Codger]

50 mpg typically, so around 200 miles to reserve.
For a long trip, you can stuff the tank a little bit.

If I'm on open highway, I run it till it coughs.  If I'm dealing with traffic, I'll switch over at 180 and plan on filling within 20. 

[porsche4786]

50 mpg typically, so around 200 miles to reserve.
For a long trip, you can stuff the tank a little bit.

If I'm on open highway, I run it till it coughs.  If I'm dealing with traffic, I'll switch over at 180 and plan on filling within 20. 

About how far do you get on the highway till you need to switch?

[niteshade]

bike on the way back from Michigan got to 115 miles when the reserve kicked in.  Highway miles.  It was cold, though.

The other day it happened at 70.  But I'm in city traffic now, and I was riding with the choke on (because I'm a newbie). 

Seems this is a bit low.  Any thoughts?