tank capacity

bigdaub · June 22, 2003, 10:58:47 PM

first full weekend with my gs500... loved it!!!
anyway, i filled the tank up and rode around 135 miles and went to the gas station since the previous owner (a friend) and the board pretty much indicated that it would go around that before hitting the reserve. to my surprise, it only took 2.5 gallons to fill up... did the math, better than 50 mpg! then just now i checked the suzuki site and it said that a 2001 has 5.3 gal tank... since 1 gal for the reserve, that means i had close to 2 gal left, possibly another 100 miles to ride??? so, i should be able to get around 230 miles per full tank? i need someone with experience to convince me that this is true!

pantablo · June 22, 2003, 11:07:50 PM

you may have confused the old tank (135 miles to reserve) and the new capacity (5.3 gal.). I nave a 2001 and get 180+/- to reserve, and also get about 50 mpg. And this is really flogging it in the canyons, not puttering about town.

I suppose it is possible to get 200+ miles out of a tank but I'd never know. As soon as I hit reserve I look for a gas station....

glenn9171 · June 23, 2003, 06:22:48 AM

My 2001 model also gets 180-190 miles before reserve easily. Even with spirited riding and long, highRPM highway runs. I average about 52 MPG or so. Just remember to always reset the trip odometer with each fill-up.

The Antibody · June 23, 2003, 02:08:56 PM

The 2001 + hold 5.8 gal.

-Anti

JBix · June 23, 2003, 03:26:24 PM

Which makes me to ask, anyone think it would be worth it to attempt to fit a newer tank to an older model? My '95 has the 4 gallon tank, and I can get like 120 miles to reserve if I ride moderately (80's) on the freeway. I would love to get the 180 miles per tank that you are getting, especially for remotely long trips. I want to meet you guys in LA for a canyon ride, but I'd have to fill up the tank twice as often. Anybody ever tried it, or would I be the first? If I'm the first, could I get someone to give me some dimensions for me to check with mine?

pantablo · June 23, 2003, 03:50:12 PM

Quote from: JBixWhich makes me to ask, anyone think it would be worth it to attempt to fit a newer tank to an older model? My '95 has the 4 gallon tank, and I can get like 120 miles to reserve if I ride moderately (80's) on the freeway. I would love to get the 180 miles per tank that you are getting, especially for remotely long trips. I want to meet you guys in LA for a canyon ride, but I'd have to fill up the tank twice as often. Anybody ever tried it, or would I be the first? If I'm the first, could I get someone to give me some dimensions for me to check with mine?

We meet at a gas station and you can gas up before heading back...you'll be fine on the canyon rides.

Only issue is that I personally think they expanded the spars on the frame for a wider tank from the rearward weld forward to steering head. Not confirmed though-could you measure the width (try going under the tank/frame around the carbs) across the frame at its widest? I'll do the same to compare.

Black Snowman · June 23, 2003, 08:43:43 PM

Or get Jessie James to hand roll you a custom tank. They only run about $2500

scratch · June 25, 2003, 10:33:24 AM

Is everybody filling up to the filler neck?

Kerry · June 25, 2003, 10:49:16 AM

Yep, as close as possible. As long as the pump will let me pump slowly, and not "spit" all over everything when the fuel level gets up there.

Don't forget to use the back-and-forth leaning action to get it as full as you can!

scratch · June 26, 2003, 07:55:21 AM

I use the paper towels available (usually) at the gas station to half-way wrap around the nozzle and to hold back the rubber boot (California model pumps). It absorbs some of the gas from overzealous overfillers and keeps the splashing down to a minimum.

905mike · June 25, 2008, 01:02:59 PM

Quote from: glenn9171 on June 23, 2003, 06:22:48 AM
My 2001 model also gets 180-190 miles before reserve easily. Even with spirited riding and long, highRPM highway runs. I average about 52 MPG or so. Just remember to always reset the trip odometer with each fill-up.

my 1999 only gets me about 130 mi before i hit reserve. does this make sense?

Jackstand Johnny · June 25, 2008, 02:07:08 PM

Quote from: pantablo on June 23, 2003, 03:50:12 PM
Quote from: JBixWhich makes me to ask, anyone think it would be worth it to attempt to fit a newer tank to an older model? My '95 has the 4 gallon tank, and I can get like 120 miles to reserve if I ride moderately (80's) on the freeway. I would love to get the 180 miles per tank that you are getting, especially for remotely long trips. I want to meet you guys in LA for a canyon ride, but I'd have to fill up the tank twice as often. Anybody ever tried it, or would I be the first? If I'm the first, could I get someone to give me some dimensions for me to check with mine?

We meet at a gas station and you can gas up before heading back...you'll be fine on the canyon rides.

Only issue is that I personally think they expanded the spars on the frame for a wider tank from the rearward weld forward to steering head. Not confirmed though-could you measure the width (try going under the tank/frame around the carbs) across the frame at its widest? I'll do the same to compare.

I was told that all year tanks bolt up with all year frames with no modification. I'd love to see someone confirm this.

bucks1605 · June 25, 2008, 02:14:13 PM

Quote from: 905mike on June 25, 2008, 01:02:59 PM
Quote from: glenn9171 on June 23, 2003, 06:22:48 AM
My 2001 model also gets 180-190 miles before reserve easily. Even with spirited riding and long, highRPM highway runs. I average about 52 MPG or so. Just remember to always reset the trip odometer with each fill-up.

my 1999 only gets me about 130 mi before i hit reserve. does this make sense?

The '01 tank is larger and has a higher fuel capacity then your '99 tank.

ohgood · June 25, 2008, 02:40:09 PM

holy thread resurrection batman !

beRto · June 25, 2008, 02:45:01 PM

Quote from: bucks1605 on June 25, 2008, 02:14:13 PM
The '01 tank is larger and has a higher fuel capacity then your '99 tank.

The wiki has some related details:
http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Main/Fuel

PuddleJumper · June 25, 2008, 11:22:00 PM

'04 bone stock
I commute to work, mostly interstate at 70+ mph. I consistently get 204 miles before going to reserve. My best was 221 miles and I still had not gone to reserve when I stopped for fuel.

Be Safe.
PJ

ben2go · June 26, 2008, 12:20:13 AM

I have done 320miles on a tank but I must be prepared to push.For a while I didn't use my frame mounted petcock and ran str8 from the tank to the carbs.I ran between 60mph and 75mph on the highway.Yes I set my odometer and I was running an all stock bike.Plus my bike has fairings which help with aerodynamics.I tuck in on the highway.Keeps the wind buffeting down.

oobyscoot · June 26, 2008, 01:18:46 AM

OK, can somebody please tell me how a US gallon compares to a brit gallon, as I cant see 4 gallon fitting in my tank, I normally fill up around the 120-130 miles ish ans get about 10-11 litres in. Thats only 2 and a bit UK gallons.

bucks1605 · June 26, 2008, 06:22:19 AM

One imperial gallon is approximately equal to 1.201 U.S. gallons.

ben2go · June 26, 2008, 12:39:12 PM

Quote from: oobyscoot on June 26, 2008, 01:18:46 AM
OK, can somebody please tell me how a US gallon compares to a brit gallon, as I cant see 4 gallon fitting in my tank, I normally fill up around the 120-130 miles ish ans get about 10-11 litres in. Thats only 2 and a bit UK gallons.

What year is your bike pre 01 had a smaller tank.

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