Problem with reserve level on New 2007 gs500f

[tushardr]

Hi,
I recently bought a new 2007 GS500F(3-4 weeks back, has ~250 miles on it) and have been having problems with the
fuel level at which I have to switch to reserve. The engine shut off twice on road, while the petcock was at the 'ON'
position. But it started normally after I switched the petcock to 'RES' position. Both the times this happened, I had
driven only around 120 miles after filling the tank completely. This was lower mileage than I had expected, but I thought
maybe the mileage is not that high during the break in period.
According to the manual, the reserve is supposed to be 1 gallon, so I figured whenever I go to a gas station to fill her up,
I should be able to put in atleast 4 gallons. But both the times I went to refuel it, after hitting reserve, I was only able to
fill about 2.5 gallons (I fill fuel in tank only until the fuel flow from the nozzle snaps shut automatically).
Any ideas what the problem might be?

Thanks,
Tushar

[beRto]

Hi,
I recently bought a new 2007 GS500F(3-4 weeks back, has ~250 miles on it) and have been having problems with the
fuel level at which I have to switch to reserve. The engine shut off twice on road, while the petcock was at the 'ON'
position. But it started normally after I switched the petcock to 'RES' position. Both the times this happened, I had
driven only around 120 miles after filling the tank completely. This was lower mileage than I had expected, but I thought
maybe the mileage is not that high during the break in period.
According to the manual, the reserve is supposed to be 1 gallon, so I figured whenever I go to a gas station to fill her up,
I should be able to put in atleast 4 gallons. But both the times I went to refuel it, after hitting reserve, I was only able to
fill about 2.5 gallons (I fill fuel in tank only until the fuel flow from the nozzle snaps shut automatically).
Any ideas what the problem might be?

Thanks,
Tushar

The automatic stop on the fuel pump is designed for car tanks; your motorcycle tank is probably only half full if you are stopping at that point. Lift the nozzle and keep filling (slowly) until you see fuel reaching the filler neck.

This thread gives some thoughts:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=39604.msg444849#msg444849

Also, is the bike running out of gas without warning. Once you feel the gas running out, you should be able to switch the petcock to RES before the bike dies. Practice this a few times to get the hang of it. It can be dangerous if the bike goes dead at the wrong moment.

[ben2go]

You need to keep the bike up right when refueling.Also shake the bike a little as you're filling.This releases air that is trapped between the top of the tank and the rising fuel level.I had this problem after putting an 04 tank on my 89.I couldn't get but 2.5 gallons in my tank before it looked like is was going to over flow.The res can be off because of how the weight is distributed on the bike.Sits low in the rear you may have less Reserve.Low in the front you may have more.Shouldn't be that much of a difference tho.

[tushardr]

Thanks for the helpful pointers guys! I thought that the fuel nozzles would work for both cars and motorcycles and since
this is my first bike, was scared that if I hold the nozzle in air and fill the tank, I'll spill gas all over the place 
It did become a little jerky and unresponsive before the engine shut off and I had to switch to reserve.
I never thought that people would be switching to reserve on the fly! Seems kinda dangerous, but sure beats
being stranded in the middle of the road with other vehicles zooming by at high speeds!

[beRto]

Thanks for the helpful pointers guys! I thought that the fuel nozzles would work for both cars and motorcycles and since
this is my first bike, was scared that if I hold the nozzle in air and fill the tank, I'll spill gas all over the place 
It did become a little jerky and unresponsive before the engine shut off and I had to switch to reserve.
I never thought that people would be switching to reserve on the fly! Seems kinda dangerous, but sure beats
being stranded in the middle of the road with other vehicles zooming by at high speeds!

Glad we could help!

If you practice, it is much safer to switch to RES on the fly than it is to have the bike cut out in the middle of the freeway.

[ben2go]

I didn't even think to mention the fuel nozzle deal.I been fueling bikes,autos,and aircraft so long that I just don't think of it being an issue.

Glad we could help!

If you practice, it is much safer to switch to RES on the fly than it is to have the bike cut out in the middle of the freeway.

I completely agree with beRto.Put the bike on the center stand,sit on it as you would while riding.Now,look straight ahead.Without looking down,feel for the seat/fuel tank gap,follow that down to the open space where the petcock is.I practiced this when I was 8 or 9 years old,on my xr50.