1995 GS500 range problems

[alexp]

Okay so I am a new rider and have recently put some miles on my bike.  I've been trying to see how far I can go in the "on" position.  So I filled it up, set my the trip to 0, and then drove it till I had to switch to reserve.  I drove 135 miles and I had to pull over and switch to reserve.  Right after that I went to the station and filled up the tank.  It took 2.5 gallons.  I did this two times and had the same results.  So from the wiki I know that my model has a 3.4 gallon main and a 0.9 gallon reserve.  So i am missing almost a gallon of gas somewhere lol.  And it is not that I am getting poor fuel mileage because Im getting almost 54 mpg. So my question is what could be the problem it runs fine in "on" and in "res" but there is some weird gray area where it wont keep running in "on".     I tried searching for help but I had no luck.  And Thanks for any help in trying to solve my problem!

[Paulcet]

I don't see a problem here, unless I misunderstand your question. The way you described it is how it works.

[comradeiggy]

How much are you filling it up? I fill mine all the way up to the beginning of the filler neck. That is odd though. Sounds like a petcock problem.

[craigs449]

I usually have to flip to reserve after 165-170 miles (my 01 has a bit bigger tank though).......I then put 3.7-3.9 gallons in....I average around 43-46 mpg's.

[bryan88]

That sounds about right, I get around 160km out of my tank. The GS tank/fueling set-up is an abortion.

[codajastal]

That sounds about right, I get around 160km out of my tank. The GS tank/fueling set-up is an abortion.

160km? I think your meant miles?

[bryan88]

No, I meant kilometres, then it takes about 8 litres till its full (I'm happy with the consumption). In it's defence, I'm probably a bit paranoid and don't trust the reserve set-up.

[codajastal]

No, I meant kilometres, then it takes about 8 litres till its full (I'm happy with the consumption). In it's defence, I'm probably a bit paranoid and don't trust the reserve set-up.

Wow thats not much?
I usually get about 300kms before I have to switch to reserve and Ive got the smaller 17lt tank.
Nothing wrong with my original setup. Its never been fiddled with and works a treat. Maybe you need a new petcock on yours? 

[mister]

alexp: There is nothing too wrong with your bike, you have the smaller tank is all.

Also, when you fill up, do so on the center stand - and - fill until it starts to come up the neck and then stop.

Michael

[bryan88]

Yeah, I do have some issues with my set-up. The tank was pretty rusty when I got it and I didn't have the budget to have it lined, so I run a fuel filter, which I believe is not the best anyway. As I said, the consumption seems ok, it just feels like I'm riding from petrol station to petrol station. I stand by what I said though, I feel that Suzuki could have done a better job with the design of the tank, when my SR250 runs out of fuel, there are literally fumes left in the tank.

[codajastal]

Codajastal - I'm about to head out to work now, so I will give a bash and see how far I get (its on 160 odd kms) If your ears start ringing, you will know I'm stranded and cursing you from across the sea   

Haha lol Hope you dont get stranded

[bryan88]

Ha ha, I just edited my post as not to offend you.

[codajastal]

Lol, I wasnt offended My tank runs out the same as your sr250 you mention. I have actually run out twice (stupidity) and have not had enough fuel left in the tank to fill a small cup.

[bryan88]

My experience is completely the opposite. When I drain my tank (prime and on positions) till it stops flowing there must be at least 2.5l left in there. I must have a good look at the whole system one of the days and sort it out.

[codajastal]

My experience is completely the opposite. When I drain my tank (prime and on positions) till it stops flowing there must be at least 2.5l left in there. I must have a good look at the whole system one of the days and sort it out.

wow ok?
Maybe save for new tank? Mines an 89 model and works a treat. Then again maybe because Australia is upside down it makes a difference?

[BockinBboy]

To the OP,
It sounds like the bike is not getting as full as you may think when filling up.  Make sure the bike is on its center stand when you fill up.  There is a metal collar, or neck as some have described, at the top of your tank and you can fill it up till gas touches that collar.  Make sure you are not just setting the nozzle in there, but actually hold it up level with the metal collar in the tank.  Pump slow so small splashes don't trip your handle and stop flow.  Even a quarter to half a gallon more can add 25 more miles before you need to switch to reserve and all of the sudden your 130 mile range becomes 155 miles, which sounds more inline with what others on the board experience.  I reach just under 200 miles before switching to reserve; however, I an 04' model and the tank is slightly larger than yours... Plus, I drive like a grandma and I coast all over with the many hills around my house and I usually reach speed gradually.

- Bboy

[gsJack]

Wow, hard to imagine the poor gas milage many are getting on their GSs.  I get/got about 60 mpg over-all or a little better on both my 97 and 02 GSs riding moderately hard a good deal of the time.  Typically I get gas 10-30 miles or so after hitting reserve on my current 02 GS with 94k miles the clock now and I put in about 4 gallons after about 240 miles.  I reset the trip meter after every fill-up.

My 97 GS got a little better milage than my current 02 does.  Following a good friend I rode many days with over hilly NW PA I was getting even better milage, was nearer to 70 mpg so I tried and got 300 miles on one 4.5 gallon tank of gas, just made it with a couple tenths left.  He rode big cruisers rather (very) conservatively.  Both my 97 and 02 GSs have/had stock engines, never rejetted either, never touched the carbs in 170k GS500 miles. 

Riding the old 97 it's hardest in the mountains running 7-9k rpm for hours on end with bigger engine bikes I never dropped below 45-50 mpg.  I get about 50-55 mpg during the cold winter months on the 02 here in NE Ohio.  Typically I've ridden only about 1000 total miles during Dec, Jan, and Feb.  Lots of short trips with higher use of choke than spring, summer, and fall riding.

[bombsquad83]

For those who get poor gas mileage, check your float heights with the clear U-tube method.  I got very poor gas mileage on my first couple tanks because I was running rich due to too much gas being allowed into the float bowl.

[alexp]

Thanks for all the help full replies.  I guess i just thought my reserve was bigger then it should be.  And I tried to get the tank very full but its a weird experience because Im not used to trying to fill it up slowly to the top after it clicks.  And plus Im from NJ so I never pump my own gas anyway    I guess my bike is fine and I was just over reacting.



and heres a picture of my bike

[bombsquad83]

Nice bike  .