What is the GS's range?

[onefastvega]

I am planning a 145 mile trip tomorrow and I was wondering how far my 1997 GS500 should go with a full tank of gas (17Liters = 4.5 Gallon)

I thought I saw somewhere that the GS gets around 50mpg so should go about 200 miles.

Thanks dooderz!

[mrslush50]

around town I can do about 165 miles before I have to switch to reserve.  On the highway, I don't really know how far I can go.  I should probably find out.  But I do know, on a 600 mile round trip, mostly highway, I got 63 m/g, if that helps.

[onefastvega]

thanks mrslush

it looks like the trip should be a lot of fun and i wont even have to worry about runnin' out of gasoline :mrgreen:

[Kerry]

Just to make sure: You don't have a California model, do you?  If so, you'll only have a 4.0 gallon tank.

I don't think I ever made it all the way to 200 miles with either my '96 or my '99 (both non-CA).  I remember getting past 190 once, but the low-to-mid 180's is about my average.

On the other hand, I rarely had either one even hit REServe before 145.  Only a time or two - when I was doing freeway miles into a stiff headwind.

Just curious - where are you travelling from ... and to?

[ashman]

I switch to reserve at 125 or so normally and fill up when I get to or around 180.

[Kerry]

I meant to add - it's not really any of my business to know where you're from and where you like to travel.  (I notice you didn't specify a location in your profile.)  It's OK if it's a "secret" - I just like to hear about interesting places and rides.

For example, today I followed some of the V-Strom links mentioned in another thread.  I spotted a "Ride Reports" message board and spent about an hour reading someone's Alaska Ride Report while following along in my MS Streets and Trips trip planning software.  Fascinating stuff - especially the 3,000(!) miles of gravel that the author "got to" ride through on the way to and from Dawson, Inuvik, Prudhoe Bay, and other spots.

[mrslush50]

I should also mention that I have an '02 which means my tank is slightly larger than yours, but you still should have no problem making it 150 miles.

[Kerry]

If I'm not mistaken the '01+ models (CA included) have 5.5 gallon tanks.

I'm jealous; that's an extra 50-60 miles between fillups!  

[Maniac]

Geez...

Ok, yeah, gotta get a bike. My truck only gets 15 city...  :lol:

Lesse, that should equate to about a $40 a month savings! Whoo! Pizza more than once a month!      

[ashman]

I'm looking to do a cross country(north to south) trip this spring or summer. Mobile bay AL to Lake Mich. Its a little over 2k miles round trip I figure my gas is going to be around 50 bucks. How cool is that? I'll keep ya'll posted on the planning and progress. Hey Kerry, or anyone ingeneral. Think I should be a little errie going two thousand miles on a 93' GS w/ 15,000? Assuming I have it in good running order before hand. Most likely I'll be doing this trip solo.

-ash

[Kerry]

ashman,

As long as the bike is in good condition you should be fine.  I'd say it's more a question of age than of miles on the odometer. You may want to mentally go over the bike from stem to stern and think about any parts that might be age-affected.

For example, the stock clutch cable on my '99 snapped somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 miles - but I'm sure that's because I hadn't kept it well-lubed.  If the fuel hoses are original they're 10+ years old now.  Not a guarantee of failure of course, just something to keep in mind.  You could toss a clutch cable in your luggage.  Fuel hose you should be able to get almost anywhere.

You'll want to bring a can of chain lube and TRY to remember to use it every other time you stop for gas.  (It's hard - I know!)  Oh, and a quart of oil is always a good thing to have handy.

Speaking of oil, you're going to change it shortly before you leave, right?  Maybe a week in advance so you can have time make sure there aren't any leaks.  Then you don't have to worry about the oil during your trip, other than checking it at the same time you lube the chain.

And hopefully your tires have a few thousand miles left in 'em.  Please tell me they're not the originals!  

Anyway, my '99 had around 25,000 miles on the clock when I left on my 3400-mile trip to British Columbia last summer.  No worries!  

[JohnNS]

I've found that the wind can make a big difference in your range too. A nasty headwind can cut your range quite a bit (at least I've found it can).

If I find myself fighting a headwind alot, once I'm beyond what would normally be half my range or so, I'll pop in to the next gas station I happen along to top up if I'm not sure when the next one will come along...just to be on the safe side.

One day last summer my bike started sputtering at a point when I thought I had another 50km or so to go before I had to worry about it. Fortunately, I was close to a gas station. It was a particularly brutal headwind that day though, but something to keep in mind.

Have a good ride!  

[Cal Price]

I have an 03, with 20l tank if you believe the Zuzuki ads and website or 19l if you believe the owner's manual. I recon on about 200 but usually chicken it in the 180s. I only had to switch to reserve one on about 190 going up a steep incline. The range against similar bikes was a factor in my decision not to buy a Honda CB500 or Kwacker ER5. I think I made a good decision, probably with flawed reasoning.

[vtlion]

my personal best on my unmodified '97 is 186 miles before going on reserve.  This was a ride from Central PA to near Baltimore MD in late summer.  pretty warm day.. net elevation change about 1000-12000 feet down.  I was surprised because it was a hilly ride.  I was heading east so I likely had a little wind at my back.

I think I could coax 200 out in the flatlands under perfect conditions.

[alerbaugh]

riding city and high rpm, I get about 180 miles before switching to reserve.  I never take it above 150 miles before filling up.  For $3 why not fill up whenever you can?

[96gs]

i get 200 without reserve. thats of course if i take it easy and not play with the throttle.

[onefastvega]

Thanks for all the input.

I am from Tucson and I am planning a 3-4hr loop ride through Arivaca...if it doesnt start raining

[Ratzo]

I can get 200 miles on a tank with my '96. I generally fill up at 175 though.