GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

How many mile should i get from a full tank? 91 GS

On my '99 (same tank and fuel system) I get about 180 miles before switching to REServe.  That's using the "maximum fill" technique at the gas station.

Riding into a stiff wind on the highway can drop my mileage by up to 30 miles on a tank.  Riding with a good tailwind can bump it up by 10 or 20.

REServe should supposedly give you another gallon, but it seemed to kicked in at different fuel levels on the two GS's I've owned.  I have often suggested running into the REServe on purpose, and then running the tank all the way out on the REServe setting at least once, so you will have a good idea of how far it will take you in a pinch.  Of course you would either want to carry some extra fuel, or be willing to play with the PRIme setting in order to limp down the road 2 or 3 miles (at most) to a gas station.

I just ran out (had to switch to reserve) at 128.1 miles on my brand new 500f. I also try to use Kerry's maximum fuel technique.  :dunno:

my uk spec gs does same as kerry's bike.roughly 180 then i need to go onto reserve, which normally does another 50 miles or so....like kerry says add a strong headwind into the equation and it is lower :thumb:

Mines the same (GS500F)... get around 180-190 miles, switch to reserve, have another 55-60 miles left.

on my '91 canadian model (is there a difference  :dunno: ) gs, I get about 240 km before switching to reserve.
Working out the fuel consumption, it is consistently 25 km/liter. That's a combination of city and highway.
My riding style is not very aggressive.

:cheers:

Quote from: KerryOn my '99 (same tank and fuel system) I get about 180 miles before switching to REServe.  That's using the "maximum fill" technique at the gas station.

What does that translate to for your mileage?  I got a scarily regular 63 'round town and 70 on long trips, and never got 180 before reserve.  I would fill to the bottom of the filler neck with the bike on the side stand, though.

Quote from: Roadstergal

Quote from: KerryOn my '99 (same tank and fuel system) I get about 180 miles before switching to REServe.  That's using the "maximum fill" technique at the gas station.

What does that translate to for your mileage?  I got a scarily regular 63 'round town and 70 on long trips, and never got 180 before reserve.  I would fill to the bottom of the filler neck with the bike on the side stand, though.

When my bike was newer I would get low-60's.  But for the past long while I've been getting mid-to-high 50's.

Didn't you have a 2001+ model, with an "extra" .8 gallons of capacity?  I'm beginning to think that there IS something weird going on with the newer fuel selector or vacuum connection or something.  (The tank-mounted petcock is the exact same part.)

Tell you what - next time I hit REServe I will fill the tank the same way you did, and then see how much more I can get in there.  That won't be a definitive test for '01+ models though, considering the different tank shape.

No, I had an '00; I think that was the last year for the seat that fit me?

Quote from: RoadstergalNo, I had an '00

OK, good to know.

Reviving an old one...

Another data point.  I got to the spluttery point today on the F and pulled into a gas station less than a mile later.  I filled up almost exactly 3.5gal using my usual method - on the side stand, fill until it hits the bottom of the filler neck (on the left-hand side).  With 1 gallon of reserve, there's 0.8gallons I'm not getting in there by not putting it on the center stand.  That still gives me a darn good range, though - ~240 miles, if this mileage holds up after breakin.  I think I won't sweat the extra gas unless I'm taking a long trip.

We have a '93 which is suppose to have a 4.5 gallon total, with .9 of that reserve.  My daughter was riding the GS yeterday and had to put it on reserve.  The bike was ridden about another 5 miles before we filled it up.  I only put in 2.7 gallons when filling it to the bottom of the filler neck with the bike straight up.  The only thing that I can conclude is that it the total capacity is 4.5 gallons including the air space at the top of the tank.  This air space could be in the .5 to 1 gallon range.  Does anyone have any data on this?  Does it seem normal to only add 2.7 gallons?

Only 100 miles, that's 160Km, for a full tank of 95 octane EuroSuper unleaded fuel.

110 miles, 180Km for a full tank of 97 octane leaded fuel.

'91 GS500 with 39000Mi (63000Km), oil consumption problems
and surely leaking valve seats.

Thunder Competition exhaust, stock jetting (37.5&120) and needle
up with 2 washers.

I run out of gas once and learned the hard way:

My 2004 GS500F will go 248 miles before it needs to be switched to reserve. Of course the number is probably more like 247 since I coasted about a mile. haha.

Now I reset the trip meter every fill up and only go to 200 miles, so I still havea buffer of around 48 miles, PLUS the reserve tank. (I gotta think ahead living out in the boonies!).

:mrgreen:

I've got to say I'm surprised by what I read here.

As with Roadstergal, I also pleased to get decent gas mileage.  I do a lot of short trips that really drinks gas, but when I pushed it to see what "need REServe" feels like, I easily went 180 miles.

But if I go on a trip, it's a whole different story.  Sips gas like fine wine.  I can easily get over 200 per tank, maybe even upwards of 250 before REServe.  :thumb:  All this is with stock jets, exhaust, steady riding style and 87 Octane Regular petrol.

As for how to get the most in there, I agree -- put it on the center stand or stand her up to pour it in.  I believe you can get about a 1/3 gallon more if you let the foam settle and go for filling up the void space rather than settling for the bottom of the filler neck.

If I had a gallon bottle of gas with me and went to bone dry at rural road speeds, I figure I could get over 300 miles on a tank.  Who (besides my butt) says the GS500 can't tour. :)

Quote from: RedShiftIf I had a gallon bottle of gas with me and went to bone dry at rural road speeds, I figure I could get over 300 miles on a tank.

A regular tank bag or tail bag can hold a couple gallons of gas (or a 12-pack of Summit Pale Ale!):

Oh about 200 until i hit reserve...sometimes 210...but thats with pretty hard riding so i'm sure it can go higher.

What's the riding feeling or "sign" when it's time to put it on REServe?  Does the bike chug or something?  Sorry I know this might be a dumb question, but just wondering what to expect?

Thanks

weel she starts to sputter like she is dying, and sometimes will run on one for a while before all the gas is sucked out of the carbs.

Can't remember exactly, but I've had around 320km and filled up before it hit reserve, but I think the mech stuck the fuel hoses on backwards last service and I did 370km and still no cutout so there's something definitely fishy going on.

I usually fill up every 300km whether it needs it or not.

Quote from: BUZZINThe only thing that I can conclude is that it the total capacity is 4.5 gallons including the air space at the top of the tank.  This air space could be in the .5 to 1 gallon range.  Does anyone have any data on this?  Does it seem normal to only add 2.7 gallons?

That air space is why I rock the bike back and forth once the level reaches the bottom of the filler tube.  But it's only worth another .3 gallons or so.

Still, I have had the experience of putting 4.3 gallons in my '99 (same size tank as your '93) ... in the middle of Montana!  (This was after 3 or so roadside stops on PRIme.)  "Thank you, lucky stars!"

Quote from: GS_GirlWhat's the riding feeling or "sign" when it's time to put it on REServe?  Does the bike chug or something?  Sorry I know this might be a dumb question, but just wondering what to expect?

Thanks

Girl, I encourage you and anyone else that have never experienced it to run a tank of gas and run it to REServe.  

It's important to know what it feels like to be starving the engine for gas.  You should know where the switch is and make sure it works to use the last bit of gas.

Better you do this in-town where driveways, parking lots and gas stations are plentiful than out in the open road and learning that the REServe and ON lines are reversed.  (I've heard the horror stories -- they don't happen often but it's best to test. ;) )

Roy...

Quote from: Rema1000

Quote from: RedShiftIf I had a gallon bottle of gas with me and went to bone dry at rural road speeds, I figure I could get over 300 miles on a tank.

A regular tank bag or tail bag can hold a couple gallons of gas (or a 12-pack of Summit Pale Ale!):

My trip odometer is dedicated to measuring the "miles since last fill-up".  So, my tail pack is ready for the next run to the party store for a quick recharge. :cheers:

PS. It might be a good idea to put the gas can in a plastic shopping bag, just in case the cap is "not quite tight enough".   ;)

Must be nice to get the mileage you guys get!  :o

I get around 200km/120 miles before I hit reserve; and then fill up 10 litres.
I have done Kerry's maximum fill technique, and there are more times than not that I get gas coming out to the ground, so I just don't even bother anymore.

I get around 190 km b4 the reserve tank

Something can't be right -- something is out of sync.  A 20 litre tank and you can't get more than 200 km out of it to REServe and it's full again with a 10 litres?  :dunno:  Doesn't add up.  There should be lots left.

You sure there's not something taking up space in the tank? Very wierd.  You guys should be getting 22-28 km/litre easy.

250 miles to a full tank! Thats over 60 miles per gallon. Nice!

I think my bike has the switched-fuel-hoses thing, so I've got no reserve. I usually do 330-350 km before I fill up, and it takes about 15-16 litres... more if I've been doing mostly around-town stuff and pushing it a bit :roll:

My last tank, which is typical, was 217 miles and 3.4 (US) gallons to fill it, so about 64 MPG (which allowing for the speedo error puts me high 50s). I still hadn't gone on reserve.

Its a 95 GS, 7200 miles.

i have a 98 and i ran out (switched fuel hoses) at around 150 a week ago (with some high-revving fun), duckwalking sucks. just filled up at 100 miles and she took in about 2.5 gallons so i'm only getting 40 MPG.  :(

Last time I filled up 15 litres from dry empty tank, waiting for a car to take me to a gas station. :thumb:
With that I could go 120 miles until reserve. That was half country and half city.
I guess my GS is running on a rich mixture, at least that is how the engine sounds like. I can hear it is taking much fuel.

With a 2001, completely stock, I'm getting at least 300 miles before reserve. Using the numbers off the gas pump, I'm getting about 75mpg consistently. Others have had comparable mileage. I don't push the bike hard or use higher rpm. Most of the riding is on curvy, hilly roads which limits speed.

I checked my tire pressures. It was 0.6 bar both on front and rear. We should call it dead flat. :?  :)  I checked it today the first time since I bought it last friday. I guess the previous owner never checked it. I could hardly get the cap off. :lol:
So, I expect my next consumption measurement to be somewhat better. :oops:

that kinda scares me, hearing you guys can get up to 180 before going onto reserve! If i put the bike on centre stand and do that maximum fill technique, i'll still only get between 120 and 140 miles before reserve if i'm lucky! do you think i should worry about this? my bikes restricted to 33bhp but surely this means i should get more!

Matt

It depends on the shape your bike is in.... check your plugs, carbs, and air filter.  What type of fuel are you using?

i use normal premium unleaded. its just had a full service so evrething should be fine. probably ride it too hard!! :dunno: anyways, seems that quite a few other people get the same.

Why do you use premium?  manual says 87 octane... thats what it is tuned for.

Quote from: RedShiftPS. It might be a good idea to put the gas can in a plastic shopping bag, just in case the cap is "not quite tight enough".   ;)

Won't gasoline eat right through those flimsy shopping bags?  I thought I read a recipe for napalm involving 'dissolved shopping bags' in the Anarchist's Cookbook back in the day.

C

sorry, isnt premium. just the normal unleaded! lol.

European people only have 95, 97 and 98 octane fuels.

That's:
- 95 eurosuper unleaded)
- 97 with lead substitute. My '91 GS500 is very happy with it.
- 98 premier fuel (98octane). Noticeably better in mom's VW Golf, but
my GS500 prefers 97 with lead substitute.

Quote from: cay

Quote from: RedShiftPS. It might be a good idea to put the gas can in a plastic shopping bag, just in case the cap is "not quite tight enough".   ;)

Won't gasoline eat right through those flimsy shopping bags?  I thought I read a recipe for napalm involving 'dissolved shopping bags' in the Anarchist's Cookbook back in the day.

C

i am pretty sure thats Styrofoam