how do you know when you run out of gas? is there only 1 way to find out - look into the tank? im planning to ride the bike from san diego to santa ana, and it's about 1 hour of drive. I guess it's a little bit faster with the bike, but im going with friends who gonna drive a car, so i would probably be following their car. How long does a 4 gallon of gas lasts (in miles)? how do yall do this when yall go on a long trip with a motorcycle?
you fill it up, and if your really worried about it get like a gallon gas can, but you should be able to get around 200 miles out of a tank.
Do you have a pre-'01 California model (with a 4-gallon tank)? I ask because my '99 non-CA bike has a 4.5 gallon tank, so what I do may not
quite match your situation. And as far as I know, ALL '01+ models have a 5.3 gallon tank.
First, I actually let the bike go on REServe a few times in my usual commuting and running around near home, where there are plenty of gas stations to choose from. When the bike starts "shuddering" I look at the trip meter (which I reset every time I fill up) to see how far I went on that tank. I can't think of any other way to build up a set of expectations. It's kind of like emergency braking - you want to practice BEFORE you're forced to use the technique.
Then, when I'm on a long highway ride I start thinking about gas stations when I get within about 20 miles of the observed REServe point. Since I have most of a gallon in REServe I usually plan to take it as close to RES as I can. But if you don't have good maps, or aren't sure how far it is to the next gas station, stop a little on the early side. I seem to get slightly BETTER mileage on the road than in town, but again -- until you actually hit REServe a few times while you're "out there" you won't know what to expect.
Finally, if I DO hit REServe out on the road:
* I try not to panic! (The towns out here in the desert can be few and far between.)
* I cut back on the throttle a bit, and use the highest gear I can to keep the RPMs down (~5,000) so I can coax an extra mile or two from the tank.
* I remember that even if fuel stops flowing on the REServe setting, I can still get a few more miles by switching to PRIme, leaning (or sloshing) the bike to the left for half a minute or so, and riding until it happens again. (Repeat as necessary.)[/list:u]I have ridden on REServe for many cumulative miles, but I have always made it to a gas station (so far). Just do your best to keep track of your bike's capabilities, and fill up when you get "close".
SD to SA should be fine with one tank of gas. On my 01 (larger tank) I would go 150-170 miles before hitting reserve, then another 25 miles or so at least (I never actually ran out of gas).
When the bike feels like its run out of gas, just reach down and turn the petcock to RES and keep riding. Dont panic but try getting gas as soon as you can.
The first time or two of switching to RES on the fly can be a little intimidating so you may want to practice this a little bit...
I think the pre 01 models got about 120 before hitting reserve.
With my '00 non Cali bike, out on the freeways burning Cali's version of Chevron 91 octane, I get about 180 miles and then I'm worried. This is after switching to REServe at 155-160 depending on how fast I've gone.
The most I have gotten was 188 miles and then i had to switch to reserve. I have a 96 so I have the 4 gallon tank. I'm sure I could get 250 miles out of one take if I take it super easy on take-off and just cruise around not going faster than 60-70mph.
the best I ever got was 65.675 243 miles 3.7 gallons. I had not even hit reserve when I stopped. that was with 200 lbs of gear on the back.
I normally fill up at 180, I have only had to use reserve twice, both times at around 180 on very steep hills. A lot of my riding is round-the-town stuff so I am not super-economical.
As a rule I fill up every 150miles. This way there is always plenty left just in case.
I hit reserve at around 200 and use it all the time.
I have a 2002 with the 5.3 gallon tank. When I fillup at around 200 miles I can never get in a full 4 gallons so there is plenty of gas left.
There are plenty of gas stations here so there is never a problem. Come to think of it there are a lot of mattress places around here too.
The only time I worry about gas is late at night out in the boonies or early on a Sunday morning up in the Catskills.
This is all fantastic information, so take note.
Just for the record, mapquest says that SD to SA is 89 miles.
Mapquest San Diego to Santa Ana (http://www.mapquest.com/directions/main.adp?go=1&do=nw&un=m&cl=EN&ct=NA&rsres=1&1y=US&1a=&1c=San+Diego&1s=CA&1z=&1ah=&2y=US&2a=&2c=Santa+Ana&2s=CA&2z=&2ah=)
Get gas before you leave SD, and before you leave SA, and you'll be fine. You might make a round trip on one tank, but I wouldn't try.
So no problems.
wow you guys get some nice gas milage....i get about 170 miles to a full tank :roll:
I get 50 mpg and I flog it most of the time.
The last few tankfulls I've been going into Manhattan to work which is about 28 miles each way and am getting a solid 50 mpg commuting. In the am it's about 23 miles of high speed. The last 5 miles is crawling into the Holland Tunnel with lots of riding in that little motorcycle lane in between the cars. On th way back it's about 5 miles crawling through Manhattan (thank goodness for that little motorcycle lane between the card) and into the Lincoln Tunnel. Jersey Tpk for a few miles with an indicated 85 mph. Afterwards it's mixed highway riding.
Since most of my riding is short trips and low-speed in-town riding, I usually get only 45-47mpg. I try to refuel at about 130 on the trip meter. I'm paranoid about running out of gas.
Am I complaining about 45mpg? :?
wow thx guysss this is very helpful
your welcome, just remember the only dumb question is the question not asked. unless it is a real dumb question.
Quote from: GRUwow you guys get some nice gas milage....i get about 170 miles to a full tank :roll:
That's because you go round in donuts instead of going anywhere!
;)
Quote from: gobstopperSince most of my riding is short trips and low-speed in-town riding, I usually get only 45-47mpg. I try to refuel at about 130 on the trip meter. I'm paranoid about running out of gas.
Am I complaining about 45mpg? :?
my SUV gets about 18 miles to a gallon :x
35$ every week to fill it up, it drives me nuts to give away that kind of money every week. that's like 4 six packs :guns:
I could say something about the sensibility of 90% of all SUVs sold, but I won't.
You won't get my commiseration either, though.
I'm an econominist.... :roll: my car gets 35mpg [GT ford escort] and my GS500 gets about 50 on trips but I can squeeze out 28mpg around down darting to stop light to stop sign :P
I think the GS500 is most efficent at about 6.5k rpm's over that and it's "pushing" under 6.5k and it bogs a little. that seems to be my observations on my motor's "sweet spot"