first full weekend with my gs500... loved it!!!
anyway, i filled the tank up and rode around 135 miles and went to the gas station since the previous owner (a friend) and the board pretty much indicated that it would go around that before hitting the reserve. to my surprise, it only took 2.5 gallons to fill up... did the math, better than 50 mpg! then just now i checked the suzuki site and it said that a 2001 has 5.3 gal tank... since 1 gal for the reserve, that means i had close to 2 gal left, possibly another 100 miles to ride??? so, i should be able to get around 230 miles per full tank? i need someone with experience to convince me that this is true!
you may have confused the old tank (135 miles to reserve) and the new capacity (5.3 gal.). I nave a 2001 and get 180+/- to reserve, and also get about 50 mpg. And this is really flogging it in the canyons, not puttering about town.
I suppose it is possible to get 200+ miles out of a tank but I'd never know. As soon as I hit reserve I look for a gas station....
My 2001 model also gets 180-190 miles before reserve easily. Even with spirited riding and long, highRPM highway runs. I average about 52 MPG or so. Just remember to always reset the trip odometer with each fill-up.
The 2001 + hold 5.8 gal.
-Anti
Which makes me to ask, anyone think it would be worth it to attempt to fit a newer tank to an older model? My '95 has the 4 gallon tank, and I can get like 120 miles to reserve if I ride moderately (80's) on the freeway. I would love to get the 180 miles per tank that you are getting, especially for remotely long trips. I want to meet you guys in LA for a canyon ride, but I'd have to fill up the tank twice as often. Anybody ever tried it, or would I be the first? If I'm the first, could I get someone to give me some dimensions for me to check with mine?
Quote from: JBixWhich makes me to ask, anyone think it would be worth it to attempt to fit a newer tank to an older model? My '95 has the 4 gallon tank, and I can get like 120 miles to reserve if I ride moderately (80's) on the freeway. I would love to get the 180 miles per tank that you are getting, especially for remotely long trips. I want to meet you guys in LA for a canyon ride, but I'd have to fill up the tank twice as often. Anybody ever tried it, or would I be the first? If I'm the first, could I get someone to give me some dimensions for me to check with mine?
We meet at a gas station and you can gas up before heading back...you'll be fine on the canyon rides.
Only issue is that I personally think they expanded the spars on the frame for a wider tank from the rearward weld forward to steering head. Not confirmed though-could you measure the width (try going under the tank/frame around the carbs) across the frame at its widest? I'll do the same to compare.
Or get Jessie James to hand roll you a custom tank. They only run about $2500 ;)
Is everybody filling up to the filler neck?
Yep, as close as possible. As long as the pump will let me pump slowly, and not "spit" all over everything when the fuel level gets up there.
Don't forget to use the back-and-forth leaning action to get it as full as you can!
I use the paper towels available (usually) at the gas station to half-way wrap around the nozzle and to hold back the rubber boot (California model pumps). It absorbs some of the gas from overzealous overfillers and keeps the splashing down to a minimum.
Quote from: glenn9171 on June 23, 2003, 06:22:48 AM
My 2001 model also gets 180-190 miles before reserve easily. Even with spirited riding and long, highRPM highway runs. I average about 52 MPG or so. Just remember to always reset the trip odometer with each fill-up.
my 1999 only gets me about 130 mi before i hit reserve. does this make sense?
Quote from: pantablo on June 23, 2003, 03:50:12 PM
Quote from: JBixWhich makes me to ask, anyone think it would be worth it to attempt to fit a newer tank to an older model? My '95 has the 4 gallon tank, and I can get like 120 miles to reserve if I ride moderately (80's) on the freeway. I would love to get the 180 miles per tank that you are getting, especially for remotely long trips. I want to meet you guys in LA for a canyon ride, but I'd have to fill up the tank twice as often. Anybody ever tried it, or would I be the first? If I'm the first, could I get someone to give me some dimensions for me to check with mine?
We meet at a gas station and you can gas up before heading back...you'll be fine on the canyon rides.
Only issue is that I personally think they expanded the spars on the frame for a wider tank from the rearward weld forward to steering head. Not confirmed though-could you measure the width (try going under the tank/frame around the carbs) across the frame at its widest? I'll do the same to compare.
I was told that all year tanks bolt up with all year frames with no modification. I'd love to see someone confirm this.
Quote from: 905mike on June 25, 2008, 01:02:59 PM
Quote from: glenn9171 on June 23, 2003, 06:22:48 AM
My 2001 model also gets 180-190 miles before reserve easily. Even with spirited riding and long, highRPM highway runs. I average about 52 MPG or so. Just remember to always reset the trip odometer with each fill-up.
my 1999 only gets me about 130 mi before i hit reserve. does this make sense?
The '01 tank is larger and has a higher fuel capacity then your '99 tank.
holy thread resurrection batman !
Quote from: bucks1605 on June 25, 2008, 02:14:13 PM
The '01 tank is larger and has a higher fuel capacity then your '99 tank.
The wiki has some related details:
http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Main/Fuel
'04 bone stock
I commute to work, mostly interstate at 70+ mph. I consistently get 204 miles before going to reserve. My best was 221 miles and I still had not gone to reserve when I stopped for fuel.
Be Safe.
PJ
I have done 320miles on a tank but I must be prepared to push.For a while I didn't use my frame mounted petcock and ran str8 from the tank to the carbs.I ran between 60mph and 75mph on the highway.Yes I set my odometer and I was running an all stock bike.Plus my bike has fairings which help with aerodynamics.I tuck in on the highway.Keeps the wind buffeting down.
OK, can somebody please tell me how a US gallon compares to a brit gallon, as I cant see 4 gallon fitting in my tank, I normally fill up around the 120-130 miles ish ans get about 10-11 litres in. Thats only 2 and a bit UK gallons. :icon_confused:
One imperial gallon is approximately equal to 1.201 U.S. gallons.
Quote from: oobyscoot on June 26, 2008, 01:18:46 AM
OK, can somebody please tell me how a US gallon compares to a brit gallon, as I cant see 4 gallon fitting in my tank, I normally fill up around the 120-130 miles ish ans get about 10-11 litres in. Thats only 2 and a bit UK gallons. :icon_confused:
What year is your bike pre 01 had a smaller tank.
fill the tank while holding the bike upright, that got me another 75miles.......
I have a '99 and I fill with the side stand set and get between 130(aggressive riding) and 150(easy rider) miles before reserve. This is consistently 3 gallons consumed.
I figure if reserve is right at a gallon I can get another 50 miles before dry if I take it easy.
I would guess that there is another .5 gallon capacity if I stood the bike up straight while filling.
r
Well I'm at 163 miles and still havent hit my reserve on my '93. Just loafing around the neighborhood at 45-65 mph.
commuterdude.
What sort of RPM range do you cruise at? Since having a charging problem with my extra lighting I am keeping revs at 4K + around town VS 3K.
4k-5k for most of the tank. I have been trying to keep it between 5 and 6K since doing a bit of reading here, in order to keep it on the power curve a little better. I am really enjoying this sweet running bike.
I just checked my odometer and I am now at 178.3 miles without hitting reserve. I changed plugs, changed the oil, and cleaned out the carbs. The bike is set up totally stock. I weigh 168.
update....I started to get that boggy feeling at 183, so I switched to reserve, just a bare improvement, apparently my petcock is acting up and I had ridden the tank about dry at 183 miles. Anyhoo filled her up
again and good to go. There was a dude on a new Ninja 500 at the pump, no "bro wave" or any justice....apparently my atrocious noob pump routine is visible for miles. Did have a rough looking lass try to trade her IROC camaro for my GS.
its a 98. Not sure exactly on the tank size, never run her down to reserve.
on my ride yesterday highway on the highway between 6-8k and canyon carving 8-10k and constant engine braking I got 130 before reserve on my 99.
Reviving this thread with my noob rider stats:
'96 GS500E
Fill to: bottom of neck while on center stand
Miles to reserve: 135
Fuel held (from 140 miles): 2.72 gallons
Mileage: approx 50 mpg
Tank size: 4.0 total, 0.9 reserve
Average RPM: approx 6K
Petcock: new (fuel starvation issue repair)
Normal? Or should I not have to flip to reserve so soon?
Sounds right to me.
Quote from: bigdaub on June 22, 2003, 10:58:47 PM
first full weekend with my gs500... loved it!!!
anyway, i filled the tank up and rode around 135 miles and went to the gas station since the previous owner (a friend) and the board pretty much indicated that it would go around that before hitting the reserve. to my surprise, it only took 2.5 gallons to fill up... did the math, better than 50 mpg! then just now i checked the suzuki site and it said that a 2001 has 5.3 gal tank... since 1 gal for the reserve, that means i had close to 2 gal left, possibly another 100 miles to ride??? so, i should be able to get around 230 miles per full tank? i need someone with experience to convince me that this is true!
My 2008 gets about 57mpg. This is mostly city riding with a 225lb dude on board with his tank bag. I usually fill up as soon as I break 200 on the tripometer in case my milage drops because of lead wrist.
Quote from: littleblackjeep on June 26, 2008, 12:47:17 PM
fill the tank while holding the bike upright, that got me another 75miles.......
good idea. i now always fill up with my bike on the centre-stand instead of leaned over on the side-stand.
I always fill up with it on the side stand, usually go 170-180 miles per fillup, never hit the reserve, usually about 3.1 gallons :p
I have a 2006. I do fill it as high as I can, holding the pump half out of the tank, filling it until I don't dare put any more in lest it over flow...
I did 220 on it once but I had turned it to reserve before heading out for the last leg of that one.
Before the State of Florida mandated E10 (10% ethonol) I got 63 mpg solo and 60 with the wifie on rides to Key West of about 270 miles round trip (if you go over 60 mph your asking for a ticket in the Fl. Keys). Now with the alcohol crap I get 60 and 57 but it still works out real well. I hit reserve at about 220 and it will take 3.8 US gallons. I have a 05 500F, I guess being old with a bunch of sons makes me take it much easier than you young fellas, my bike rarely sees 70 mph :icon_mrgreen:.
Quote from: birdman on June 26, 2008, 03:29:54 PM
I have a '99 and I fill with the side stand set and get between 130(aggressive riding) and 150(easy rider) miles before reserve. This is consistently 3 gallons consumed.
I figure if reserve is right at a gallon I can get another 50 miles before dry if I take it easy.
I would guess that there is another .5 gallon capacity if I stood the bike up straight while filling.
r
yup. my experience as well.
Just a note....I found this tank capacity and mpg discussion interesting. Although I had searched around I had not been able to find anyone else with my stats. I have a 2000gs. Although I was told when I purchased it (used) to fill up at about 130miles I finally got brave and decided to stretch her out and see what I could get. I've been commuting on her now for just over 2 years, about 100 miles a day and I consistently get 68-73mpg!!! She is completely stock and I've now got about 41k on her. She had just over 7k when I got her. I'm thinking I'll change the plugs soon, but I haven't wanted to mess with it (other than routine maintenance) since she was performing so well. The 2000 has the smaller tank. About 3.3gal, I think. If I fill her to the brim (including keeping her upright while filling and jiggling and topping her off several times as she gulps the fuel, I feel confident about riding 190 miles before looking for gas. I have been about 206 before switching to reserve. Having said that, I don't know how far my reserve would take me, although if it's .9 gal, it should take me 50-60 more miles....right?
I want to thank everyone who contributes to this site. It's been a wealth of wonderful information to this *chick* trying to learn what I can. I'm doing all my own maintenance (so far), including changing tires, chains, sprockets, brakes and fluid, battery, etc. I couldn't have done it all without all of you.
Cheers! :cheers: ;)
I'm getting 55 to 56 mpg with a 96 model. I'm 6 4 and about 265 lbs. Have a lunch box, full vance/hines and stage 3 dynojet. have a 17t front sprocket that reduces rpm's by about 4.5%. I like it much better. front tire @ 35 to 36 and back @ 36 psi. fill the tank upright until I get tired of short squirts. Great little bike with plenty of power to pull me around at any speed. Also have a Natl Cycle Plexfairing 3 with the lowers and nylon bags on the rear. :)
When I first got my 04 last year my top was 201 before hitting reserve. Now I'm only getting about 165 before hitting reserve? I'm just doing city riding haven't been on I-4 in a while. What issues could be causing this? Or if it is a problem.
Mary S.
Either your riding style has changed or you need to tune the bike... Have you done valves lately?
yep i have a 96 with tank bags and saddle bags...
usually get 52mpg even when gunning every now and then.
I figure gas up every 150 miles, and walk around abit.
As for finding out how far you really can go on reserve...
fill up a bottle of gas, reset the trip when you switch to reserve
and go till it poops out.
Toogoofy - your petcock could be acting up thoug I hear that the newer models have more robust ones. How many gallons did you add when you got to 201 miles versus gallons at 165? Did your MPG change? If the MPG is about the same, it's probably something in the fuel delivery lines.
:cheers:
Mine's a 2007 F - completely stock. I'm 215 lbs. I typically get 210 (or more... up to 225 miles) per tank before hitting reserve. I'm averaging 59.1 MPG over 7200 miles since I bought her new from the dealer in June. Mostly highway commuter miles, averaging 5K to 6K RPM while cruising (between 65 - 70 mph). I'm thinking my MPG will suffer a little as the weather gets colder with longer warm-up time. I'm in SE PA, and will ride as long as there's no ice on the road, or until that morning when I roll out of bed and say "F***-it, I'm driving".
I don't even get off the bike to fill up; I just stand over her keeping her upright between my legs (Try it sometime! And then do it on the bike... LOL). I fill it right to the bottom of the neck. I figure I've got an easy 50 miles after I hit reserve; easily enough to get me home from work (35 miles each way).
I'm hoping that time doesn't come too soon... I sure do enjoy my commute on a bike! :thumb:
Mike
I don't quite remember on the 201 I had to change it though to reserve at the stop light before the gas station. I want to say 3.5 but it was a while ago. Last night I was at 165 miles and put in 2.73. According to that it's getting around 60 but it was riding as if I might have needed to go to reserve very quickly. I dunno I think it may need a valve job :dunno_white:
My riding style if anything has been less agressive haven't been doing interstate driving and really don't go over 6k idling.
ahhh, the joys of figuring out our sweathearts!
Mary S
Checking the valves is a good idea.
That woudl be 57 MPG for the 201 miles and 60 MPG for the 165 - pretty similar performance. I woudln't be surprised if your fuel petcock is starting to act up. Keep an eye on it and if the early switch to reserve trend continues, you might want to work on that a bit. There are lots of posts about the petcock problem.
I know the original post of this thread is old as shaZam!, but i've got a 2001 GS500 and have regularly put 290-310 miles on it before having to fill up.
I just filled up yesterday at 310 miles with only 4.589 gallons. That comes out to almost 67mpg
Not too shabby :cool:
Pretty good mileage. I'm getting about 57 MPG. I 've only had my gs about three months - it runs really well. I live in Colorado at about 5,000 ft elevation. Probably similar to Albequeque.
Turkeychicken - question about your mileage: Is your bike stock? Have you rejetted, the changed air filter or exhaust? Just trying to understand what's possible - you are getting really high mileage. I use my GS mostly for commuting and high MPG is a plus for that. My GS has a Uni airfilter, slip on exhaust, has been rejetted (before I bought it), has 2 washers on the needles and is at 3 turns on the pilot screw.