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". :dunno_black: I tried searching for help but I had no luck. And Thanks for any help in trying to solve my problem!
I don't see a problem here, unless I misunderstand your question. The way you described it is how it works.
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.
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.
That sounds about right, I get around 160km out of my tank. The GS tank/fueling set-up is an abortion.
Quote from: bryan88 on June 03, 2012, 09:55:18 PM
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?
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.
Quote from: bryan88 on June 03, 2012, 11:21:31 PM
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? :dunno_black:
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
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.
Quote from: bryan88 on June 04, 2012, 02:51:20 AM
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 :laugh:
Haha lol Hope you dont get stranded :dunno_white:
Ha ha, I just edited my post as not to offend you.
Lol, I wasnt offended :thumb: 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.
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.
Quote from: bryan88 on June 04, 2012, 03:11:23 AM
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? :icon_lol:
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
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.
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.
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 :icon_mrgreen: I guess my bike is fine and I was just over reacting.
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa405/alexp77/GS500/b9c5b863.jpg)
and heres a picture of my bike
Nice bike :thumb:.
QuoteAnd plus Im from NJ so I never pump my own gas anyway :icon_mrgreen:
I can't NOT pump my own gas, I'm always leaning over the gas cap to look in while filling and make sure it doesn't overfill and run all over my pretty bike! :o I don't think I'd ever trust someone else to fill the gas tank on my bike, especially when I'm sitting right there!
I like the purple tho, very nice color :thumb:
Quote from: alexp on June 04, 2012, 07:57:31 AMAnd plus Im from NJ so I never pump my own gas anyway
Oh that explains it!
I really don't like states that require someone else to pump your gas. I know in Oregon at least, they will let you pump your own if you are on a motorcycle, but the attendant is still the one who actually interacts with the machine. I prefer to do it all myself.
I had no idea that states like that existed...
Ive got as high as 150miles/tank, and as low as 90miles/tank (That was a fun 90m though!)
Average is about 120miles. Usually fill up around 100m though, just in case..
Oh, and here in the UK, people have to pump their own fuel - unless your disabled etc..
Well they hand you the nozzle when you are filling up your bike. It would be kinda weird to have someone doing it while your sitting on the bike lol. Im just not used to it. You dont even have to get out of your car when they are filling it up ha. And thanks for the complements. I like the bike and the color although I wasnt quite sure about it when I bought it. I got it for a good price and the only real blemish is this
(http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa405/alexp77/GS500/e195a42b.jpg)
I guess its from someone spilling a chemical on it because i dont think its the exhaust. Idk what to do about it maybe sand it down and paint it black or something. Thanks for the replies :icon_mrgreen:
I have the same spot on my fender as well... backside of the front fender? ... it looks like it has just bubbled up from heat because it is close to the exhaust headers. Mine doesn't look as pronounced, but it is black so it doesn't stand out as much and it is not noticeable.
- Bboy
Lol yeah backside of the front fender. I thought it was a pretty odd spot but the exhaust does get quite hot
Quote from: alexp on June 04, 2012, 11:10:57 AMI got it for a good price and the only real blemish is this
Got the same colour. I hated it at first, now i love it. :D
*PS - your wheels are soooo much cleaner than mine
To keep on topic - think im low on fuel..
Quote from: vinny on June 04, 2012, 01:07:43 PM
Got the same colour. I hated it at first, now i love it. :D
*PS - your wheels are soooo much cleaner than mine
To keep on topic - think im low on fuel..
Haha I thought the same thing. And its funny because I dont think my wheels are that clean. I guess I should wash my bike :icon_mrgreen:
I dont mind off topic threads either lol
Did Alexp ever fix is poor mileage? Did he find out what is wrong? I'm getting 46mpg on my '93.
He didn't really have a poor mileage problem... he was still getting over 50mpgs - His fuel tank wasn't getting full while fueling up. The GS tank holds a lot of gas at the top of the tank upto the neck of the cap. Filling that void increases the range you can go before switching to reserve.
- Bboy
Quote from: codajastal on June 04, 2012, 01:03:20 AM
Quote from: bryan88 on June 03, 2012, 11:21:31 PM
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? :dunno_black:
I require proof of this claim. Are you filling it up waaaay past the limit? Driving 40km/h everywhere you go? Turning off the bike on downhill stretches?
I've nursed 250 km's out of a tank before, but that was very slow riding and having filled the tank nearly to overflow.
Quote from: jacob_ns on August 15, 2012, 07:39:47 PM
Quote from: codajastal on June 04, 2012, 01:03:20 AM
Quote from: bryan88 on June 03, 2012, 11:21:31 PM
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? :dunno_black:
I require proof of this claim. Are you filling it up waaaay past the limit? Driving 40km/h everywhere you go? Turning off the bike on downhill stretches?
I've nursed 250 km's out of a tank before, but that was very slow riding and having filled the tank nearly to overflow.
I'll buy that, 300 km = 187.5 miles. That's about where I used to hit reserve on my 97 GS regularly. Squeezed 300 miles out of one 4.5 gal tank one day following a conservative friend on a big cruiser.
i've got a 20ltr tank.... but saying that ... if i refill the tank after 350km it is only about 16ltrs usually..
with the 20ltr tank and moderate riding i usually switch to reserve about 380-ish .. with nanna riding its 430 ish .. and with "devil rides tonight" style its about 340-ish ...
once i do hit reserve i usually try to fill up within 30k .. think its got a bit more than that but i'm too lazy to push the bike very far if it runs out! :thumb: