What kinda range are riders getting with their California-spec Gs500s?

According to the FAQs I've read with a 3.6 + .9 gallon tank (it's a 90 model) with average mileage at 53.9 (according to the Eurospares FAQ), I can do 242 miles on a tank of gas... not likely.        

What real-world numbers are freeway-riding folks getting?
FYI - I was riding the 15 from Escondido to Mission Valley daily on a Ninja 250, but it got to be too much for the little Ninja, so I'm 4Runner bound right now.  I'll be riding a Gs soon enough for the commute, just wondering what sorta mileage I can expect??

Thanks.



Rolly

If you're really going all the way to the bottom of the reserve, I'd guess that 200 miles is a little more likely.  I can do about 200 in my 4.6 mile tank before reserve kicks in; maybe a little less.  My bike isn't California-spec though.

From memory I seem to think the early models got 130 or so before hitting reserve. newer (01+) gets about 180 before reserve.

That's what I get on my 01 CA model.

On my recent trip I was painfully reminded that you need to allow for possible headwinds.

Around town I usually don't hit REServe until about the 180-mile mark.  On one day's 70-80 mph ride in Montana I hit REServe at about 140 and ran very close to dry at 180.  (After a couple of roadside stop-and-waits, I put in 4.3 gallons - the most ever!)

My '99 bike is also non-CA, but I was carrying a significant amount of luggage.  Uphills are tough on the ol' gal, but headwinds are the WORST.  The higher-than-normal speeds didn't help much either....

Quote from: Rollin668According to the FAQs I've read with a 3.6 + .9 gallon tank

I thought pre 01 bikes CA bikes had a 4.0 gal tank?  I usually go about 130 before reserve (99 CA).  I think the furthest I've gone, including RES is 180 and I hadn't run dry yet.  It also depends on how patient you are when topping off the tank (at least on my bike, it takes forever to get that last gallon in)... So I've never actually had it 100% full.

Quote from: chimivee

Quote from: Rollin668According to the FAQs I've read with a 3.6 + .9 gallon tank

I thought pre 01 bikes CA bikes had a 4.0 gal tank?  I usually go about 130 before reserve (99 CA).  I think the furthest I've gone, including RES is 180 and I hadn't run dry yet.  It also depends on how patient you are when topping off the tank (at least on my bike, it takes forever to get that last gallon in)... So I've never actually had it 100% full.

CA Pre 00 was 4.0 (.9) reserve
NonCA Pre 00 was 4.3 (.9) reserve
CA 01+ was 5.0 (1.0) reserve
NonCA 01+ was 5.3(1.0) reserve

I don't know what size my tank is, and I don't really care anymore, because I never go more than 125 miles before a fill up now. Three times, while trying to determine the range of my tank, I've run out of gas (luckily 100 yards from a gas station, and once I coasted in). Each of those times I went 175 miles in-city, and I completely drained the tank dry. I made this mistake, because I thought I could get 45mpg and figured the tank to be a 4gal tank with .8gal reserve. So 45miles times 4gal equals 180 miles to the tankfull before hitting reserve. WRONG! I am currently averaging 50 - 60 mpg freeway, but I still fill up around 125. I just don't like running out of gas, pushing the bike and being embarassed (fragile ego ).

I have a New Yawk '01.  Around town and limited hiway (AFTER rejet) I get mid 50's/gallon.  High speed, headwinds, gear...bring it down to mid 40's.  As Kerry pointed out, judge mileage by your particular conditions and riding style...they really change the numbers.

I always refuel once I hit the reserve...not too hard.

I get about 160-170 miles before I hit reserve in my 95, I usually get gas at about 180 or so and fill it up. Once I hit the reserve I look for gas stations.

Pod Filter and stock exhaust.

I own a '96 GS (not a CA model).

My last check I got 196 miles on 4 gallons of 87 unleaded ---> 46 miles per gallon.

These are all highway miles doing 75-80 mph when possible (if you assume the 10% speedo error it is probably more like 68-72 mph).

On a recent trip from Georgia I was averaging closer to 55 highway miles per gallon doing 55-60 mph.

Hope this helps,
Flash

1989 Nevada bike
140 miles to reserve in town
~48-50mpg

On one long freeway tour I went 198 to reserve

so would using premium gas make a difference?

Quote from: brandiwineso would using premium gas make a difference?

No.

brandiwine wrote:
so would using premium gas make a difference?

um, yeah,,,,,,,, in price..... :mrgreen:

on my 02 CA model i get about 175-180 miles  before i usually hit reserve
I do alot of I-5 riding to and from school (80 mile commute one way) at 70-80 mph indicated
i usually fill up around 150 because i pass gas stations constanly on my way to school and its nice to get off the bike after 45 mins or so

I made 130 before reserve in my 02 last night....I was sweating it a little because I had a bit before hitting a gas station since I had just passed one and thought about going back to it but didnt'.

I was going balls to the wall....normally with spirited riding I am around 150-160....I haven't been very conservative yet.