Hey all - I am planning a long distance ride in two week, across the Province of Ontario (approximately 1500 kms one-way).  My question to those folks how have done some distances on their GS - what is the average fuel consumption and range you have obtained on faiirly flat conditions and a moderate load (150 lbs driver + 40 lbs luggage)?

I want to make sure I space out my refuels appropriately - especially in some of the more remote areas of the province. 

Allo, any tips on long distance riding would be appreciated.  I have consulted some of the libary articles (which are very good)

Get yourself some serious bug spray.  DEET man, DEET. Either that, or don't stop    ever.  Northern Ontario in May/June? You're blackfly fodder for sure.

If you know it's flat, an 18 tooth sprocket on a continuous ride can give you upwards of 85 mpg if you're careful. But as for long rides, maybe a seat cushion. And earplugs, I controversially wear earphones and put music on it, keeps you attentive on what could otherwise be long boring expanses of road. Oh yeah don't wear a backpack.

Hi. I recently rode from Sydney to Brisbane and back(about 1000km each way). My bike is stock and running the engine at about 6000rpms on average(120kph) I got about 280 to 290km before I needed to change to reserve. Hope that helps.

you can prob get at least 200 highway miles on a tank if not more. the 18t sprocket is a good idea and cheap too.

I weigh 220 and am still getting that much around town so weight shouldn't be much of an issue.  I'd worry more about comfort.

Get a good MSR type fuel cansiter and carry an extra quarter gallon at least of fuel. The GS can get really varried gas millage and odd things always come up on long trips, so its good to know you have a back up even after you are running on reserve.

I typically fill up at the 200km mark, just to be extra cautious.  I can do quite a few more km's before needing the reserve.  But on the long drives I like to stop every 200km's or so to stretch my legs, walk around and all of that.  When I did my last 1000km trek (over 4 days between Toronto and Ottawa) I was driving with a passenger on the highway and it didn't seem to make a huge impact on my fuel economy.

Quote from: 5thAve on May 25, 2009, 09:19:55 PM
Get yourself some serious bug spray.  DEET man, DEET. Either that, or don't stop    ever.  Northern Ontario in May/June? You're blackfly fodder for sure.

He didn't say "northern", so he may mean the Ottawa-to-Winnipeg route.
I've heard that the Lake Superior circle route is a good choige... 1600 km's round-trip (plus mileage to and from the lake:  700 km's from Winnipeg, 800 km's from Ottawa).

I got a trunk case, and about a 10-liter gas can that fits in it.  I rarely use it, but it saves worrying, and avoids all the extra stops I might make "just in case".  Besides, between the tank and the gas can, that's about all the riding my knees can take in one day anyways.

I get about 60 MPG (US gallon/3.785liter) on mine doing mostly 55-60MPH (90-100kph). If you start to have fuel delivery problems (petcock or whatever) then  having an effective tank of 2 gallons gets ugly. (When you need the pressure head to flow thru petcock/rust/filter/strainer/whatever).

So +1 for a few liters of fuel bungeed to the bike in metal canisters. Something that will fall away from you if you dump. And some clear fuel tubing and a spare filter. And bugspray. And pepper spray for the bears

Seriously, something with which to clear your visor (or tearoffs) might be a really good idea.

Quote from: intergalactic on May 26, 2009, 07:40:36 PM
And pepper spray for the bears

A Ranger said there were some brown bears and some black bears on the park lands.  He advised me to bring pepper spray, and also to tie a small bell to my boots when camping (so as not to surprise the bears). 

He also said that I could tell when I was in brown bear country, from looking at the bear scat in the woods:  the brown bear scat was smaller, and contained berry pits.  I asked how you could tell when you were in black bear country.  He replied that the scat was larger, contained small bells, and smelled like pepper spray.

Thanks all, this is very good advice.  In terms of options, I am going to stick to the North Shore of Lake Superior - as opposed to route 11 (Timmins, Cochrane, etc) because the 11 gets rather lonely at points, with some stretches of 250k or more without any stops or gas.

I didn't even think about the bug spray, so I will definitely go invest in some right away    Good to know the range, I am planning a route with refills every 150k or so.  I will also go invest in a spare gas tank.

Thanks for sharing all!

" I asked how you could tell when you were in black bear country.  He replied that the scat was larger, contained small bells, and smelled like pepper spray."

I've heard that one still funny though!

I'd suggest raingear as I found out today. I live in Florida and when I took off for the 16 mile ride to work was beautiful sunshine halfway through downpour. Usually, after a few hours it over. Nope an all nighter. First time in a long time I wasn't looking forward to getting off of work!

Mary

 

Quote from: Toogoofy317 on May 26, 2009, 08:23:19 PM
I'd suggest raingear as I found out today.

The fashion disaster that is Aerostich shines for this. All those unfashionable pockets come in very handy on the long haul, and it's the best raingear I've ever used.  It's also effective crash protection (tested that too).

Of course it costs nearly as much as a used GS.

Quote from: Toogoofy317 on May 26, 2009, 08:23:19 PM

I'd suggest raingear as I found out today. I live in Florida and when I took off for the 16 mile ride to work was beautiful sunshine halfway through downpour. Usually, after a few hours it over. Nope an all nighter. First time in a long time I wasn't looking forward to getting off of work!

Mary

+1 on raingear.

I had that happen the other day...I was sitting here at work, looking at the BEAUTIFUL day, so I thought "hm, I'll take the truck home at noon and bring the bike back."  I'm a grad student and its easier to park the bike at school anyways...

4:50 PM, it starts P-O-U-R-I-N-G.... my gear isn't waterproof, so I got to sit though a 3 hour quantitative analysis class soaked through to my underwear.  I get out of class to go home...beautiful evening  

That's Florida though, huh.

Hey man you a 'nole! I'm a GATOR HATER! If I ever get well enough to get back in school it will either be FSU or the U! I'm split 50/50 whoever gives me the best scholarships and financial aid. Which will probably be FSU due to it being a public school and the U is private!

Mary

Yep, seminole representing.  The building behind my bike in my avatar pic is the Westcott Building, which is like "THE" building at FSU other than Doak Campbell Stadium.  They have a tradition when you turn 21 that your friends chunk you into the fountain that's immediately behind my bike.  Of course, I'm a little older than your prototypical student, but *shrug*

Would be cool if you ended up here, would be nice to have another twinner around.  I saw a f to e convert the other day on campus, probably about a 2001-2002 model, but I haven't seen the rider yet.