Ive got a 2004 FK5 and I typically get about 180miles before I need to switch to reserve. I generally fill up ASAP when that happens, but took a bit of a risk jumping on a motorway for 15 miles just after switching to reserve the other day, going another 8 miles afterwards before filling up

My question is, what sort of range can you expect to get when on reserve? Was 23 miles pushing it? I know a 4 litre reserve should equal over 50miles but in practice am sceptical I'd get that, particularly on a motorway...

Did a search of forum threads but couldn't find a topic that exactly asked this question!
Cheers

There are 2 types of tanks, with different tank/reserve sizes.

Old GSs have a 17 litre tank, with 10.5 litres + 6.5litres reserve.

New tanks... don't know.

New tanks are 20L with 3.8L reserve. I typically get 400km/250miles before reserve and have pushed it out to 470km putting 18.5L in the tank.

Your 2004 will have the newer 20L tank.

had over 60miles on reserve on 2009 f

You can get far enough to reach a gas station 

You did 23 miles. You could probably do 30 and still make it fine. But for now you know you can get 23 so leave it at that. As always, best practice is to tank up as soon as you can after hitting reserve. Otherwise, if you ride until the absolute end as you think it is, one day you will be left stranded.

Michael

You guys are lucky, i rarely get to 150miles before hitting reserve (97gs - old tank).. Never got near 200 miles before.

I went 300 miles on a tank of gas once years ago on my stock 97 GS, took close to 4.5 gal to fill.   

I have an 09F.  Bone Stock, I used to switch to reserve at about 200 miles.  This was a combination of city/highway, but mostly highway.  Could go another 50 miles before I got nervous.  I could have gone longer, but I didn't want to have to call the wife to bring the Jerry cans again.  That would happen a lot on my old 82 GS-450L with a small tank.

Thanks for all the responses folks, seems like I could go on a bit more than the 23 miles I last did while on reserve, but conclusion would be best not to risk it if I don't have to! 

Cheers

Odd..I could only go around 150 on my "2007" before hitting reserve, even though I usually get good mpg.

Wonder if the prior owner swapped the tank,yet somehow got the stock paint job?
HMMm.... ?

Quote from: gsJack on July 04, 2012, 06:21:03 AM
I went 300 miles on a tank of gas once years ago on my stock 97 GS, took close to 4.5 gal to fill.   

Reallly?!damn

Doing what, holding 40 mph going in circles on flat ground with no wind?    Math tells me that shouldn't happen...

that's about 66 mpg.
Could be possible if you're going to, for example, boulder colorado, straight down some highway decreasing elevation for 300 miles? 

fair enough, sounds plausible.    Someone must be nice and gentle with their right hand haha 

Quote from: mr. happy on July 04, 2012, 08:04:06 PM

Quote from: gsJack on July 04, 2012, 06:21:03 AM
I went 300 miles on a tank of gas once years ago on my stock 97 GS, took close to 4.5 gal to fill.   

Reallly?!damn

Doing what, holding 40 mph going in circles on flat ground with no wind?    Math tells me that shouldn't happen...

Did it following Bob.    I hooked up with a new friend just before I got my 97 GS 13 years ago and we were soon riding several days a week all over NE Ohio and NW PA.  He was about my age and we had a lot in common except he rode big cruisers in a rather conservative manner.  I always followed him, if I took the lead I would have to keep stopping or slowing for him to catch up.  I was getting about 70 mpg regularly when I decided to go for 300 miles that day.  Fortunately there was a gas station nearby as I reached the 300 mile mark.  He has since passed away so my milage is more the 60-65 summers and 50-55 winters I've always gotten with the GSs.

costs me $6.00 at $3.68/gallon for 110 miles round trip to work and back. I can't say how much I love the GS!. So thats 1.63gallons - and 67Mpg.

If I hit reserve the most I've traveled was 22 miles highway 65mph and filled up.


I have a K4 and bone stock.

I rip it everywhere I go on my bike so I'm usually around 50mg or a little less. If I run it to reserve which I rarely do, I'm usually switching it at 185-200 miles.

The other day though I switched it at 165. I was having a lot of fun on the highway that day.

Oh, to answer the question though, I believe I've gotten close to 35 miles on reserve before but I drove very nicely and was getting pretty nervous towards the end. ( Left my wallet at the house and couldn't fill up)

I can ride 50 to 55 miles after I go to reserve gas tank if I ride 55 MPH to 60 MPH.  Hope this helps.

my 08f goes 400-460kms before reserve and takes 15 liters to fill. with a 20 liter tank im not worried about running out. mileage is 72mpg minimum to 85 max. running a 140 rear tire and a 17 tooth sprocket helps in the mpg department.

If you're up to it or just curious, a good way to test your specific machine's range is to carry a container of gas with you and ride her till she runs out.  Then refill with your spare gas.

It's good to practice safely carrying spare gas anyway if you're heading to a remote site.  I was planning a ride from LA to Death Valley and having the spare definitely buys peace of mind.

Interesting my MPGs are running 43-47. Even more interesting I "accidentally" put a tank of premium in Flick. My MPG 36! So, yup more money for less MPG!

I get around 200 miles per tank on average!

Mary