pete_t Posted August 8, 2008 Share #1 Posted August 8, 2008 I'm new to this site but been ridding a RSV for 3 yrs and have 52k miles on it. My question is, with a 6 gal tank why won't it use at least 5.5 before I have to fill up? I coasted into a station (after going on reserve) and it only held 4.5 gal. The most I've gotten out of a tank is 170 miles. I average between 40-46 MPG so I should get 220-250 miles to a tank. I was on a trip with a couple of gold wingers last year and they could go 200 easy & I had to stop at 130-150 (doing 75-80 on hwy) ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRICIATED!! pete_t@bellsouth.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragerman Posted August 9, 2008 Share #2 Posted August 9, 2008 I go the two hundred but am well into the reserve when I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragerman Posted August 9, 2008 Share #3 Posted August 9, 2008 The other thing you can do is punch a hole on the tank side of the fill neck so you can squeeze more fuel in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7Goose Posted August 9, 2008 Share #4 Posted August 9, 2008 I'm new to this site but been ridding a RSV for 3 yrs and have 52k miles on it. My question is, with a 6 gal tank why won't it use at least 5.5 before I have to fill up? I coasted into a station (after going on reserve) and it only held 4.5 gal. The most I've gotten out of a tank is 170 miles. I average between 40-46 MPG so I should get 220-250 miles to a tank. I was on a trip with a couple of gold wingers last year and they could go 200 easy & I had to stop at 130-150 (doing 75-80 on hwy) ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRICIATED!! pete_t@bellsouth.net Why did you coast into a station after going on reserve? You had at least 60 more miles to RIDE without coasting anywhere! I have used virtually all of my 6 gallons numerous times - twice I have filled up with 5.8+ gallons after pushing it to the hairy limit on reserve. Goose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Saddletramp Posted August 9, 2008 Share #5 Posted August 9, 2008 I go onto reserve at or around 180 miles and consistently run between 40 to 45 mpgs. The furthest that I have pushed it was 230 miles. Not fond of running out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brake Pad Posted August 9, 2008 Share #6 Posted August 9, 2008 Why did you coast into a station after going on reserve? You had at least 60 more miles to RIDE without coasting anywhere! I have used virtually all of my 6 gallons numerous times - twice I have filled up with 5.8+ gallons after pushing it to the hairy limit on reserve. Goose 135 miles, then go to reserve, and only 24 miles while pulling my trailer, loaded, two up. Pulling trailer, always carry extra gas. NOW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cecdoo Posted August 9, 2008 Share #7 Posted August 9, 2008 Great question I have been wondering this very thing, the fuel display switches on on the dash about 190 miles, it starts bucking I switch to reserve, drive another 25 miles, Stop get gas and put 4.5 gal. in?? If the tank holds 6 gal. I could easily go another 50 miles? why do they have the reserve set so early? Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRider Posted August 9, 2008 Share #8 Posted August 9, 2008 Before doing an Iron Butt ride, I filled the bike and a 1 gal gas can that I stapped to the luggage rack. Ran it out of fuel to see how far it would really go. Used the 1 gallon to get me to a gas station. 211 miles (indicated) at highway speeds. RR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamB Posted August 9, 2008 Share #9 Posted August 9, 2008 I have gone on reserve as low as 130 and as much as 170 , but then go to a gas station ASAP as I don't want no trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Dollar Posted August 9, 2008 Share #10 Posted August 9, 2008 Same thing happened with me on my vacation run. I was thinking it must be a 5 gallon tank. Sure glad to know there is 1.5 gallons left when the low fuel light come on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V7Goose Posted August 9, 2008 Share #11 Posted August 9, 2008 Great question I have been wondering this very thing, the fuel display switches on on the dash about 190 miles, it starts bucking I switch to reserve, drive another 25 miles, Stop get gas and put 4.5 gal. in?? If the tank holds 6 gal. I could easily go another 50 miles? why do they have the reserve set so early? Craig If you only got 4.5 gallons in after going 25 miles on reserve, then you are not really filling the tank. But this is a normal problem with the stock tank - that long filler neck makes it almost impossible to get it full. That is easily fixed by venting the top of the filler neck (see the tech library). The owners manual says the reserve comes on with 1 gal remaining. In my experience with three different RSVs, this is WRONG. It comes on with 1.5 gallons remaining.. Even with the best fuel economy reported here, after riding another 25 miles, you should have been able to add at least 5 gallons. Goose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missionary Rider Posted August 9, 2008 Share #12 Posted August 9, 2008 I've drug my feet for 24 hours hoping someone else would say what Goose said. He is correct. 1. When you switch to reserve, remember you have at least one gallon of fuel left. 2. You are probably not filling the tank completely. It takes time and effort but you can put, at least, another half-gallon in according to the mileage you indicated. One final commment: It is impossible to compare MPG and MPT (per tank) figures because riding styles and speeds vary so widely. THe difference between cruising the freeway at 80mph and puttering along sightseeing the back roads is HUGE. Good job Goose Lynn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
awsmsrv Posted August 9, 2008 Share #13 Posted August 9, 2008 I've also punched the holes in the filler tube & average 5.5 gallons per fill-up, once did 5.85. I don't know about anyone else, but I can smell the gas when it gets really low, too. I don't smell it any other time. Anyone else ever notice that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnyButch Posted August 9, 2008 Share #14 Posted August 9, 2008 (edited) I have gone 225 before filling up and I was starting to get a little nervous about it, gas stations were kind of scarce where I was. This was on the dash odometer too so the real miles were a little lower. Now I primarily use the fuel warning on the Zumo with the warning set at 180 and the fuel odometer on the dash as the backup. I always have the petcock on reserve. Almost forgot, after 225 the tank accepted 5.3 gal. Edited August 9, 2008 by GunnyButch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEW47 Posted August 9, 2008 Share #15 Posted August 9, 2008 Went 209 miles and put in 4.9 gallons in which is 42.6 on interstate at 70 to 80 mph tew47 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brake Pad Posted August 9, 2008 Share #16 Posted August 9, 2008 I think this all comes down to carb settings. I'm in South Florida, Flat, flat roads, I only get 135-140, before going to reserve and only 24 miles onreserve, filled up 5.9 gallons This sucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cecdoo Posted August 10, 2008 Share #17 Posted August 10, 2008 If you only got 4.5 gallons in after going 25 miles on reserve, then you are not really filling the tank. But this is a normal problem with the stock tank - that long filler neck makes it almost impossible to get it full. That is easily fixed by venting the top of the filler neck (see the tech library). The owners manual says the reserve comes on with 1 gal remaining. In my experience with three different RSVs, this is WRONG. It comes on with 1.5 gallons remaining.. Even with the best fuel economy reported here, after riding another 25 miles, you should have been able to add at least 5 gallons. Goose Thanks for the info, I always fill it to just above the bottom of the filler neck, so as not to have it expand and run out all over the place, I guess I should carry a gal. of gas in the bag one time, and see how far I can go after the F gauge comes on on the dash. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venturejockey Posted August 11, 2008 Share #18 Posted August 11, 2008 You can fill it up completely without punching holes in the filler neck. The vent tube located under the plastic pod on top of the tank will allow the level to rise all of the way to the top of the filler hole. You just have to put the fuel in wait for the level to equalize. Squirt some more in, allow the level to equalize, and repeat until the tank is completly full. Careful squeezing the last drop in can be messy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_t Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share #19 Posted August 11, 2008 I "coasted" into the station because I was OUT OF GAS.....I had filled up (to the top of the tank) and stayed under 65 mph. After I hit reserve, I rode another 30 miles and it started sputtering. I put the choke on a few times to get to the pumps. Then I could only put in 4.5 gallons -- I filled it all the way to the top again. And I know the OM says to only fill to the top of the neck but I go all the way up. All I wanted to know is if anyone else has had this problem and if there was a "fix". I do have a 6 gal tank and can only use 4.5 gallons................. Why did you coast into a station after going on reserve? You had at least 60 more miles to RIDE without coasting anywhere! I have used virtually all of my 6 gallons numerous times - twice I have filled up with 5.8+ gallons after pushing it to the hairy limit on reserve. Goose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squidley Posted August 11, 2008 Share #20 Posted August 11, 2008 I "coasted" into the station because I was OUT OF GAS.....I had filled up (to the top of the tank) and stayed under 65 mph. After I hit reserve, I rode another 30 miles and it started sputtering. I put the choke on a few times to get to the pumps. Then I could only put in 4.5 gallons -- I filled it all the way to the top again. And I know the OM says to only fill to the top of the neck but I go all the way up. All I wanted to know is if anyone else has had this problem and if there was a "fix". I do have a 6 gal tank and can only use 4.5 gallons................. Sounds to me like you didn't have the petcock in the reserve position. I hit the reserve at right around 175 miles and it takes about 4.5 gallons to fill it. I have the vent holes in my filler neck and fill it right up to the top if I'm getting right back on the road. It will leak if you let it set in the sun as it will expand, if you get right back on and ride, it will use it before it does expand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mm482 Posted August 11, 2008 Share #21 Posted August 11, 2008 Are you sure you have it on reserve? It sounds like your reserve system is not working. I would pull the tank off of the bike, put it on reserve and drain all the fuel out. I would then remove the petcock and see how much gas was left in the tank. I think you have a bad petcock. Earl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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