Fuel Gauge?

[riceburner]

The trip odometer is the easiest for a fuel uage, and remember that you have at least 30 miles after the light, and maybe up to 60 miles.

60 miles? I think not. I have achieved 30 mi. but I wouldn't push it to 60. These fuel pumps won't hold up to dry runs. My rule of thumb is 180 mi. then look for gas.

I've done about 50 or more after the light has appeared - a few times now in fact.

[OU812]

Maybe break in is real! Mad1150 and I road together, gassed up at the same time, with the same bikes(color also ). Mine with 6k got 38 mpg. His with over 20K got over 44mpg. Both were just serviced. I think you hit on something CHALLEY.

[Daryl_stamp]

I took my first long trip a few weeks ago and got to 190+ before the light came on. I don't remember how much I put in, but the light used to come on @ about 140.

Regarding fill-ups; do you guys fill just to the bottom of the neck or do you try to squeeze more in? I've tried both ways and it seems hardly worth the effort to fill it to the top (letting it fill the neck, give time to vent through small hole @ top of neck, drain down, vent etc...). It seems like there is a lot of wasted space the way the neck is designed but I trust that it was designed that way for some valid reason. My '72 & '82 Yamahas just had open tanks, no necks. What is the purpose of the neck?

DLS

[BoiseBeemer]

Unfortunately, as my wife and I have discovered on long trips, another reason for variable gas mileage is variable odometers. When I hit 200 miles on the RR, she's usually about 195+ on the Rockster. No idea which of us is accurate (so of course, we always report my readings, both when bragging to friends and when calculating gas mileage).

FWIW, I'm very disappointed in anything less than a 48-mpg average on any trip that goes out of town, and only once, regardless of how far I dare to travel on the warning light, have I ever put more than 5 gallons in the tank. 200+ miles on a tank is routine (assuming my odometer is anywhere near accurate). That's one-up, fully loaded side cases, top trunk, and tank bag. If not for the premium on the premium, I'd be extremely satisfied with the Roadster's gasoline performance.

[NCPadgett]

I have become used to mid-40s mph, with the warning light coming on at 173-5. The last two fill-ups, the light hasn't come on until 180-185, which has caused me to get a little dingle and push it over 200 (i know thats a sad reflection of my life when that's livin on the edge). This week, I hit 50 mpg with all of it being back and forth to work. I'm excited

[gregor]

5.4 gallons - 4.3 gallons = 1.1 gallons ; which is indeed about 1 gallon.
New math ? No old arithmetic.
My tank takes 20l and I usualy refill with 16l after the red light comes on at 170 miles or so.
I did once run to over 200 miles on a tank on the A68 northbound and that was very nerve wracking.

[chris]

5.4 gallons - 4.3 gallons = 1.1 gallons ; which is indeed about 1 gallon.
New math ? No old arithmetic.
My tank takes 20l and I usualy refill with 16l after the red light comes on at 170 miles or so.
I did once run to over 200 miles on a tank on the A68 northbound and that was very nerve wracking.

I'm the same when commuting, light on at 160-170 and 16 litres or so. On a long fast ride it's far better tho, 190 to the light.

[dnat928]

I confess - I CHEAT! But in my defense, since I haven't fixed the low fuel warning light yet (a thin excuse since...it's still a mileage tracking thing), I carry spare fuel. I bought one of those metal backpacking/camping fuel containers (~1 litre) and carry it in my hard sidecase. I've used it twice. Once on my first tankful - bought the R used, assuming the warning light worked, and once when I just wasn't watching - must have not gotten a "good" fillup - thought I had another 20 miles available.

Anyway, I get 40mpg overall (mixed slab/street), got 47 mpg yesterday on a run to LA and back (mostly slab). If there was a Forum section on "So-So/Crappy Rides" , I would post a write-up: brief coast sections were OK, away from coast was not pretty. Anyone who has been on the 710 in Long Beach knows: UGLY! Lotsa big rigs clustered, crowded running from the port to the rail head. But y'all don't really want to spend time reading about that...that was my ride. Oh, I know, I'll envision my ride (posted in Great Rides) to Yosemite in June...aaahhhh, much better now...