Low fuel range not accurate

[Cornwallis]

I find it amazing that some people think that it's unreasonale for the bike to be accurate to 9 miles of remaining fuel. All manufacturers have a factor of safety built in and would never risk a fuel gauge saying it had more than it has. I constantly take my 1200GS to zero and beyond, however I ride.

The very helpful responses have given me enough confidence that there's a fault here and I'll get my friend to contact the dealer. And just for the record, my Alfa coupe ran out of fuel while indicating it wasn't empty. But that's what you'd expect from an Alfa, but certainly not a Beemer.

 

[PBoy]

Sounds like you need to complain you've ran out of fuel a few time & get it changed under warranty Pboy.

A merely 98% accurate fuel range was amongst the least of it's warranty woes.

 

[Greggers]

Sh!t happens ...

You've already done the hard bit by running out of fuel - now at least you know when the bike will be dry on the odo ... so, if you know you're empty when the meter says 23 miles, then fill up at 50 ... simple!

 

[mudmatt]

I had mine down to 6 miles on the guage the other day and when i filled up it showed i had half a litre left in the tank

 

[Tim Cullis]

Are you basing that on BMW's stated 16-litre capacity or the actual capacity of 17.5 litres?

 

[Dean]

My gauge is out but the other way as in when I Ran my tank dry to see its potential. (no point doing it again) but at least I know at the moment fingers crossed, I generaly have more fuel in the tank than the computer shows which is better than the other way around

the test proved:

The fuel light came on then 49 miles later it ran out.

when the computer showed 9 miles to empty it actualy gave me 23 Miles.

I was carrying 2 litres of fuel which I put in to ride to the next garage, a couple of miles away and I put in a further (about 14 litres)


I dont get it when people get more fuel in the same size tank (16 litres quoted) unless there using dodgy pumps or have expanding bladders instead of tanks.

mind my brother inlaw has a 2010 bonny which quotes 16 litres but can only get in and out about 14 litres, maybe he has a brick in his tank he is a bit tight and may save on fuel

 

[Cornwallis]

After mentioning the problem to Pidcock's BMW, they've recalibrated the fuel gauge. For piece of mind, I guess that's now going to involve riding round with naff all fuel in the tank and a 2 litres in a can in my top box.

 

[JJH]

My gauge is out but the other way as in when I Ran my tank dry to see its potential. (no point doing it again) but at least I know at the moment fingers crossed, I generaly have more fuel in the tank than the computer shows which is better than the other way around

the test proved:

The fuel light came on then 49 miles later it ran out.

when the computer showed 9 miles to empty it actualy gave me 23 Miles.

I was carrying 2 litres of fuel which I put in to ride to the next garage, a couple of miles away and I put in a further (about 14 litres)


I dont get it when people get more fuel in the same size tank (16 litres quoted) unless there using dodgy pumps or have expanding bladders instead of tanks.

mind my brother inlaw has a 2010 bonny which quotes 16 litres but can only get in and out about 14 litres, maybe he has a brick in his tank he is a bit tight and may save on fuel

I had a f800st (same tank) and I often put 17 liters in it at different garages.
I put 36 liters in a gsa in 2 different garages. JJH

 

[Dean]

I had a f800st (same tank) and I often put 17 liters in it at different garages.
I put 36 liters in a gsa in 2 different garages. JJH

What I do not understand is

why do people get different amounts in the same size tanks

unless BMW made different sizes to confuse people

its like the difference between a tonne of feathers and a tonne of bricks

 

[JJH]

I would say that it has something to do with the patience of the person filling the tank or the length of the q behind him. JJH

 

[Dean]

I would say that it has something to do with the patience of the person filling the tank or the length of the q behind him. JJH

Thanks for the tip

next time i'm at the pumps and theres no one around and I have time to spare. I will fill it up then put another 1.5 litres in or maybe more.