Quick questions about tank range

[moley]

Thinking about a GS or GSA and wondered what the real everyday tank range of each is?

I know it's a bit dull but one attraction of the GSA is the huge tank as I cover a lot of miles every week!

I've heard there are additional fuel tank options for the regular GS - is this an "off the shelf" item or a custom build?

If it's underseat does this mean you lose the storage options?

 

[Taff]

Are you on a 1150 or 1200? I don't know if this applies to the 1200, but Dennis showed me a knack to getting the most out of a tankful on a 1150 GS Adventure.

Select a pump on your right and pull up close to it - put the side stand down, engine off - bike in 1st gear but
Fill the tank to the brim while still straddling the bike - let the petrol settle a couple of times then
Close the petrol cap and replace the nozzle.
If you park with your pump on the left - its more aukward to get off.

I suppose you could put the bike on its centre stand, but if you've got a temperamental back, trust me you don't want to be pushing a fully loaded Adventure about. You will be surprised how much more you can get in a tank using this method - compared to just getting off the bike and putting it on its side stand. Judging by the weight difference, you get quite a bit more in using Dennis' method. Can't remember exactly what mileage I get to a tank, but it must be close to 300 motorway miles.

 

[DavidHale]

Or drill holes in the filler neck (theres a description on here somewhere, something about a Steptoe mod or something.).

Let's you REALLY brim fill an 1150Adv tank to give 350 motorway miles.

 

[Womble]

When you do it, make sure that you ride off promptly afterwards and do 40 miles or so before you stop again.

Why? The petrol comes up out of the ground and it's nice and cold - you put it in the tank and it starts expanding due to the heat of the engine. It's OK if you're riding because the airflow cools the tank, but if you're having a break, you can get petrol dribbling out of the overflow pipe. The reason you need to do the mileage afterwards is to get the petrol level back down below the expansion level again.

DAMHIK

 

[moley]

Sorry guys - it was the 1200 GS vs GSA I was looking at.

I ride 400 miles a week and wondered if you can really get this many out of a tank?

I get about a safe 240 from my 1150 RT by using the "holding bike upright & jiggling" method

As my journey is around 40 miles per leg it helps if things are in 40 mile lumps!

 

[Markgsxr]

On average I get 320 to 350 to a tank on my GSA and put in around 32 litres. Capacity is claimed 33 but Im not so sure, think it may be bigger. Will do the neck filler mod when I get it back from BMW.

 

[Grazoid]

When you do it, make sure that you ride off promptly afterwards and do 40 miles or so before you stop again.

Why? The petrol comes up out of the ground and it's nice and cold - you put it in the tank and it starts expanding due to the heat of the engine. It's OK if you're riding because the airflow cools the tank, but if you're having a break, you can get petrol dribbling out of the overflow pipe. The reason you need to do the mileage afterwards is to get the petrol level back down below the expansion level again.

DAMHIK

Yup and the 1100 does it ... it's a feature sir.

Also even if you don't totally fill it and stop somewhere for a coffee , like on a french motorway , straight after filling up you get loads of froggie peeps standing around muttering and pointing as the sun does the same job.

 

[rdover]

I have a 12GSA and generally do long distances at a time (regular 500 mile days and even a couple of 1,000 milers!) and with the filler neck mod (only for speed of fill up - you can still get all teh fuel in it just takes time) I can get 36 litres in and at an easy loping70mph, Officer, I can get 360 miles in theory.

My average is 320 miles before I panic and fill up but I have a nervous twitch in my right wrist and a very loose interpretation of speed limits.

The GSA also has built in engine bars , better weather protection and cooler wheels. It'll also hump most sports bikes on the track in wet weather (and surprise them in the dry )

 

[garfield]

I have a 12GSA

I can get 360 miles in theory.

still haven't really tested my range yet but these numbers look good