R1100GS…usable fuel capacity ?

[cxp]

I have a 1995 R1100GS, the manual say: "total fuel tank content 25 litres, 4 litre reserve"

my question is a simple one…what is the usable fuel capacity ?

 

[Stewart H]

from full to the orange light coming on on my 1100 seems to be around 19 litres, that tallies with 5 litres from empty to the orange light going out (filled from a can the last time I had the tank innards out) though how much of that is accessible to the engine I am unsure, do you still have the plastic tank ?

 

[MattW]

Tricky to say, as I've never run out of fuel (yet!) but as Stewart says, given the shape of the tank and the position of the fuel pickup, it's not going to use it all.

On my plastic tanked 1100 (slightly larger than steel tanks), the one time I've seen the low fuel orange light I had 270 miles on the trip (my average mpg varies between 50 and 55 mpg depending on load and how quickly I'm 'making progress').

I guess the only way to find out would be to go for a ride when lowish on fuel with a petrol can strapped to the seat

 

[Wrigsby1]

Tricky to say, as I've never run out of fuel (yet!) but as Stewart says, given the shape of the tank and the position of the fuel pickup, it's not going to use it all.

On my plastic tanked 1100 (slightly larger than steel tanks), the one time I've seen the low fuel orange light I had 270 miles on the trip (my average mpg varies between 50 and 55 mpg depending on load and how quickly I'm 'making progress').

I guess the only way to find out would be to go for a ride when lowish on fuel with a petrol can strapped to the seat

270 is gooood.... I have a plastic tank and I see about 200 to the light and will judge approx 40/45 miles as max safe light limit. I test mpg by the full/use/refill method and usually get 45/50+mpg or 10/11 miles a litre. It takes a bit of patience to fill the tank right up and i don't really bother past the "effort" stage so that will be the extra bit.

I have run out and this was due to a big headwind which took about 15/20 miles off the range. Luckily the sidestand "lean" trick got me the extra mile or two

 

[Vern]

The fuel light is nothing to compare different bikes with, individual bikes all have different levels, so find out what yours does.

Fill it up to the brim,strap a can of petrol on the back and ride it until the light comes on, then carry on until you splutter to a halt. You can normally get a bit further if you lean the bike right over on the right hand side, to let the fuel in the left hand lobe run over to the pump side. When that bit has gone as well, you know how far you can go.

Simples

 

[MattW]

270 is gooood.... I have a plastic tank and I see about 200 to the light and will judge approx 40/45 miles as max safe light limit. I test mpg by the full/use/refill method and usually get 45/50+mpg or 10/11 miles a litre. It takes a bit of patience to fill the tank right up and i don't really bother past the "effort" stage so that will be the extra bit.

I have run out and this was due to a big headwind which took about 15/20 miles off the range. Luckily the sidestand "lean" trick got me the extra mile or two

I think there's must be quite a lot of difference in the fuel sender 'calibration' on GS'es. I haven't done the filler neck mod and I don't try to squeeze that last bit in - just stop with the fuel level just into the steel neck. I get the feeling that when I see the fuel light I don't have very much left at all

 

[Steptoe]

If you ever do run out, lay the bike right over onto it's R/H cylinder (and i do mean "right over", not just lay it down), and you'll get another 10ish miles - but when you lift it back up don't let it stand on the side stand before you get back on it .

So using that as a guide you have approx just over a litre of "unusable" fuel, which you can actually use

 

[John Armstrong]

Never bothered with the fuel filler mod on an 1100 as if you get it just over the filler spout and leave the bike for a few minutes it starts to dribble out of the overflow.

 

[Steptoe]

Never bothered with the fuel filler mod on an 1100 as if you get it just over the filler spout and leave the bike for a few minutes it starts to dribble out of the overflow.

Thats why you only fill it when you intend to "splash and go" Very handy when dashing across continents, not picking your nose while eating a pie.

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

If you ever do run out, lay the bike right over onto it's R/H cylinder (and i do mean "right over", not just lay it down), and you'll get another 10ish miles - but when you lift it back up don't let it stand on the side stand before you get back on it .

So using that as a guide you have approx just over a litre of "unusable" fuel, which you can actually use

That dosnt work with my 03 1150 a

I've checked!!!

 

[Steptoe]

That dosnt work with my 03 1150 a

I've checked!!!

Your not laying it fully over onto the top of the rocker cover, no good just laying it on the cover. ............

Works on every GS i've ever owned, including one fittted with an ADV large tank with a link pipe.

Blowzorn was a regular "tipper" on his 1150 ADV, he even did it while we were riding through spain and he missed the petrol station.

 

[Vern]

That dosnt work with my 03 1150 a

I've checked!!!

You checked wrong then!

 

[Wrigsby1]

What's so funny is I thought tip left and it still went a couple of miles more. Couldnt remember and must have been a lucky bunny

Good advice about the varied set up though...

As the advice says if you fill right up on the centre stand it will overflow on the side stand if you don't use some 1st. Also watch bikes with black tanks as they heat more in the sun... no honest! We used to have a few Q's about it when fuel started overflowing! Don't think it was a warranty claim though

 

[Crapaud]

When I fitted the 41 lt tank to my 1100 I also fitted a Touratech extension to the fuel pick up pipe. No reason why you couldn't modify a standard fuel pipe so that it can get the last few drops in the bottom of the tank.

Still managed to run out in Sahara and had to do the Steptoe trick of lying it on right hand side, and then struggle to pick it up again in the heat whilst fully loaded. Got me another 5 miles to station.