Usable fuel in a 1200gsa?

[Popski]

Out for a ride in the excellent weather today with my 6 month old second hand 1200gsa that I've had for 2 weeks. Having filled up a while ago to the brim and expecting above 300 miles range if I took it easy on the right hand twister I was extremely suprised - if not p**sed off - to run out of fuel when I had only covered 288 miles. The fuel gauge that has a lousy reputation on this site had been telling me that I should refuel for sometime but expecting more miles I ignored it! Having had a 1150gs I was used to working from the trip meter and not paying too much attention to the gauge. When I checked the tank I could hear that there was still some fuel swilling about in there but the bike wouldn't start when I tried it again.

Luckily someone came to my rescue with some fuel - about 3 ltrs - and I made my way to a petrol station to fill up. I could only get in 26 ltrs, which makes a total of 29 ltrs. The brochure says that there should be 33 ltrs of usable fuel in the tank. This means that I have only 29 ltrs of usable fuel and a range of under 300 miles.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

 

[Yellow Peril]

Firstly have you taken out the rubber thingy in the filler? Normally adds a few more litres. I have run mine to zero on the computer and nothing showing on the guage and you still have another couple of litres left. Daily riding normally get between 310 - 340 a tank.

 

[wilbjr21]

No mods to the tank at all. With patient filling when the warning had said zero miles left for about four miles I got 35, yes Thirty Five, litres into the tank (completely full of course as I was still riding on).

 

[sycomoto]

big ass tank.

thats the bike not the fuel capacity. I've had min 5 months now and at best managed 360 miles which was about 54mpg which i'd be happy with, the average tank full lasts about 310 which is 46mpg which again isn't bad. not sure how bmw can claim 460miles to a tank. must be dyno miles wich don't mean shit in the real world.
having spent a lifetime on jap stuff i'm not going to complain as i'm not stopping every 90 mile to fill up.

 

[Tim Cullis]

I did the fuel tank mods on my previous 12GS and achieved 284 miles.

Today I removed the 'rubber thingy' and drilled the neck of the fuel tank of the 12GSA and I'm expecting 400+ at reasonable throttle openings.

Will report back when I've tested.

Tim

 

[Popski]

thanks so far but I have a couple of Qs:

I think that I am not getting over 300 miles because my tank will not pick up the last 4 ltrs of fuel, when empty I can only get 29 ltrs in the tank. What could be causing this?

Secondly, how do you drill the filler and how do you remove the plastic collar. I suspect that you have to remove the filler from the tank and then do the work. Is this correct?

 

[cookie]

The fuel gauge that has a lousy reputation on this site had been telling me that I should refuel for sometime but expecting more miles I ignored it! Having had a 1150gs I was used to working from the trip meter and not paying too much attention to the gauge.

a sensible person would have been carrying a spare bottle of fuel while pursuing such a risky strategy



my OBC said i had 4 miles left once, i filled up

 

[floyd]

Hi Popski, I also have the same problem. OBC said only 16 miles left warning light had been on for last 30 or so miles and it would only take 29ltrs and that was right to the neck

 

[Gaulois]

To remove the rubber collar look down the filler and you will see a rubber ring a couple of inches down. Simply stick a finger down and hook it under the ring and pull it out. You'll find filling up a lot easier after doing it.

For the rest of the fuel tank mod look here

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32971&highlight=fuel+tank+mod

One of the posts has a link to a step by step guide with pictures.

 

[Blackal]

Aren't the two tank "wings" connected with a rubber tube, so that the suction can be taken from one side (right - I think )

Could the rubber hose be kinked which would leave part of the tank unusable

Dunno - just a suggestion

Al

 

[Dicko]

Just filled my 1200gsa after a high speed run down the A1 last night...

The computer was saying 12 miles of range left, trip said 267 miles and I got a full 33 lites in!

The ever accurate windows calculator makes that 36.78 miles to the gallon! I'll take the car next time.

And that's with no panniers, just a bag strapped to the back.

And a hefty rider...

Couldn't see if it still had the black bit in the filler or is that just the standard 1200s?

Richard

 

[JIm]

thats the bike not the fuel capacity. I've had min 5 months now and at best managed 360 miles which was about 54mpg which i'd be happy with, the average tank full lasts about 310 which is 46mpg which again isn't bad. not sure how bmw can claim 460miles to a tank. must be dyno miles wich don't mean shit in the real world.
having spent a lifetime on jap stuff i'm not going to complain as i'm not stopping every 90 mile to fill up.

I totally agree!, trouble is, unless I'm riding on my own, everyone else I ride with still have bikes with peanut tanks!. So I still find mself in petrol stations every 90 miles or so, seething....

 

[Shep]

I rely on the computer function and always get 31+ ltrs in the tank with an indicated 20-30mls to go, average tank MPG has been 47.8, best tank MPG 58 (riding on a whiff of throttle, coasting down hills etc) worst tank mpg 41 (steady 90 all motorway) Best average MPG/MPH combination seems to be at around 55-60mph ( but we know that anyway don't we )

Shep

 

[Cole]

I have several times run down to 25 klms to go and filled up with 33.00 litres.

Typically run between 48 and 53 mpg now, though it was lower when the bike was newer.

See http://www.endless-highway.info/europe/Data/page.htm?0,0

Less than 40 mpg sounds like something is amiss.

 

[Brian ROSEN]

"Daily riding normally get between 310 - 340 a tank." Even here in France that is going to take you around 4 hours - you may be ready for a fuel stop by then! (And in the UK - 5 or 6 hours?)

 

[Patventure]

Fuel pump accuracy

it always concerns me about the accuracy of filling station pump readouts. i'm sure they're supposed to be calibrated, but i'm not sure.

The only time you'll have an idea about that is when, for example, you fill a small container for your lawnmower. The differences i've noticed between some garages makes a couple of pence in the litre seem trivial!

maybe i'm being pedantic, but it makes a considerable difference when you're trying to be scientific about fuel consumption figures.

Does anyone know if, for instance, a fuel pump should show a calibration date sticker?

Patrick.