Tank of gas = ???

[towering]

The wife and i just did a interstate ride to see just how far a tank of gas will take us. Maintaining a speed of 65-70 i got 193 miles before it started hesatating. I averaged 41 miles per gallon. Oh and yes i had a gallon gas can with me just in case i ran out between gas stations.
So my question is how far can you go.

[dkdixie]

Originally Posted by towering

The wife and i just did a interstate ride to see just how far a tank of gas will take us. Maintaining a speed of 65-70 i got 193 miles before it started hesatating. I averaged 41 miles per gallon. Oh and yes i had a gallon gas can with me just in case i ran out between gas stations.
So my question is how far can you go.

It started hesitating?

You should of had at last 1/2 gallon left.

I've been averaging around 42.6 on 89 octane. Fuel light starts flickering around 190 miles. Takes about 4.5 gal to fill. Figure I can get at least 215-220 until it runs completely out.
But, I'll never know......it will be filled up before that happens.

[nolan]

Ride solo, 2003 Nomad. Can get 160 to 200 on a tank depending on location, wind, and speed. I get nerious when the gauge falls onto the "E". Have been a few times I have put in 4.5 gallons.

[ringadingh]

I can usually go at least 170 to 180 miles on most tanks of fuel. The best I ever did was 202 miles on a tank and it sputtered the last mile or so and I literally coasted into a gas station.

[Top Cat]

I have been running 93 octane since new. 42 mpg
The time before last I tried 91 octane=41 mpg
Last time I tried 89 octane=39 mpg
This time I'm going to try 87 octane as I have not experienced any pinging at all. Well it did ping on Hess high test ::) I will never run Hess gas again.

[bigjohn]

Warning light comes on at aobut 120. With 120 to 130 showing, it'll take about 3 to 3.2 gal. Max I've ever gone is about 145 and put in aboaut 4 gal. I've never run it dry and don't want to try.

[macmac]

The 1600 will have fuel you can't access.. it don't really count then, not to me anyway.

When that yellow light comes on it is a real good idea to get fuel asap, because the fuel pump uses fuel to run cool. On occasions is harmless enough, but if this is a habit you will eat the fuel pump bearing from over heating them faster than they would wear out in 'normal conditions'.

[towering]

It was just a one time thing i had to know. Im gettin ready to ride to Texas in late June and the farther west you go the farther the pumps get

[radco]

Just put in 4 gal , 160 miles,,,,around 40 MPG.. AND I had to SQUEEZE it in.,tried Mid Grade on my 04.. NO PINGING.. Just put Hi Test in and will see, Last week at Very even speeds,, no Jack Rabbit starts... I fill again with Hi Test 2 gal after 100 miles,,, at 70/74 I hit the gas light at about 130 miles,, 36/39 mpg... Bike is NEW to me So I checking it ral close, Headed from maine to Fla with it soon,,,,,so I want to know LOL,Rich

[lw]

Originally Posted by towering

It was just a one time thing i had to know. Im gettin ready to ride to Texas in late June and the farther west you go the farther the pumps get

Where abouts in TX are you visiting?

[cactusjack]

I think the farthest I've stretched a tank was around 190 miles. Started getting nervous at that point.

[coacha]

I have gone over 160 and had to put in 3.7. Usually have to switch over to reserve around 130 or so if two up, 145-150 solo.

[vroc13091]

My tank range is (estimated) 234 to 171 for my 2008 1600 Nomad.

Wind & speed have a significant affect on my mileage. Both on the 2000 1500 FI (4.1 gallon) and the 2008 1600 Nomad (5.1 gallon). However the 2008 seems to get better mileage overall.

Example: On a one day 432 mile round trip with the 2008 1600 Nomad.

Traveling north going with a 35 mph tail wind and
returning south with a 35mph headwind.

I was using 89 octane (regular for this area) and running about 75-77mph (GPS) with an average of 70. Average elevation between 500 and 700 feet above MSL.

With the tail wind I rode 216 miles (4.8 gallon fill-up) 45 mpg
With the head wind I rode 153 miles (4.8 gallon fill-up). 31 mpg

Conclusion:

Average mpg was 38. A more important finding was that wind resistance makes a significant difference in mpg at highway speeds.

When running on level ground at a constant speed my fuel reserve light comes on consistently at 4.5 gallons to fill up.

So I use a very conservative formula when estimating number of miles to go when the fuel reserve lamp illuminates.

I estimate my reserve miles at 30 mpg X .6 gallons or 18 miles to go before running dry

This disparity in gas mileage is my justification to plan my fuel stops when traveling out west where gas stations can be 100 to 130 miles apart.

[ringadingh]

I usually allow 30 miles of riding after my low fuel light comes on and stays lit steady.

[burkazoid]

I don't recall the exact mileage, but I've ran it down far enough that when I stopped to fill up it took just at 5 gallons, maybe 5.1. I was a little shocked, and it freaked me out I had run it down so far without really paying attention.