fuel tank range??

[obalanga]

Hi, I have had my 2008 650 dl for three months now and I am getting to know the bike more. Curiously, I have tried to run the tank down to flashing empty and each time I fill up it only takes about 15 quid worth of fuel ( appx. 13 litres). If the tank is indeed 19l plus 3l reserve ( 22 litre) Shouldn't I be able to fill it up with more fuel after the flashing empty starts? I even tried to do an extra 10 miles after the flashing began then pulled in to a service station and I could only put in 16 pounds worth of fuel. I ask this as I am planning a uk tours using A and B roads alone ans as such I need to know the range of a tankful.

[mr_diver]

You can't be filling the thing to the top.
Fill it rigt up to the inner part of the filler cap. Let the air come out and slowly trickle in some more. I've got 20.9 ltrs in mine before.
When the light starts to flash you are in the 3ltr reserve.  It'll give you 30 miles on that 3 ltrs with a margin for error.
I regularly get around 17ltrs in the tank for around 190-200 mile mark. Your bike will be a little better on juice than mine.

[Juvecu]

Most I've ever squeezed in was 21.28 litres, it was on fumes by then, I think it was around 230 miles. I have a K5 though, a single spark plug model. Your twin spark plug model should do about 10 or so MPG more if you ride sensibly.

As Diver says, fill it up properly, I always fill it on the centre stand (though side stand makes near as no difference) and I fill it until the fuel comes up higher than the cup thingy. It takes a bit of slow filling to get it nice and full, but I can squeeze in quite a lot like that. If you always fill nice and full and to the same place you can keep record of your mileage and litres used at each fill up and calculate your MPG off that over as long as possible a time. Assume you have 19 litres to ride with and calculate how far you can get. Set your trip meter to 0 at each fill up and it will give you an indication of how far you have to go without relying on the fuel gauge only.

Say you get 60 mpg then you have a tank range of about 250 with 19 litres of fuel. At 55 mpg you get about a 230 mile range with 19 litres. You should get more than 55 mpg, it's to the low side for your model bike. Even loaded up with panniers shouldn't see a figure that low unless you're doing mountain passes all day long and twisting the pig's ear at every opportunity.

[Descolada]

I regularly get 220 from a full tank before I fill up. That's on the last bar but I have never let it get blow that last one.

[Andy M]

I must be doing something right. I usually get to 250 miles commuting. I can push to 300 then buy 20 litres. Averaged 65 mpg since new in May 2012.

Air in the tyres, bin the toura**** catalogue and get in 6th ASAP.

Are you filling up on a side stand? I use the centre stand, keeps the filler at the top.

Andy

[Oop North John]

If the fuel pump isn't damaged if you run it when dry, then try running the bike till it stops, and then putting in 5 litres from a can that you have with you, and then refuel ASAP to see what the tanl capacity is when you fill it.

Types of road make a big difference to the fuel consumption, last year 2 up on French autoroutes cruising at a GPS 80mph I was luck to see 15km per litre, up and down the mountain passes about 20km per litre, and gentle bimbling around it was near 22km / litre. So the range went from about 200 miles to empty up to 275 miles. And then if there's a severe head wind, lots of traffic etc etc it changes the range.

[Mitch]

I know the Glee certainly advises of low fuel early.

Its approx. a 21 litre tank and starts flashing with only 15 litres used (220 miles on the clock) . Leaving at a push another 100 miles or so before it runs dry. mine does anyway. never run it dry even at 300 miles plus to a tank. I normally fill up at around 250 miles.

[JRS81]

I've noticed a new problem with my fuel gauge. When I fill it up, the first (top) bar on the gauge doesn't show, even if I fill the neck in the tank as well. It seems to behave normally once it's down to the next bar and continues normally from that point to the end of the tank so it's easy enough to live with, just a little annoying! Does anyone have any idea what might have caused this, and is it easy to fix? I guess it's a dodgy fuel sender, but I don't really know where to start looking!

[mr_diver]

I have the same issue... been like it 6 months or so...??? Havent had a look at it yet.

[Juvecu]

Mine has always done that, I can get it to 5 bars if I fill it practically to the brim.

[MartinW]

19L is the most I have ever put in mine.

I also usually just see four bars when I fill up and sometimes it goes up to five bars a few miles down the road. So don't worry about it as mine has been like that for 10 years.

[obalanga]

plenty of info there. Thanks blokes

[mr_diver]

I've noticed a new problem with my fuel gauge. When I fill it up, the first (top) bar on the gauge doesn't show, even if I fill the neck in the tank as well. It seems to behave normally once it's down to the next bar and continues normally from that point to the end of the tank so it's easy enough to live with, just a little annoying! Does anyone have any idea what might have caused this, and is it easy to fix? I guess it's a dodgy fuel sender, but I don't really know where to start looking!

I've had the tank off to sort out a corroded connector behind the rad, and to get clearance to get the pins out I unclipped the green connector which appears to be the main feed for the clocks... while I was there I cleaned the contacts on all the other connectors.
Filled up later on and done about 65 miles and the fuel gauge seem to be behaving as it should and not dropping off one bar at around 20-30 miles and then flicking on and off until around the 65 miles mark.

Only the first fill up but we'll see what happened over the next few weeks  

[JRS81]

That's good to know Mr Diver! I need to lift the tank soon to wire in my Sat Nav so whilst it's off I'll inspect/clean the connectors and see what happens!

[mr_diver]

to get easy access, I removed the air box from the throttle bodies but I left all the hoses and wires attached.
(It's only 2 screws)

[Strominator]

hello to all W and w owner
I have the smallest, and I am the 1st owner from year 2008.

that year...I have range 330-350 km (~215 miles).
yesterday I have drived 470 km (~290 miles), but I havent gone for fuel.

I am 100% and I will test me in my w if I can go over 600km (~375 miles) with one tank, 22L.
I have some additional mass (I think it is around 15 kg ~ 33 funt, maybe some more), and I will not unmount it, like:
- crash bars Kappa
- skid plate SW Motech
- central stand SW Motech
- side carrier
- fork brace
- madstad for Windscreen
- Touratech handlebar mounting for gps
- higher and closer handlebar
and I have 75 kg (~ 165 funt).

may Q is:
what is your longest range with small w, without any tank modifications?

[greywolf]

I have become 315mi on my old 2007 Wee once. That was in mid summer not exceeding 65mph. There are many factors affecting fuel economy. Speed is a huge factor and air temperature is also involved. Lower temperatures thicken lubricants and air density, lowering fuel economy.

[Andy M]

2012  Wee with nothing extra weight wise except the engine bars and sump birdbath thingy that make an "X" model, 70 kg rider in company with a Burgmann 400 and rider   , UK A and B roads in early summer morning conditions gave 309 miles at which point I put 20 litres in.  

The Burgervan used less BTW.

My average over 9000 miles is 65 mpg, which knowing it has at least 20 litres usable fuel gives 284 miles usable range, probably more as the flashing lights put me in range saver mode to eek out the reserve.

Weight and steady riding is the key. Half the Touraprat catalogue and riding it like the TT course costs range.

My average fill up though is at 230 miles. Basically I get to the point where I fancy a brew or a walk and might as well fill up while I'm at it. Knowing how efficient it is, it only really needs a 15 litre tank. The Bonneville used to annoy the **** out of me. 140 miles to the tap change, you spend all day looking for petrol stations and had to buy some real expensive muck in out of the way places rather than just carry on to the next supermarket. Not having a fuel gauge was a PITA too. On the Wee I can confirm I'm getting the 65mpg by where the bars drop down the gauge.

Andy