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Message started by DianeS. on 06/16/06 at 16:06:48

Title: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by DianeS. on 06/16/06 at 16:06:48

I fill up every day that I take the bike to work, as it's @ 100 miles round trip. So, I tend to fill up before the tank gets as low as needing to be switched to reserve. Plus, I live in a rural area, where the gas stations are few and far beween.

Yet, I was wondering if there is any harm in running the bike often out of fuel, changing to the reserve and then filling up. By doing that, I'd at least have to fill up less often.

Anyway, just wondering what most people here do - run into the reserve to fill up with more fuel, or just keep topping up and refuelling more often.

DianeS

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by vroom1776 on 06/16/06 at 16:18:43

As far as I know, it's not a big deal at all. Running a fuel injector out of fuel can cause problems though. We have carbs, not FI...

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by pgolden on 06/16/06 at 16:57:38

My bike seems to run better with a third tank or more.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by Trippah on 06/16/06 at 18:22:57

Diane- I think your filling it up at every 100 mile interval is smart, that is what I try to do each time the speedo flips. If that coincided with your round trip, thats okay. I seem to run into reserve at around 120 miles, and frankly it always seems to happen when I'm leaning into a turn..I don't like it so why suffer :D.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by divecop on 06/16/06 at 19:02:18

Diane: I always fill up at the 100 mile mark also...it is just easier for me to remember it that way...I do know the stealership told me to turn off the gas and run it out if I was going to park it for an extended period of time... 8)

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by mickthelimey on 06/16/06 at 20:30:05

speaking of gas,do you all run on regular unleaded?
any one recommend premium?

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by Keith_B on 06/16/06 at 20:30:07

divecop wrote:

I was thinking there is no off, just prime, run & reserve on my 03, get the stealership to show you how to turn it off and then please tell me how! ;)

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by thumperclone on 06/16/06 at 23:17:52

my handbook says 87 octane(06 s 40) i switch between mid grade a nd prem. its only 2 galls b 4 reserve..
i get 50 mpg or less so switchin to res round 100 anyways havent tested how many miles res wil get me guess 20 or less...." right turns on low tank ", ::)

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by tfrawg75 on 06/17/06 at 01:30:50

I've went 23 miles on reserve which is good to know if u get stuck in the middle of nowhere when u switch to res.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by red2k1 on 06/17/06 at 04:47:27

Quote:

Yet, I was wondering if there is any harm in running the bike often out of fuel, changing to the reserve and then filling up. By doing that, I'd at least have to fill up less often.

No harm in using reserve regularly because that is why it is there. You may want to consider one of these: http://www.tourtank.com/Customers.html However, if you use up reserve then after fill-up remember to switch to prime before you start the engine and then switch back to run after the engine is started.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by azjay on 06/17/06 at 06:06:54

we fill debby's bike about every 100 miles or so, i hate to run out of gas, and at the end of the month, when you rode 500+ miles, you still burnt x# of gals of gas, regardless of wether you kept the tank half full or half empty. (is your cup half full or half empty?) only premium fuel for our bikes! they dont burn that much, and it cant hurt them, a load of weak fuel in this heat, will certainly lead to detonation and eventually engine demise. it is supposed to be 110* f.degrees tomorrow!

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by starmom on 06/17/06 at 06:55:19

2 gallons every l00 miles is also my rule of thumb at this point, using 87 as per the manuel.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by serowbot on 06/17/06 at 10:06:15

It's good to run on reserve every once in a while, even if your not low on gas, to prevent sediments building up in the bottom of your tank. The on position of pet-thingy draws gas from about 2" up in the tank.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not??r
Post by marty62253 on 06/17/06 at 11:07:35

There is no OFF on your petthingy - what the dealer was refering to was to empty the carb bowl if you're going to let it sit a while - a while is not from sunday to next saturday - If your going to let it sit for a while - use the drain screw on the carb bowl and empty the bowl - as always, make sure you have adequate ventilation...If you're going to leave it for a long time (all winer) add fuel stabilizer from motorcycle, snowmobile or marine shop - run engine for a few minutes to get mixture into the carb bowl and DO NOT DRAIN IT - the stabilizer will keep everything the way it should be.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by DianeS. on 06/17/06 at 13:16:15

Thanks everyone!

I tried to fill up on the 100 km. point, so it would be easy to keep track, but it doesn't work out nicely like that. So, instead, I write down the mileage on the gas receipt at each fill-up, or just fill up in the same town on the way home from work - unless I do extra side trips elsewhere.

A few weeks ago, the bike sputtered and died after going up a large hill. I got it going again - seemed to run fine, but then about 20 min. later it sputtered and stalled again. Since I didn't think my tank was low enough to need the reserve - these two things unnerved me because I wondered what the heck was up with the bike(?) Anyway, I switched to reserve and went to the nearest gas station. After I filled it up, it seemed fine and was ok the rest of the day = so it must have just needed the fuel - although it didn't take as many litres as it would have needed for the reserve(?) My husband thought that it might have been close enough to needing the reserve to be affected by the steeper hills. Anyone else experienced this??

Anyway, I think on my work days, I will continue to fill up the tank at around 100kms. so that I always have a full tank for the ride into work. On other days, I might just ride it, change over to reserve when needed, and fill it up. That way, I won't seem to be stopping to only put in @ $5 or $6 dollars worth of gas too!!!

Oh - except for one time that I accidentally selected premium gas instead of regular - I use regular gas for the bike. I'm pretty sure our regular gas has an octane rating of 87. (I'm in Ontario, Canada)

DianeS

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by Kropatchek on 06/18/06 at 14:06:06

I run till reserve, meaning when the engine dies or begins to sputter. Grab down and put to PRI untill the engine runs fine, then I switch to RES.
Then fill up at the nearest gas station with regular ( 95 Oct.)
Checked on the bicycle computer:

160 - 180 KM and filled up to full with 8.5 liters or a little bit more depending how far the gas station is after I switch to RES.

Greetz
Kropatchek 8)

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by Brewbrother on 06/18/06 at 14:49:31

DianeS. wrote:

I fill up by day of the week. My bikes a commuter and the only days I have gotten low enough to need reserve was on sunday. So I fill up every sunday afternoon. Just curious, what are the drive and road conditions for your 100 mile daily ride?

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by DianeS. on 06/18/06 at 19:48:45

Brewbrother: The first 45 minutes of my ride to work is on two-lane rural highways with a posted limit of 80 km/h, except for a few small towns. Depending on which way I go, there are some large hills, but the scenery is awesome! The final 15 minutes is in York Region, Ontario - more populated area, with several road changes, traffic lights, more cars, and a posted limit of 60 km/h - except in school zones.

I don't ride every day, because if the forecast is for lots of rain, or I have a lot to transport - I just take my Honda Civic. Yet, if the skies are clear, and I don't need to lug my huge teaching binders(lol)..........yahoo - I take my bike!!! (I've only been riding since October 2005, so I've only ridden on wet roads once, and not in any real rain yet). Plus, being Ontario, I didn't ride much in the winter - although I did ride a few times. I have put about 2500 kms. on the bike since I got it Nov. 2005.

One step at a time!!! ;D

DianeS.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by WKD on 06/20/06 at 17:34:49

I have to agree that whether you use your res or not it is a good idea to test it every so often so it works when you need it. As for the gas when I picked up my bike they recommended just regular, although it is an '86 so the age may hinder some of the performance you might gain on a newer engine.

Diane - It sounds like you live a little east of me, my drive is very similar down to the outskirts of Mississauga (about 160km round trip). I find that quite often I hit reserve on my way to the gas station in the morning. I haven't been riding as long but I too am getting there. I'll keep an eye out for another thumper in my travels and be sure to give you a wave ;D

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by DianeS. on 06/20/06 at 17:46:43

WKD - haven't seen any other savages in my travels either, but there are definately more bikes anytime I travel a bit south of my place - into North Oshawa etc.
I live closer to Lindsay, Ont - but teach in Markham.

Cheers!

Diane

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by Brewbrother on 06/20/06 at 18:10:09

DianeS. wrote:

Brewbrother: The first 45 minutes of my ride to work is on two-lane rural highways with a posted limit of 80 km/h, except for a few small towns. Depending on which way I go, there are some large hills, but the scenery is awesome! The final 15 minutes is in York Region, Ontario - more populated area, with several road changes, traffic lights, more cars, and a posted limit of 60 km/h - except in school zones.
I don't ride every day, because if the forecast is for lots of rain, or I have a lot to transport - I just take my Honda Civic. Yet, if the skies are clear, and I don't need to lug my huge teaching binders(lol)..........yahoo - I take my bike!!! (I've only been riding since October 2005, so I've only ridden on wet roads once, and not in any real rain yet). Plus, being Ontario, I didn't ride much in the winter - although I did ride a few times. I have put about 2500 kms. on the bike since I got it Nov. 2005.

One step at a time!!! ;D

DianeS.

The only thing that stops me is rain or hurricanes 12 months a year. I guess we share weather opposites. BTW, thats a pretty good commute. I bet your day starts with a huge smile.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by DianeS. on 06/20/06 at 18:37:45

Brewbrother: I'm usually pretty rushed in the mornings trying to get myself, a 4 year old, and an 8 year old out the door by 7am. So, at that point I'm not necessarily smiling - but I do smile once the kids are at the babysitter's, and I'm on the bike on my way to work.

The best rides are the rides home though - when the temp. is a bit warmer, and my work day is done!!!
Yahoo!!!

Diane S

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by Brewbrother on 06/20/06 at 18:48:13

DianeS. wrote:

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by Savage_Rob on 06/21/06 at 05:39:10

DianeS. wrote:

The best rides are the rides home though - when the temp. is a bit warmer, and my work day is done!!!

I'll go along with the workday being done but I'm afraid the rest of it is somewhat locale dependent. Mornings here are more in the 75 or 80 degrees range and evenings are more like 95 to 100 degrees.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by Reelthing on 06/21/06 at 06:58:15

Summer has indeed set in - except for the last 5 days and some where around a foot of rain.

Heat and air cooled engines is always a fun debate as is oil type and octane.

Octane -

The owners manual states 87 is a minimum for the (R+M)/2 method.

The Suzuki LS650 Service Manual part# 99500-36064-03E w/updates page 1-1 states this

FUEL

Use only unleaded or low-lead type gasoline of at least 85 - 95 pump octane (R+M)/2 method or 89 octane or higher rated by the Research method.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by DianeS. on 06/22/06 at 16:14:02

Well, I live in Ontario, Canada, and although we are getting some pretty hot weather 30 c. (90 F), some mornings when I leave for work at 7am, the temp. is only 10 c (50 F). So, that's what I meant by being fairly cool on my morning ride, but finding it more pleasant on the ride home. I do have two jackets, both with liners, so I am experimenting to see which jacket suits different temperatures. I am not one to just ride around in regular clothes - though it must be very freeing to ride like that!!! I just want to have the best protective if I ever do come off of the bike. So, I wear a helmet, jacket, leather pants, gloves, and leather boots.

DianeS

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by divecop on 06/22/06 at 18:38:55

Diane...congrats to you...that is the only way to ride and I am glad you care enough about yourself to protect YOU... 8)

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by JerryAssburger on 06/23/06 at 07:42:37

I wish someone at Suzuki would read this board and offer a mere 2 things for sale: Extended range tank in the 3.5 gallon range, and 3-teeth larger countershaft pulley for the drive. Oh yeah... a roller tensioner for the cam chain. Okay- I'm done wishing.
Oooh! Oooh! And an oil cooler!

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by DianeS. on 06/23/06 at 19:40:02

Divecop: Well, I try to protect myself as much as I can, because I have two daughters aged 4, and 8, and a husband who wants me around. So, it's not like I'd be only hurting myself, if anything bad were to happen.

Jerry: I also wish the savage had a larger gas tank. Do any other bikes have a tank this small? I'm worried that if I join a local bike club for one of the group rides, I'll be the only one needing to fuel up after an hour or so of riding. Rather inconvenient! Yet the idea of mounting another tank on the back - scares the heck out of me too. (Anyone remember the Ford Pinto car that used to blow up because the fuel tank was at the very rear part of the car - ready to be smashed by a rear-end collision?) Yikes!

DianeS.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by Reelthing on 06/23/06 at 19:46:18

well you can get 100 miles before you need to start looking - depending on the type of bikes in the club you sure won't be the only one - now I wouldn't suggest you join up with a pack of bmws or roadkings.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by Glenn_Gray on 06/24/06 at 15:41:19

I have run out of the main supply twice and both times I didnt mean to do it. Both times there was no warning, no sputter, it just quit. Today I was running in heavy traffic at 70 MPH and I mean the cars were close enough to touch and it quit. I almost wet my pants. I am sure that I responded pretty quick but, it seemed like a lifetime before it started running again. My advice is to not let it run out of the main tank because it might cause you serious problems.

Title: Re: Fill up before needing reserve or not???
Post by DianeS. on 06/24/06 at 19:22:09

That's why I try to write down my mileage each time I fill up - so I can anticipate when I might need to switch to the reserve. I'm assuming that if my bike gets around 4 litres to 100km, I should be able to go 200 kms, or so before needing the reserve. (My round trip distance to work and back is @ 160 kms.)

Yet, during the week when I'm commuting back and forth to work, I always top up halfway home so I won't have to fuel up on the ride in.