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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Fuel consumption and range
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Message started by Jasbee on 03/05/16 at 20:59:14

Title: Fuel consumption and range
Post by Jasbee on 03/05/16 at 20:59:14

I'm new to the forum, this is my first question. The S40 has a tiny tank, 10 litres claimed (though I reckon I can squeeze in 10.7), so although its fuel consumption is good, your touring range is limited. I get about 4.35 litres per 100 kms, ie 23 kms per litre (I think that translates into about 54 miles per US gallon). So my theoretical range, assuming the tank is really 10.7 litres, is just 246 kms (ie 153 miles).

So what fuel cons do others get, and do you find the range a limiting factor for touring?

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by springman on 03/05/16 at 21:34:05

If you overfill the gas will leak out of the gas cap as soon as you get on you bike and stand it up straight. I did that twice today. Yeah, not too bright.

54 mpg is a good general average. If you keep your cruising speed to between 80 and 90 kph you may well get over 60 mpg. Go on up to 110 kph or more and you may get under 50 mpg.

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by springman on 03/05/16 at 21:36:13

Forgot to mention rule of thumb. You will generally need to switch to reserve at around 100 miles and that is basically a good time to stop for gas.

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by jcstokes on 03/05/16 at 22:01:33

Jasbee, you might actually squeeze in eleven litres, I did once, but if you ride more than 120 miles or about 190 km without fuelling, start to pray. If you are talking litres, where are you?

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by badwolf on 03/05/16 at 22:15:07

100 miles or so is a good time to stretch your legs & butt, so fill up at the same time. My pc800 can go about 200 miles on a tank, has a gas gauge too, my butt doesn't like that, so I still stop every 120 - 150 or so. With a raptor petcock you get about 2.4 gallons before reserve, then about 20 miles till it's pushing time. I use a cheap Android phone with a gps speedo app. It has 3 trip meters.
Your mileage varies so much by riding style 45 - 65 mpg for me, depends how fast you ride and the wind. Road racers can get just 10 - 12 mpg. 190 to 20 and back can really drink gas, even on a bike. The stock speedo is off on almost ALL S40's so you just have to get a ''feel'' or habit with your style of riding.
First I heard of the combo lock trick, I like it!

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by Jasbee on 03/06/16 at 01:25:38

I'm in (metric) Australia. I fill it up to what I think is 10.7 litres and it doesn't overflow when I ride off (it might if I just parked in the sun). Reserve comes on at ~ 185 - 190 kms (115 - 118 mls). Petrol stations are probably further apart here than in the US, so to make touring more relaxing I've taken to carrying a 5 litre jerrycan with me. That way I have a theoretical range of ~ 360 kms (225 mls). This is what I'm used to with previous bikes I've owned, so problem solved

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by Blade on 03/06/16 at 02:29:15

Whereabouts Jasbee? I'm NSW

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by chzeckmate on 03/06/16 at 03:18:23

Something like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/8x12-CENTER-FILL-SPUN-ALUMINUM-GAS-TANK-2-50-GALLONS-3-8-NPT/151221102415?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D333008%26algo%3DRIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D35851%26meid%3Df0c7ad1d8351404cb5738015016ea7fc%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D281286941080

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by Dave on 03/06/16 at 05:02:59

083731362B2C04420 wrote:

I have seen some adventure bikes that use fuel tanks like that one....sometimes they travel to very remote places and need a lot of fuel. I saw a KTM once that had a huge plastic tank that extended down both sides of the bike.....and the darn thing carried about 15 gallons of fuel in that extra tank....in addition to what the tank in the frame carried! It is not uncommon for adventure touring and sport touring bikes to carry 7 - 8 gallons of fuel in the stock tanks.

The Savage is pretty limited on range - but it is not out of character with the range of other Cruisers. Some folks go to the trouble of mounting tanks from other motorcycles to increase the range.

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by Jasbee on 03/06/16 at 15:13:33

Hi Blade

I'm in Canberra

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by gizzo on 03/07/16 at 01:40:14

South Australia!
Good luck to you if you can sit on the Savage for further than the stock tank. I'm feeling punished and ready for a rest by the time it gets to reserve at 200km. :'(

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by Paladin. on 03/07/16 at 03:59:33

7E79636573797065626F7A7365160 wrote:

.... 153 miles).

So what fuel cons do others get, and do you find the range a limiting factor for touring?

Did a tour in September 2007 on the Savage, from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City and back. First day was 570 miles at an average of 63 mpg. Did 510 miles the second day, made it to OKC near noon. Doing 65-70 mph the Savage gave me 60-65 mpg.

Going back home I went on the Super Slab to Amarillo to US-60 to Hope AZ, AZ-72 to Parker AZ, CA-62 to North Palm Springs CA. The leg on CA-62 I did about 55 mph and got over 70 mpg. You can do 500 miles a day on the Savage, no problem, but the Super Slabs have 50+ vehicles per mile. It is more relaxed to do 300-350 miles a day on the byways at 5-10 miles between vehicles.

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by Blade on 03/07/16 at 04:01:24

Anyone feel an AUSavage rendezvous coming on?

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by gizzo on 03/07/16 at 12:36:38

That could be fun...heading to Jindabyne on the weekend with the Netrider crew, not on the savage tho. I'm taking something comfortable :P

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by Suzukisavvy on 03/08/16 at 10:06:08

Try this. All you have to do for install is find a hose connector so two hoses can drain into one. heres an image

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by Suzukisavvy on 03/08/16 at 10:06:32

hose connector

Title: Re: Fuel consumption and range
Post by Dave on 03/08/16 at 10:27:03

33151A150B093301161619600 wrote:

Try this. All you have to do for install is find a hose connector so two hoses can drain into one.

No...the taller tank will need to have a valve installed so you can turn the fuel flow off. That way the tank that with the higher fuel level won't run fuel into the lower tank and make it overflow.

You could also end up with a problem if you were riding or parked the bike on a hill.....the lower tank could begin to overflow as fuel flowed between the tanks.

When you fill up you would probably turn the valve off and use the fuel in the lower tank, then later on open the valve and let the higher tank drain into the lower tank......then then you need fuel again you would shut the valve before you refill.