Riding range

[milehighboater]

I know there has been a few threads on this subject before but I am wondering how far folks can go on a tank. I know there is a large difference between driving styles but mine is mostly highway driving and get around 50mpg. This evening I had to make a sprint home and before I got to the station I had turned over 237 miles. When I filled up it only took 4.5 gallons. I guess I'm asking how much of our 5.4 gallon tank can we actually use? Has anyone actually hit 265 miles?

[Buckster]

I'd say that the 237 you got was excellent! The most I think I had on a tank was around 225 and that was on a trip with almost all highway miles. I felt lucky to get that as I rarely let it go above 180 before refilling.

[riceburner]

I tend to get about 165-ish before the light comes on, and I'm pretty sure there's about 40 miles of 'reserve', with an extra couple if you lay the bike down on it's right side and tip the fuel from the left side of the tank into the right side so the pick-up can get at it.

You can add about 2 litres of capacity by modifying the filler-neck as well.

[AZBMWRIDER]

I've had my '02 R since August '02, just turned 50,000 miles on it last week .

I'm pretty light on the throttle, one up riding, no bags windshield, etc... just a naked bike .

When I use premium grade fuel, 91 octane in the US, I get about 5 miles more per gallon, over regular grade fuel, 87 octane .

I can get a consistent 240 miles to low fuel warning on rural Interstate highways, keeping the speed at 75 mph .

Around 172 miles to low fuel warning in my normal routine, work commute, etc ... with regular and 192 miles with premium fuel .

No modifications to the filler area .

I wonder if the engine management leans out the mixture with the high temps that are normal with living in a low desert like Phoenix .

[Rags]

Wow... great mileage... I don't get near that much.

On a recent cross country, I decided to try a tank doing 90 - 100 (w touring shield).

The warning light came on at 123 miles. I was in an area with few to no road services

I took it easier on the reserve gas - but at about 150 the bike started to cough (on hills) on a side road while I was looking for gas.

I did make it; but I was sweating...

I timed the bike when I got home and synched the throttle cables and I get much better mileage now - but nowhere near what's quoted here

Rags

[milehighboater]

I'm really surprised to hear about the mpg swings on this bike. I don't really see a mpg drop till I drive consistently over 75mph. Even then I still average 47-48mpg. I do use 91 octane but I thought the higher elevations would hurt my economy. At least I know now I'm at the upper part of the spectrum.

[jwagreen]

I have a 2002 with system cases and no screen. I am 260 lbs and ride between 75 MPH and 80 MPH on highway for long distances, (daily commute is 132 miles round trip in Central Florida) using 93 octane. I am averaging 140 miles till the light comes on. One time a few months ago I ran it up to 189 and then the engine stalled. I had to do the lean trick on the side of the road to move gas from the right side of the tank to the left. I was able to drive another 8 miles to next filling station. I forgot to mention I have the recyclizer on the bike also that has dropped my range from 46 MPG to 40-42 MPG. I am heavy on the throttle