06 R1200RT Fuel Tank Question

[MarkEngland]

My bike stated I had xx miles left. Then the computer displayed "----". I rode another 20 miles (+or- a few) and filled up.

 

However, my tank only took 6.3 gallons. The specs state the fuel tank is 7.1 gallons. I find it hard to believe that I had ~1 gallon in the tank since the computer displayed "----".

 

Just curious

[Rocket_Cowboy]

The countdown is distance until reserve, at --- you were in reserve. if you fueled 6.3 gallons, you weren't very far into reserves.

[tgrrdr]

Then the computer displayed "----".

 

I find it hard to believe that I had ~1 gallon in the tank since the computer displayed "----".

 

soon after I bought my 05 last summer I strapped a one gallon can on the back and rode until I ran out of gas. Made it 42 miles after it indicated "---" - I'd say that's about a gallon left.

[gettysburg]

I've found I can safely travel 40-50 miles further when the computer displays "----". But in general, I'll fill-up after 300-320 miles; usually only managing to fit 5.5-6 gallons in the tank.

[Artee]

I've found I can safely travel 40-50 miles further when the computer displays "----". But in general, I'll fill-up after 300-320 miles; usually only managing to fit 5.5-6 gallons in the tank.

 

I only get this range in kilometers! What's up with that?

[Rocket_Cowboy]

I only get this range in kilometers! What's up with that?

 

You're not alone. My average has only been 272 miles, and occasionally less than that. It'll get better once I get this 4 gal aux fuel tank plumbed in (working on that right now).

 

That difference in range is going to come down to fuel economy ... and I know mine is a pig. My average fuel economy over the past year of ownership is only 41.9 mpg. Now, I generally travel somewhat fast and pretty well loaded, but others have reported higher figures.

[motoguy128]

The "miles to empty" relies on the fuel strip. This isn't the most accurate gauge. They also can be calibrated incorrectly. Mine reads maximum until I'm down to almost 1 gallon left. Then it shows about 5/6 or a tank.

 

I also only get typically 40-42, with some periods of 45-47 in warmer weather at more moderate speeds.

[gettysburg]

I've found I can safely travel 40-50 miles further when the computer displays "----". But in general, I'll fill-up after 300-320 miles; usually only managing to fit 5.5-6 gallons in the tank.

 

I only get this range in kilometers! What's up with that?

 

Could be the fuel mixture sold in you part of the country.

 

I'll usually get 50-52mpg with the following:

 

- Stick to 3500-4500RPMs.

- Ride one-up all the time.

- Side cases are almost alway on the bike.

- Commute 120mi. daily (45mph average)

 

On trips loaded-down with gear and averaging 60+mph, milage will drop to bout 45-47mpg.

[bobanddianne]

My test run to empty just a few days ago, went a distance of 62 miles at 77mph (80 indicated)

Total my tank will hold, without the little rubber insert in place, is 7.5 gallons.

 

I'm happy with this.

 

N6XAY

[TomfromMD]

Total my tank will hold, without the little rubber insert in place, is 7.5 gallons.

 

How far up the neck was your fill? I usually allow about 1/2~3/4" space to the top to avoid overfilling but am wondering if I can safely put in more fuel.

Tom

[Draig]

My test run to empty just a few days ago, went a distance of 62 miles at 77mph (80 indicated)

Total my tank will hold, without the little rubber insert in place, is 7.5 gallons.

 

I'm happy with this.

 

 

N6XAY

 

 

This Saturday I nearly ran to empty, but not intentionally. I was on a ride to Mount Shasta when with an indicated 98 miles to empty, I decided to stop for gas. It was then that I realized I had forgotten my wallet. I was over 100 miles away from home.

 

I decided to ride back, and at 55 mph, I was getting 64 mpg, according to the on board computer. I made it back, with 1-mile left to empty.

 

Upon reaching the gas station, my tank took 5.7 gallons of gas, and no more.

 

I've run the tank to "---" once before, and found it took about 5.7 gallons to refill. This appears to be consistent with some other reports that I've found on this forum. Some had speculated that BMW must have erred in calculating or measuring the volume of the tanks on the new RT's. Some had said that some of the "missing" capacity was due to plumbing inside the tank displacing fuel. I like to think they got the number right, and that I have about 1.4 gallons left to burn when "---" shows up on my on board computer.

[Rotor]

Yes, I've posted on this before. It's a sore spot for me, more than most other things. So, here it is: Having been frustrated with this issue enough to take the strip and fuel pump out, I can tell you your fuel guage will never tell you exactly what's in the tank, at least not till it's redesigned. The bottom of the fuel strip is considerably higher in the tank than the bottom of the fuel pick-up. So, when it say's empty, there's still a good amount of fuel in the tank - at least a gallon if not more. I tried to have it corrected by BMW before I took it apart by having them dry the fuel strip and re-set the gauge/computer with no luck. The only way to know for sure how far you can go after the gauge reads empty is to put a gallon of fuel on the bike and ride till it quits. Then, put your gallon in to get to a gas station and fill it up. Whatever you put in at the gas station plus the gallon you put in on the roadside should be over 7 gallons.

 

At least you'll know.

[Riobeemer]

I've got a new '07 RT and am having the same math problems described. 5.4 gal to 'fill up' after running on reserve for 15+ miles. What is the 'full' mark? I can't figure from the user manual where to stop. On my last 1150RT I used to fill to the top of the filler tube and eventually clogged the carbon canister - lots of problems...

[1analguy]

Re: total capacity...

 

From "the engine just died at idle" to "filled flush with the bottom of the metal filler neck" is 7.48 gallons on my bike.

 

You can forget about the "miles to empty" value. It's "computed" based on miles traveled vs average fuel consumption. I believe that the accuracy of the MTE calculation falls down because the fuel consumption algorithm seems to be a "look-up-in-a-table" affair rather than an actual computation, or at least the numerical value displayed is. Did you ever notice that the fuel economy is always displayed in the same "block" values (51.3, 53.7. etc.) instead of updating in tenths (49.8, 49.9, 50.0, 49.9)? This realy ticks me off as I paid extra money for the trip "computer" and all I got was a table of values for a couple of hundred dollars!

 

On my fuel gage, which was re-calibrated, when the last pixel in the fuel level bar graph goes out there's 0.7 gallon left in the tank, period.

 

You'll never know with this kind of accuracy unless you're willing to "run it dry"...

[Tapatio]

My dealer gave me this tip (and I've tested this out myself ). If you run it dry you can tilt the bike to the left, kickstand side, and it will fill the left side of the tank where the pickup is. The tank is curved so if you are driving in a straight line it will leave some reserve on the right side of the tank. Based on my estimate it equals about 1/4 gallon of fuel which isn't much but might get you to the next gas station. Hope you never need to use this information...

[bakerzdosen]

Hope you never need to use this information...

I needed it - and kinda learned it the hard way about two miles outside of Winnemucca, NV. I was wrong about how much additional fuel I would use because of the strong headwind I was up against. Luckily, after stopping and tilting, the bike got me to the gas station.

[tdtflyboy]

I'm startin' to think there's nuthin you can't learn thru this site, if you're willing to read everything you can get your hands on.

I just got my '06 R12RT 'bout 3 weeks ago, and had been wondering 'bout fuel guage accuracy, etc. You guys just answered the only 4 or 5 questions I had worth askin' on the topic.

Putting on an oversize CB w/s this weekend and have a Givi topbox on order. Will be interested to see to what extent they impact the ~45 mpg i've been getting so far.

[Dave_zoom_zoom]

Hey there analguy-

 

I can understand your fustration.

 

My point of view is a bit different. I've put on hunderds of thousands of miles (which we now call kms up here) with no gas gauge. Just try & remember to reset the trip odometer when filling up, consider your present riding style, and guess how much gas was left.

 

The reserve valve was always there if I needed it. (which I often did)

 

I think these present gas gauges give me more then enough information. Oh I know they are not near as accurate as some others, but have you taken a good look at the configeration of your gas tank? It's anything but symmetrical. BUT HOLDS LOTS OF GAS!

 

I just know that with me R1200RT when the gauge shows empty, I still have "at least" another 50 kms to go.

 

I'm OK with that.

 

What a great bike! 47000 kms on it & love it more each day!

 

HAPPY TRAILS!

 

Dave

[markgoodrich]

I'm in the "reset the odometer" group. When I first got my bike I noticed I could never get more than about 5.3 gallons in, even after running past "empty." I asked the service manager at my dealer and he said, I swear, that the owner's manual is wrong, and the tank only holds...jeez, I can't remember what he said, maybe 5.1 gallons...anyway, he acted incredulous I was able to get 5.3 gallons in the tank. Next time I was in, I told him I'd confirmed the 7.1 size, and suddenly "the factory" was not calibrating the fuel gauges correctly, and nothing could be done about it. THIRD time, in for a minor warranty issue, I asked him to do the dry the strip routine. He pouted, I mean it, he pouted, said okay, but didn't put it on the work order. I asked him to put it on the work order, and he grudgingly did so, writing it on the printed order. There's been no change in my "empty" reading. Gee, maybe that's because the work didn't get done

 

The dealership routinely gets voted "best motorcycle dealer in Texas," and every time I tell this story I get flamed, but it happened as I described it.