Motorcycles - Figuring out the mileage range for a motorcycle
https://forums.bmwmoa.org/threads/mileage-range-2002-r1150r.58963/
The fuel tank capacity for a 2002 BMW R1150R is approximately 5.3 gallons or 20.1 liters.
Based on having at least five gallons in the fuel tank means the low fuel light really should not come on till almost 200 miles.
When the low fuel light comes on I have always gotten another 30 miles out of the bike before I HAVE to absolutely get gas.
Since you know the tank capacity and you know how much it takes to fill, you also know what’s left.
The low fuel light and the gauge are both different bike to bike but consistent individually. After a while you get used to the information.
Just ride it a few tanks (3-) and get an idea of what your mileage is. Then if you have a 5 gal tank figure on 4 gal of actual use at that mpg and that should give you a real “safe zone” (say 4 gal at 40 mpg = 160 miles) so around that mile mark if your gauge comes on or not you’ve still got roughly another gallon to start looking for stations. The gas gauges are screwy on these bikes so that average works well. Of course all bets are off if you hot rod around on one tank and then drive like your an old man the next, consistency is the key.
FWIW, just looked at the book re my 2000 RT the other day and happened to notice that it claims when two bars show on the RID you should have about a gallon left.
Some things you can do to confirm actual mileage:
- Always fill the bike up the same way. For me, that is always on the centerstand and I fill it to the bottom of the filler neck.
- Record your miles ridden for the amount of gas used. Easy division to determine the real miles per gallon.
- For about five tank fills, try to get gas within a few miles of when the light comes on.
Doing this should confirm your real mileage regardless of the light coming on. Also it will tell you how much gas is really used for when the light comes on. If it consistently comes on at only say, 3.5 gallons used, then you know the calibration is off. But at least you’ll really know how far you can go.
The low fuel light comes on on my Rockster at anywhere from 137-158 miles. Depends on how I ride and how full I fill the tank. I can generally count on getting another 30 miles comfortably before “needing” to fill up.
Got the yellow bumble bee 2002 r1150r. My light comes on at around 160 miles and I ride it pretty hard in the hills where I live. Not long distance riding for the most part.
When I do ride the long rides, it may come on around 180 when I’m on the slabs doing long steady riding. So my range is between 40 mpg to 52 mpg depending on the rides.