Triumphrat

piffs · 01-28-2008

I bought my 05 Bonneville Black last week and so far haven't been able to ride it over 100 miles without having to switch to reserve. When i go fill her up, I can only get about 2.2 gallons in before topping off. Something is odd here. I do get a good mpg but it seems as if i can't use a third to a half of the fuel in the tank. I've seen this reported before but no explanation given so far. Can anyone help with input/advice? Much appreciated!

Ride safe,
Jay

Update - a quick search on this site and I found this reply to a post about fuel autonomy on a Tiger

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfacliff

I had the same problem with my bonnie, you have to lean the bike way over to the left to get the gas out of the right side of the tank over to the left side where the fuel pickup is. mine had lots left in the right side but was dry on the left. there should be two fuel taps, one on each side.
cliff

So along with an eventual fuel pickup readjustment, I will try this next time and see how much farther I can go before switching to reserve. Will update this posting. Thanks everyone for the great input!

Glider · 01-28-2008

Seems you are getting about the mileage most report (40 to 50 mpg depending on conditions), but I usually get about 125 miles before reserve. Mine is a 2007.

Just a thought...are you filling it up while on the side stand or center stand? Since the filler is on the right side and the side stand leans to left, I assume you would get a little more in on the side stand.

zam70 · 01-28-2008

the tank wraps around the backbone of the frame with out any provisions of leveling the fuel from side to side...
the tank on the bonnie is also fairly small with a large reserve.

reserve doesn't mean "get fuel immediately", it's just a way to tell you to pay attention...you're getting low.

mikeinva · 01-28-2008

that is kinda strange mine gets about 135 to 145 to reserve but mine takes more gas then yours dose makes me wonder if the pick up in your tank is kinda 1/2 pluged up or is higher then mine.You might take it out of tank and check it.

oldmanjob · 01-28-2008

I agree with mikeinva that it might be a pickup problem as my 06 Black Bonnie goes 140 miles before turning to reserve

road_dog · 01-28-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by piffs

When i go fill her up, I can only get about 2.2 gallons in before topping off.

After I fill up (level with or slightly above the small hole recessed below the main opening) I'll use right at 3 gallons of fuel before I need to switch to reserve. So the 2.2 gallons you're claiming does seem a little odd, unless you're not filling your tank completely.

piffs · 01-28-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glider

Seems you are getting about the mileage most report (40 to 50 mpg depending on conditions), but I usually get about 125 miles before reserve. Mine is a 2007.

Just a thought...are you filling it up while on the side stand or center stand? Since the filler is on the right side and the side stand leans to left, I assume you would get a little more in on the side stand.

Thanks for the quick input, Glider and also Zam. I knew that about the way the tank sits on the frame. But the reserve is supposed to hold aprox .79 gallons, not half the tank for a 4.4 gal. max capacity. So I'm still a good 1.4 gal. short which would put me in the 150-180 miles before reserve range and that seems to be what most of you are getting. Now the mpg is very good, no questions abot that, and I do fill up on the side stand and then level up to make sure it's actually full.

piffs · 01-28-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeinva

that is kinda strange mine gets about 135 to 145 to reserve but mine takes more gas then yours dose makes me wonder if the pick up in your tank is kinda 1/2 pluged up or is higher then mine.You might take it out of tank and check it.

Seems very plausible. 1.4 gallons is a lot of fuel not to use up. Thanks for the input, Mikeinva!

SteveRocket · 01-28-2008

Mine doesn't go much past the 100 mile mark without going to reserve

CAPTDON · 01-28-2008

Your milage isnt too far off. Me thinks you are not filling it all the way or something w/ the petcock? I get 125-130 before reserve- depending on my right hand! I got crappy milage 1 time & someone here said "because of winter gas- less milage" I laughed then came back humbly as he was probably rite. I am in Fla but who knows what gas you are getting? Coulda been a "winter blend" ? Ethanol blend is known to give less milage. Check your petcock or tip her over to the right then keep pumping? No biggie!!