R1200RT Fuel Tank

[empeg9000]

SO the RT has a 7.1 gallon tank. How does one get that much in there? The most fuel I have ever been able to get in mine is 5.6 gallons. My range is about 240 miles. I am averaging about 45 mpg so I am clearly not filling the tank but it seems to be right at the top. What am I doing wrong?

[wezul]

Not a da*n thing.
From what I understand the difference is "reserve".

[empeg9000]

Huh. Seems like even with the reserve I should be able to put 6 gallons in it right?

[wezul]

TBH I cannot remember the last time I filled the RT from almost dry but I think you're in the neighborhood with a heavy 5 gallons.
Also, I have read here where some folks have taken their bikes in to have the sensor/meter in the tank calibrated although I cannot recall if that solved any issues.
Have you run it dry or drained the tank? Poke about in the hexhead forum, this has been discussed before.

[empeg9000]

TBH I cannot remember the last time I filled the RT from almost dry but I think you're in the neighborhood with a heavy 5 gallons.
Also, I have read here where some folks have taken their bikes in to have the sensor/meter in the tank calibrated although I cannot recall if that solved any issues.
Have you run it dry or drained the tank? Poke about in the hexhead forum, this has been discussed before.
Well last Thursday I ran it down to the computer telling me I had only 19 miles left of fuel which should have meant I would think about a half gallon left. However I was only able to put about 5.4 gallons in it.

[OHBobH]

I've run my '07 RT down to the point where the range was - - -, and it took 5.85 to 5.9 gallons. Additionally, I've run the bike 25 to 30 miles after having the range display - - -, and put over 6.5 gallons in it. Consequently, once the range is exhausted and the display shows - - -, there should be over 1 gallon remaining. At least, that's the case with my bike.

[SilverRT]

+1 for the one gallon left. I've ran down to the ---- mark and still have one gallon left in the tank.

[wsteinborn]

I get 50 MPG (highway)
When my gas guage says I have 0 miles lieft, I can put in 5.9 to 6 gallons.

I don't know how much of the last 1.1 gallons is useable. I would like to find out, but.........

So, I just start looking for gas as I approach 300 miles.

If you want to put the maximum gas in, pull the rubber "thing" out of the filler neck, and put the bike on the center stand. Just be sure to ride it before parking or the expanding gas will force some out of the vent onto the ground.

[tbryant]

My 06 RT still has about two gallons (including reserve) when showing ---. You have a gauge that is in error on the safe side, get used to it and don't have it calibrated. I have heard of some that are quite the opposite, when the --- appears the bike shuts down shortly after. If I ride to "fumes" I can get almost 350 miles @ 50 mpg. I have put over 43K on my bike now and know it like the back of my hand and have never run completely out. It is difficult to get them full, you must be on the center stand and slowly feed it once it comes into the neck, let it burp down. Rocking it back to touch the rear wheel occasionally helps burp it, too.

[empeg9000]

My 06 RT still has about two gallons (including reserve) when showing ---. You have a gauge that is in error on the safe side, get used to it and don't have it calibrated. I have heard of some that are quite the opposite, when the --- appears the bike shuts down shortly after. If I ride to "fumes" I can get almost 350 miles @ 50 mpg. I have put over 43K on my bike now and know it like the back of my hand and have never run completely out. It is difficult to get them full, you must be on the center stand and slowly feed it once it comes into the neck, let it burp down. Rocking it back to touch the rear wheel occasionally helps burp it, too.
Okay, I didn't know about the --- thing. I thought when it got to zero I would run out of gas. So thats miles until reserve basically. Thats good to know. Yes I did just discover that if I fill very slowly and rock the bike I can get more into it. How are you guys getting 50mpg? Are you running the windshield all the way down? Do you ride granny style? I'm not riding like a hooligan but I am not babying it either.

I am really loving the RT. I have 2400 miles on it now. After riding 8 hours on Sunday, 3 of it in the rain, I was ready for more. After 8 hours on my R1100S I had to be peeled off it and I didn't want to go near it for days.

[tbryant]

Getting 50 mpg isn't too difficult but it drops into the mid-40s once I go over 75 mph. You'll see it improving as the bike breaks in, they get smoother and smoother as the miles pile on. I have found that windshield position isn't a big factor, it's more wind and speed related. Here in Arizona it is relatively flat in the deserts and I can average 52 mpg on a calm day at 75 - 80 mph. These hexheads are truly amazing. Enjoy!

[dmr]

Been discussed before, but I've run out twice, the last time with "20" MTE. Leaned the bike over, squeezed 2 miles out to the station, and filled it with 6.896 gallons of fuel.
Like the temperature, I've learned to take the computer readout with a grain of salt. The odometer is accurate, and my math says 6 gal X 40 mpg = 240 miles. I'm using the trip meter now.


D Ross

[hlothery]

I routinely get 50 MPG around town here. Someone once stated that I must be very "judicious" with the throttle. I don't perceive it that way, use as much as I want, whenever I want, but usually ride the speed limit. I did, however, on the Natchez Trace Parkway (doing steady 50 MPH in 5th gear with cruise control on ) get 61 MPG. :bow :heart

[dmr]

I averaged 57 mpg (according to the computer) from IL to Vermont on state highways for the national. On the way home-52 mpg on the slab.

[tcate]

Discovered yesterday that my fuel gauge is having a problem. I thought I was getting good mileage after installing a new air filter and new Roadsmarts. When I got to 315 miles and still had over 1/4 tank I thought maybe I should stop and fill up. Good thing. With the bike on the center stand I pumped 7.346 gallons into the tank. No, none on the ground. I had 317.7 on the trip meter. I had been disappointed that I kept running down to ---.- miles and only had 5.5 gallons of useable fuel. I guess now I know that almost every drop of gas in the tank is useable...

Still think I better get my fuel gauge fixed.

TC

[2slow47]

I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RUBBER SLEEVE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FILL SPOUT,WHICH I REMOVED BY PULLING IT OUT , IBELIEVE ITS FOR FUEL EXPANSION VAPORS(MORE VAPORS LESS FUEL):drink AND HAVE NOW BEEN ABLE TO PUT IN 6.5 GAL

[hlothery]

I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RUBBER SLEEVE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE FILL SPOUT,WHICH I REMOVED BY PULLING IT OUT , IBELIEVE ITS FOR FUEL EXPANSION VAPORS(MORE VAPORS LESS FUEL):drink AND HAVE NOW BEEN ABLE TO PUT IN 6.5 GAL

I'm no expert, don't know if it is true, but I was told that if you do that you run the risk of fuel spilling into the carbon cannister (I think that is what it was) and ruining it. I was told that that is why the rubber sleve is there, to prevent overfilling and putting the vent at risk. FWIW.

[Ctrod]

What everyone is describing is what my fuel gauge use to do before I had work done to it. I brought the bike in for a small problem, they fixed the problem but did calibrate the fuel gauge when they put it back together. Left me standing on the side of the road with the fuel guage showing 1/4 tank. I brought it back and now when the fuel gauge is down in that little triangle at the bottom I have less then a gal of gas left. I service manual says to calibrate the gauge with the tank empty but it sounds like they do it at the factory with about a gal of gas in it. When it ran out I was able to put 6.9 gal in but have learned that after the gas hits the rubber at the top of the tank there is still more room in there if you fill slowly.

[Delphicorc]

What you are describing in a problem notorious to the 1200RTs. Whether BMW intended it, the fact is that the computer and gauge will read plum empty when there is still a gallon (or four litres) left in the tank. This summer I got caught in outback Oregon and was forced to run on empty for over 60 miles and when I did make to a gas station the tank (for the first and hopefully last time) took 6.85 gallons (Whew!).

[tbryant]

What Delph said!!:doh

[136602]

Never put more than 5.5 gal in tk. even when I am on a long ride. I don't trust read outs and don't want to say :dunno I did not see the sign that said last gas for the next ??? miles. I know I get around 45 - 50 loaded down with tire pressures 40/42 doing the speed limit or around 65 any higher and it drops down by a few miles. But I am not using the premium gas any more $$$$.

[lagator]

I have an 06 1200 RT with 37,000+ miles on it. I usually average around 50 MPG whether riding locally or on trips, and that's riding two-up with luggage. I usually start looking for a gas staion when the gas pump starts blinking and generally put anywhere from 5.2 to 5.8 gallons depending on how far I go on reserve. I have run 325 miles on a tank and put 6.2 gallons in it. On a trip to the national rally in Vermont I put 4,300 miles on it for the whole trip riding one-up with camping gear and luggage and averaged 52.5 MPG for the entire trip. This was running 75-80 MPH from Louisiana to lower New York state. After that it was 50 to 60 in the Catskills and Adirondaks and Vermont/New Hampshire. The best I've gotten on one tank was 59.3 MPG. When the fuel warning yellow triangle comes on I usually fuel up out of caution even though I generally have 2+ gallons left. Better safe than sorry. I also reset the trip meter each time I fuel up.
Gator

[tbryant]

Mine and yours are absolutely identical...something about those 06 RTs!! I now have 45K on mine.

Terry

[TGA57589]

I ran my tank down till the computer had no mileage left and then, rode another 40 miles to get home. I got up the next day rode to get gas and only put in 6 1/2gallons. It's really nice to hear from everyone else on here that you all have the same issue on the mileage of the computer but need not worry after we all learn how hard we can press the fuel load and computer. It seems the computer and rserve "err" to the point that we have plenty of gas left to get to a station for a fill up.

[ricoshay]

I'm one of those guys that hates to buy gas until absoutely necessary. I ride alone a lot :doh I usually fill up when the triangle is on the verge of disappearing or sometimes is long gone. I added 7.1 gallons once and had only experienced one hiccup riding up the exit ramp.

I can get away with this ludicrous behavior only because I always have a quart of spare gas in my saddlebag. You really don't want to explore the limits of your gas gauge without some insurance.

It cost me 3 hours and $25 for a gallon of gas on the PA turnpike once, and I ran out next to a Call Box. That was on my K11LT and I've carried spare gas ever since. I seldom actually need the gas, but its' presence allows me use my reserve capacity with impunity.

John
Pgh.,PA
05-R1200RT

[airoilheadbeemerguy]

Not just with our beemers; my wife has a 650 Strom with a 20L tank. It flashes madly for a fill up but will only take 14-15L:doh . My RT will take about 20L so my experience is pretty much the same as other posts. Have not run it down much past that, the better half is much less willing to 'take chances.'

[njnear]

I did a functional test on my '07 RT last summer. Went 53 miles past 0 to empty and chickened out for further riding. With the rubber insert removed I put in 7.09 gallons.

[rthcalvin2]

I have an 08 w/1300 miles. My gas guage would not go over 3/4. The computer would only show 220 miles to refil. When I took it in for my 600 mile check I mentioned it. The mechanic said the RT's are notorious for this problem. He replaced a sensor and sent me on my way. I immediately filled up and it now reads about 7/8. I also get between 45-55 depending on how I drive. I returned to the dealer and gave him the news. He said he would make a note in my file and do some research for the next time I was in for service. Sucks to think you are riding one of the best bikes on the planet and they can't get the fuel guage to work!