Stranded Twice 08RT

[cookie]

It happened last night going home. I was cruising along about 60mph and the engine just quit. I have 114 miles to empty and 1/4 tank showing on the display, acted like I ran out of fuel. 2 and a half hours on the side of the road, a state trooper arranged for a tow. I had no cell service naturally. 100 degrees and no water. I never once was stranded on any other bike I have owned. $315 tow bill which I hope BMW will pay, that's going to be my next experience. I got to tell you I am losing confidence and I never expected this from a BMW.
Thanks for listening, I needed to tell someone.:banghead

[deilenberger]

Jeff - did you run out of fuel?

Just as an aside - I do believe in belt/suspenders.. whenever I fill up I reset one of my odometers to zero. If I get to 200 miles on it - I know I'll need gas soon, no matter what the miles to empty says. That said - my miles to empty has been pretty accurate based on the amount of fuel I put in the tank. I guess mine might be the exception.

[cookie]

I believe I did however I have trusted the electronic display. When I looked into the tank it is difficult to see fuel due to the tank configuration. I will let the dealer decide which way this is going. I have an expense that I would not have incurred if the display was correct. Good idea on the trip minder.

[DarrylRi]

My '07 R1200ST seems to have perhaps 20-30 miles left when the countdown reaches zero. However, the display on a friend's GS is about 20 miles optimistic, and he's had to push his bike.

Frankly, I've got enough old bikes that I always reset a trip meter when I fill up and follow that, regardless of what the countdown says.

(Except on my oldest bikes, which don't have trip meters. For them, I look in the gas tank every time I take them out to ride them, and then keep track from there with the main odometer readings.)

I see you're in Paradise, I was just up in your neck of the woods for the Central Cal Beemer Bash a couple weeks ago. Had a great time! For some reason, I've never been on the LaPorte road before, I sure enjoyed that!

[antaeas]

I had the same problem last week: without a warning, and with a display reading about 50 miles to go, Artie quit on me while we were passing a truck. After coasting off the highway, I called AAA and had two gallons brought to me by a tow truck, driven by a fellow rider. I recommend AAA gold RV plan: I didn't get charged for the fuel.

I called Jason at Mischler's (Beaver Dam WI), who told me that he hadn't heard about other fuel or gauge problems, but would check Artie when I came in for 24K service next month. He explained that the sender is a moisture-sensitive strip that sends a signal based on where it's wet. I am beginning to suspect that it may be faulty. In the meantime, more than ever, I do what Don suggests: verify with the odometer, don't trust the display. When I get to 100 miles, I fill up.

[RoscoeRules]

Same thing happened to me 1 yr ago this month at 40 MPH everything shutdown, no warning, nothing---just like I switched off the ignition key----5 hrs later and a tow truck. It was a faulty battery and no amount of jump starting would work because it wouldn't hold a charge---only 16K miles old. And there are others who had the same thing happen. Your dealer will be able to check the fault history on their analyzer to narrow down the problem. I opted for a non BMW battery and it's worked great since. Good luck

[marcopolo]

I called Jason at Mischler's (Beaver Dam WI), who told me that he hadn't heard about other fuel or gauge problems

:rofl:rofl

[RTRyder]

Having grown up with motorcycles using manual petcocks with often unreliable reserve valves, I have always used a resettable trip meter to guage when I need to fill up. Now I use a belt and suspender methodology, I reset the primay tripmeter on the RT dash and also have the fuel guage reminder turned on in the Zumo 550, that assures that I get a very noticeable reminder at 210 miles to start looking for a gas station.

Best part of the Zumo reminder is I can just tap the screen and it will give a list of the closest gas stations and route me there if I want, electronic techology can be a good thing!

[RoboRider]

I have an 05 RT. The dealer did some work on the bike and recalibrated the fuel sensor. I have 20-30 miles left after a zero reading. If your guage is not accurate, rest assured that the system works, and the right mechanic can make it work.

[kurt1305]

My '07 GSA did the same thing twice. I turned out to be a faulty fuel pump.

[stkmkt1]

Yep. BMW just spent $1700 replacing my pump, injectors, and rubber due to "too much ethanol" in the gas. At least they paid the tow bill and for all of the repairs. Oh, and the fuel strip was replaced. Bike is an '09 with 10,500 miles on it.

[marchyman]

I have an 05 RT. The dealer did some work on the bike and recalibrated the fuel sensor. I have 20-30 miles left after a zero reading. If your guage is not accurate, rest assured that the system works, and the right mechanic can make it work.

Yes and no. On my GS, for example, I do not have the on-board computer. That means I've an old fashioned float-on-a-lever. It's pretty reliable and can be adjusted. The bikes with the on-board computer have a fuel level sensor, instead. I don't believe there's anything a mechanic can do with a sensor other than replace it. :dunno There are reports from folks that are now on their second or third (or 4th) sensor and still not getting reliable fuel readings.

[Ctrod]

and the right mechanic can make it work.

The answer to most problems.
It took me 4 trips back to the dealer to get the gas guage right after my first service.:banghead

[TallPauls]

Jeff - did you run out of fuel?

Just as an aside - whenever I fill up I reset one of my odometers to zero. If I get to 200 miles on it - I know I'll need gas soon, no matter what the miles to empty says. That said - my miles to empty has been pretty accurate based on the amount of fuel I put in the tank. I guess mine might be the exception.

+1 :thumb

[ladyBmer]

last week my bike just died.. not like ran out of gas 'died', but the engine just stopped, shut itself off as I was riding down the road at 40mph.. :( Had plenty of gas. but it wouldn't start. :banghead
Had it towed to Lone Star in Austin..Turns out it was the Fuel pump controller and Fuel pump. I was told by the service folks that they've seen a few of these failures this year.. I was just happy I didn't have to pay for the towing (200.00), parts and labor (491.00):thumb








:german

[Semper_Fi]

Jeff - did you run out of fuel?

Just as an aside - I do believe in belt/suspenders.. whenever I fill up I reset one of my odometers to zero. If I get to 200 miles on it - I know I'll need gas soon, no matter what the miles to empty says. That said - my miles to empty has been pretty accurate based on the amount of fuel I put in the tank. I guess mine might be the exception.


+2, I too was once naive enough believing that a fuel gauge on a 18K dollar machine would provide some functional level of accuracy - sorry to say no.

The same is true with my GT, when I get to 50 miles left showing on range, it does not drop. The cruise can accuractely control the speed to 1mph but don't trust the fuel gauge.

I usually just fill up at 1/4 tank.

Sorry to hear about your troubles - you should see about getting the tow re-imbursed, I would

[PAULBACH]

Jeff - did you run out of fuel?

Just as an aside - I do believe in belt/suspenders.. whenever I fill up I reset one of my odometers to zero. If I get to 200 miles on it - I know I'll need gas soon, no matter what the miles to empty says. That said - my miles to empty has been pretty accurate based on the amount of fuel I put in the tank. I guess mine might be the exception.

Good advice from Deilenberger. This is the same advice given to all riders on a Beach's Tour. Reset the odometer and when it reads 200 - get gas as soon as possible. Rob uses brand new BMW's but never trusts the gas gauges.

And after 200 miles or kilometers it is time to stretch the legs, relax and avoid DVT.

[Sit]

I have a late model 06 GS that is badged as an 07. After first getting the bike, I notice the gauge was way off, I dont have the computer on my bike. During the 600 miles service, the dealer dried the strip and reset the computer. Gauge seemed better after this, but still not real accurate. Next service I told them of the issue again and they again dried the strip and reset things along with a firmware update they thought would help. The tech also told me to not fill up until the low fuel light came on. Said something like after the reset, the computer will learn how to better read the strip after the first fill up and it does this better after the fuel light goes on blah blah.

I road the bike for about 30 miles after the light came on, filled up and crossed my fingers. Gauge seems pretty accurate now. It actually counts down for the most part and I have had the thing down to distance til walking reading of 2 miles, of course at this fill up the tank took more than the book says it can hold...?? but oh well. I look at the gauge as just, that a gauge, so I can gauge my ride and fuel stops. I always run one of the trip odometers with the tank and fill up aroun 170 miles any way.

[cookie]

I see I'm not alone here. I would agree that a $20k machine should have an accurate guage. I have learned a very valuable lesson here, I will watch my odo for miles rather than depend on that silly guage.
On the bright side the dealer said one way or the other I will be reimbursed for my $315 tow bill. That's great!
Thank you'all for the thoughts, I really do appreciate this club.
Jeff
PS the only people that pulled over to help were two women and a guy on a flying brick.

[antaeas]

Marcopolo can laugh all he wants, but my question to my dealer was about bad gas OR gauge problems. I should have explained that he did tell me about the fuel strip needing to be reset, but only after we talked about ethanol. Last winter, I had a snowblower freeze up when the fuel had entrained water that froze. Two weeks ago, I was suspecting that I had again pumped some bad gas. Around here, even the pumps for 93 octane premium have stickers showing 10% ethanol content. According to everything I've heard, ethanol doesn't eat fuel systems at current specs, but always attracts water.

[Semper_Fi]

I see I'm not alone here. ....... I will watch my odo for miles rather than depend on that silly guage.......

Jeff - fwiw my RT had a 4% error on the odometer, my GT is between 2-4%

Gotta love it :lurk

[cookie]

You guys are right on the money, I never thought of ethanol. I put a gallon of fuel in last night and vvrroom I'm on the road again. I took it to the gas station filled up and set tho trip minder. That is a new habit for me!!!!
Thanks

[mistercindy]

Don't feel too bad. Lots of people have run out of gas a time or two because they mistakenly trusted a gauge or did something silly. I've had it happen on one motorcycle (didn't have the reserve switch turned on with an old Honda CB400) and one car (borrowed a buddy's classic late 60s Mustang and the gauge was permanently stuck on 1/2 tank). A bit embarrassing, but one of those life lessons.

My 12GS's gas gauge is basically useless until my "reserve" light pops on. Once that reserve light pops on I have four little bars that disappear one by one until empty. They are remarkably consistant at 10-12 miles per bar. Very predictable. That, and the number showing miles to empty, which only comes on with the "reserve" light, is pretty darn accurate, too.

That said, I always reset one of my trips when I refuel. My 12GS is the first motorcycle I've owned with a gas gauge, so its an old habit. My first car had a gas gauge that wasn't worth a darn, either, so I use the trip in my cars, too.

[OfficerImpersonator]

I'm anal-retentive about my bike, so I'm always calculating my mileage, which means I'm always resetting my trip odometer every time I fill up. I average 210 miles between fill-ups on my '02 RTP, which works out to about 35 mpg. I got 260 miles on my last tank, but that's because most of my riding was downhill :)

BMW fuel gauges have always been junk. Mine never shows a full tank, and indicates I'm down to 3/4 of a tank after just five miles of riding. Go by miles ridden instead of what the fuel gauge shows and you'll avoid this problem in the future.

Just in case, I keep at least one of these (http://www.rei.com/product/783963) filled with gas on my bike at all times. If I ever do run out of fuel, I'll have enough to hopefully get me to the next gas station.

Finally, I've seen it mentioned on the forum that the fuel pump is cooled by the fuel in which it sits, so if the tank is routinely drained to almost the last drop, the fuel pump might not be adequately cooled and thus might fail. Others might have better information on this phenomenon than I do.

[rbryson]

This is exactly why I ride an AIRHEAD. Too much high technology that fails too often. I simply flip one of two reserve petcocks and keep on cruising.

[jamesdunn]

Yep. BMW just spent $1700 replacing my pump, injectors, and rubber due to "too much ethanol" in the gas. At least they paid the tow bill and for all of the repairs. Oh, and the fuel strip was replaced. Bike is an '09 with 10,500 miles on it.

Too much ethanol? Was this a mistake, as in, too much blended into the fuel? Did you get some E85 somehow?

[stkmkt1]

Too much ethanol? Was this a mistake, as in, too much blended into the fuel? Did you get some E85 somehow?

We will never know for sure. The fuel in the tank tested as E10. But both BMW Field Rep and dealer said the damage was consistant with too much alcohol. Wish we had an easy way to eliminate the alcohol from the fuel before it ever goes into the bike. I have yet to find anyone with any common sense, make a good case for adding alcohol to gasoline in the manner in which we are subjected to in the country. Sorry farmers.

[mistercindy]

I'm anal-retentive about my bike, so I'm always calculating my mileage, which means I'm always resetting my trip odometer every time I fill up.
Me, too. Every time I refuel I print a receipt, then use the calculator on my phone to calculate gas mileage based on my trip. Then I write it on the receipt. I also write down the approximate mileage when the light came on, the number of miles my computer said I had left, and the bars showing on my gauge. That's how I've come to know that those four bars that are their after the light pops on are so predictible at 10-12 miles per bar (ie., 40-50 miles after the light comes on). I eventually throw the receipts away, but for several months I keep them held together with a paper clip in my tank bag. Before I throw them out I look them over for little trends, etc... Just one more little way to know the bike.

Anal retentive and obsessive compulsive, I know. But their ya go!:D

[GregoryT]

Until now, my fuel gauge was always spot on with the warning light coming on at about one gallon of fuel reserve. This morning, however, coming back home from work I ran out of gas. No big deal, one may say but in my case, it happened in the morning rush hour on I-5 North near Everett exit 189. I was cruising on the HOV lane and that's where I got stuck, the problem was I had to cross the freeway to get to my exit. After rocking my bike, left and right I was able to refire the engine and zoom by to the other side of the freeway between flying cars and semi trucks, just as the engine started to die again. Lucky for me, no one ran me over in this attempt and this is the reason why I think this is MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. At that time, I had 303.3 miles on the trip, and the fuel gauge showed quarter of tank fuel left and computer was showing 57 miles to empty, (no low fuel warning light). As I was pushing my 2009 R1200 RT to the gas station, someone on the old British bike stopped by offering assitance (nice gesture) but I was too close to my destination. One positive from this story is that now I know what the fuel tank capacity is. It took 6.932 of a gallon in the distance of 303.3 miles equals average fuel economy 43.375 miles per gallon in commuting. And yes, from now on I will monitor more closely my trip meter. Considering the number of misfunction fuel gauges BMW should issue safety recall on all effected models before somebody gets hurt.

[SPOKESMAN]

The gas gauge on my '09 RT seems to work perfectly, at least for now, knock on wood. Can't say if the miles to empty function is accurate, because I've never taken it past zero or run out of gas.

Nevertheless, I've been screwed too many times in the past by trusting gas gauges. I just set the tripmeter every fill up and gas up after about 250 miles. I've never had it take much more than 5 gallons, so I figure this leaves me a pretty healthy reserve. My butt needs at least two breaks per tank, anyway, which I attribute to the stock seat.

[bsaylors]

Don't have any technical advise but have been using the Stabil Ethanol Treatment in both my boat and my RT. Like the idea of Ethanol treatment and fuel cleaner in one.

[LTOwner]

Very common problem. I have an 09 GS and the local dealer tells me most people's gas guage doesn't work, and there is no "fix". BMW tells them to just keep replacing the original system while it is in warranty. My gas guage stays on full, and mileage to go stays on 240. When I get to about 170 miles, I am looking for a gas station, as the bike gets on average about 40 mpg.

[whsparger]

Yep. BMW just spent $1700 replacing my pump, injectors, and rubber due to "too much ethanol" in the gas. At least they paid the tow bill and for all of the repairs. Oh, and the fuel strip was replaced. Bike is an '09 with 10,500 miles on it.

my 09 GSA fuel pump has been replaced twice also. Once at 2400mi in June and now at 4000mi. This time they blamed ethanol in the winter gasolinr blend in Colorado. The first time they couldn't. Seems like a design problem to me

[whsparger]

Don't have any technical advise but have been using the Stabil Ethanol Treatment in both my boat and my RT. Like the idea of Ethanol treatment and fuel cleaner in one.

Has BMW officially blessed this additive?

[MPMARTY]

I guess I've got an oddball RT. My 06 gauge works flawlessly. I too reset my #1 trip odometer to zero at every fillup and always get gas at or near 300 miles and take a bit less than six gallons. I've never seen the low fuel warning come on and have no desire to experience it either. At 300 miles I've got a bar and a bit left on the gauge.

[hankhoward]

I just returned from a riding vacation which took me through a good part of S. C., N. C., Va., and home. during the second tank my fuel gauge, which had been working perfectly, simply quit working. For the remaining 12 days I rode with a warning light flashing. It was extremely annoying!! I haven't yet had a chance to try to diagnose the problem.

[wharthog]

It happened last night going home. I was cruising along about 60mph and the engine just quit. I have 114 miles to empty and 1/4 tank showing on the display, acted like I ran out of fuel. 2 and a half hours on the side of the road, a state trooper arranged for a tow. I had no cell service naturally. 100 degrees and no water. I never once was stranded on any other bike I have owned. $315 tow bill which I hope BMW will pay, that's going to be my next experience. I got to tell you I am losing confidence and I never expected this from a BMW.
Thanks for listening, I needed to tell someone.:banghead

I'm on my fourth fuel strip for my ;07 RT. That is the part that sends the fuel level to the gauge. The gauge is terribly inaccurate even when it is working. BMW has roadside assistance which includes free towing while your bike is under warranty. I'm pursuing a Lemon Law case with BMW over this issue. Definitely trust your odometer only...

[sellis]

I guess I've got an oddball RT. My 06 gauge works flawlessly. I too reset my #1 trip odometer to zero at every fillup and always get gas at or near 300 miles and take a bit less than six gallons. I've never seen the low fuel warning come on and have no desire to experience it either. At 300 miles I've got a bar and a bit left on the gauge.


My 07 is perfect. It was off when I got the bike, but my dealer (Holt in Athens, OH) replaced the strip in the tank and calibrated the system and it is right on the money for the last 22,000 miles or so. I always reset the trip odometer just to be sure, but when the miles remaining gets to "0" I have about 1 gal reserve left. Depending on what part of the country I'm in, I start thinking about getting gas somewhere around 250 or 300 miles.

[henzilla]

Running back from Galveston last night trying to beat the sunset on the '09 GSA...decided LaGrange would be in my fuel window,roughly 30 miles away...bike sputtered soon after that decision and I rocked it to a re-fire, no fuel light warning...made it another hundred yards to another sputter and a really big side to side roll to get her to re-light..saw the lights of a Chevron a mile away as it stumbled the last time in time for a powerless slight downhill roll in to the pumps...computer said 60 miles to go..my odometer had me at 340 miles on that run...well within my usual window. I wasn't hammering it at all, but I was at sea level 1/2 the day and it was very humid. Will check it against odometer on this tankfull... I have had 5 bikes with this fuelstrip setup...first one with an issue this far off. I have a 22OZ emergency fuel bottle but was hoping it was for Helen's or Chucks smaller tanks:brow
I was hammering it a few months back and ran out when it said I would, 3 miles from town:banghead 9 gallons of fuel and I still ran out:violin..luckily I had the bottle that day as well:thumb
The route I took that particular day had no stations the last 150 miles and I "thought " I was going to make the stop...almost! I use my odometer on the bike and the one on the Garmin, don't typically use the countdown on the bike other than for entertainment.

[wezul]

A how how how how . . .
Have mercy!

[henzilla]

A how how how how . . .
Have mercy!

That's the place! :laugh

[wezul]

I miss Texas.
Austin way back in '75 was something.
Made a trip down to San Antonio to see Frank.
Then made a little border run.
Damn that was super dangerous fun.
It's on the bucket list.

Sorry for the hijack.
Now back to our show.

[henzilla]

I guess I will slide by the dealer...yesterday filled up the GSA and reset everything. Computer said range was 423...I typically get 360 miles before I chicken out and top my tank, regardless of what the display tells me.

Used the odometer but kept eye on countdown as well. Toward end of ride display had 306 miles ridden, range left of 262 and MPG was calculated at 42...I stopped for fuel and added a little over 7 gallons...don't see going 262 miles on the other 2 1/2 that was left...unless I was going 30MPH:brow and unless I was at 10K altitude...going 568 miles on one 9 gallon run seems a little wishful!

[deilenberger]

Steve, it won't hurt to have the dealer calibrate it - but on the R1200R (much smaller tank than your GS) - I find the last 75-50 miles is where the gauge seems most accurate. I get repeatable fill quantities based on the gauge/miles. The first half of the gauge is fantasy. When mine gets below 1/2 is where I can get some idea of how much further I can go.

[henzilla]

Yeah, my 05 RT and the other two GS's were like that and were real close after the 1/2 tank and almost dead on to actual fuel capacity. This 09 GSA was fine until we started talking about it two tankfuls ago. Have to go to Austin this week anyway...I'll call them this AM to set up an appt.

[TourNut]

Well, now my 08 RT just quit on a ride and left me stranded, I had to hitch a ride home and come back with my utility trailer to get the bike. At only 3300 miles !
I haven't yet been on a ride on that bike and felt confident in it's reliability in over a year's worth of time since spending $20K + , on a bike!
This is the bike that has sounded like something in the engine was rapping under load. The dealer in August cleaned out the computer and re-programmed it with another software and the thought was it was pre-detonating. It did seem 'better" than before. but yesterday's ride , it eventually ran rough again and then just quit fast. Looked into tank and saw gas sloshing around, gauge said about 3/8 tank. I pushed it to a gas station anyway, filled it up - only about 4.5 gallons, still it would start, run like crap for about 5 seconds, then quit. eventually it wouldn't even fire at all. I charged the battery overnight on the trailer, since I ran it down trying to not be stranded. Dealer has it today.

[cookie]

Boy, that's a rough day. Please keep us informed what the dealer finds. I had the reprogramming done as well. The knock sensor was not turned on according to the tech that did the work. That was about 7000 miles ago. The pre-detonation is much better, I only use big name gas stations for my 91 octane.

[ka5ysy]

Good advice from Deilenberger. This is the same advice given to all riders on a Beach's Tour. Reset the odometer and when it reads 200 - get gas as soon as possible. Rob uses brand new BMW's but never trusts the gas gauges.

And after 200 miles or kilometers it is time to stretch the legs, relax and avoid DVT.


I'm curious : My R12R is good to about 220 miles then I fill up. Best run has been 265 with the computer showing 10 miles to end. I have had a near miss with 30 miles still showing and 249 miles on the odometer, but generally I am content to fill anywhere after 200 as a rule. :thumb

My question is this: Are all the RT drivers only going 200 miles between fills ? That seems to defeat the purpose of the fairing and big tank. That makes my RR smile :kiss

Thanks !

[cookie]

Interesting question. Ever since I ran out of fuel with 114 miles to empty, I have been following the wise advice to look for a station at 200 miles. When I filled up last night I took 4.3 gallons and the guage was over 1/4. I believe the tank is suppose to hold 7 gallons. When I ran out of fuel I put 1 gallon in and she fired up. I then proceeded straight to the gas station about five miles away and topped her off at 5.3 gallons. Now my math states a tank that holds 6.3 US gallons. The math has come to 45.3 miles per gallon the last two fill-ups. 6.3 gallons x 45.3 = 285 miles. I am comfortable with a trip meter between 200 and 225 miles I am filling up. Running out of fuel on a two lane hwy with cars zipping around me scared the #$%^$$ out of me. I won't let that happen again and I don't even look at that silly guage anymore.
Jeff

[GregoryT]

Just a little update to my dilemma with the misfunctioning fuel gauge. The day after I ran out of gas my fuel gauge/onboard computer went bazooka. With almost a full fuel tank of gas it showed a yellow warning triangle light. The fuel gauge went to zero and the countdown to empty started flashing and countding down every second (weird). So, I called RideWest, and to my surprise they told me to bring the bike over immediately. They fixed it while I was waiting in the showroom. And since that this is an 09 RT the repair was performed under warranty, and by the way I'm very pleased with the overall quality of service and the dealership itself. I've been told that they recieved a new batch of sending units and presumely, they've been somehow updated. As of now, I'm on the second fuel tank since the repair was done and as of now, everything seems to work fine.
And one more thing, the fuel tank capacity in my RT is 6.9 US gallons. Which equals about 300 miles per tank. :clap

[TourNut]

I got the bike back today, they had it done Friday, 1 day, to their credit.
Now it has a new "improved" ? fuel pump controller module ,
p/n 16147720776 $142.13, on warranty. I hope it is finally reliable!

[Artiee]

I'm curious : My R12R is good to about 220 miles then I fill up. Best run has been 265 with the computer showing 10 miles to end. I have had a near miss with 30 miles still showing and 249 miles on the odometer, but generally I am content to fill anywhere after 200 as a rule. :thumb

My question is this: Are all the RT drivers only going 200 miles between fills ? That seems to defeat the purpose of the fairing and big tank. That makes my RR smile :kiss

Thanks !

When I'm commuting back and forth to work, I typically fill up every two days. With a daily round trip of about 100 miles, that puts me just at or around 200. I don't want to risk running out by going a third day on a single tank.

When I'm out and about, just enjoying riding by myself, I will normally run it to around 275 before filling up.

The farthest I've gone on a single tank, the trip odometer registered 320 miles.

So to answer the question, from my perspective, filling up at 200 miles may just be a preference and a safeguard against getting too close to empty.

But all the above is just one person's perspective based on experiece with a single RT.

[taran1900]

Doug asked My question is this: Are all the RT drivers only going 200 miles between fills ? Ah, no. Not all the RT drivers. I routinely go 320 to 350 miles till I fill my RT up. This is local everyday riding. On road trips I have stretched it to as much as 429 miles (Alititude in CO and NM) before I finally stopped. Soon after I first got my RT I ran it nearly dry with a gallon can of gas in the saddle bag. I managed to pull into a station before I was completely out. I put 8.1 gallons in. So I now know for sure how much gas my RT takes. I know exactly how far I can go after the computer says zero miles. And that is 40 miles.

[cookie]

These fuel tanks are all over the map. Scott T from Texas has an 05 RT which is stated to have a 6.6 gallon tank and he puts 8.1 in. Gregory can put 6.9 gallons in his 7.1 tank and I can squeeze 6.3 in to my 7.1 gallon tank. Interesting......