Bloody petrol gauge.... miles left.

[johnnyboxer]

[center]USE THE TRIP METER[/center]

[BigBashBonanza]

This is a very common problem with the 1200 GSA due to the electrical strip method it uses to ready the amount of fuel left in the tank. Even if calibrated or replaced by BMW, it may only work for another month or ten years and something BMW do know about and I'm afraid it's something we owners have to live with.
As someone has previously mentioned, use the trip meter and I work out about a 10 miles for every litre of fuel. (thumbs)

[jonny955]

This thread reminds me why I opted for a bike with a 32L tank B)

Having said that, nomatter how much fuel you started with, when it's gone, it's gone. The accuracy of fuel gauges and predicted mileage on our high tech machines is always a target for mirth - yet we trust the same bike manufacturer to provide us with ABS/TC/MSC to work when we need it to prevent a crash :unsure:

Come on, it can't be that difficult to provide a bike with a proper fuel gauge these days. I mean an analogue gauge, not a digital countdown or light.

Jon

[fatlad]

Had 4 replacement fuel guage sender units on my 08 GSA all under warranty. Last one earlier this year when guage was showing 1 brick on the dash (i.e. nearly empty) yet miles to empty range was reading 245! The problem is the 'snake' design unit which works on electrical wizardry rather than the ballcock type unit, and BMW are well aware of the problem, creating a total recall in the US but not in the UK. Pidcocks hold batches of the units ready for replacing. I just resorted to zeroing the trip as I had no confidence in the guage. Its like going back to the dark ages with fuel taps under the side of the tank!!
Regards
Fatlad

[bull]

well, don't let the bike get that low on fuel, and the problem with the petrol gauge will be solved

[redbikejohn]

you need an xt660z - you can go for 100 miles once the gauge is flashing on reserve

pushed my luck several times and wanted to run out to see range once (fuel can on back of bike) but they seem to go for ever on reserve. I've seen just over 340 miles on one tank already (thumbs)

[Mike101]

On my Tenere i got used to hsing a fuel guage and i thought i could not do without one. When i bought the K100LT all i got was a red light that comes on when you have 4lts..40 miles ish...left. At first i hated the idea of not knowing but as already said i just use the trip. I know that when i get to around 180 miles i need to fill up and the light will be on in a bit. So far it's worked perfectly.

Before i bought the KTM 950 i was fed horror stories of 130 miels to a tank and running out of fuel all over the place but it's not the case. I get 48mpg..the same as the K100..and i use the trip meter again. It just takes a different mindset but it's far more acurate than any fuel guage.

Mike

[PaulG]

Thanks for the warning Pete.

Once the range drops below 100 miles I usually look for somewhere to refuel - just the way I am, a bit Black Sabbath - "Paranoid" :laugh: - and I have the 33 Litre tank too!

As has been mentioned above fuel strips have been a cause of much annoyance to owners over the years - you just have to look at UKGSer or Advrider.com to see how many have failed. Noted that North America have now been given a 12 year warranty on the things. I have no personal knowledge but lead to believe that the fuel strip should be calibrated - suggest have a word with your friendly BMW Dealer. Although how accurate can we expect these things to be when the fuel gets that low is anybody's guess.

Paul

[wwdph02]

Ludite, I know BUT why do they change things for the worse. 2005 R1200ST, fuel gauge, orange light and possible miles to dry tank, starts around 50 and I can get 20+ miles ok. It also alters depending on speed and current use, usually 180/200 miles from full tank before reserve.
Never thought my 2013 R1200R would be worse - No fuel gauge ( I think there is one if you get 'full computer', tyre monitors, temp gauge(Why one is not fitted? it was on ST ) wind direction, altitude and depth of water !!) My mistake on purchase I suppose.
Anyway it now gives no feedback until warning and then zero on display, it now starts counting up as you travel (miles since warning) which I can confirm gets 200 miles on a fully full tank if filled on mainstand.
Same as other threads, I used trip 1 to reset every fill across europe and checked for fuel stations once I got to around 175 miles. Temp gauge would have been helpful through busy Hamburg after a 5 mile queue following traffic issues after a breakdown.
Basic stuff we should get, not as an extra.

[Rederic]

My last three GS'es where the same

But the new one is totally different it has a gauge and a range and there spot on, with me being a unbeliever after the last three, 10,000 miles later and I still keep checking and can confirm it,s spot on I don't even use my trip any more
I sometimes just put a fiver in it and it is always spot on it even comes up on the sat nav range and contents ffs, so BM must of been aware it was boiling owners piss and gone to town on it (thumbs)