Really, how hard is it to make a reliable fuel gauge, Munich?

[sagerat]

Getting ready for last fill up of the year on my GSA before winter hits.  Fuel bars, I'm down to one but still no low fuel light has come on.  Still, I'm at 332 miles on the tank and decide, let's just go find a gas station and fill, even though fuel computer claims I have 161 miles of range left.

Uh, no.  I pull up to the pump and put 9.05 gallons into the tank after 338 miles. More like I had about 161 meters left as the GSA supposedly only holds 9 gallons.  

Really, BMW, you can't figure out an accurate gas gauge or fuel strip?  What's wrong with a float?  Thank gawd I've just learned to use the trip meter and look for gas about 320 miles, normally.

Argh.

[miles]

My S1000RR's gauge is absolutely spot on. The moment the countdown gets to zero the bike stalls and dies.

[Royal Tiger]

My R1200ST has the vertical bar graph.  On a recent ride it had full bars up to mile 67.7 where it finally lost one.  By 110 miles it was at half.  

[SLK50]

Steve McQueen never used a fuel gauge.

Just saying.

[sleazy rider]

I count on the trip meter, not some idiot light that tells you when to push the bike.  The Daytona low level light never came on when I ran out one time on the way to work.  Knew I was pushing the range, but I couldn't find an open station to fuel up.  Ended up pushing the bike about a quarter mile downhill to the pump.  

[Cablebandit]

I count on the trip meter, not some idiot light that tells you when to push the bike.  

I use both.  It's good to know how far you've driven since your last gas.  However, if I'm really riding like an idiot, I'd be walking if I didn't also pay attention to the fuel gauge.  Luckily mine is pretty darn accurate.  

The stupid thing Kawasaki does is when you get to the "low fuel" warning it stops giving you the miles left till empty.  That's the only time I really would like to know that information.  

[Scratch33]

I had the fuel strip replaced on my '08 GSA immediately after buying it from the previous owner.  The new one lasted a month.  

[sagerat]

I'm on fuel strip #2.  First one lasted less than a week.  

[Mr.Black]

The Bandit is pretty good once you figure out how it's set up.

The first flashy light is at 70 - 75 miles to go.

Once both fuel lights go flashy flashy, I have 10 - 15 miles.

If I run out, shame on me.

[sagerat]

I use both.  It's good to know how far you've driven since your last gas.  However, if I'm really riding like an idiot, I'd be walking if I didn't also pay attention to the fuel gauge.  Luckily mine is pretty darn accurate.  

This^

I know how spirited riding can drain even the largest of gas tanks more quickly than you'd think.  

[Royal Tiger]

This^

I know how spirited riding can drain even the largest of gas tanks more quickly than you'd think.  

Absolutely.  My aprilia didn't have a gauge.  Sometimes the light came on at 120 miles.  Sometimes at 90 miles.  

[Cablebandit]

Then it's short-shifting and coasting time.

[Kneescrubber]

The /5 doesn't have a fuel gauge. Hell, it doesn't even have a speedo.

[black hills]

no gauge on any of my bikes, I just use the trip meter, seems simple enough

[Nimh]

Did the fuel strip failure throw the constantly illuminated yellow triangle dash light?  

I've read about guys having half a dozen of these things replaced on a GS under warranty.  Considering what one pays for these bikes, I have an expectation that a simple mechanism like a gas gauge should function as well as any car I've owned and never had problems with.  

Also, did you pull out the rubber filler neck to put that much fuel in the tank?  

[sagerat]

My first fuel strip failure did result in the "Eternal Light of the Golden Triangle" which was uber-annoying.

No, no removal of filler neck.  Gas came right up to the bottom of the filler neck.

I've had lots of bikes that just had trip meters, which I actually prefer.  A fuel gauge, a low fuel light, a "countdown mode" on your fuel gauge, and a trip meter all put you in this place:  the man with one watch always knows what time it is.  The man with two watches never does...  

[Nimh]

  Sure, I can see what you mean.  I guess if something is going to fail, might as well be something I could live without easily (and have for years).  

So another warranty exercise, or some black tape for the Golden Triangle?  

[sagerat]

Blessedly the Golden Triangle did not light up this time.  I'll probably go warranty in the spring as the passes are soon to be closed by snow.

[DrD]

BTW, since about 1965 all BMW motorcycles have been built in Berlin.

[falconati]

[ferenc]

my fuel gauge shows full after 100 miles (half empty), and the yellow light comes on with 65 miles left.
dealer says the computer's happy, so no need to replace.
sigh,
ferenc - what's the 36 month 3 year warranty for????

[miles]

My S1000RR's gauge is absolutely spot on. The moment the countdown gets to zero the bike stalls and dies.

To test to see if my fuel gauge's accuracy was a one-time lucky occurrence, I kept an eye on it as it ticked down a couple of weekends ago.  I had a spare fuel bottle so I wasn't too worried, and I knew the gas station was only 4 miles away.

When the countdown clock rolled over to zero the bike kept going, so my initial reaction was that it wasn't all that spot-on after all.  Those thoughts lasted about 50 yards, then the bike sputtered and died.

So now I know for certain- the countdown clock is to be taken very seriously.    

[sagerat]

I envy you for your hyperaccurate gas gauge.  Well, that and you can ride circles around me.  

[miles]

you can ride circles around me.  

Not now.  My bike's blown up.    

[sagerat]

Sorry man.  That sucks.  

[miles]

Sorry man.  That sucks.  

Yeah, it does.  On the positive side, though, now I'll get a new motor...  

[james_g]

Not now.  My bike's blown up.    

You obviously grew bored with just going through tires every 1000 miles decided to go through bikes at that same rate. Miles = destroyer of all things moto.

My bike doesn't have a fuel gauge but it does have a countdown to empty which works. My old Multi had a fuel gauge that was woefully inaccurate so the countdown is a big step up for me. My fat ass can't take more than a couple hours in the saddle at a time so 150 miles or so is good enough range for me.

james