236 mile range, plus 17 on reserve for my GZ250

[Chris]

On Saturday I made an all day trip in the Georgia mountains. I cruised easily in 5th and sometimes 4th: nice easy backroads mostly.
I filled up before I left and returned with 200 miles on the GZ250. Since I was curious about the range I made another trip today. I carried a gallon of gas with me so I would not get stranded and headed out as far as she would go on the available gas.
On the main tank I got 236 miles. Then I switched to the RESERVE setting and went another 17 miles when I saw a gas station. It was still running on reserve so I don't know how far that would go. I put in 3.1 gallons for 81.6mpg! I usually get about 75mpg, but this was easy crusing.
I am a big, older guy north of Atlanta and most people don't get the mileage in anything that I do. But most of you should look for 70mpg and 200 miles range on your GZ250. If you are not getting this then slow down!!

[primal]

I've only managed to get a high of 74 MPG, but I haven't done any long continuous rides yet. Most of my riding is 20% city riding with the rest going at 55 MPH.

[Chris]

74mpg is good, especially with city riding. I try to avoid city riding. I live in the woods north of Atlanta so I ride mostly backroads. I'll go the long way around to avoid riding in the city. I don't like the interstates either: the bike does great at 65-70mph, but it is too noisey and windy for me. Plug in ear plugs help a lot.
So, on my 81.6mpg trip, it was mostly 50mph and that should give the maximum mileage.
Has anyone topped 81.6mpg????? For real??

Chris near Atlanta

[Sarris]

I hit reserve at about 180 miles and the bike takes 2.5 gallons to fill for 72 mpg fairly consistantly. That leaves me (theoretically) with a 1.2 gallon reserve. Must be a variation in the length of the plastic pickup tube on the petcock from spec.

I'm 6'-1" and about 280 lbs (quit laughing, :fu: I'm down 25 lbs.) and most of my driving is less than 55 mph, and most of my trips are less than 50 miles.

I also fill the tank while aboard and the bike upright.

:banana:

[Chris]

You fill the bike upright?? Dangerous, when you spill gas it goes over the hot engine. I fill my tilted over on the stand.
I'm your size and your age, don't feel bad. I look like a bear on a tricycle on the bike.
Chris in Atlanta

[Moedad]

I offer this as perhaps a learning tool to newbies who might take things too literally (like me).

About filling your bike as it leans on the kickstand: When I first got mine, I was taking extra care not to overfill it per the manual by not getting past the bottom of that lip. I'd stop before it touched the lip. Too MUCH before the lip. I was robbing myself (I think) of 1/2 to maybe even 3/4 of a gallon of tank capacity. I was having to go to reserve at 150 miles, even 140 miles. Then I really looked at what I was doing. The lip was much shorter than I realized, plus, once the bike was upright, what I had thought was a full tank was only maybe 3/4 full. So now when I fill it while it's leaning on the kickstand, I fill it pretty much right up to the top. When I stand it up, it's right where it needs to be.

[mr. softie]

My experience is almost identical to Sarris's, hitting reserve at 180 or so, fill up of 2.4gallons or so. I fill to bottom of filler tube with bike leaning over on stand. Was wondering about filling it higher, will try it out for range. BTW my tank had a big dent on left side where the turn signal hit it on a lay down w/previous owner. I tried to pop it out some, and filled w/bondo, but it still decreases my capacity a bit.

Anybody carry spare gas on a trip? I've been out late at night on long trips a few times riding on reserve hoping I would find fuel before I ran out. Thinking of a safe way to carry a quart or two just in case. I have run 235 miles on a tank without running out, but was very nervous after about 200 or so.

[Sarris]

I just don't get off or put down the stand. I pop the CC into the pump, unlock & remove lid, reset odo & reserve, and pump all while sitting down. And I don't spill the gas. You get her full when she's upright.

:)

[Chris]

So...how much more gas can you get in? After you fill it on the stand (leaning) and you fill up to the lip of the hole. How much more gas can you get in if you are upright? Does it leak out when you are riding??
I still don't like the idea. I once spilled gas over a hot engine. It did not explode, but I knew I was really close to being a crispy critter. Really don't want to do that again.

Chris
Big, retired guy near Atlanta

[Easy Rider]

I just don't get off or put down the stand. I pop the CC into the pump, unlock & remove lid, reset odo & reserve, and pump all while sitting down. And I don't spill the gas. You get her full when she's upright.

Sarris, old buddy.......we HAVE talked about this before, haven't we ???? :roll: :biggrin:

There are a LOT of newbies who show up here looking for sage advice from more seasoned riders. When they get that advice it is usually GOOD advice.

While I think it is absolutely your right to do any damn thing you please (especially at OUR age), I do not think it is the responsible thing to do to, in effect, promote unsafe behavior to others, do you ?? Seriously. :??:

[Easy Rider]

Anybody carry spare gas on a trip?

There aren't many safe ways to do that. The best thing I have heard of is pressure tight, sealed containers of white gas, available at camping supply stores. IIRC, each one holds about 1/2 pint......so you carry 3 or 4......and you don't want to put too much of that gas with no additives in your engine anyway. Strictly for emergencies.
Alas, I can't remember the name right now.

[Easy Rider]

I knew I was really close to being a crispy critter. Really don't want to do that again.

Chris
Big, retired guy near Atlanta

And the "boys" don't like gasoline either. I really, REALLY don't want to do THAT again !!! :skull:

Does the big, retired guy from the woods north of Atlanta do NASCAR ?? I'm coming down for the race 3rd week of October.......sadly, not on my bike.

[alanmcorcoran]

Has anybody actually torched themselves as described? I fill mine when not on the bike, mainly cause it's easier all around (we have the vapor control thingies and the business ends of the pumps at the Mobil are not exactly at arm's length.)

However, for two of my first three fillups, I spilled a lot of gas all over the damn thing. No fire, no explosion. I've gotten better since then (I think I've only been to the gas station like seven or eight times total so far) but I still think an overfill is possible. I pretty much do the Moedad method, but I if I don't get it up to the brim I could give a crap. I don't enjoy going to the gas station anymore than anyone else (in fact, I hadn't been to one in years... too bad my wife can't ride a bike) but an extra ten miles ain't gonna make that much difference given my current volume. I also don't think the bike runs as well on a near empty tank but that might be my imagination.

[Sarris]

Wow, I really never considered it a safety issue. I've never leaked gas on the "boys" or set my bike on fire. It's not the minute additional volume of gas issue either. It's just convenient to remain on the bike.

I certainly didn't mean to propose that anyone do anything "unsafe".

:whistle: :skull: :whistle: :skull:

[music man]

I have gotten gas on the boys, at work before and it is not cool at all. I have also sat on my bike and filled it up, and then one day I went on about a 70 mile trip from home and pulled up to a gas station and filled up sitting on the bike, went to put the gas nozzle up, and it happened to be one of those nozzles that doesnt shut off as quick as it should, so gas soaked my tank, I freaked, jumped off my hot ass bike(70 straight highway miles in summer) just happened to have a hand towel in my backpack for sweat, yanked it out, wiped all the gas up, luckily no fire, but in answer to Alan's question, no I haven't done it(set one on fire) but have seen lawnmower's catch on fire from the same thing, so yes its very possible.

I can see why people do it, especially with your card, don't have to take off your helmet or anything else, just pump and go. Ever since my little incident, I get off my bike and pump, with a few exceptions when i was still getting out of the habit of it.


Later

[primal]

The autoignition temperature for gasoline is 475 degrees F. If your engine is getting that hot you have a lot bigger problems than the gas igniting to worry about.

[Easy Rider]

The autoignition temperature for gasoline is 475 degrees F. If your engine is getting that hot you have a lot bigger problems than the gas igniting to worry about.

Not positive about this, mind you, but I think if you vaporize it and add some air, that temperature goes WAY down. Make a tiny spark and the temp. doesn't matter !! :skull:

And, yes, I have personal knowledge of several bike fires caused by splashed gas igniting during fueling. You see LOTS of things over 40 years of riding. None recently, maybe because water cooled bikes don't get the heads as hot. I have "heard" of nasty burns and totaled bikes but have no evidence of that really happening.

Thankfully only one of those resulted in rider burns and it was only his hands.......because none of the riders were on their bikes when it happened........and none resulted in total destruction of the bikes either as none of them tipped over in the process.

[rusty rider]

I haven't seen a motorcycle ignite, but I have seen a fire on a tractor that my Dad was filling up when I was a kid. It probably wouldn't happen on a motorcycle, but I personally wouldn't take the chance. If it did you would be screwed, never screw again. :cry:

[music man]

Hey Primal anytime you want to test that theory, I will be more than happy to put gas on your exhaust for ya while you sit on it. :crash: No seriously it can happen, especially if it gets directly on the headers, Regardless of what the "autoignition temp" of gasoline is.

And I was just joking about setting you on fire and all. :neener: :twisted:

[Chris]

If anyone is going to spill gas over the hot engine please let me know first so I can get my video on TV. Make out your will beforehand.

I never got an answer to my question: if you completely fill it with the bike on the stand (leaning) then how much more gas would go in if it were straight up???
If you fill it straight up and then put it on the stand dosen't the gas leak out! Seems like it would take a lot of riding to get the gas level down to the "leaning" point. Might be useful on a trip, but under normal circumstances it seems dangerous to me.
Guys as good looking as us need to be careful.

Chris
Big, old, retired guy near Atlanta
This is my 12th bike. One major wreck (my fault) 35 years ago.
I don't do NASCAR

[Easy Rider]

I never got an answer to my question: if you completely fill it with the bike on the stand (leaning) then how much more gas would go in if it were straight up???


There isn't a single right answer. It depends on exactly what you mean by "completely fill". Once you get the entire filler neck covered, regardless of the lean, it is intended that you can NOT put in any more. If you are really anal about it, you might be able to sneak in a little more but some of it would probably be pushed out when you put the cap on.

I personally think that you can actually get MORE in when it is leaned......if you keep filling until the neck is covered and it won't take any more. THEN it will be a mess when you put on the cap (probably) and if the tank heats up rapidly, the gas might run out with the pressure (somewhere).

Bottom line for me is I ain't gonna try it to really find out. I suspect the difference is pretty small, regardless of which way it goes. The recommended proceedure is to fill in until the gas just barely touches one side of the neck.....when on the side stand .....and I intend to stick to that. If you REALLY want to know, try it for yourself.....but you might want to have a hose handy to siphon off a bit if/when you don't like the result.......and some rags to mop up the spills. :cry:

A big, old, retired guy from North Georgia who doesn't do NASCAR.......AMAZING !! :)

[El Diablo]

My two cents is during the hot summer months, the gas starts to expand in the tank even as you are filling it. If you fill it too much and cap it, the pressure will cause some gas to seep out from under the cap and run down the tank as you drive off. Scared the boys on several occasions. A rag is a useful item to have around when getting gas.

Over the last 1,500 miles I have averaged 70.5 miles per gallon. 95 % city driving. I fill up with the bike leaned over on stand if we are taking a poll.

[El Diablo]

Oh, almost forgot 5' 11" 210 lbs

[Easy Rider]

Oh, almost forgot 5' 11" 210 lbs

What ?? Did I miss something ?
Are we having a beer gut contest ?? :biggrin:

[Chris]

Seems like there are an awful lot of big guys on this net. I'm the retired big guy near Atlanta who is not a NASCAR fan. Amazing, I know, but I just cannot do another hobby.
A buddy and I rode 142 miles in the Georgia mountains today. He is a newbie who bought a Harley!! He is quite timid on the HD and he ought to be. Problem is that I ride faster than he does on the highways.
I learned (in the military) that in a group you put the slowest vehicle in the front. This way the others don't run off and leave him. So when my buddy and I started riding together I got in the front. But he just could not turn the throttle to keep up with my GZ250. And I am a slow rider! So now we ride all over Georgia and I follow him. He is quite amazed how well my bike runs and gets 75mpg+. His Harley is a little stronger and a heck of a lot louder with six times the engine. Out of a stoplight I am right with him if not pulling ahead. He is toying with the idea of selling the Harley and buying something like I have. He'd get a 250cc cruiser and about $5000 in change!
Speaking of newbies, how did I get on this board as a newbie?? Seems like after 12 bikes I'd get more respect. Not that it is deserved.

Chris near Atlanta

[primal]

"Newbie" is just a rank based on number of posts, nothing more. ;) You're a newbie to the forums, not to motorcycling.

[alanmcorcoran]

Newb status is tied to your posts. Get windy and you will quickly become "respected."

Or donate some money and you can jump righ to "sponsor."

[Chris]

Filled up yesterday after 220 miles on one tank. Still going, but surely was near empty. Put in under three gallons, got 77mpg. Happy about that.
Thinking of making a 700 mile trip next week. From Atlanta area down to beautiful Jeykll Island on the Georgia coast. Not committed yet, but sure want to do it. 300 miles in a day seems like a lot, but that is how far it is. I'll carry light camping gear and stay in the state park there. Let you know.

Chris

[Easy Rider]

300 miles in a day seems like a lot, but that is how far it is.

If you average 50 mph, that's 6 hours.
How does your rear end get along with the seat?
That's the only real problem I had with 300 mile days.

Stop often, even if just for a couple of minutes, drink plenty of water (yes, even if it is not real hot) and vary your seating position some.

[alanmcorcoran]

300 miles in a day seems like a lot

Chris, on Sunday I rode from 2:30-5:30pm and then again from 9:10pm until 11:35pm with no ill effects, including the assular area. On Monday felt fine - even played racquetball competently. I didn't cover 300 miles in that time, mainly owing to the fact that I was averaging about 25 mph, but the time in the saddle should be comparable. I'd also ridden over 70 miles the day before.

I have read on other forums of riders doing 700 miles and more in one day, so it is possible. I'd say go for it.

[Chris]

Last night I invented a cruise control for the bike. But I thought that it took too much time to release the throttle. So I took another approach and invented another one. Seems to work, but it is raining right now. When it gets dry I'll try it out. So simple I can't even tell you about it.
Also last night I used a piece of velcro to attach my GPS to the gas tank. You really cannot deal with the GPS while riding, but you can glance at it occasionally.
Also I looked at my small windshield. Really bad windshield. How much are good windshields??
Getting ready for my 300 mile (one way) trip next week.

Chris in Atlanta

[Easy Rider]

Last night I invented a cruise control for the bike.

Also last night I used a piece of velcro to attach my GPS to the gas tank.

Are you following the new posts each day? Did you see the one about my 75 cent cruise control? It can't be much simpler than that. :)

Over the years, I've tried to use Velcro to mount various things in/on vehicles and none lasted very long. Eventually the heat melts the adhesive and it falls off. Keep an eye on it !!

[patrick_777]

+1 on the Velcro not holding well. Unless you get some of the more expensive, industrial Velcro with the super-duty adhesive backing (look at mcmaster.com for it), it'll melt off with even the slightest heat. Also, if you stuck it to the paint, remember that clearcoat and wax is very glue resistant and can decrease the adhesion as well.

[Chris]

Easy Rider: I did not see your post on the 75 cent cruise control. What is it.
How do you put pictures along with a post like this one? I'll show you my cruise control.
I just saw the "add an image" line just below. I'll try it soon.

Big Chris in Atlanta
Retired guy riding in N Ga mountains

[Chris]

http://www.postimage.org/gxQ9tQi.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxQ9tQi)


My GZ250 near Atlanta.

Chris
Lives in the woods

[Easy Rider]

Easy Rider: I did not see your post on the 75 cent cruise control. What is it.


Look here:

viewtopic.php?p=14122#p14122 (http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14122#p14122)

[roncg41677]

Wow! I'm glad I read this post. I had never thought about the possible danger of getting gas on the engine. I haven't had a spilling issue yet while filling up, but I'll be more cautious, for sure.

[Badbob]

With all the discussion here about filling vertical vs leaning on the side stand. I'm really surprised no one has measured it. I did once but I can't remember the results.

I don't fill vertical for safety reasons. You could get a lap/crotch full of gas doing this. This in itself could be quite uncomfortable if not painful. Then for that rare occasion where there is fire involved you would be straddling a burning motorcycle with a crotch full of gasoline. This would not be good.

[Easy Rider]

This in itself could be quite uncomfortable if not painful.

Trust me, it IS! :skull:

Don't try that at home. :cry:

PS You can remove the manifold and carb from a short-block Chevy all in one piece. What you CAN'T do is lay the whole assembly in your lap......with the carb upside down!! OUCH is an understatement. :cuss:

[Shaede]

I hit reserve at about 180 miles and the bike takes 2.5 gallons to fill for 72 mpg fairly consistantly. That leaves me (theoretically) with a 1.2 gallon reserve. Must be a variation in the length of the plastic pickup tube on the petcock from spec.

I'm 6'-1" and about 280 lbs (quit laughing, :fu: I'm down 25 lbs.) and most of my driving is less than 55 mph, and most of my trips are less than 50 miles.

I also fill the tank while aboard and the bike upright.

:banana:

YOU are my hero!!! I am a short heavy female and almost gave up on this little bike today.