GS650G range

[renegadmonk]

I know it all depends on how you ride but i am trying to get a general range of this bike. I have been spoiled on my ninja with a fuel gage i do not have that luxury on this or my CB450 which i have yet to take on any distance ride. If anyone can give a general range with just riding...not major throttle twisting...just cruising.
I am about to go about 165-180 miles as soon as i get the tags on it next Weds. anyone?.....

 

[Steve]

Does it not have a fuel gauge because it's an '81 or because it's a G? :-k

The '82 650GL sitting on my back porch has a gauge.

The L models with the smaller tanks will go onto reserve at about 120 miles, not sure what the capacity is on your tank.

Ridden sanely, you should get 40+ mpg, so multiply that by the size of your tank, then allow for the one-gallon (or so) reserve.

.

 

[renegadmonk]

have no idea why it has no fuel gage but it does not...and it is a 81 GS650G. Was that an option? or did they start putting them on as standard in 82. I am new to this style of bike so please bare with me.

 

[Larry D]

Every GS that I've seen has a fuel gauge.....can you take a picture of your tach/speedo and post it up ? You may have some kind of cobbled together instrument cluster.

To answer your question, I'd guess about +- 150 miles...full to empty..maybe a little more.

 

[tkent02]

No some don't have gauges, not sure about the 650G.

All should get 50+ mpg, except the liter bikes, even they should be high 40s if only cruising at moderate speeds.

Tank quantity, how far until reserve and after reserve until dry should be easy enough to figure out.

 

[Macguyver]

My bike is a 1981 GS650G(X), and no, they did not come with a fuel gauge as standard equipment.

I am quite sure they came standard 82 an up.

They do have a fairly large tank at 16L (4.2 G), so 150 miles should be no problem, but you will likely have to switch to reserve before the 150 mark since the reserve is a full gallon.

 

[renegadmonk]

will take another look at the instrument cluster when i get back to the bike on thursday morning. I am sure it does not have one due to the fact the guy i bought it from said it did not have one but....will look again to be sure....and.....will photograph it. Now this is why i already like this forum...all this input from all of you folks....thanks again.
Oh yeah and thanks McGuyver i was starting to think i was the only one without a fuel gage...lol.

 

[Steve]

The '81 650G apparently does NOT have a gauge:

The '81 650GL apparently DOES:

The '82 650G apparently also has a gauge:

Apparently, it is also one of the 'upgrades' for the '82 model year, but I guess that's another BONUS for the "L" riders. :dancing: :-\\\
They got it a year earlier.

.

 

[renegadmonk]

they say a pic is worth a thousand words... so thats 3 thou for you friend....thanks again.

 

[Dave8338]

Yet another reason the L is SUPERIOR, Steve!

 

[tkent02]

Because "L"adies don't know how to switch to reserve?

 

[Steve]

Yet another reason the L is SUPERIOR, Steve!

Well, around here, we have two Gs and two GLs.

Except that on one of my bikes, the GL comes at the front.
(See the signature.)


.

 

[AF_Bill]

On average, I've done 125 miles before switching to reserve. The BEST I've ever done was 140 miles before switching to reserve. How that happened, I dunno but it was nice. So thats roughly 39 mile per gal.

 

[DanTheMan]

I seem to remember that Ryonker's '78 700L (750?) didn't have a fuel gauge either. My '80 850L came with a gauge also, but earlier than '82 the L tanks were only 3.2 gal, so full to empty, bone dry is about 120 miles on them (no reserve on the screwdriver operated petcock).

 

[Larry D]

Yet another reason the L is SUPERIOR, Steve!

:clap::clap:

I thought all GS's had fuel gauges, shows what I know......I learn something here everyday.

 

[Steve]

:clap::clap:

I thought all GS's had fuel gauges, shows what I know......I learn something here everyday.

Nope, not all of them had fuel gauges, but I think that virtually all of them had gear position indicators.

THAT was rather unique in its day. In fact, even my 2000 GoldWing does not have a gear indicator.

.

 

[tkent02]

Nope, not all of them had fuel gauges, but I think that virtually all of them had gear position indicators.

THAT was rather unique in its day. In fact, even my 2000 GoldWing does not have a gear indicator.

.

The big ones didn't have gear indicators, the 1000s and I think the 1100s.
I think you were supposed to know how to ride before you got a 1000 back in the day.

 

[Skateguy50]

I seem to remember that Ryonker's '78 700L (750?) didn't have a fuel gauge either. My '80 850L came with a gauge also, but earlier than '82 the L tanks were only 3.2 gal, so full to empty, bone dry is about 120 miles on them (no reserve on the screwdriver operated petcock).

Mine is an 83 so has the reserve, but its set to about 1 gallon of the 3.2 so I gave up on that... 90-100 miles and having to switch is no fun. I think the idea of a reserve is you plan to fill up before it his but just incase you got some left. That would mean I would have to gas up around 80 miles to not risk cutting out... did that once on the highway and never again.

I run with the tank set to on and just watch the miles. I easily have done 120-130 miles with about .5 gallons left in it. I average 45-50 mpg driving mostly highways at 85 mph average and no windscreen. Typically I gas up at 100 miles and put in 2 to 2.2 gallons so I know I got a decent amount left if needed but rather not fiddle with the petcock 3 lanes over to the left with cagers going 90+ around me.

 

[Hammered]

Not sure if this helps, but Im 6-4 and about 265. Im kinda harder on the throttle due to riding in the DC area. I have the 2.2 gal. tank and get between 50 to almost 60 miles to the gallon here. I travel roughly 22 miles in HOV and about 12 miles through Arlington with stop lights/signs everywhere. If youre looking for more range, I believe the 1982/82 GS850 4 gallon tank mates up pretty damn close with almost no modding. And what little fudging you do need to do can be done with a uni-bit with a simple hand drill. Its my next mod after I figure why Im not charging like I should.

 

[1_v8_merc]

The 82 650g's definitely have a fuel gauge.
Mine is very accurate too, works better than some of my previous cars/trucks have, lol.

I've never clocked my MPG, I just put gas in it once it gets lower than Half.
I usually only dump $3-5 in once a week, depending how much I drive.
Usually I just use the bike to zip around town and some work commutes or car shows which are around 30 miles one way.

I just wish the 650 had a damn 6th gear!!!
It just bothers me all the time when I'm doing 65 and the bike sounds like it's ready for 6th! Lol
And the most messed up part is that the 82 650g's HAVE a number "6" in the gear indicator panel!
If you put a flashlight right up to the right of the gear panel, you can see the "6" in there, lol.
But i guess being at highway speed in 5th puts you at optimum power RPM's, so the second you pull the throttle at 60-65, she pulls hard and fast.
So it does have an advantage I guess.....

But I don't think the 650 was designed to be a cruiser.
It was more of a sportbike/touring bike, great balance of Leaning into corners and enough Power to get you out of a bad situation, and still feeling stable on the highways as well.