550L gas mileage?

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  • Charley Davidson
    • Jan 2026

    #1

    550L gas mileage?

    What do you consider Bad/Average/Good?

    I'm getting 30 mpg most of the time and it's still running bad. My tank only holds 2.5 gallons from bone dry to full. I keep hearing people say the tanks are 5 gal. but I have 3 and all are 2.5
  • tkent02
    Forum LongTimer
    Past Site Supporter
    • Jan 2006
    • 35571
    • Near South Park

    #2
    The Ladies models have smaller tanks, but I don't even think the standard 550 is five gallons. 4.something gallons maybe? Not sure. It should get near 50 mpg if everything is working well. More or less depending on how and where you ride but in that range.

    A lot of factors can influence gas mileage, in addition to your riding habits, everything from cam timing to tire pressure, carburetion, alcohol content, oil weight, there are a lot more.
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

    Life is too short to ride an L.

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    • Charley Davidson

      #3
      Originally posted by tkent02
      The Ladies models have smaller tanks,
      Actually I have the gay mens model, The bung is so loose it won't hold any gas

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      • tkent02
        Forum LongTimer
        Past Site Supporter
        • Jan 2006
        • 35571
        • Near South Park

        #4
        Originally posted by Charley Davidson
        The bung is so loose it won't hold any gas
        That's probably your problem.
        http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

        Life is too short to ride an L.

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        • cowboyup3371
          Forum LongTimer
          Past Site Supporter
          • Apr 2010
          • 13996
          • In Ohio Now

          #5
          My 550T is just over 3 gallons and I'll do 40ish on the gas mileage. Listen to Tkent and run through the maintenance.
          Cowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace

          1981 GS550T - My First
          1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's - Now Sold
          2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike

          Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
          Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die
          and don't be scared, just enjoy your ride - Chris Ledoux, "The Ride"

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          • 850 Combat
            Forum Guru
            Past Site Supporter
            • Sep 2006
            • 6018
            • Spokane, WA, and Hampden, ME

            #6
            In my experience, anything that is "still running bad" uses more gas. I would expect 40-45
            sigpic Too old, too many bikes, too many cars, too many things

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            • Dougbo

              #7
              My GS550T gets about 47 mpg. It has a 3.2 gal tank (12 L) .

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              • tkent02
                Forum LongTimer
                Past Site Supporter
                • Jan 2006
                • 35571
                • Near South Park

                #8
                Mine was always 50mpg whipping the bejesus out of it, but that was a long time ago, gas is different now.
                http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v5...tatesMap-1.jpg

                Life is too short to ride an L.

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