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Author Topic: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..  (Read 1247 times)

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Offline NY Andrew

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Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« on: October 28, 2020, 07:35:51 pm »
Need some confusion cleared up...I’m totally overthinking this tonight.

Trying to make a note on my fuel information and this is what I’ve come up with so far:

* Average MPG: 47-61

* Fuel Tank Reserve: 0.74 gal (18-40 mile range)—based off my previous math and what I’ve read the average is from owners.

* Fuel Tank Capacity: 3.4 gal (160-207 mile range)—based off my above MPG calculations.

* Assuming Low Fuel Light: Between 94-122 miles with around 0.9-1.1 gal left—if reserve=low fuel light this is based off my average MPG.


1. Does the fuel tank capacity INCLUDE the reserve? Or is the reserve AFTER the 3.4 gallons of fuel is used up thus the TRUE TANK SIZE is 4.14 gallons?..

2. When the low fuel light comes on is THAT the reserve miles countdown? Or is the reserve still in the tank after a certain amount of mileage while the low fuel light is on?..


Did 107 miles on a tank yesterday with 1.76 gallons which ends up being 61 MPG.
I had 1.64 gallons left.
That means I could have almost gone 215 miles on the entire 3.4 gallon tank???
The reserve would have kicked in around 160 miles and could have gone 40-55 more???
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2018 Yamaha Bolt-R

Online DrM

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2020, 08:43:51 pm »
The 2018 and on Bolts have a 3.8 3.4 gal tank, which is a little bigger than your tank.  I have never filled the tank to the tippy-top, and I have never run it to empty.  The longest run I have made without refueling is 153 miles.  I could only put 2.6 gallons into the tank (backup up to the bottom of the filler tube) afterwards.  Unfortunately, I don't keep a record of how many miles I run with the low fuel light on, but I know it varies from maybe 5 miles to maybe 37 miles.
I get anywhere from 50 to 60 miles per gallon, depending on speed and number of stoplights I get caught at. 

One day I will buy one of those fuel jugs Harley riders use and run the fuel tank dry just to see how many gallons of fuel it actually holds up to the bottom of the filler tube.  Sorry, I can't help you more.
« Last Edit: October 29, 2020, 08:47:12 am by DrM »
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Offline NY Andrew

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2020, 08:51:44 pm »
Quote from: DrM on October 28, 2020, 08:43:51 pm
The 2018 and on Bolts have a 3.8 gal tank, which is a little bigger than your tank.  I have never filled the tank to the tippy-top, and I have never run it to empty.  The longest run I have made without refueling is 153 miles.  I could only put 2.6 gallons into the tank (backup up to the bottom of the filler tube) afterwards.  Unfortunately, I don't keep a record of how many miles I run with the low fuel light on, but I know it varies from maybe 5 miles to maybe 37 miles.
I get anywhere from 50 to 60 miles per gallon, depending on speed and number of stoplights I get caught at. 

One day I will buy one of those fuel jugs Harley riders use and run the fuel tank dry just to see how many gallons of fuel it actually holds up to the bottom of the filler tube.  Sorry, I can't help you more.
I do have a 2018 R-spec. The manual stated 3.4g but you’re saying it’s actually 3.8g?..

Debated a fuel jug as well to test it out but I have the rear fender rack no sissy bar so limits the setup.
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2018 Yamaha Bolt-R

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2020, 08:36:29 am »
Ooopps!  You're right -- 3.4 gallons is what my 2019 manual says also.  My bad.
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Offline NY Andrew

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2020, 01:05:00 pm »
Haha all good. Thought I was tripping. 3.8 woulda made more sense for my math prob.
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2018 Yamaha Bolt-R

Offline lunkhead

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2020, 01:42:01 pm »
Highest I got was 71 mpg twice and they're much flatter roads out west so it could be better. Usually, I get about 50.

2016 (2.46 + 0.74) = 3.20 gal
2017 (2.66 + 0.74) = 3.40 gal

Mileage @ 41 mpg
2016 (100.9 + 30.3) = 131.2
2017 (109.1 + 30.3) = 139.4

Mileage @ 51 mpg
2016 (125.5 + 38.7) = 164.2
2017 (135.7 + 38.7) = 174.7

Mileage @ 61 mpg
2016 (150.0 + 45.1) = 195.1
2017 (162.3 + 45.1) = 207.4

Mileage @ 71 mpg
2016 (174.6 + 52.5) = 227.1
2017 (188.9 + 52.5) = 241.4
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Online DrM

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2020, 05:26:28 pm »
Quote from: lunkhead on October 29, 2020, 01:42:01 pm
Highest I got was 71 mpg twice and they're much flatter roads out west so it could be better. Usually, I get about 50.

2016 (2.46 + 0.74) = 3.20 gal
2017 (2.66 + 0.74) = 3.40 gal

Mileage @ 41 mpg
2016 (100.9 + 30.3) = 131.2
2017 (109.1 + 30.3) = 139.4

Mileage @ 51 mpg
2016 (125.5 + 38.7) = 164.2
2017 (135.7 + 38.7) = 174.7

Mileage @ 61 mpg
2016 (150.0 + 45.1) = 195.1
2017 (162.3 + 45.1) = 207.4

Mileage @ 71 mpg
2016 (174.6 + 52.5) = 227.1
2017 (188.9 + 52.5) = 241.4
Is that 3.4 gallons to the bottom of the filler tube?
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Offline lunkhead

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2020, 07:14:04 pm »
The 3.2 gallons is what Yamaha claims for all 2016 Bolts and 2015 C-Spec. Other 2015 Bolts were 3.17 and 2014 were 3.22. Sounds like one was probably measured to the bottom of the filler neck and one to the top and later rounded to 3.2.
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Offline tramp

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #8 on: November 10, 2020, 06:42:36 am »
Got a 2014 r spec
Fuel light comes on about120
Have driven 30 miles after
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drive it like you stole it

Offline Sdaniels

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2020, 11:42:10 am »
Does anybody get lower mileage at interstate speeds?  I average 42-44 when I'm in town.  It's roughly half & half city/highway but when I road to my son for a visit I got quite a bit lower mileage.  It's 67 miles & only about 2 miles of that is city riding.  I run between 75-80 on the interstate.
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2015 C-spec

Offline joko

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2020, 02:21:53 pm »
I ride mostly freeways at about 80mph and get about the same mileage as Tramp.
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Online DelawarePete

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2020, 02:47:04 pm »
I ride 100 miles 1 way to work, 90 of those miles are at 75-85 mph.  My fuel light comes on around 70-75 miles.
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Offline Sdaniels

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #12 on: November 17, 2020, 03:26:11 pm »
Quote from: joko on November 17, 2020, 02:21:53 pm
I ride mostly freeways at about 80mph and get about the same mileage as Tramp.

So two bikes running roughly the same speed but with 45 miles to the tank difference?  How are you getting 45 more miles to the tank than DelawarePete?  I don't get how that works.  Do either of you use a Koso meter?  Wondering if the tire percentage setting might be skewing these numbers.  Anyway, I'm getting away from the point about lower mileage at interstate speeds.  I expected better mileage from interstate miles.  Might look at the Stryker pulley.
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2015 C-spec

Online DrM

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #13 on: November 17, 2020, 04:34:26 pm »
Many factors affect fuel mileage:

lower milage - - - -  - - - - higher milage
Riding against the wind - - - Riding with the wind
high temperature - - - - - - - Low temperature
riding uphill  - - - - - - - - - -riding downhill
riding in lower gears - - - - - riding in higher gears
Lots of traffic stops - - - - - - few or no traffic stops
riding at top speed - - - - - - riding slower in top gear
poor fuel quality  - - - - - - - high fuel quality
thicker engine oil - - - - - - -thinner engine oil
heavier rider & cargo - - - - lighter rider and cargo
lower tire pressure - - - - - -higher tire pressure
poor engine tune - - - - - - - good engine tune
aftermarket fuel manager - - no aftermarket fuel manager

just to name a few.

« Last Edit: November 17, 2020, 07:14:14 pm by DrM »
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Offline Sdaniels

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Re: Fuel Capacity/Range Questions..
« Reply #14 on: November 17, 2020, 04:48:17 pm »
Quote from: DrM on November 17, 2020, 04:34:26 pm
Many factors affect fuel mileage:

lower milage - - - -  - - - - higher milage
Riding against the wind - - - Riding with the wind
high temperature - - - - - - - Low temperature
riding downhill - - - - - - - - -riding uphill
riding in lower gears - - - - - riding in higher gears
Lots of traffic stops - - - - - - few or no traffic stops
riding at top speed - - - - - - riding slower in top gear
poor fuel quality  - - - - - - - high fuel quality
thicker engine oil - - - - - - -thinner engine oil
heavier rider & cargo - - - - lighter rider and cargo
lower tire pressure - - - - - -higher tire pressure
poor engine tune - - - - - - - good engine tune
aftermarket fuel manager - - no aftermarket fuel manager

just to name a few.

Those are obvious & don't help explain the difference between DelawarePete & Joko's mileage.
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2015 C-spec
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