ST1100 Miles per tank

Pizzmeister

Pizzmeister

Born-Again Newbie
Joined
Jul 17, 2008
Messages
22
Location
East SF Bay Area, CA
Bike
Honda ST1100
I am finally getting used to not over-filling my tank. The first couple of times, after filling it, I noticed my fuel gauge showed way over the 'F'. I think it just takes practice.

In any case, after 100 miles, my fuel gauge shows just under half a tank. The last couple of fill-ups, I found that I was getting around 40 MPG. With a 7.4 gallon tank, shouldn't it get approximately 296 miles per tank? I would guess I shouldn't be hitting the half-empty mark until close to 150 miles.

It almost seems like my tank capacity is less. I'm planning on letting it run down until it is in the red. The owner's manual shows approximately how much fuel is left when the gauge is in the red, so that may give me a better idea. Then, I'll fill it up, and see how much it takes.

I could have sworn I did this before, and I was only able to put 4+ gallons in.
 
I regularly put 6.0 - 6.5 gallons in, 250 - 285 miles. I've gone 300+ before, but had no desire to push the "Dancing Hippo".

There is a procedure to calibrate the meter, IIRC. HERE it is on the LiST site.
 
I fill it right to the top or a little over:) It takes about 45 miles for it to come off full. When the light comes on, I need precisely 6 gallons. Hard into the red is 5 gallons. YMMV.

It seems that mine changes every time I have the gas tank out...
 
I always fill it right to the top. I know the manual says not to, but I haven't had any problems. I typically get 42-43 MPG. The needle points 1/2 around 160-180 and drops off rapidly. I've gone over 300 on a tank a couple times, but it gets scary with that red light staring you in the face.

Bill
 
Doesn't the manual indicate to fill to the bottom of the filler neck? That's how I fill mine after around 280 and will take 6.2 gallons to re-fill.
 
Yes, bottom of filler neck. I've been working on that, and getting better. It's a little difficult when you can't see in there very well. Also, it pretty much requires being on the center stand (until I can learn to compensate for the angle).

Kind of makes me feel like the stated 7.4 gallons includes the neck (which you are not supposed to use). I'll play around with it some more, and may have to do the procedure stated earlier in this thread to calibrate, but I'm hoping it's just something I can "learn".
 
From full mine reads @70 miles right to the first line just above the F @ 160-170 miles it is right @ half at 240-250 it reads @ the red and the light goes on and when I fill it at this point it takes about 5.6 gallons. I usually average from 40 to 44 mpg with occasionally 49-50 if I keep steady around 60-65MPH.
 
7.4 is the 'theoretical' volume. Is the size of the entire tank before the fuel pump is in and does not include the small amount that is unusable. I think just a little under 7 gallons.
 
If you fill right to the top you might want to make sure you're not pouring gas into a charcoal filled evap canister...

I get 42mpg combined and I usaully fill with 6 gallons so I get about 240 miles per tank.
 
About 120 fills recorded. Avg mpg 40 - long trips, short city commutes, some fairly cold weather.

The trick I use to fill is to stop when I see bubbles at the bottom of the filler tube - they will form an arc (bike on side stand) as they touch the bottom of the tube

I get 60 miles before the needle moves from pegged at full
 
Concur with the comment that the guage does not drop in a linear manner (very slow the first have than like a rock the second half). I have been averaging a steady 42-44mpg for 30,000 miles. I gas up around 250 miles, gone as many as 280 and never put in more than about 6.5 gallons. Low light is on at that point and I am not willing to push it. I fill half-way between the bottom of the neck and the top. I agree with the statement that the 7.4 is the theoretical capacity of the tank and not what is usable. Has anybody actually run/drained the tank dry and then filled it?
 
Concur with the comment that the guage does not drop in a linear manner (very slow the first have than like a rock the second half).

Reminds me of the old Chevy pickups, I'm used to it, probably wont' bother with the calibration, but interesting none the less.
 
I agree with the statement that the 7.4 is the theoretical capacity of the tank and not what is usable. Has anybody actually run/drained the tank dry and then filled it?[/QUOTE]

Yes, I have run mine dry one time. I did this to find out just how far I could travel with the low fuel light on. It was good for 65 miles. Therefore, I never worry about the light being on until it has been on for about 50 miles.
I was carrying some gas with me when I did this test and to the best of my recollection, between what I put in from my "stash" and what I put in from the pump, I was able to get the full 7.4 gallons in.
I routinely travel 300 - 305 miles between fill-ups.
 
I too have a 98 and when I start getting close to 260 miles on the trip meter I'm looking for a fill up.
 
On a long trip back from NC last month, I was riding the BRP and getting nearly 50mpg. The light didn't come on until 290 miles. At home, it's usually 260 or so. I rode 325 miles and put in 6.8 gal on my last Parkway tank. I'm pleased! After 91k miles, it's still running sweet.

I'm also curious at how much you can really suck out of the tank but don't have the guts to suck crud through the carbs just to know. It is a little frustrating waiting at gas stations while my cruiser or sport bike comrades are filling up every 150 or so. In my advancing age, the rest is nice though. My butt can't do tank to tank rides.
 
As the mechanic I always use and who introduced me to ST said ?You don?t have *** as much as it has gas?.
I just fill it up as it is needed and as I need to stretch or hydrate or ???..

:rd11: :pf1:
 
My understanding is that the 91 has a different sensor than the later years. My 91 stays on full till @ 125 miles. Then starts dropping quick. Which was very different from my 99 which did about 40 miles before moving.

I ran my 99 out of gas a couple times and I remember putting in @ 7.2 gals but I don't recall whether I tried to get every last drop up the filler neck.
 
Mine also stays on full for about 100 miles and then starts to drop.
My normal commute has me going just over 300 miles in 3 days and I need about 6 gallons to fill up. My low fuel light comes on after about 300 miles. I have drained my tank and refilled and it took the full 7.4 gallons. Most I?ve ever put on one tank was about 330 miles.

Rick
 
Just checked my records.
Most I've added was 6.4 gallons at Yukon Crossing. :eek::
Most miles on a tank was 304 in Bulls Gap Tn
Highest mileage was 53.34 coming from Ohio.;)

The ST tanks are narrow at the top and fatter at the bottom.
So, the fuel gauge drops quickly at first then drops slowly.
That coincides with my experience.
 
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