Why are cruiser tanks so small?

[crashe]

crashe... i road from wangas to national park and back a few weeks ago. i think its about 120k one way [so, 120 there, and 120 back] i filled the day before. [cant remember how much she took] rode up, met a friend and we headed to ohakune for lunch. he gassed up. i looked at mine and said screw it. was still 90% full. we head back... i flick to reserve when she refuses to power out of a corner. im guessing a 20k reserve [havent run it dry yet, so not sure] we continue riding. i pull off when we are still quite a distance from town, figuring at worst, we could rig up a way to siphon from his tank.

we hit upukngaro [?] which is still about 5 k from town, with the nearest gas station another few k once we hit town. [i was hoping thered be a servo there, but there wasnt]

i dunno what happened, but somehow i managed about 240k on one tank of gas... and she only took about 8 liters when we did get to the servo.

Thats damn good going.....

I been thinking about getting my bike checked out as it does need a few things doing to it.

Im getting the fork oil done first.... well after doing 101,000kms figured it was time it got done... oops.
Then look at the valve clearance and the tappets..... but have to save up for that to be done. And while they (the mechanic's) are in there they can reconnect my choke, since it has been disconnected for years.

So it maybe running a tad rich because of the choke being disconnected.

[Big Dave]

The ST1300 was good for 500+km per tank. At two litres less capacity, the FJR can't quite match that -- fumes at 480km.

I got 300 out of the FJR - Deano got 350 (to reserve).

I was thinking of yourself with the reference to the Grand Challenge (weirdos) in the C90T test.

[Hitcher]

I got 300 out of the FJR - Deano got 350 (to reserve).

Fuck me! When I said an FJR could be happily ridden anywhere in one gear, I didn't mean first!

I've been to reserve (the flickering lights equivalent) at 410km.

[johnnyflash]

I agree, tanks are too small for me also, (14l tank btw) my C90T Boulevarde gets between 18-20k/L on a trip, thats 250k - 280k on a cruise, and hell whats a RESERVE?, just a display that aint that explanatary, means I fill up at 200k to be safe. But man its well balanced with that tank where it is, I have seen mention on a USA site of a secondary tank, but where they put it god knows...

[Big Dave]

Fuck me! When I said an FJR could be happily ridden anywhere in one gear, I didn't mean first!

I've been to reserve (the flickering lights equivalent) at 410km.

3rd got me. And I got it immediately after a ZX1400 and rode it just as fast. In controlled circumstances and closed roads of course.
Gross weight something to do with it too.

[The Lone Rider]

I got 200k this week before hitting reserve, last week got to about 185 before hitting reserve. So on average nearly 200k on $15 of 98octane.

[xwhatsit]

How many litres are those big fat Manx tanks? I don't especially mind filling up, as I do it every 250kms, so I can easily regulate my oil changes and chain lubing per petrol stops. But those Manx (kind of like a GB500) tanks look nice and big, if they're 20 litres or so that would give me 500kms at least.

[cowboyz]

i am getting 300k out of the zx9r. reserve kicks in at about 260-270. Although I came back from hamilton the other weekend and I was cruising along and I thought I hadnt filled up in a while so I checked my tripmeter (pain in the arse having no fuel gauge, and I have to set my display to EITHER clock or tripmeter not both at the same time). I had filled with 98 in cambridge and I was on 310k. I had horrible thoughts of forgetting to switch over the reserve when I filled up. I thought about stopping and checking but figured it didn't actually make any difference anyway so carried on. Run out of fuel at 325k and happy to find out I wasnt on reserve. Flicked to reserve tank and run out 350k before finding an open gas station. took 17.8l out of a 18l tank. I am happy enough with that. my 600f was about the same in fuel.

[bmz2]

try the m109r tank ,you can land a plane on it,west ak to hamilton and back low fuel light on at newton rd , good run for a big bike and comfort to.

[scumdog]

Hmm, I get 300kmh+ for a tankful on my 'cruiser' - how far DO you want to go before getting fuel???

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

Hmm, I get 300kmh+ for a tankful on my 'cruiser' - how far DO you want to go before getting fuel???

Thats more than me on my sports/tourer... I get 250 - 270 before reserve kicks in... I just fill up when the gage looks rather low

[Big Dave]

I haven't even got a fuel tank. 250km before the warning light on the buell. Plenty for me. 200 and I need a leg stretch.

[sunhuntin]

Thats damn good going.....

I been thinking about getting my bike checked out as it does need a few things doing to it.

Im getting the fork oil done first.... well after doing 101,000kms figured it was time it got done... oops.
Then look at the valve clearance and the tappets..... but have to save up for that to be done. And while they (the mechanic's) are in there they can reconnect my choke, since it has been disconnected for years.

So it maybe running a tad rich because of the choke being disconnected.

yeh... it cant have been due to open road speed either... i never got above 70k the whole time [cept for a stretch near ohakune] constant braking and gear changing.

my rear tyre should be here this week [and just in time for warrent and rego!] so gonna get that fitted, choke hooked up and whatever else needs doin. will take the tyre to my regular mechanics... dont think i trust the guy i got the tyre through to do any major mechanical work...

[Shadows]

After getting some bigger jets I now get around 200k before hitting reserve, which coincidentally is right about the time I can't ignore the cramp in my legs, the pain in my arse, or the ringing in my ears any longer.
A larger capacity tank would constitute a health hazard.

[crashe]

yeh... it cant have been due to open road speed either... i never got above 70k the whole time [cept for a stretch near ohakune] constant braking and gear changing.

my rear tyre should be here this week [and just in time for warrent and rego!] so gonna get that fitted, choke hooked up and whatever else needs doin. will take the tyre to my regular mechanics... dont think i trust the guy i got the tyre through to do any major mechanical work...

That will be why..... only doing 70kms the whole time..... lol.