Question on size of tank and travel for 750/850GS

[PGlaves]

Understood. I'm also new to this forum so I don't know exactly what the tone / response is for a lot of things. I'll try not to step on anyone's toes going forward.

Not a problem at all really. I was a little more snarky than I should have been.

[PoorUB]

The issue is the spacing of gas stations in parts of the west. I live on a highway, Texas 118, where the gas stations are 79 miles apart: 54 miles to my north and 25 miles to my south. I can point to another dozen or so stretches in Texas, New Mexico, Montana, and other states. I keep on hand a supply of a few gallons fuel for self-stranding motorists.

The range issue is one of planning and the mantra fuel early and often. Two hundred mile range means nothing if that 200 mile range gets you half way between fuel stations that are 80 or more miles apart. This is seldom an issue in Rhode Island. It is is Montana where not every spec on the map even has a gas station.

I have dealt with the same issues. I had a 2005 HD Ultra Classic, 5 gallon tank. I would try to run out to 150 miles on the interstate, but once in a while I would run into a bad head wind and I would have to go into conservation mod to make the 150. Run the western states and gas stops are not very regular. If you miss one you might not make the next.
Moved up to a 2010 with a 6 gallon tank and it was like WOW! no more gas issues! I could run 150 miles on the interstate and run over the speed limit and have extra gas. The only riders that didn't under stand were the guys that would stop every 100 miles or less. My bladder is good for 4 hours or so, so running long gas stops are my normal. I ran 265 miles one time on my HD, It was sucking fumes when I filled! The 6.6 gallon tank and 45 MPH or more on my 2018 Rt is a god send!

[akbeemer]

Traveling here in the mountain west, fuel is no problem. I've never had an issue on my GSA.

[PoorUB]

Not as long as you know the area and plan your stops. I have had to double back a couple times for fuel when traveling Wyoming and Montana when the towns only gas station was closed and the next one was too far away. Often we will stop for fuel even when we really don't need it, because of the uncertainty of getting fuel in the next town. I can ride the tank dry in areas I ride all the time because I know the gas stops. Go ride a new area and I stop more often that I need to.

I have had fuel issues traveling North and South Dakota. We came back from Sturgis headed to Fargo and skipped a gas station because it was packed with bikes getting fuel. We figured the next town down the road. Nope, no station, then the next, there the only station we knew about was closed, Sunday morning. The GPS showed gas down the road, again the station was closed, but they did have a no attendant, pay at the pump that didn't even have signs stating so at another spot a couple blocks away that we just about ignored. Just two old style fuel pumps with a credit card reader on a post. No signs, nothing to indicate you could buy fuel. We just stopped out of desperation.

[Lee]

In the Midwestern states look for the big grain silos. Some of the Coops have unattended pumps and they usually do not bother with a sign next to the highway.

Gas Stations (2).jpg

Gas Stations (1).jpg

[henzilla]

The manual on any model is an average for sure. Higher speed limits and headwinds combined will get you in a bind until you understand what your particular bikes behavior is. My GSA allows me wiggle room unless traveling with folks on less capacity.I have been the refueling tanker more than once crossing the wide open states and provinces.

Even in states with fuel available on major roads can catch you on rural routes where fuel was one year but not the next
Learning the 2.9 gal habits our first few runs on another brand had a few lessons

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[PGlaves]

Several years ago Voni and I were riding eastbound across eastern Colorado on US36 on a Sunday afternoon. I "knew" there was fuel available in the next town because I saw the pumps at the Coop when we were riding west a few days before. We arrive at the pumps to discover that the office was closed on Sunday and their pay-at-the-pump machine took only their Cooperative account cards. We did NOT have enough gas to make it to the next town or back to the last one.

Apparently we were not the first people to suffer this dilemma. A local man driving by saw us and pulled in. He knew the problem right away and offered to use his card and we could pay him cash. Deal!! I am told that these Coops across the plains now generally take regular credit cards; Visa, Mastercard, etc. but they did not back then. I was very happy to find that there really are kind people in small town rural America.

[Lee]

I am told that these Coops across the plains now generally take regular credit cards; Visa, Mastercard, etc. .

That's correct.
In some cases the COOP members will have a card that gives them a discount.

[GTRider]

That's correct.
In some cases the COOP members will have a card that gives them a discount.

And in my travels in WY and the Dakotas I am finding more and more COOP (Farmers Union) stations offering non-alcohol fuel in 88 or 91 octane, especially along the interstates. Gillette, WY has a large COOP carrying 91, for example. Maybe that’s a Sturgis Rally outgrowth...🤔

Best,
DeVern

[Lee]

And in my travels in WY and the Dakotas I am finding more and more COOP (Farmers Union) stations offering non-alcohol fuel in 88 or 91 octane, especially along the interstates. Gillette, WY has a large COOP carrying 91, for example. Maybe that’s a Sturgis Rally outgrowth...🤔

Best,
DeVern

One of the COOPs in my pictures has 91 AKI non ethanol.
In our area 88 AKI is E15. E15 is 15% ethanol.

[PoorUB]

I pulled into a COOP and it was member only pay at the pump. I was running on fumes so I sat there for 15-20 minutes until someone pulled in to buy I gas. Then I spent 5 minutes trying to explain to him that he could fill my tank on his card and I would pay him cash, he just didn't get it! Finally the brain cells started to function and I got gas and paid him and included a few extra dollars for the trouble.

[ackme]

Late to the party here but I have owned an F750 GS for two years and done a couple of longer trips on it. The answer on how it is to tour on a 4 gal tank is..it depends. If you are doing mostly interstate 75-80mph expect to fill up every 140-150 miles. If you are on mostly two lane state roads @ 60-65mph expect it to be more like 170-180. If you are really taking your time on county roads @50-55 expect to get 200-210.

My experience, contrary to the Manuel, is that the fuel warning light will come on with a gallon left in the tank. How much of that 50-60 miles you want use getting to the next stop is your own risk tolerance.