Fuel Gauge Question

[JustKrusen]

Hello everyone. I'm another newbie to this forum. :)

I just bought a new R1200RT several weeks ago. I have just 700 miles on it so far. It's going in for it's first service on Saturday. So far I like the bike very much but the seat needs help. I will use this bike as my one up rider mainly for trips to the mountains around NC & GA. My wife still likes our '02 GL1800 (with over 80,000) better so we'll use it for all two up trips for now.

My first question is about the fuel gauge. The RT is suppose to hold 7.1 gallons. I ran it till the computer said I had 5 miles to go till empty and the gauge had disappeared. When I filled up it only took 5.5 gallons. That tells me I still had over 1.5 gallons left in the tank or about 65 more miles. I had over 260 miles on the odo when I filled up.

Is that normal?
Can the gauge be adjusted?
Do I ignore it and just keep riding?

Thanks, looking forward to learning a lot about Beemers.

Ed Kruse "Just Kruse'n"
Naples, FL
GWRRA #124374
AMA Member
'06 R1200RT Red
'02 GL1800 ABS Silver

[johnbeaven]

The fuel gauge behaviour you describe is the same as mine.

Apparently the fuel gauge can be recalibrated.

I usually work off the trip meter. I know the fuel consumption - I have found the computer to be reasonably accurate in this regard - so I have a good idea how many kilometers I can go on a tank of fuel. Although I still find it to be a leap of faith to continue once the fuel gauge reads empty. :bmw:

[drodg]

I think the fuel gauge on my RT is much like my cars today. They give a huge reserve when the light comes on or it has very few miles to empty. I know I can ride about 280 miles before I put 5.5 to 5.8 gallons in. I have been averaging right at 50 miles per gallon with the factory windscreen. I have 4200 miles on mine now.