IS range

[NighthawkVTX]

Just wondering what kind of range can I expect from an IS, assuming that I keep it under 70mph?

[Steel cowboy]

My I/S averages 35+MPG and that's 2 up. Just did a carb rebuild and desmog it, slow jets @35 high speed @100. Tire pressure at 44 rear, 42 front.

[Ramie]

I can get around 250 miles per tank before I need to fill up if I want to but usually I like to get off and stretch before that.

[Pete]

Usually I fill up at 220 miles, under normal riding conditions. I typically hit reserve just before or right at 220. Most of my riding is done at 70 MPH or less as I do not like the wind buffeting at faster speeds.

[Jess from VA]

220 to reserve pretty consistently.  Reserve is supposed to be 1.1 gal more (35-40 miles?).  So consistently I use the trip meter (reset at every fill-up) more than the gas gauge bars (60+ miles before the first bar drops off on the gauge).  Also, when the led gas bars get down to one, they start flashing at you, but will flash for a while before you actually stumble the engine needing to reach down and turn to reserve.  And if you go out and start the bike on the side stand after it's been sitting awhile, the gas gauge led bars are very inaccurate.... until you center up the bike and ride away.  

PS, about a half gallon more goes in after the pump shuts off, if your pump will slow feed, and you sit on the bike centered up during fill-up (ie, not on the side stand).  But if you fill to the tippy top, you need to ride and burn a little off before getting off and letting the bike sit in the sun on the side stand, or some may upchuck out the overflow vent.

Some have reported only averaging 180-90 per tank, but I think they fill on the side stand and to not to the top (and tune-up quality varies).

[WintrSol]

... needing to reach down and turn to reserve.

Something you should practice, before you need it, BTW.

[0leman]

I have never hit the 200 mile mark.  Because gas stations are few and far inbetween, I usually start looking for fuel about the 180 mark or less.   On a slow day, roads are slow roads, I get around 40 mpg, on the rest around here I average 37 mpg.   that is one up riding.

[BradValk48237]

2000 I/S here....

You will get many varying ranges because a lot depends on how you ride...

Heavy in the throttle here and have tuned, carbs balanced, etc.. Had BF go over the bike at Inzane 2 years ago... she runs smooth.. but I did up the low jets to 38's

For example.. on 2 lanes I get OK/good mileage, but don't really pay attentions, because usually stop when I need a stop.... and make the stop at a station to save multiple stops...

On the Highway... I like to get it over with and tend to run 80-85 (or more) and then you can be lucky to get 150 on a tank... seriously..... the mileage drops considerably when you run over 70 MPH....

So if you ride conservatively you should get high 30's... push it over 3500 RPM or more and she sucks the fuel.... and Tires..LOL

B

[old2soon]

I/S FULL tank and Ripped on it hard!  Hit reserve in about 125ish miles.  BUT I wuz twistin her tail very HARD.  The magic number I've been told is right under 3000 R P Ms. BUT if you INSIST on playin ya gotz ta PAY!  I on the other hand LOVE to hear her scream at the triple digit numbers!    Even my own Brother ells me I ride too fast.  RIDE SAFE.

[Steve K (IA)]

180

[Firefighter]

I can get 200 miles if I try, 3000 rpm, no heavy head wind. My speedometer is off about 5 mph at 60 or so. I use gps to know my speed. On overnight rides I carry a gallon of gas in the saddle bags.

[Savago]

Dear friend

It really depends on how you ride. My 1999 I/S has varied from 42mpg (riding the Bear Tooth Pass in Yellowstone) to 22mpg (riding around 95-100 miles/h in the Interstate in one day I crossed 4 states).

In first case the theoretical range would be 289 miles in 1 gas tank, while in the second case it would be 151 miles.

I would play on the safe side and assume 150 miles between gas stops, with no need to go into reserve. Let's face it, after 2 to 3 hours in the saddle, it is good to stop and stretch the legs.

The longest distance I ever saw between gas stations while riding through the NorthWest was 70 miles while riding in East Oregon (I had logged by then 110 miles, so would still be good if I decided to ignore the last gas station).

Savago

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I normally hit reserve about 190.  the best I ever got was 220 and I thought something was wrong.If you stand the bike straight up you can get about 3/4s of a gallon more in the tank. 2000 with 192,000 miles on the clock.

[gordonv]

On my 99' IS, I consistently got 189 miles to reserve. I've never gone to empty. But with the known reserve, figured I could go max 50 miles more to end of fuel. 70 MPH max speed.

Played with the throttle once, got 125 miles to reserve. But it was fun.   

[Maddog vrcc#508]

I agree with all the replies in the thread. I used to ride with folks who rode Tourers or Standards and they liked to fill up around 120 miles-ish. You can't go wrong with this tactic until you become one with the bike. I once found myself in the position of reaching a planned fuel stop in the outback, only to discover that they were not selling fuel. Didn't see that on "Google maps".  After that event I decided to have a "Belly Tank" installed, providing an addition 3 gallons of fuel and removing a huge amount of worry from riding in the unknown.  Good Luck on Your Journeys.

MMCD

[Fazer]

120 on the odometer and I am looking.  98 Tourer.  Only had to go to reserve a couple of times.  Not sure I was even low enough, but the bike just felt like it was bogging down.  Never just fell flat like my other bike.  You know on the Shadow when it's time to switch to reserve.  Not so abrupt on the Valk.  Do others have similar experience?

[Mtn Valk]

Ditto on my 1100 Shadow!

On my Tourer, I also experience that ever so gradual decent of power before it's obvious it's time to flip the switch.

BTW, I start looking for fuel around 120-130 miles. I can usually go about 175 miles including reserve.

[Jess from VA]

Yes, it is not an off and on switch.  

The few times I have run to reserve and was not watching for it, the bike gradually begins to lose power and takes more throttle to keep the speed constant.  I thought something was maybe wrong (sinking feeling), then look down and see the fuel bars flashing.  Forehead smack.

With six carbs and lots of fuel line below the tank, it's a somewhat gradual thing.   On the freeway, it happens a bit faster. (Most of my hitting reserve has been on the freeway where I tend to run tank-to-tank ...or BR Parkway).  Day riding I tend to fill at a third to quarter tank. 

[old2soon]

Pretty good stretch at 36 M P G BUT with me and the Phatt Ghurl THAT'S the exception. Normally at 30-31 M P G. The right hand CONTROLS yer destiny far as fuel M P G goes-go fast use lotsa fuel-go easy git more M P Gs!  RIDE SAFE.

[Firefighter]

I went on reserve today, been doing rear maintenance, and went for a 20+ mile test ride. The fuel gauge was at 2 bars when I left the house, as soon as the one bar started blinking I made maybe a mile and the engine started the out of fuel power loss. I went to reserve and noticed 188 miles on that tank of fuel. I rode another 10 miles and stopped to fill up the tank and it took 6.3 gallons. I remembered the last fuel stop I had a pump nozzle that would not cooperate and I could not fill the tank completely, so that is another factor.

[Bighead]

On my Standard have to hit res at about 120-130.
On the IS normally around 190-200 but have gone as far as 220 before going on reserve and have also had to go to reserve at 150 on the interstate and a head wind running about 80-85

[msb]

Best I've done in 15 years is about 325 km (200 mi) before hitting reserve, even 2 up. Mostly when riding in Montana, Wyoming, etc and prairie provinces with longer stretches of flatter roads. Pretty difficult though to keep rpms around 3000 on those stretches, and also difficult (impossible) to achieve in the many and preferred mountainous routes throughout my home province of BC.

[lucky_1_chris]

180-190 to reserve usually. Large aftermaket windshield, and I ain't small. With a strong head wing on trips I've gotten into the 150's before hitting reserve.

[allanbegg]

I usually have to switch to reserve on my I/S around 180-200 miles, depending on riding conditions, but have gotten up around 220 before switching, when loafing along.

[salty1]

Using your parameter of speed: 2000 IS, 200-220 miles before going to reserve; 98 Std 130-140 miles before switching to reserve.