Fuel tank size - Lies?

[DrDonnyBrago]

Afternoon all,

Do manufactures often lie about fuel tank size like they do about power output and weight? Those of you who have run out of fuel, did brimming the tank afterwards require as much as you expected?


CBR600f 2001 - FI model, Honda list it with an 18L tank.

I tend to fill up at 150 miles and stick slightly over 15L in, by this point the gauge is usually telling me I ran out of fuel 10 miles ago, looking in the tank shows a distinct lack of go juice and it doesn't sound (shaking) like there is much left either. Theoretically I should have a good 3L left.


The fuel pump and filter/strainer occupy space within the tank so that could be taking up some space and the inlet could be high enough that the dregs at the bottom are useless but it seems like lies to me. I would drain it/run out of fuel and push it to the petrol station but that sounds too much like hard work.

[fatpies]

Why do you think that you will see in all manuals "subject to change without notice" or correct at time of printing it's there get out of jail free card.
____________________
"It's easy to attack and destroy an act of creation. It's a lot more difficult to perform one"

[Kickstart]

Hi

Suspect you are right for many bikes. The Bimotas claimed fuel tank size is a joke (I suspect it is at least 5 litres on the hopeful side).

As well as the pump / fuel gauge sender / etc, there is probably also a fairly large volume at the top of the tank that won't get filled (or will only get filled with the bike upright).

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[goto10]

I wonder if they quote usable capacity or just the volume? (Including unusable air pockets and whatnot)
Probably the latter, if they quoted the former then they might lose sales to their competitors who quote total [air] volume in the tank. Pinch of salt needed as with all bike/car specs.
____________________
'12 NC700S & '12 CB600F Hornet [Stolen by some dickless twat] Suzuki GT500 shed

[DrDonnyBrago]

https://ricksmotorcycles.com/shop/images/products/detail_408_8-25_(156).JPG

This is what the fuel pump/fuel gauge sender unit looks like, not sure where the inlet is but the unit itself shouldn't occupy much space.


Must just do as goto10 said and quote the air volume.

[Pol Anorl]

The bros says 10 litre and 2 litre reserve yet i can only just about put 11 litres in from near on bone dry.
____________________
GOOD GAME BODYGUARD: https://i.imgur.com/8WePGgf.jpg
20:30:37 Pyro.: I don't sort of like men, I take every advantage to choke on dick.
Jewlio Iglesias: You live in Liverpool - Chances are, the front door has already been kicked off the hinges

[kawashima]

W650 tank size was 15 litre till 2000 model, 14 litre from 2001 model.
But there's no difference between them. Same tank. Why? W owners often talked about this. I wondered if 14 litre is when using side stand while 15 litre is centre stand and floating front wheel.
Or if the actual size was 14.5 litre, Kawasaki round upped till 2000 and round downed since 2001? mmm
edit: year corrected.
____________________
own:2020 Serow 250
owned: 2012 YB125SP, 2008 TDM900, 2005 W650, 2002 LS125R, 2002 CB400SF, NS50F, C50 / Trip to UK(2009), Hokkaido touring(2013)

[Moo.]

Superdreams quoted as 14 litres... i struggle to get 11/12 in there
____________________
A2 Passed 18/6/10

[Ayrton]

i seem to just about be able to fit the 10 litres into my crb that it claims it can hold.

[angryjonny]

The Italian manual for my bike claims that it seats 5 and has room for their shopping.

[c-m]

Fuel tank sizes are pretty accurate.

You need to fill up from empty. Then you will get more fuel in that the specified tank size due to the carbs and hoses storing fuel.

You need to fill up with the bike upright. You also need to slow the fuel rate right down to prevent splash bag etc..

On the GPZ, ZXR750, ZX9R, Falco, from empty or on fumes, i've managed to full over the stated capacity from 0.5-1l
____________________
Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[Hyaon]

As mentioned before, if you refill with the sidestand down you lose some tank space according to the angle the bike rests at. It annoys me as I want to refill my bike fully when at petrol station but of course will they like me sitting on my bike with the nozzle in the tank like I'm going to ride off with petrols spraying everywhere.

[No central stand on my bike btw]
____________________
Mod2 Passed 30/03/2011!
CBF125>GSF650 Bandit K8>B-King 2008+R1 2002

[DrDonnyBrago]

I know how to brim a tank .

[Hyaon]

[DrDonnyBrago]

[Hyaon]

[andym]

Part of it could be down to the petrol pump too, not sure that such a small amount would make that much difference.... although if you are getting the same amount in at different pumps then just ignore this post.

Anyway, when I was driving a mondeo the book said that the petrol tank would hold 58 litres, one day I had about 1/8th left (according to the gauge), pulled into a petrol station and managed to get 58 1/2 litres in there before it clicked the second time

[DrDonnyBrago]

[Pete.]

I found that the quoted capacity of my Bandit tank was pretty-much bang on.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Charlie]

Dad has filled his tank up over the stated capacity, i.e. pump said 20L, manual says 19L.

He kicked off thinking the pump was wrong and got the staff to prove to him that it was correct (which it was).

That was a Honda 650 Transalp
____________________
Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Pol Anorl]

Drained my tank from the 2 litre reserve it was just under 1 litre.
____________________
GOOD GAME BODYGUARD: https://i.imgur.com/8WePGgf.jpg
20:30:37 Pyro.: I don't sort of like men, I take every advantage to choke on dick.
Jewlio Iglesias: You live in Liverpool - Chances are, the front door has already been kicked off the hinges