Fuel Capacity

OK, so I just got an '03 F4i. The book says it holds 4.7 Gallons, with the Reserve light coming on with .92 gallons left. If I fill my bike up as soon as the Res. lights on, I can only fit 3 gallons in. If I ride til the last bar is blinking, I can only squeeze maybe another .8 gallons. So I I ride to my reserve light says I'm empty, it only takes 3.8 gallons to fill up. Where the hell is the other .9 gallons?

it's on the sides of the tank below the level of the fuel pump so it doesn't get sucked up.

So basically I can burn 3 gallons worth until my light comes on, and reserve is another .8 gallons. So 3.8 is what I need to count on for my range, not 4.7 like the book says.

bingo

I wondered this too, but I never let it get that low to really measure. The last .9 gallons your saying is in there but can't be used. Whats the point of this?

ya, why on earth is there .9 gallons of gas tank space wasted on our bikes? seems kinda stupid to me...

So I guess we need to find a lightweight product that goes in liquid and the solidifies (like styrofoam) and takes up .9 gallons.  Then we can reduce the weight of the F4i.  Any chemists out there with any ideas?

Same thing applies to a cars gas tank.. SOmething has to fill all the little spaces inside the gas tank..Plus the extra is there to keep fuel around the pump at all times (esp cornering with low fuel),if it wasnt the bike would starve for gas and burn up the pump.

Most i have ever put in my tank is 3.8,doesnt bother me .

quote:

ORIGINAL: white99gt
Plus the extra is there to keep fuel around the pump at all times (esp cornering with low fuel),if it wasnt the bike would starve for gas and burn up the pump.

that makes sense...i was really low on gas the other day(like, all 4 bars of reserve had been flashing for about 10 mi) and was worried about the pump starving for gas when i made the corner to get off the highway

you can fit 3 gallons in when the reserve light kicks on? funny, my bike takes about 3.6 gallons when the reserve light first comes on (with 4 bars). 3.6+.9= 4.8... close enough.