How big's your tank ?? Stock 15l or Acerbis 23l ?

I get nearly 300 miles from my 23L. Thats riding conservatively.

With the seat, you can get gel pads inserted under the skin.

Hi Bonfireboy,
I did a day trip down to Exmoor ( from Reading, 340 miles total ) a couple of weeks ago - I worked out the motorway mpg getting from Reading to Bridgewater M4 / M5, it was 55 MPG ( 70-85mph all the way ), then on the way back in Minehead- oh shite - I got a puncture, luckily there was a garage that sold "flatmate" the stuff you spray into tyres and it seals the puncture which worked but meant I had to keep the speed down and couldn't take the motorway home, the "A and B" road MPG on the way back worked out at 68 mpg ! So it seems your tank range depends on your speed ( probably load/wind/riding style as well) so I think your 110 miles refill could go out to 120 - 130 fairly comfortably which along with your tank reserve - 2 litres- should easily see you to the next garage ( in the UK anyway ). These figures are based on the standard tank. I also don't mind the motorway riding on the XT, a lot slower than the other bikes I've had but at least I can pick this one up when I drop it down some muddy track!
cheers Mike

I use my XT for commuting, about 60Km per day. At about 110KMH it starts to get unstable.If I jiggle the bars it seems like it could easily turn in to a headshaker. At 100 KMH is quite solid. I can do 120KMH but I have to be alert. I use a windscreen that keeps the wind off my chest which helps a lot.

I also use an Acerbis tank of about 20L which give me at least 400KM per tankful

XT600 Speed v Economy
 

Guys,

Posted this before but, I do on average 500km++ a week on my 2003 XT, including two long (ish) motorway commutes and a fair amount of off roading at the weekend :).

Boris (my XT) will cruise happily (fully loaded) between 110/120km with 4500rpm, returning about 20km/l or about 55mpg which means I get about 250km or 155 miles between petrol stops. Which considering she has a full set of Metal Mule panniers and a 'fat' bloke on board, I don't think is too bad.

I haven't fitted a screen or modified the seat (yet) - the seats reasonably comfy for the distance between fuel stops, but I am considering a small screen or lip to redirect some of the 'wind blast'.

I must admit, I like riding her slower, so that I can soak up the scenery I pass through - and it is worth it. Have a look at some our my pictures on Moto Andalucia web site or in our Picasa album.

My 2003 xt600e will return 150 miles easily out of a tank (not including reserve) on the commute to work. that include 12miles on dual carriage way at 70-75 and 3 miles in the 30's-40mphs. worked it out at just under 60mpg. not that im counting mpg haha. have to admit that anythin over 75 becomes uncomfortable because of wind.

tank range??
 

Hi guys, I think i might just being a bit nervous about running out of fuel... it all comes from when I first had the bike I had to turn over to the reserve at 110miles on the clock? Hi Ted i have got the standard tank did you know they are £612 from yamaha so look after them! Where can I get these gel things for the saddle?? I will go out out tommorrow and test the range and report back I must admit I used to have a 600 fazer and tend to drive a bit heavy on the throttle I like to punish those R1's and Blades through the bends most of them think its a DT125!

I ride my 84 xt600 on I-80 in California on a regular basis now, 40 mile round trip to work. Cruises real nice at 65 to 70 mph at around 3500 rpm. Have had it up to 90 mph but wind lift on the front makes for sketchy ride. tried a 14 to 42 sprocket ratio and liked the power but lost some top end, so I went back to a 15 to 42.
I try to stay out of the truck lanes at speeds over 65 due to my continued desire to live. Pot holes + speed = road rash and a closed casket.
I do have to agree with other posters. I am happiest running down a two lane road at about 45 mph. The bike purs and I dont feel like an abusive boyfriend.

Kurt AKA, Trainman
Roseville CA

I chopped my front "fender" by about 10 inches and its made faster road cruising more stable.

This is a very common mod with Supermotos.

I do get more spray in wet weather though.

fuel consumption
 

Hi everyone went out yesterday and did 200 odd miles. 7.56 litres took me 100 miles and 8.52 litres took me 120miles at a mix of speeds. Works out about 60MPG. Am I right in thinking the stock tank is 15 litres??? How much of that is reserve??? Trying to work out how far I can go!!

im quite happy to take mine on the motorway, just got to remember 80mph is as high as she'll go and not to try any wild moves.
the great thing about the XT (and big singles in general?) is that you know it'll do 80 whether its just you or a full load, it just seems to shrug it off.
ive had a GSXR600 that would do 140mph but seriously felt any sort of load. give me a torquey chugger over a whizzy four any day

when doing 100kmh or above for any longer than 5 or so minutes i usually use the pillion pegs like a set of rearsets. gets me leaning much further forward, which stops me having to grab the bars, which is what i find most fatiguing. I can easily sit at 120kmh for 2 - 3 hours like that. still not as good as a decent screen, but certainly better than nothing.

Cheers,
Phil

Fill tank to brim .
Take a small jerry can full of petrol with you and ride until the bike tank is on reserve,note mileage, then ride until tank is dry ,note mileage ,empty jerry can into tank and ride to nearest petrol station .
Do mathematics , now you know .

Couple of cents more
 

Exactly how I do it with a carbed bike (but not with FI, which is reputed to have problems if the tank runs dry - therefore never done it with FI; can anyone confirm if this old chestnut is true?).

Even then, I don't rely too much on the reserve tap; many a time, the fuel sloshing around in the tank results in no reserve when the tap is turned eventually; I rely on the miles run to judge when to pull over for fuel (and I have been known to carry a couple of litres spare in a plastic bottle if I think I may be well away from a petrol station).

Ive just returned from Africa on my XT. The two mods I wished i had done are fitting a screen and a more confortable seat.

It was only a problem on long straight highway stretches. In the hills and on the dirt it was fine.

And i would plan on 400km from my 23l acerbis tank, Though i did manage over 480km in Muaritania (Nouadibou-Noakchotte)

PAul

On a bike in Africa