That wacky C50 fuel light! - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

The Duke · 11-17-2004, 12:55 PM

You think Suzuki could have spent a few extra $$$ to put the digital fuel gage on the '05 C50, like the ones on the previous Volusias!

I filled up just a few days ago. I reset the trip odometer just to see what kind of mileage I was getting. One hundred and two (102) highway miles later, the damn light comes on!!! I look in, and it's about 40% full!

It's just me (fat a$$ and all), some OEM Boulevard Saddlebaggs, and the OEM windscreen.

Should I be alarmed about the sucky gas mileage yet, as it's barely broken in (approx. 250 mile so far).? Anyone know if you can replace the spedo unit from an older Volusia into the C50, and have it work? This seems a step backwards for this component.

Gixxerdale · 11-17-2004, 01:01 PM

Most of the Suzuki fuel lights are designed to come on with about a gallon left. Maybe the sensor is defective? Have the Stealer, I mean Dealer check it out since it's a new ride.

What's the manual say? How much fuel should remain when it comes on?

bat4255 · 11-17-2004, 01:03 PM

The Burgman has one, It Sucks, I haven't seen an accurate one yet.
I do the trip odometer thing, much more accurate. I fill up between 120 / 140 miles leaving about 1 gal. in reserve.
I would rather see more accurate speedometers, not this 10% off crap.

Gixxerdale · 11-17-2004, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bat4255

The Burgman has one, It Sucks, I haven't seen an accurate one yet.
I do the trip odometer thing, much more accurate. I fill up between 120 / 140 miles leaving about 1 gal. in reserve.

I second that, I do the same at the same mileage. If my fuel light comes on I figure I screwed up and didn't refuel soon enough.

Accurate speedo? Yesand no. It's a safety barrier sometimes when you get heavy handed and the man is watching, not that I ever..........

bat4255 · 11-17-2004, 01:15 PM

It could be a mind thing, Crusing @ 65 in a 55 and 80 in a 65, you think your getting away with something. In reality your only over about 4-7 mph.

Gixxerdale · 11-17-2004, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bat4255

It could be a mind thing, Crusing @ 65 in a 55 and 80 in a 65, you think your getting away with something. In reality your only over about 4-7 mph.

4-7 mph over they usually won't bother you for..........unless you are in one of our popular ride areas here in California, where they call them "Double Fine Zones" because they can. Then they pull you over for anything, even looking like you could go fast!

I was popped once for 62 in a 55. First comment the LEO made was "You looked like you were going faster than you were". All I was doing was passing(legally) a very slow car . Bike just accelerates fast. It must be Suzuki's fault!

The Duke · 11-17-2004, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gixxerdale

Most of the Suzuki fuel lights are designed to come on with about a gallon left. Maybe the sensor is defective? Have the Stealer, I mean Dealer check it out since it's a new ride.

What's the manual say? How much fuel should remain when it comes on?

Same as your'n...with one gallon left, the light should come on...unless I'm consuming a HECK OF A LOT of gas, it came on 50 mi too soon.

The Duke · 11-17-2004, 05:22 PM

Also, gang...are there aftermarket fuel thingy-bobbers? :@)

tlwisner · 11-18-2004, 10:24 AM

It's pretty hard to tell how full the tank is looking in, because of the shape of the bottom. I doubt you could put in a Volusia speedo in because of the FI indicators on the C50 display.

My light came on last night at about 140 miles, riding home in the drizzle.

Fuel guages? Not too many motorcycle fuel guages are worth a crap. Your best bet is to use the trip odometers. That's why almost all two wheelers have them, and many, like our bikes, have two. I hit my button for the Trip OD if I want a good idea of my fuel status.

If I'm going on a group ride, I always fill up first and find that my bike's range is better than most. One friend has an old Sportster with a tiny tank that doesn't hold two gallons. He can go about 65 miles.

tlwisner · 11-18-2004, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Duke

Same as your'n...with one gallon left, the light should come on...unless I'm consuming a HECK OF A LOT of gas, it came on 50 mi too soon.

If you fill it up when the fuel light comes on, how much gas does it take?

The Duke · 11-18-2004, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlwisner

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Duke

Same as your'n...with one gallon left, the light should come on...unless I'm consuming a HECK OF A LOT of gas, it came on 50 mi too soon.

If you fill it up when the fuel light comes on, how much gas does it take?

I know what you're saying...unfortunately, I screwed that test up by not having enough $$$ on me to check that out, so I threw a couple of $$$ in. I'll check that out next time she comes on...

tlwisner · 11-18-2004, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Duke

I know what you're saying...unfortunately, I screwed that test up by not having enough $$$ on me to check that out, so I threw a couple of $$$ in. I'll check that out next time she comes on...

A couple $$$ used to fill these things up. Dang...

The Duke · 11-18-2004, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlwisner

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Duke

I know what you're saying...unfortunately, I screwed that test up by not having enough $$$ on me to check that out, so I threw a couple of $$$ in. I'll check that out next time she comes on...

A couple $$$ used to fill these things up. Dang...

Tell me about it...$5.00 dumped into it within 30 seconds...and still plenty o' room...

From my guestimate, I'm averaging 40mpg so far. ...on the lower end for this motorcycle?

As a related question, what effect would drag from a windscreen, or a slightly ballooning jacket have on mileage?

c50tiger · 11-18-2004, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Duke

From my guestimate, I'm averaging 40mpg so far. ...on the lower end for this motorcycle?

As a related question, what effect would drag from a windscreen, or a slightly ballooning jacket have on mileage?

I'd say 40mpg is definitely on the low side for the C50 (unless your riding it really hard). I get more in the neighborhood of 50mpg. And that includes some 70mph+ runs, 60mph+ hilly/curvy backroads, and a fair amount of stop-n-go between home and the office.

Oh - and that's with a windscreen. Don't think you're gonna get enough wind resistance from a balooning jacket to significantly impact fuel consumption. But someone feel free to jump in and prove me wrong

tlwisner · 11-19-2004, 11:19 AM

[quote="c50tiger"]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Duke

Oh - and that's with a windscreen. Don't think you're gonna get enough wind resistance from a balooning jacket to significantly impact fuel consumption. But someone feel free to jump in and prove me wrong

The windscreen may be better aerodynamically than a rider. The aero effect is directly related to speed. 40 - 50 mpg seems to be the range of mileage, although a lot of people who have aftermarket pipes and rejetted carbs on Volusias see mileage fall as low as 30 mpg.

zacman · 11-20-2004, 01:33 AM

Agree with tlwisner. The C50 speedo has idiot lights for the FI system. I am running a memphis fats on my C50. Around town (so to speak) my fuel light comes on at about 130 miles. Any extended driving - country roads with some interstate, it comes on at about 150 miles. When it does come on, if I get gas within 20 or 30 miles, it almost always takes apx. 3.2 gal to fill it. MPG has been mid 40's to 50. Bike has exhuast drilled and now has 3k miles on it.
Ride safe...

zacman · 11-23-2004, 06:28 PM

Came on again today at 136 miles - took 3 gal.

tlwisner · 11-26-2004, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zacman

Came on again today at 136 miles - took 3 gal.

45.3 mpg sounds about right. I'm just showing off my math skills now...

AmberAcid · 11-28-2004, 05:58 PM

You mean I need gas???? Dang, maybe that's what is wrong with it...

I get about 43-45 mpg and NEVER trust my gauge.

ozbound · 11-29-2004, 04:17 AM

How much do you pay for your fuel in england we pay on average £0.85 a litre thats about $1.60 so to fill up my GSX1400 is about $33.00 and if i'm lucky it lasts about 160 miles

11-17-2004, 12:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
The Duke Where Am I ? Joined: Oct 2004 Bike: Boulevard C50 Location: Northern, California Posts: 28	That wacky C50 fuel light! You think Suzuki could have spent a few extra $$$ to put the digital fuel gage on the '05 C50, like the ones on the previous Volusias! I filled up just a few days ago. I reset the trip odometer just to see what kind of mileage I was getting. One hundred and two (102) highway miles later, the damn light comes on!!! I look in, and it's about 40% full! It's just me (fat a$$ and all), some OEM Boulevard Saddlebaggs, and the OEM windscreen. Should I be alarmed about the sucky gas mileage yet, as it's barely broken in (approx. 250 mile so far).? Anyone know if you can replace the spedo unit from an older Volusia into the C50, and have it work? This seems a step backwards for this component. __________________ Duke-owner of the BlingMaster(tm) 3000! --------------- You live and learn, or you don't live long.--Robert A. Heinlein ---- No you pervert---that's NOT my picture...just Marilyn Monroe!

11-17-2004, 01:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
Gixxerdale Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst. Joined: Mar 2004 Bike: 02 GSXR 1k Location: The warm and twisty roads of SoCal Posts: 3,028	Most of the Suzuki fuel lights are designed to come on with about a gallon left. Maybe the sensor is defective? Have the Stealer, I mean Dealer check it out since it's a new ride. What's the manual say? How much fuel should remain when it comes on? __________________ Proud Father of a U S Army Soldier... The key to life is to die young...at a very old age... Ride like you own the road...and...someday the road will own you.. My Favorite Ride? Tomorrows!

11-17-2004, 05:22 PM	#8 (permalink)
The Duke Where Am I ? Joined: Oct 2004 Bike: Boulevard C50 Location: Northern, California Posts: 28	Also, gang...are there aftermarket fuel thingy-bobbers? :@) __________________ Duke-owner of the BlingMaster(tm) 3000! --------------- You live and learn, or you don't live long.--Robert A. Heinlein ---- No you pervert---that's NOT my picture...just Marilyn Monroe!

11-18-2004, 10:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Joined: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	Re: That wacky C50 fuel light! It's pretty hard to tell how full the tank is looking in, because of the shape of the bottom. I doubt you could put in a Volusia speedo in because of the FI indicators on the C50 display. My light came on last night at about 140 miles, riding home in the drizzle. Fuel guages? Not too many motorcycle fuel guages are worth a crap. Your best bet is to use the trip odometers. That's why almost all two wheelers have them, and many, like our bikes, have two. I hit my button for the Trip OD if I want a good idea of my fuel status. If I'm going on a group ride, I always fill up first and find that my bike's range is better than most. One friend has an old Sportster with a tiny tank that doesn't hold two gallons. He can go about 65 miles. __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create

11-29-2004, 04:17 AM	#20 (permalink)
ozbound Newbie Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: GSX1400/Bandit 1200 Location: England Posts: 12	How much do you pay for your fuel in england we pay on average £0.85 a litre thats about $1.60 so to fill up my GSX1400 is about $33.00 and if i'm lucky it lasts about 160 miles __________________ Stand back, stand back I have an opinion and i'm not afraid to use it

11-17-2004, 01:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
bat4255 Squirrel Target Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: Burgman 650 K3- 29,100 miles as of 10-20-08 Location: Dodge Co. Wisconsin Posts: 663	The Burgman has one, It Sucks, I haven't seen an accurate one yet. I do the trip odometer thing, much more accurate. I fill up between 120 / 140 miles leaving about 1 gal. in reserve. I would rather see more accurate speedometers, not this 10% off crap.

11-17-2004, 01:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
bat4255 Squirrel Target Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: Burgman 650 K3- 29,100 miles as of 10-20-08 Location: Dodge Co. Wisconsin Posts: 663	It could be a mind thing, Crusing @ 65 in a 55 and 80 in a 65, you think your getting away with something. In reality your only over about 4-7 mph.

11-20-2004, 01:33 AM	#16 (permalink)
zacman Where Am I ? Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Somewhere in FLorida Posts: 29	Agree with tlwisner. The C50 speedo has idiot lights for the FI system. I am running a memphis fats on my C50. Around town (so to speak) my fuel light comes on at about 130 miles. Any extended driving - country roads with some interstate, it comes on at about 150 miles. When it does come on, if I get gas within 20 or 30 miles, it almost always takes apx. 3.2 gal to fill it. MPG has been mid 40's to 50. Bike has exhuast drilled and now has 3k miles on it. Ride safe...

11-23-2004, 06:28 PM	#17 (permalink)
zacman Where Am I ? Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Somewhere in FLorida Posts: 29	Came on again today at 136 miles - took 3 gal.

11-28-2004, 05:58 PM	#19 (permalink)
AmberAcid Newbie Joined: Oct 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 13	You mean I need gas???? Dang, maybe that's what is wrong with it... I get about 43-45 mpg and NEVER trust my gauge.

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