Proof of Fuel Tank Range

[Paula(Butch2025)]

We went for 400+ mile lunch ride yesterday. During our ride we got 170+ miles and on another fill up we got 190 miles on our '08 GS and "12 RS. That's a long time to sit on the Spyders in the 98 degree heat, but we were enjoying the ride and didn't want to stop so often. We went to Bayfield, Wisconsin for lunch making a nice circle tour of leaving North Branch, MN up old Hwy 61 to MN 70 into Wisconsin, then to WI Hwy 35 to Superior, Wisconsin. We then hopped on WI Hwy 13 up only the South shore of Lake Superior to Bayfield then down to Hwy 2 back to Superior. To head home on a different road we took neat little double decker bridge (trains on top, vehicles on the bottom) back over to Minnesota then on to MN Hwy 23, with a stop at Tobbies in Hinckley, to pick up THE BEST caramel rolls ever for Sunday breakfast, then we gave in and took the freeway the last 30 some miles home. It was great day of riding, and it was cool to find out what a great range of mileage we got on our Spyders! Our last gas up was in Washburn, Wisconsin and we both pulled in the driveway with no bars left!!!!

 

[Bob Denman]

:congrats: And home with no bars showing?? :shocked: :bowdown: :thumbup:

 

[ARtraveler]

Nice ride. Used to stop at Tobies on a regular basis when I was in the area. Did you stop at Maggies while in Bayfield?

RE: Mileage We went 170 miles yesterday before the fuel lights went on. One bike took 4.8 gallons and the other 5.2 gallons. 36 mpg and 34 mpg. We were driving twisties, hills, and did not exceed 60 mph in the fast stretches.

I was getting 31 mph consistently last year riding two up. Now that we are riding our own machines, the mileage has seemed to improve.

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

Butch said the only reason he went for it, was that he knows where all the gas stations are in the towns we were going through as we got closer to home! Me, I was a bit worried, I've never gotten to where that last bar is gone.:yikes:

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

Nice ride. Used to stop at Tobies on a regular basis when I was in the area. Did you stop at Maggies while in Bayfield?

No, Maggies this trip. We did find a great deli/liquor store (remember we were in Wisconsin!) grabbed sandwiches and headed to the park to watch the boats.

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

To head home on a different road we took neat little double decker bridge (trains on top, vehicles on the bottom) back over to Minnesota
View attachment 49443View attachment 49444View attachment 49436View attachment 49437View attachment 49439

Scottie, just 'cause I know you'll want to know the name and or where this bridge is: it's called the Oliver Bridge, because it starts in the town of Oliver on the Wisconsin side, it's now Canadian National owned, so Butch figures it must have been a Soo Line before that.

 

[ARtraveler]

I think you are right about the bridge originally being Soo Line in the 'good ol days". Your ride brings back a lot of memories, and I drove that bridge many times when I lived in West Duluth.

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

I think you are right about the bridge originally being Soo Line in the 'good ol days". Your ride brings back a lot of memories, and I drove that bridge many times when I lived in West Duluth.

Butch just looked it up on the "interweb" and it was formally a DM&IR bridge built in 1916.

 

[joet82]

my personal bests are 209 and 207. but i've made modifications since and am also having issues, I think with the valve spacing, that's hurting my fuel economy.

 

[BajaRon]

My best was 196 at 75-85 mph, all freeway. No bar showing but I could get only 5.5 gallons in the tank so I'm sure I could have gone farther.

 

[Derk]

Hi All,

I'm doing cross country to Washington and then cross Canada on July 25th, I'll be going west on hwy. 2 across Wisconsin. My question is, is the scenery worth the detour to get on hwy. 13 around Ashland, up to Bayfield and around, back to hwy 2 at South Range? It looks like it would be scenic around the lake. Thanks for your help. I only hope I can get as many miles to a tank of gas that you do. My light comes on at around 120 miles. I'm packing a one gallon reda gas can for peace of mind. I ryde a 2010 RT-SM5 with 25k fun miles.

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

Hi All,

I'm doing cross country to Washington and then cross Canada on July 25th, I'll be going west on hwy. 2 across Wisconsin. My question is, is the scenery worth the detour to get on hwy. 13 around Ashland, up to Bayfield and around, back to hwy 2 at South Range? It looks like it would be scenic around the lake. Thanks for your help. I only hope I can get as many miles to a tank of gas that you do. My light comes on at around 120 miles. I'm packing a one gallon reda gas can for peace of mind. I ryde a 2010 RT-SM5 with 25k fun miles.

We think the scenery is worth it, you'd be by Lake Superior, with places to stop and dip your toes in the lake and there's a few towns up that way all with gas stations. Of course we've been known to go out of our way to avoid road construction on many occasions! Have a great trip and keep us posted on your progress across the country.

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

Look me up when you get into ALBERTA, hopefully the rains will have quit by then and you have good weather.......

 

[SpyderAnn01]

No, Maggies this trip. We did find a great deli/liquor store (remember we were in Wisconsin!) grabbed sandwiches and headed to the park to watch the boats.

What was the name of the deli? I was told to find out where you ate lunch.

 

[Some Guy]

My light comes on at around 120 miles. I'm packing a one gallon reda gas can for peace of mind.

:agree: Same here...and I'm on a GS. OK...I might be a little paranoid, but many years ago I swore I would never run out of gas again, with any vehicle...because that is completely MY fault. I have 2 Reda cans. I rarely carry them unless I'm riding back roads thru unfamiliar territory.

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

What was the name of the deli? I was told to find out where you ate lunch.

Captain "Something"....one block up and 1/2 block towards main drag of Bayfield...I'll look it up and give you the official name tomorrow!

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

What was the name of the deli? I was told to find out where you ate lunch.

It was called Captain's Spirits,

33 North First Street,​

remember this is Wisconsin so of course the deli has a liquor store in it!!!:roflblack: