BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

Hi all,
I've been intrigued by my recently acquired 1200rtp (08 reg, twin spark) and its range countdown in relation to the actual tank capacity.
Allegedly, the thing has a 27 litre tank, yet even when I've run the remaining range down to 3 miles, I've only ever managed to get 22.9 litres in. Where's the other 4???
Does this bike have a genuine 300 mile range, given that I've managed 240 odd at 'making progress' pace?

bilbob wrote:Does this bike have a genuine 300 mile range, given that I've managed 240 odd at 'making progress' pace?

I'd say yes, on a couple of occasions have got just over 300 miles to a tank full on my TC's.

This thread may be of interest, https://1200rt.com/viewtopic.php?t=3

i have got 300 miles out of my 2007 RT on a few occasions

ds99 wrote: i have got 300 miles out of my 2007 RT on a few occasions

Did it ever go 'conk'?

I once got close to 300 miles, only because I passed a filling station where I should have stopped. The bike kept going beyond the "0 miles remaining" message, and it still wouldn't take the 24 litres the tank was supposed to hold.
I regularly see 57mpg (imperial),which would mean a theoretical 300 miles on a theoretical 24 liters, but I just don't enjoy the worry of riding on the last couple of litres. I usually fill up just before or soon after the low fuel warning light comes on as this gives a good range (around 200 miles, even riding briskly),with something in reserve in case of the unexpected.

Mine shows 320 range and have taken it 280 and put 22litres. The only time I was caught out was when I ran out of fuel with the range indicator showing 120 miles. The sender was broken, fortunately had recovery and warranty to get it replaced.  What confused me was there was fuel in the tank, unfortunately only on one side. Think because of the shape of the tank, it may not be able to get the last litre out as I think the outlet is on the right hand side so the left side could retain that missing bit. Unless the bike is tipped over to move the fuel from one side to the other. Since then zero the trip and keep an eye on that and fill up anywhere between 220 and 280!

My longest range is 335 miles on one tank. That was riding the Blue Ridge Parkway where speeds are lower.


My shortest range was right at 170 miles! Fuel light came on at 163 miles. Running 90mph (gps ) into a head wind in West Texas......

gogs01 wrote: I once got close to 300 miles, only because I passed a filling station where I should have stopped. The bike kept going beyond the "0 miles remaining" message, and it still wouldn't take the 24 litres the tank was supposed to hold.
I regularly see 57mpg (imperial),which would mean a theoretical 300 miles on a theoretical 24 liters, but I just don't enjoy the worry of riding on the last couple of litres. I usually fill up just before or soon after the low fuel warning light comes on as this gives a good range (around 200 miles, even riding briskly),with something in reserve in case of the unexpected.

24 litres??

bilbob wrote: 24 litres??

Apologies - the specs for the air cooled bikes (I had four of them) stated a 27 litre tank.
My current bike has a 25 litre tank.

I never managed to get 23 litres into any of them, in spite of occasionally running them to what the display indicated was "empty". Maybe the 4 litres really was a "reserve".

On many occasions I've thought about carrying a 5 litre container of fuel and running until the bike stops, but I don't really feel the need for an even greater range than I get now. ;D

The "Hexheads" are indeed quoted as having a 27 litre capacity.

However, both the BMW Rider's Manual & the Haynes Manual say that the (usable) tank capacity for a TC is 25 litres.

Strange that the fuel tank part no. is the same for both the Hexhead & the TC, http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/part?id ... 6117699595

Just spotted this in the "Hexhead" BMW Rider's Manual (2008),
"Corrections to Rider's Manual, Usable fuel capacity, 􀁄 Page 27 and back page, The usable fuel capacity is – approx. 25 litres".

The Rider's Manual says there is a reserve of 4 litres, the Haynes Manual suggests that 4 litres is the quantity remaining when the level warning light comes on.

This would seem to make sense, as the range when the warning light comes on is typically around 45 - 50 miles, based on an average of 51 - 57 MPG at the time.

So, theoretically, when the range shows "zero", there is no fuel left in the tank, experimentally, this is not always the case.

see here


http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/rt-series/5 ... serve.html

The BMW Rider's Manual for US Models confirms that the tank capacity is 6.6 US gallons or 25 litres.

don't forget a US gallon is different from a UK Gallon

6.6 US gallons = 5.5 UK gallons = 25 litres, US litres & UK litres are the same.

On my return trip from Portsmouth, the miles completed + the remaining range came to a total of 380 miles on a tank full of fuel.