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Fuel gauge on a Suzuki GZ250...is there one? Fuel gauge on a Suzuki GZ250...is there one?
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Old 22 Jul 2010
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Fuel gauge on a Suzuki GZ250...is there one?
OK guys,

Am I being thick or is there no fuel gauge on my ten-year-old Suzuki GZ250 Marauder? Can't see one anywhere...

And if the answer's "no", how do I know when I'm running out of petrol??!

Jeanie
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Old 22 Jul 2010
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Hi Jeannie, sounds like you are enjoying the new wheels.

Ok, first things first - do you have a manual? If so, RTFM

Second, no - most bikes of that age and capacity do not have a fuel gauge.

Third, most likely you will have what is called a fuel reserve. When the bike runs short of fuel you switch to the reserve supply by turning the fuel tap from ON to RESERVE. The fuel tap is at the bottom of the tank and most commonly near the left rear corner.

It sounds like it may help if you had someone to show you round the bike, take you a out for a first ride and get you comfortable with the basics.

Drop me a PM and I'm happy to spend an hour or two over the weekend if you wish.
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Old 22 Jul 2010
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Hi Jeanie,

you have to use the trip meter - fill the tank and zero the trip meter - ride it till it starts to cough n splutter and you have to switch fuel tap to 'reserve', ride to the nearest fuel station, fill up again (to the original level ) zero trip and remember your range.

you dont want to be in the middle of overtaking a truck when you run out of fuel and are switching to reserve - so check your tank or approximate your range and ride conservatively when you are getting near to reserve.

Hers how id guestimate it.

bike does say roughly 70 mpg/ 4L/100km- maybe more maybe less depending on how well the carb/engine is working and how hard you are riding it

14L tank ? - maybe 2 litres reserve - (find out your bikes exact spec and re do the sums)

12L = 2.6 ImpGals x 70 mpg =185 ish miles/295 km ish to reserve

So roughly 300km before reserve

hope that helps
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Old 22 Jul 2010
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Thanks guys, all makes perfect sense! The fuel switch was already on RES when the bike was delivered, so first things first, I need to go and fuel up, then zero the trip meter (thanks for that detailed explanation Gipper - great guidelines!).

Farqhuar - Yes, I'm enjoying the new wheels heaps!! The bike didn't come with a manual - hence a few "basic" questions at this stage! And thanks for your kind offer to do an hour or two with me this weekend - the mechanic who did some work on the bike before I bought it is actually going to come by to show me the ropes on Saturday, so hopefully I'll be fine, but I'll definitely holler if need more help!

Jeanie
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