New Monster rider - Tech questions

[Sabre Brian]

Hey guys - I have a few questions about my Monster.

I have a 2008 S4RS 998.

Firstly, I thought the fuel tank would have been bigger than 14 litres but the specs say that is what it is, so what mileage do you get?

Secondly, when does your low fuel light usually come on?  Mine seems to come on quite early.
How far have you got once your light has come on?

3rdly, is there are reserve tank?  I had a quick look for a fuel switch today and found nothing.

Thanks in advance.  There may be more questions to come once I think of them.

[MonsterDorf]

I only have a 2 valve but can confirm that the tank is quite small. I can only get 12L in after completely empty.

I get 200Km, perhaps a little more but most 4V will be looking for fuel at 150Km depending on how you ride. Went for a blat with Loony at one stage and his light came on at 120Km!

Once the light comes on you need fuel. Best I've gotten has been 38Km on "reserve". Reserve is what you get after the light comes on!

So nothing to switch just time to fill up.

I'd suggest that for "normal" riding you should get 150Km+ depending on tune and ECU.

[dan_t]

Hey there!
Welcome to the wonderful world of S4RS ownership. 140 Kim's is about all I get before the light ones on. Then I guess (as I've never actually pushed to find out) its about 20 or so safe Kim's to the fuel stop.
There is a fuel reserve, I think it's 3.5litres or so.

Good luck & have some fun!!!

[Sabre Brian]

I think I actually did a little bit better than that.  I got 165 and it only took 11.5 litres to fill so I might have got up around 200.  I will keep it in mind that I should start getting worried at around 180.  lol.  Thanks guys.

Did Ducati ever use a reserve tank?

[Mr.S2R]

No reserve tank on the S2R/S4R - just a reserve light.  I have a 2006 S2R 1000 and around city cycle get about 180km before reserve light comes on - and that is about 9.5 litres.  Tank capacity is 13.  I have ridden from Adelaide (my home town) to the Island and got to 200km before the light comes on, max I have done is 235km before fumes... 

I think the majority of your 998esque 4 valves are thirsty...even a guy that rode his 1198 this year to the Island only got about 150-160 before the light came on - they have 15 litres.

Depends on your mods too!  I have open airbox, DP performance chip, no cat and termis!

[rendang]

Did Ducati ever use a reserve tank?

   Yes, way way back, when they used to look like this, they had a reserve tank.

 
 

[mattyvas]

They are kind of hard questions to answer. Every S4Rs owner will probably tell you something different cause everyone rides'em differently.
Personally I usually got to 150-165+ before I see the fuel light, that's city riding and a bit of a weekend run. If you are out on tour you might well see 180 before the light pops on.
From there you'd usually have a safe 20k before you need to look for fuel and and unsafe 30+ before you're thinking about walking/pushing.

The tank is 14 liters but you loose 2 of that to fuel pump displacement so you have only an effective 12 or so liters of usable juice.

Other than that, enjoy going through lots of fuel 

[heatherp]

I recently upped my record on my 1000s (2 valve).  302km,  62kms after the light came on! Put 14.8 litres in a (supposed) 16 litre tank.  I was riding very conservatively the last few kms wondering when I would have to start walking :-)

[dan_t]

Good points Matt, I must clarify my points above. I only use my bike on the weekend & as a result, the right wrist is usually considerably more enthusiastic than what you would see on a commute.
Hence the 'approximate' 140 Klm's. I have achieved 160 klm's before the light has come on with a more considered riding style.
I guess if I'm heading out to blow away the stress of the week, I want to enjoy that incredible torque, bugger the fuel efficiency!

[Sabre Brian]

Another question I have is about temperature.  Usually the bike sits in the 70s and 80s, but yesterday went for a cruise in the city and there was a lot of stop start and it got up over 100.  As soon as I got moving it went almost instantly back into the 80s, but is this something I should be concerned about.  I have had the bike for 4 days so if there are issues like this, I would like to get it back to the bike shop as soon as possible for warranty.

Cheers
Brian

P.S.  Thanks for all the answers.

[stopintime]

When it sits in traffic, there is no air flow to cool the oil cooler or the radiator and temperature rises quickly.
That is, until the coolant reaches about 100 degrees (IIRC) - then one fan starts - if that's not enough, the other fan starts soon (+10 degrees?) after.

When it suddenly dropped, it either got enough air or the first fan started.

Remember the coolant is under pressure and won't boil at 100C (your Hi temp light comes on at 120)

So it's all

[Sabre Brian]

I get all that bud - Been around cars and race cars all my life - It was just the sudden rise, and I just wanted to know if it was normal, but thank you for your reply.  Was exactly the answer I was looking for mate.

[Betty]

I might as well throw in an example of fuel consumption too ... with the 2-valvers we would typically budget for refills at 200kms - primarily because we ride where there is a fair distance between servos (its best to fill up when you can). Although Jukie has got the 620 to 300 without even being bothered by the fuel light.

We do not use the bikes to commute.

But we aren't talking about girls bikes ... as far as the S4Rt is concerned we are obviously more cautious considering all the hysteria about 140km maximums and maybe 10kms after the light comes on. But the bike does have a standard ECU, airbox ... and ... wait for it ... exhaust. A number of times she has got to 200kms without the fuel light coming on ... she doesn't always ride slow but she does always ride smooth.

Now I don't know if the 'S' is any different to the 't' ... but I remember Trev having to take Sugar for a top up part way through a rider course having only done, I think, 70-80kms when the light started to bother him.

[dragonworld.]

And of course you wont be able to use all the fuel in the tank either!!

Once the fuel level drops to the point where it can slosh about and away from the pickup, the drop in fuel pressure will cause the "Brain" of the bike to shut the motor down to save it!? 

Speaking from bitter personal experience here! Thought I had the capacity to kilometres all worked out (Which worked on my carbed M750) and the motor stopped with around 2-3 litres still in the tank!! 

[Sabre Brian]

Are there any other things that you guys can think of that I need to know?