Gas Getting Low?

[Jer]

I'm creeping up on 200 miles for this tank. My first full tank so I'm not sure what I'll get.

I'm doing about 50mph almost home from work, been riding about 35 minutes, when I get a blip of hesitation from the engine. A moment of friction. Then back to normal. I really couldnt tell you what it sounded like since I had about 70mph winds coming at me due to speed. It was VERY gusty. L:uckily it was head on and not a crosswind.

It happened twice. Within about 30 sec of each other.

Then the rest of the ride was normal. (another 3 minutes or so at 35mph)

My first thought is its due to running out of gas. But wtf do I know?

When I got home I opened the gas tank and its dry in the middle but as I wiggle the bike I can see gas to either side.

????

[Moedad]

Methinks you're about ready to need to switch to Reserve. When mine gets to that point, it starts to put out the odd cough or fractional sputter a few minutes or less before it runs out.

[patrick_777]

Time for a run to the pumps. Probably a good idea to check right now whether or not you're on Reserve. If it's hesitating, you're on reserve and you aren't a block away from a gas source, be wary of running completely dry.

If you're not switched over to reserve yet, you should have no problems making it.

[Jer]

Not on reserve yet.

Glad to know I was on the right track.

Thanks!!!

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Jer

I'm creeping up on 200 miles for this tank.

And using the general average mileage of 65 mpg, you are creeping up on switching to reserve OR running out completely if it is already on reserve. Just to be safe, I fill up at about 150 miles.

The normal riding position for the fuel lever is ON; that is with the lever handle pointed FORWARD.

[Sarris]

I usually hit reserve at about 180 miles. When it sputters, you just have to reach down and flip it to reserve while rolling, if you are coordinated or confident enough to do so. That's when I usually look for a gas station.

Also, like ER says, pay attention to the petcock lever position, as it feels backassward to the position it's in.

[Jer]

200 miles on a tank (pre-reserve) is about average yes?

[Sarris]

They owners manual states fuel capacity at 3.7 gallons total with a .8 gallon reserve for a pre-reserve capacity of 2.9 gallons. You could get 203 +/- miles on the run position with another 56 +/- miles on reserve out of the 3.7 gallons at 70 miles per gallon. Since all production motorcycles vary some, your mileage per tank will be different. I also am fairly sure that there is no way to get the maximum mfgr's. stated capacity into the tank while it's on the bike.

For instance, my bike usually hits reserve at around 180 miles and takes only 2.5 gallons to fill for 72 mpg. That leaves me (theoretically) 1.2 gallons reserve or 84 +/- addtional miles. That variation from mfgr's. spec is probably due to the length of the plastic reserve pickup tube being a bit longer than "normal". I have only pushed it to 50 miles on reserve out of fear of running out.

If you really need to know, put a quart of gas in a clean plastic oil bottle in your saddlebag, then drive and note the obtained mileage when hit reserve, then run it until empty and note the obtained mileage received from the reserve. Then you'll know exactly what your bike is doing. Then you can use the quart of gas in the bottle to get you to the gas station.

[Jer]

cool. No need to experiment. Just curious.



Thanks!

[primal]

Seems like I've read people reporting 80+ MPG when running at an average of 35 MPH. If you've been keeping the speed down like that on the first tank it wouldn't surprise me if you get quite a bit more MPG than you would with the throttle-happiness that experience and comfort with the bike brings.