My bike is losing power when it runs please help

[Reyji]

Hello,

My bike is still fairly new it's an 08 with 4000 KM. I was cruising around in 4 - 5th gear yesterday when I heard my motor sputtering and then the engine gave out on me. A car almost rear ended me. After a few attempts to start the bike it took a good number of times before it would start again the same situation happened my bike would just die down after the 3rd gear. I know I still have plenty of fuel left because I can see gasoline when I open the fuel tank and can hear the gasoline when I shake it. After trying to figure out what was causing it I turned the fuel valve to Reserve (arrow pointing to RES) and this fixed the problem. The bike runs normally again. As soon as I switched the fuel valve to the ON position the same thing would happen the engine would just sputter and die down. There is enough gas in the fuel tank so I cant be running low on gas.

What do you think could be causing the problem. Is it a good idea to leave the fuel tank on Reserve from now on? Your suggestions and help is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Rey

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Reyji

After trying to figure out what was causing it I turned the fuel valve to Reserve (arrow pointing to RES) and this fixed the problem.

It is working EXACTLY as designed. If you have an owners manual, you might want to read about the ON, RES, PRI switch/lever.

That is a reminder that you are about to run completely OUT of gas......and you should fill it up.

Yes, leave it on REServe until you find a gas station; you should have 50 miles or so to do that.
Don't put it off though because at the next sputter, you will be OUT.
THEN be sure to put it back to ON because if you run it in REServe until it sputters, then you WILL be out of gas.

You can anticipate this event by resetting your odometer and letting it run down to reserve again. Note the mileage, reset the odometer and fill up BEFORE you reach that point next and subsequent times.

[blaine]

[quote="Easy Rider"

It is working EXACTLY as designed. If you have an owners manual, you might want to read about the ON, RES, PRI switch/lever.

That is a reminder that you are about to run completely OUT of gas......and you should fill it up.

Yes, leave it on REServe until you find a gas station; you should have 50 miles or so to do that.
Don't put it off though because at the next sputter, you will be OUT.
THEN be sure to put it back to ON because if you run it in REServe until it sputters, then you WILL be out of gass.[/quote]
:plus1: :plus1:

[Reyji]

Hello!

Thanks very much for your reply. Yes I have read the owner's manual about the fuel valves. I remember fueling up a few days ago and thought I had enough gas to last me for a week. I did ride it a lot over the weekend come to think of it but when I opened my fuel tank I can clearly see gas inside it doesn't look like it's running really low on gas though.

I'm going to gas up on my next ride and switch it back to ON and make note of the odometer. I'm a newbie and I appreciate your advice. Thanks.

[GZ250]

after a full tank the Reserve comes into play after 170, 190 or 200miles depending on the bike.

[Reyji]

Hi,

Just fueled up my bike and it's good to go again. I bought the bike with some gas in it and I think I filled about $13 worth of gas and it went like 375 kilometers before it sputtered on me and I had to switch to Reserve. First time this happened to me so lesson learned have to make a mental note of the gas mileage next time. Funny thing is when this happened to me I ran out of gas across from a gas station and didn't even think about fueling up. Can you say dumbass? LOL. I thought it was a mechanical problem. Thanks for your responses fellas.

[GZ Jess]

We live and learn and I'm glad it didn't cost you anything to fix or strand out in the middle of no where!

[alantf]

Originally Posted by Reyji

it went like 375 kilometers before it sputtered on me and I had to switch to Reserve.

You're VERY lucky. My European, & your Canadian GZ are the same spec (running slightly richer than the American bikes) & I fill up every 200 km. When I first got the bike (3 years ago) I went 260 km before I needed to switch to reserve. I know that a fully run in engine may get more to the gallon, but I still reckon you're lucky to get 375 km before reserve. That's over 230 miles.

[GZ Jess]

This board makes me rethink my argument in school that I would never need to learn the metric system! LOL

[Water Warrior 2]

Originally Posted by GZ Jess

This board makes me rethink my argument in school that I would never need to learn the metric system! LOL

Had to know, use and convert Metric, Imperial and U.S. systems back and forth to do my job at one time. Thank goodness for scientific calculators with built in conversions.