Learn how to reach down and feel for the reserve

mrlmd1 · 09-18-2009, 05:13 PM

I went out for a ride today and 10 min into it, my bike started running like crap- stuttering, no power. I looked at the odometer before I went out (keeping track of mileage vs. gas used) and should have been OK, but I quickly realized the bike wasn't getting any fuel. Because I had learned where it was, by feel (you have to practice this a few times), I put the petcock in the reserve position and the engine immediately kicked in, firing as it should, and I didn't have to pull off the road and stop and try and figure it out.
I went home and filled it up again, this time full, maybe last time it wasn't.
The point of this is to learn where the petcock is and what position it's in without having to take your eyes off the road and looking down to try and find it. Feel for it when you're just sitting on the bike. learn where it is. It should be automatic to be able to do this.

Water Warrior 2 · 09-18-2009, 05:20 PM

Excellant point. Practicing on the road with no traffic would be the next step for a smooth switch over to reserve.

JWR · 09-18-2009, 05:21 PM

How right you are.

greenhorn · 09-19-2009, 10:53 AM

Ha ha ha. Happened to me in June out in the boondocks. Bike just QUIT! I suddenly realized I had NO phone, NO cash, and NO idea what the problem was (at first).

Thank God I had done some reading & flipped the flippin' petcock & headed for home. GREAT learning experience for me!! More than learning about the reserve position, I now never go out for a ride without a phone & a little cash AND I fill up more regularly!!! :2tup:

M

MYPONY · 09-24-2009, 05:14 PM

Not sure where this post should go... but Greenhorn mentioned no cash. Sis told me when I first started riding. Stash $10 or something under your seat.

MYPONY

09-18-2009, 05:13 PM	#1
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Learn how to reach down and feel for the reserve I went out for a ride today and 10 min into it, my bike started running like crap- stuttering, no power. I looked at the odometer before I went out (keeping track of mileage vs. gas used) and should have been OK, but I quickly realized the bike wasn't getting any fuel. Because I had learned where it was, by feel (you have to practice this a few times), I put the petcock in the reserve position and the engine immediately kicked in, firing as it should, and I didn't have to pull off the road and stop and try and figure it out. I went home and filled it up again, this time full, maybe last time it wasn't. The point of this is to learn where the petcock is and what position it's in without having to take your eyes off the road and looking down to try and find it. Feel for it when you're just sitting on the bike. learn where it is. It should be automatic to be able to do this. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-18-2009, 05:20 PM	#2
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Learn how to reach down and feel for the reserve Excellant point. Practicing on the road with no traffic would be the next step for a smooth switch over to reserve.
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09-18-2009, 05:21 PM	#3
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	Re: Learn how to reach down and feel for the reserve How right you are. __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..." Login or Register to Remove Ads
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09-19-2009, 10:53 AM	#4
greenhorn Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 85	Re: Learn how to reach down and feel for the reserve Ha ha ha. Happened to me in June out in the boondocks. Bike just QUIT! I suddenly realized I had NO phone, NO cash, and NO idea what the problem was (at first). Thank God I had done some reading & flipped the flippin' petcock & headed for home. GREAT learning experience for me!! More than learning about the reserve position, I now never go out for a ride without a phone & a little cash AND I fill up more regularly!!! :2tup: M
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09-24-2009, 05:14 PM	#5
MYPONY Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 5	Re: Learn how to reach down and feel for the reserve Not sure where this post should go... but Greenhorn mentioned no cash. Sis told me when I first started riding. Stash $10 or something under your seat. MYPONY Login or Register to Remove Ads
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