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Fuel indicator

Fri, 2008-09-12 20:44 — IslandGuy

Hi - I am sure this has been addressed someplace on the forum, but I could not find it. I just ogt my new ride last week, and am not quite sure how the fuel indicator works. The low fuel low came on along with the Fuel Trip meter. When I filled the bike, it took 3.3 gallons.

The manual says the tank capacity is 4.89 gallons, and that the low fuel light comes on at .989 gallons, it looks to me as if the low fuel warning comes on a bit sooner than the manual says.

Okay - here's my question - what is the general consensus on when the low fuel indicator comes on and, more importantly, what is the consensus on how far we can ride on the fuel reserve?

Thanks.

P.S. - other than that, the new ride is great!

‹ Fix the clunk - Call Yamaha!! Anti-Freeze ›
Tue, 2008-09-30 10:09 — GaryTJ

Just got back from a trip to

Just got back from a trip to Moab and what I found;

Best fuel economy – 268 miles on 4.2 gallons – running around the national parks @ 35 – 45 MPh
Most fuel used – 4.8 gallons on 232 miles – spirited driving through northern Utah mountains (this included 49 miles with the fuel light on as there were no stations when the light came on.)
Average overall was 54 MPG for the trip. This is full dress and all the bags loaded.
Longest day - 686 miles
Average fillup was around 200 miles and 3.8 gallons (yes the filler neck is punched)

GaryTJ
Make a decision and don't look back. Go for it!

Sat, 2008-09-13 05:20 — dietplan

150-160 miles, 3 gallons

I consistently get about 50 miles to the gallon using regular fuel, and reset my trip 1 every time I fill up. The light comes on between 150 and 160 miles like a clock, and the fill up is usually a tad over 3 gallons. The light definitely comes on early.

Some day I'll get a small gas can I can fit in my saddle bag and see how far it goes before it runs out. I've never pushed it past 30 miles after the light comes on, but should be able to get 80-100.

Mike

Sat, 2008-09-13 00:21 — Trey

I just filled up this

I just filled up this morning with 4.2 gallons. My fuel odometer had about 30 miles on it and my trip odometer had 199.5. I average anywhere between 47 - 50 mpg. I have not gone much over 30 miles on the fuel odometer in fear of running out. I live in the Dallas area and have a gas station on every corner but pushing a bike, no matter how far, is just pushing a bike and it does not look cool!

Trey (Garland, TX)

Sat, 2008-09-13 00:04 — lstayner

Reset

I just reset the odometer every time and don't depend on the low fuel light. The other night my low fuel light didn't come on and at 192 miles I was parked on the side of the road watching cars go by waiting for some gas to show up. I forgot to look at the odometer before heading out. Won't be doing that again as my wife is having fun with it.

By the way I could only get 4 gallons in the tank with the reserve empty.

Don't take life to seriously - You are not going to survive it anyway.

Fri, 2008-09-12 23:23 — BoomerSooner

A couple of threads

Hi IslandGuy,

There has been some past debate about the fuel light.

You might find those threads of interest:

http://1300tourer.com/node/1352
http://1300tourer.com/node/1931

Boomer Sooner
Potestatem obscuri lateris nescis

Fri, 2008-09-12 21:18 — jdadoug

low fuel light

Guy, there are two fuel tanks. The big tank is conected to a smaller tank under your seat. It contains the fuel pump and holds .09 gallons of gas. The big tank drains into the smaller tank and when empty it kicks on the low fuel light, then you have as much as 50 miles till you are out of gas. I say as much as 50, but all bikes will be differnt because of fuel milage and other conditions. I just got back from a trip and rode the light another 30 miles before a refill. It does make one nervous when the next town is far off or not knowing where the next gas station is. Thinking back on my trip I never put more than 3 and a half gallons in the tank....... jdadoug It aint never easy!

Fri, 2008-09-12 22:19 — ButchV

140 miles

I fill at or around 140 miles whether the light comes on or not. If riding in remote areas.... which is where I live I will fill up sooner around 100 to 120 miles if I have to drive 40 miles home, that way having enough fuel to take off in another remote direction the next day. ~ Butch

Fri, 2008-09-12 22:31 — 150flyer

150 Miles

My light comes on at around 150 miles. I can add about 3.7 gallons at that point.

Sat, 2008-09-13 09:17 — MORG_kw

More miles from each tank

This is one of those subjects that has been beaten to death in the other forums, but perhaps this will help. First, everyone's tank holds an identical amount of fuel. The single inconsistency is the amount of fuel one puts in the tank before they "believe" (incorrectly) their tank if full. Okay...how do you tell when it's full? To the bottom of the filler neck sleeve? To just above those vent holes at the bottom of that sleeve, which are about as inefficient as the stock air box on our bikes?

When gassing up, the air inside the tank is released thru those little vent holes located at the bottom of that sleeve as the gas replaces it. Once the vent holes are covered up with gas, it's a real pain to add more gas as you click over and over the nozzle trying to add more gas as it spits out little tiny droplets all over the tank. This is probably when you hang up the nozzle and continue your ride. Unfortunately, your tank at that point isn't full and there still remains to be another 1/2 to 3/4 gal which can easily go into your tank.

Solution: We have to allow the remaining air in the tank to be released, in turn replacing that air with more gas. There are many of us who have each very successfully and quickly punched 3 to 5 additional holes (about 3/8" diameter) in the filler neck sleeve up towards the very top of that sleeve, mostly located on the opposite side as the kickstand. The purpose of this is to allow the gas to continue to be added until the level now reaches and covers those newly added air release/vent holes. Again, the difference is about 1/2 to 3/4 gal of gas, plus move consistency in doing so.

The result: Even before my low fuel light comes on, I can top off with 3.8+ gal of gas. Since I normally average 46 to 50 mpg (having gotten as much as 58, but it's not nearly as much fun), this will allow you to do the math. While I generally ride where there are plenty of stations available, the extra fuel carried has been good for some who needed those extra miles from the additional gas they were carrying. Regardless, it's still nice not to have to fill up as often as before this mod was done. A bonus is....it's FREE, unless you have to spend a few dollars for a 6" to 8" punch.

Be well.
Morg

Sat, 2008-09-13 09:41 — Tudor

Fuel light

Mine comes on then i fuel up most of the time I take 3 to 3.6 gallons, the odometer being off doesn't help,,, 5 miles per hour off and I'm sure the trip is off also.