I know, I know, this is a "newbie" question...

[k7nutN7nut]

I haven't had the '00 Voyager XII going long enough to "pack a gas can" or anything, but I was wondering, since my commute is 40 miles one way, how far on a tank of gas can we go?
Now I can only compare it to my KLR 650 and when I go to "reserve" on the KLR, I know I have a good 40 miles before I'm walking. I haven't been able to find the "reserve", or, the petcock for that matter, on the Voyager!?

But I have noticed there is a "fuel" light under the gauge(better find out if the bulb works), so when that comes on, how long have you XII riders found that it was "safe" to go, before you were walking, or hitch hiking?
And, on the same note, so to speak...before my speedo cable checked out, I filled up, ran to/from work, filled up again, checked the MPG...40.5MPG
Just the range I was hoping for, I typically get 37-41MPG on the KLR, depending on my right wrist!?

So, speedo cable is taken care of, other than the pesky oil leak, things are look'n up!

[Furchin]

Depending upon how well your bike is running and how you work your throttle you show be able to put 200 to 225 miles on the trip meter before your fuel light trips. Maybe a little more as it all depends on your riding style. When the light trips to on you will have approx. 1 gallon of fuel left.
Secondly there is not a petcock with run, reserve etc. The Voyager has a fuel pump.

[SgtSlag]

I believe the fuel tank is 6.5 gallons, at 40 MPG, means you can run around 260 miles, maximum. We always fuel up between 180, and 200 miles, if possible. It gives us a chance to stretch out our legs, and work the kinks out of the backside, on top of the needed fuel. Cheers!

[Bruce in OK]

According to the manual:
six gallon tank
low fuel light comes on with .8 gallon left in the tank. In theory, you have thirty miles to find fuel before you walk

My gauge will hit the "E" with approx. 1.2 gallons left in the tank.

[gearheadfla]

I will go 225 miles and then you should take a little break anyway, if the light comes on when you turn your key on then it works, but I have never seen mine come on due to low gas, I aways chicken out because pushing a XII don't even look fun. I get 50mph on a regular basis down here in flat Florida, unless my wrist gets funky, then it seem to like the fuel. lol

[kjsett]

According to the manual:
six gallon tank
low fuel light comes on with .8 gallon left in the tank. In theory, you have thirty miles to find fuel before you walk

My gauge will hit the "E" with approx. 1.2 gallons left in the tank.

My first trip, I pulled a trailer and twice put in 5.9 gallons (attached a 1 gallon can on the back of the trailer holding .75g for the rest of the trip) and still no light. Seems to be a weak point. I recently replaced mine, but have only taken it down to the "light" once since and was too far away and too late for a meeting to go right to a station. I am trying again because I would like to verify my bike's reserve.
I consistently (no trailer) get around 42 to 45 when on the road (the amount of freeway at 75 effects a little). Let you know when I get my number of reserve.
*Since my wife rides an 800cc Vulcan with 4.1g, we stop for gas when she needs it. At 150-180 miles, I don't usually get near my reserve riding with her. Another note, I appreciate more and more the Voyager's shaft drive since her's has a chain (why don't they have a belt refit kit????) and I get to maintain it. But "she" loves her bike. I have started suggesting since she has more riding experience now, maybe a 900cc Vulcan (belt drive) should be in her future. More room and newer.

Enjoy the ride.

[k7nutN7nut]

"I have never seen mine come on due to low gas, I always chicken out because pushing a XII don't even look fun"

"In theory, you have thirty miles to find fuel before you walk"

Thanks for the replies guys, that's what I was looking for, experience and "hands on". And I too do not want to "push" my Voyager, just moving it around while I was working on it, was enough!
When I called Progressive, I had the "road side assistance" left on my account, I will NEVER try and push her!
I will try and go a little farther now that I have heard what there capable of doing and not be so "chicken" about it.

[debron]

The manual might say "0.8" gallons left when the reserve light comes on, but I also have slightly more than 1 gallon (1.2??) when the light comes on. It seems I'm never at a gas station when the light comes on so have to ride some distance, but still rarely put in more than 5 gallons when I do stop.

On a trip across Utah into Nevada a couple of years ago at 75-80 against heavy headwinds my mileage dropped to a measly 38 and the reserve light came on when I was still 40 miles from Ely, Nv. At that time I didn't not know how much gas was left so dropped my speed to 50 for maximum MPG. When I got to Ely and filled up, it took 5.4 gallons.

[Bruce in OK]

My experience mirrors Ron's.

[MalamuteMike]

If I run 63MPH no faster on the Interstate I get 50-51MPG if I run 65-70 it drops to 45-46MPG , city & highway I get 43 and pulling a trailer at 63MPH I get 38-40MPG and running in a VERRY,VERRY STRONG head wind on the edge if a hurricane then into a REALLY BAD rain storm we got around 28-30MPG the wind was so strong the cruise would not work!!

[Lucasind]

......It say's great things for the voy/12,,,, that it's inline 4,w/ touring package is getting very similar mileage as a klr......... just another reason to love the xii...........

[David (N. Alabama)]

If I run 63MPH no faster on the Interstate I get 50-51MPG if I run 65-70 it drops to 45-46MPG , city & highway I get 43 and pulling a trailer at 63MPH I get 38-40MPG and running in a VERRY,VERRY STRONG head wind on the edge if a hurricane then into a REALLY BAD rain storm we got around 28-30MPG the wind was so strong the cruise would not work!!

I would not dream of doing 63MPH on the interstate! I would be afraid of getting rear ended by someone texting while driving. I avoid the interstates as much as possible, but if I have to hop on the interstate I ride at a speed that keeps me up with the flow of traffic. Passing some vehicles and getting passed by some vehicles.

I do miss the range of the Voyager XII. I used to be able to take breaks at rest areas and restaurants when riding the XII. Now all my breaks are at gas stations and my food is 2/$1 peanuts. LOL!

[k7nutN7nut]

This is all great information, but last night on the way home from work, two questions got answered...at 185 miles on the trip odometer, the "fuel light" came on!
After reading all your guys experience, I think the first few tanks are going to be low mileage?
I can't seem to stay out of the carbs on take off's, it's been so long since I've had an in line four, that I'm killing my MPG for a "quick thrill"!
I now know what to expect. And speaking of wind, it is so different riding the "beast" than the KLR...of course the general mass keeps it planted better.
The wind that has come up to/from work , some of it would have scared me on my KLR!

[cushman eagle]

I had my fuel light come on today at 232 miles on my tank.I will fill it up with about 10 miles with the light on,giving me a fair indication of the gallons remaining when the light turns on.

[k7nutN7nut]

Well, I filled up this morning...204 on the trip meter, 5.6 gallons!
OK...well...not so good, when you consider what the XII CAN do...however, taking into consideration that my '99 Lumina sedan(the cage) I normally drive only gets 20MPG, I'm not doing so bad...if you look at it that way!?
So I'll try and keep my wrist out of the carbs and see if I can bring it up and enjoy the riding, no matter what!

[debron]

K7, your mileage actually sucks @ 36+ mpg. You should be getting mid-40s unless it's stop-and-go and/or you really get on the throttle. Is you commute city or highway?

[k7nutN7nut]

Is you commute city or highway?

My commute is Highway, but I find I have been cruising around, little jumps, enjoying the rides...and yes, I have been getting "on the throttle" alot!

So, like I said, I'll try and tone it down and see if I can bring the MPG back up.

[biggersm]

If the bike sat for a while you might want to run a couple of tanks of Seafoam through and see if that improves gas mileage. Others might recommend Marvel's Mystery Oil. Anyway Google both and also do a search in this forum with both search terms and go with what you feel is best.

[kjsett]

The manual might say "0.8" gallons left when the reserve light comes on, but I also have slightly more than 1 gallon (1.2??) when the light comes on. It seems I'm never at a gas station when the light comes on so have to ride some distance, but still rarely put in more than 5 gallons when I do stop.

Ok, went for a ride with my wife yesterday, and sitting at a light it looked like the red reserve light was kinda glowing (just barely visible in the bright Phoenix sunlight). Rode to a gas station about a mile away (slight downhill and 45mph) and it seemed like it went on and off as I rode. I filled it to the neck and put in 4.74gal. So the new switch is right on with Ron's results. Living and traveling in the west, I guess I appreciate 50 miles (solo, 35 to 40 with trailer) of warning.
I am glad it is working now, it would get very uncomfortable when I would pull the trailer and not know how far I could go before walking. Oh yah, ROK is great, but cell coverage in the west isn't that complete, especially if you like to travel the more fun roads.

[cushman eagle]

After my red low fuel light went on at 232 miles on 4-4-13, I filled my '99 up,found I averaged 47 mpg that tank,which puts the light coming on 4.9 gallons used.That would give 1.2 gallons,or 56.4 miles remaining.