Low fuel light

[grumpin]

Well, I wanted to know when my low fuel light came on. Hadn't seen it except when you turn on the ignition. Haven't been low enough since I owned it. It doesn't work! Thought I was good according to my mental (I know) calculations. Had been out in the tules, and headed close to a gas station. Passed a car on the highway, let off the throttle and then eased it back on, felt "funny". Went about a 1/4 mile and realized I was running out. Coasted to a stop about 2 blocks (thank you Lord! ) from a gas station. They had a small can I used to get there for a fill. Well, now I know. Also learned about MPG above 65 MPH!

[kjsett]

I traveled, pulling a trailer, my 1st trip from Phoenix to Portland, OR, then after a few days, I went on to Colorado Springs, CO. I didn't know what kind of mileage I would get, but found it varied depending on speed and hills. Anyway, after twice filling it to 5.9 gallons, I started carrying a 1 gallon can on the back of the trailer (only filled to .75 for heat expansion). I didn't need to use it on that trip, but did use it on a later trip for my wife's bike when it started sputtering in middle of no-where Nevada. Actually she had a non-venting gas cap issue. What's funny, is a trip we thought we wouldn't have an issue (so didn't bring a can), she ran out of gas (across from a gas station, but she couldn't get to it because of too much California traffic).
So, anyway, I decided that getting the sensor replaced was worth the money. A relatively easy change out, I found with testing that I have 1.2 gallons (average) left when the light comes on (I stopped at the 1st station after the light came on). Living out here, and traveling in, in the wide open west where I have seen signs with "no services for 60+ miles", knowing where the next fillup is is very important (and whether you can get there).
Sorry about your issue, but glad it was a quick resolution. With my wife's bike, it took longer to borrow a can (they wanted over $15 for a two gallon, smallest they had), then to get the gas to the bike. We lost about an hour, all told.

I believe that silly light is part of the bike's safety equipment and should be maintained. On the last trip it came on twice (pulling a heavy trailer over hills and at speed). It was helpful to know that I had at least a gallon left to get to our gas stop.
Thanks for listening,
ken

[grumpin]

Great stories Ken. I will fix it. I did have to leave a 12 dollar deposit for the can which I got back. I can imagine it would be helpful pulling a trailer! My daughter asked why I didn't push it. Ha, funny kid.

[chevyman1]

My light come on at about 200 miles on the tank +/- 10 miles that usually leaves me a little over a gal. to find a gas station.
I always reset the trip meter when I fill up, When it gets to around 200 miles I fill up.

[grumpin]

chevyman, good idea. My wife asked me if I reset my trip odometer, I said oh yeah, this is the first motorcycle I've owned with a gauge! I got 45 MPG on that tank full. 200 miles sounds good when you add in factors like, wind, elevation, speed and such. It was a fun experiment!

[Rich C]

My light also has never come on. I have gone 238 max but never put over 5 gal in it.
I do 70 miles everyday RT to work and home. I use high test. I live in Fl so no real hills just hot and or wet

[chevyman1]

My light also has never come on. I have gone 238 max but never put over 5 gal in it.
I do 70 miles everyday RT to work and home. I use high test. I live in Fl so no real hills just hot and or wet

These engines were designed to run on regular gas, running high test is just wasting money.
There is a topic somewhere on the form about it.

[grumpin]

I run premium when I fill here in town, because a station has a dedicated non-ethanol tank and pump and only in premium.

[voyager55]

I do the same, bike runs great on it. http://www.pure-gas.org

They have a app I put on my phone, I use when out of town.

[kjsett]

I guess I just don't want to take the time to run all over to find the "Pure" gas.
Most trips now, my wife rides her V-twin and it puts up with mid-grade, but hates regular. Of course i am old enough to remember regular "leaded" was figured at 91 octane.
Maybe it was just my bike, , or just my head,
but when i ran a couple of regular tanks around town, it just didn't seem as happy.
So i put at least Mid-grade, or if i make it to Costco, I put in Premium (usually only a few cents more per gallon then mid-grade elsewhere). When filling with my wife, I always fill mine first (had this discussion before that you are probably getting up to a gallon of whatever the last guy filled with) since my bike is more tolerant.
I have noticed fuel mileage improvements when I pull a heavy trailer using higher grade.
nuff said bout that,
Ken
PS. Oh, and I seafoam if the bike will go more than two weeks between fillups and bout every 5-6 fillups on the road.

[grumpin]

Cool app! Starting to see more non-ethanol than before here in Oregon. One station I stopped at had a sign that stated you will get a half gallon of what was pumped last. When only putting in a gallon or two I don't do it. That's why it's nice to have a station here with a dedicated tank and pump.