2019 Heritage Distance-to-Empty
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
2019 Heritage Distance-to-Empty
The specs for my bike say it has a five-gallon tank but I have never been able to put in more than just over four. I have run it to the point where the distance-to-empty say 10 miles and it still only took 4.2 gallons. (I filled it to the point that there was gas in the neck.) Are the specs a little generous or is zero not really zero?
Richard
Richard
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
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From: Upstate New York
Then too, I assume the distance to empty calculation has some windage figured in for the benefit of those who like to tempt fate.
There was a thread here from someone who actually ran the tank dry (carried some extra gas) to determine how much gas the tank held.
There was a thread here from someone who actually ran the tank dry (carried some extra gas) to determine how much gas the tank held.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4,251
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From: Texas
I've put 5 gallons in my tank (I have a Fat Boy tank on my bike). I've run that tank dry and then refilled it. So there's two things at play: first, yes it's conservative because it doesn't want you to run out. I found that when the odometer remaining miles changed to "low", I rode for 15 miles before it went empty. But second, it's not easy to get the tank actually full. If I fill it according to where the pump shuts off, it's just about 4.5 gallons. Getting that last half a gallon in there takes work, you have to fill the filler neck and wait for it to drain down and then fill it again and wait again, over and over, and when it doesn't drain down you can usually "burp" the tank by bumping it side to side, an air bubble will usually escape and the filler neck will then drain down.
If I don't go through that process, the fuel gauge won't show 100% full, it'll show 7 out of 8 dashes on my gauge. If I burp and refill it, I can get it 100% full and that is right on about 5 gallons.
If I don't go through that process, the fuel gauge won't show 100% full, it'll show 7 out of 8 dashes on my gauge. If I burp and refill it, I can get it 100% full and that is right on about 5 gallons.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 865
From: SW Ohio
I have ran my tank down to where the range reads "LOW" a few times. I got about 4.3 gallons in the tank those times.
I've never had to burp my tank to get it filled up (gauge reading 100% and fuel consumption agreeing with approximate fill), so it must have something to do with the way I fill my tank. I don't stick the nozzle very far in the fill neck.
I've never had to burp my tank to get it filled up (gauge reading 100% and fuel consumption agreeing with approximate fill), so it must have something to do with the way I fill my tank. I don't stick the nozzle very far in the fill neck.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 3,586
Likes: 889
From: Nowhere
I've put 5 gallons in my tank (I have a Fat Boy tank on my bike). I've run that tank dry and then refilled it. So there's two things at play: first, yes it's conservative because it doesn't want you to run out. I found that when the odometer remaining miles changed to "low", I rode for 15 miles before it went empty. But second, it's not easy to get the tank actually full. If I fill it according to where the pump shuts off, it's just about 4.5 gallons. Getting that last half a gallon in there takes work, you have to fill the filler neck and wait for it to drain down and then fill it again and wait again, over and over, and when it doesn't drain down you can usually "burp" the tank by bumping it side to side, an air bubble will usually escape and the filler neck will then drain down.
If I don't go through that process, the fuel gauge won't show 100% full, it'll show 7 out of 8 dashes on my gauge. If I burp and refill it, I can get it 100% full and that is right on about 5 gallons.
If I don't go through that process, the fuel gauge won't show 100% full, it'll show 7 out of 8 dashes on my gauge. If I burp and refill it, I can get it 100% full and that is right on about 5 gallons.
Hope to hear from other forum members if they can ever see 100% full without some special stupid ways to fill it up?
Last edited by Burbur2; Mar 1, 2020 at 04:59 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 865
From: SW Ohio
Look at my post just before yours. I get practically 100% full with no noticeable special technique.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 3,586
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From: Nowhere
I guess my gauge is faulty in this case
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
I think what I will do is to run it to near empty according the DTE, hold the bike level, and stick a dowel into the tank and see what the level truly is.