FatBob - Low Fuel light...
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Leander Texas
thanks for the input,
I reset the trip A switch every time I fill up,
and it hits the 150 mile (+/- 2 miles) when the light comes on,
it is also at ~1/8 of a tank left at the 150mile / low light...
Hmm so let me see ( put the brain back in my head for a minute)
5 gallaons at full
2.5 gallons at half
1.25 gallons at quarter tank
0.625 gallon at 1/8th tank (150 miles low light comes on)
So then... I use 4.375 gallons to get 150 miles that equals 34.29 miles per gallon
And if I have 0.625 gallons left I should be able to go another 21.4 miles till bone dry
(I used a calculator) So about 170 to 175 is the limit at around town driving(30-60 mph)
And I bet I can get the 200miles out of the constant high-way speeds...
I have just been filling it up when the light comes on at 150, just to make sure. I didn't want to chance running it dry...
Ok I can take the brain back out and play with it now...... duhhhhhhhhh
I reset the trip A switch every time I fill up,
and it hits the 150 mile (+/- 2 miles) when the light comes on,
it is also at ~1/8 of a tank left at the 150mile / low light...
Hmm so let me see ( put the brain back in my head for a minute)
5 gallaons at full
2.5 gallons at half
1.25 gallons at quarter tank
0.625 gallon at 1/8th tank (150 miles low light comes on)
So then... I use 4.375 gallons to get 150 miles that equals 34.29 miles per gallon
And if I have 0.625 gallons left I should be able to go another 21.4 miles till bone dry
(I used a calculator) So about 170 to 175 is the limit at around town driving(30-60 mph)
And I bet I can get the 200miles out of the constant high-way speeds...
I have just been filling it up when the light comes on at 150, just to make sure. I didn't want to chance running it dry...
Ok I can take the brain back out and play with it now...... duhhhhhhhhh
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 16
From: Virginia
Haha good job. My light usually comes on at about 125 miles in the city with about a gallon left so I get about the same mileage as you, it's just the light comes on at a different time. 1/8 gallon left is cutting it too close I think. That's why I say don't trust the light. 
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
From: Southern New Hampshire
Question ... I haven't picked up my FatBob yet (I will either today or tomorrow depending on dealer red tape) but these bikes have gas gauges right? I've had many bikes where the tripometer WAS your "gas gauge" after figuring out your average mileage but these bikes HAVE gas gauges. How come nobody has mentioned them? Don't trust them?
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 3
You have a very small tank with a very irregular shape relative to a car. Fill a box with water and lean it. The depth in the center will stay the same until either the fluid hits the top or doesn't cover the bottom. That's why car gas gauges are accurate. Lean side to side, forward to back and the fuel level your tank at any given point can change quite a bit.
It's less true with the low fuel indicator because the tank is about empty. So they can give that area a regular shape that working pretty much like a car gas tank. The depth at the center is going to stay about the same despite the orientation when the gas gets that low. The more gas left when the reserve comes on the less precise the amount of gas left.
The problem with running to reserve is then you have to find a gas station. Say you get 50 mpg and there's a half gallon left when the reserve comes on. If you don't find a gas station within 20 miles you may well be pushing it. Add in that you're running a high compression engine that needs premium fuel and you start to get preferences on what gas you want to run. I've had to hit indy's for lack of anywhere else and I always regret it as I ping on down the road every time I accelerate moderately.
It's less true with the low fuel indicator because the tank is about empty. So they can give that area a regular shape that working pretty much like a car gas tank. The depth at the center is going to stay about the same despite the orientation when the gas gets that low. The more gas left when the reserve comes on the less precise the amount of gas left.
The problem with running to reserve is then you have to find a gas station. Say you get 50 mpg and there's a half gallon left when the reserve comes on. If you don't find a gas station within 20 miles you may well be pushing it. Add in that you're running a high compression engine that needs premium fuel and you start to get preferences on what gas you want to run. I've had to hit indy's for lack of anywhere else and I always regret it as I ping on down the road every time I accelerate moderately.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Durban South Africa
I have been taking readings on my last few rides, here are the results in both USG and metric, Bike FXDC, 90% freeway riding, I hope this helps,
Date U.S.Gallons Litres Milage in km Miles km/litre l/100km MPG
15.8.08 3.39 12.83 306 191.25 23.85 4.19 56.4
21.8.08 1.2 4.54 89 55.62 19.6 5.1 46.35
22.8.08 2.57 9.72 204 127.5 20.98 4.76 49.61
22.8.08 2.61 9.87 229 143.25 23.2 4.31 54.88
Ave mpg/Ave km/l Fuel tank 5.1 gal/19.3 Lt Range = 264 miles/422km
Date U.S.Gallons Litres Milage in km Miles km/litre l/100km MPG
15.8.08 3.39 12.83 306 191.25 23.85 4.19 56.4
21.8.08 1.2 4.54 89 55.62 19.6 5.1 46.35
22.8.08 2.57 9.72 204 127.5 20.98 4.76 49.61
22.8.08 2.61 9.87 229 143.25 23.2 4.31 54.88
Ave mpg/Ave km/l Fuel tank 5.1 gal/19.3 Lt Range = 264 miles/422km
Last edited by nigelgeast; Aug 28, 2008 at 04:15 AM.
I stop at about 120 miles in between fill ups and top it off, nothing worse than running out of gas, I usually put in about 3.5 gallons in a five gallon tank, how many miles per gallon am I getting, and how many more til it is bone dry?
ok so it works out to 34.285714285714285714285714285714 miles per gallon
that leaves 51.428571428571428571428571428571 miles til bone dry
That being said I could get 171.428571428571428571428571428571 miles per tank,
so why do I stop so short, That my friend is the question of the day.
ok so it works out to 34.285714285714285714285714285714 miles per gallon
that leaves 51.428571428571428571428571428571 miles til bone dry
That being said I could get 171.428571428571428571428571428571 miles per tank,
so why do I stop so short, That my friend is the question of the day.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
