Running out of gas on a 2009
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 259
Likes: 1
From: I'm on the Central West Coast
Interesting, On my 2009 Superglide, My low fuel light comes on between 165-175 miles on the trip odometer and tells me that I have 36 miles till empy. I fill it up within 5 miles of the light coming on and I put 3.2-3.5 gallons into the tank. Everytime since I bought it.
I used to run 200 miles before looking for a gas station.
But with a higher performance fuel control system my power went up and my mileage went down.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
I would caution you on thinking you had .4 gals of usable fuel left.
When I ran out of gas on mine, I put in the 2 litres from my can, then rode about 6 miles to the nearest station. I put in 4.4 gals in a 4.8 gal tank.
Due to the design of the tank and where the pickup actually sits, you may not have that much gas left that you can actually burn.
With the crossover being up front, and the tank at a slight upward angle, even more so if you have a tank lift, you may not be able to scavenge up to .2 or .3 gallons.
Just a little food for thought.
When I ran out of gas on mine, I put in the 2 litres from my can, then rode about 6 miles to the nearest station. I put in 4.4 gals in a 4.8 gal tank.
Due to the design of the tank and where the pickup actually sits, you may not have that much gas left that you can actually burn.
With the crossover being up front, and the tank at a slight upward angle, even more so if you have a tank lift, you may not be able to scavenge up to .2 or .3 gallons.
Just a little food for thought.
intent during the test was to see how much was left when the idiot light lit up
and now I know.
FWIW, I grew up just outside Alexandria at the south end of the Parkway and spent
a large part of my adult life living in the Del Ray section of Alexandria, itself.
Pretty country, but I prefer it out here.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
All very true. I used to fly so I'm very conscious of the "usable fuel" concept. My
intent during the test was to see how much was left when the idiot light lit up
and now I know.
FWIW, I grew up just outside Alexandria at the south end of the Parkway and spent
a large part of my adult life living in the Del Ray section of Alexandria, itself.
Pretty country, but I prefer it out here.
intent during the test was to see how much was left when the idiot light lit up
and now I know.
FWIW, I grew up just outside Alexandria at the south end of the Parkway and spent
a large part of my adult life living in the Del Ray section of Alexandria, itself.
Pretty country, but I prefer it out here.
Not a bad area, but like you I prefer out west. I am from WA state and I really miss the mountains. I go back as often as possible, hopefully soon I will be back on a more permanent basis.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 4
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
and if you think it's a long way between stops on I-40, try heading out into the boonies!
A woman friend recently bought a 2005 883 Sportster and one of the first things we
did was to run some "typical" routes and see what sort of fuel she burned so she
could have an idea of what her realistic range is.
On the coasts range is mostly a matter of curiosity; out here it's real important.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: Torrance California
Yeah when we were on our ride we took secondary roads and stayed off the interstates as much as we could. There was a lot of towns that had closed gas stations and the next town was the only option. Also riding on the 4th of July can be real dicey too plan to stop early on the day
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,787
Likes: 5,615
From: along the shore of Mishigami
Those of us with carbs just wait till the motor goes quiet, flip the petcock handle we have another 40 miles to look for gas. On my 05 FXDLI, on a trip thru Canada (Ont.) went out on a limb and went as far as I dared, 16.4L in a 4.9 gal. tank. That worked out to 4.3 gals pumped into the tank. Too close for me, fuel management is part of the ride.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Ya that's what I think too but my buddy has a Road King and he kept razzing me about gas. But I never ran out but if I knew I had another 30 miles getting to John Day City in Oregon would have been easier. But then meeting the ladies that day would not have happened and that's another story 
Next time that happens you should ride on and wave as he stops!
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