Super Low Mileage
I have the same issue on my bike - pretty much same bike but not the same pipes. I actually did what somebody sugested and once my bike said "LO", I kept going. Was able to put another 50 miles on her before I got too nervous and even then, didn't put in 4 gallons. If you have the nerve, give it a try. I do admit, it was a nerve wracking experience. Made sure I had other riders with me so if I ran out, I could get a ride to gas station.
Good luck. Kind of makes me wonder what kind of mileage I'm going to get after my new exhaust ets here tomorrow.
Good luck. Kind of makes me wonder what kind of mileage I'm going to get after my new exhaust ets here tomorrow.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 2
From: Walnut Creek, CA
Toast - you are absolutely correct 
It's 91 or 92 - I don't know what the heck I was thinking sheesh.
Lockedandloaded - how many miles did you log in on that "lo" ? My thing says 10 miles left, then when it gets below it says lo... And the gauge shows waaay on the bottom of the red. Bizarre..
I have a little gallon gas container so I should try that out. I also ordered that Flush Gauge set from Harley so maybe I should have them put that thing on since I'm having problems with the reading?
It's 91 or 92 - I don't know what the heck I was thinking sheesh. Lockedandloaded - how many miles did you log in on that "lo" ? My thing says 10 miles left, then when it gets below it says lo... And the gauge shows waaay on the bottom of the red. Bizarre..
I have a little gallon gas container so I should try that out. I also ordered that Flush Gauge set from Harley so maybe I should have them put that thing on since I'm having problems with the reading?
Chi45cken - I believe - and it has been a LONG WHILE since I actually got to ride due to crappy weather - that my bike said I had 10 mls to go. I just kept goin cuz the same thing was happening to me. I'd fill up and it would 3 - 3 1/2 gallons. I believe it has nothing to do with your mods and just is because the fuel gauge is so inaccurate. Mine has been since before I modified anything. I've heaqrd some of the other gauges are pretty much as inaccurate as HD's but let me know if you change it and it makes a difference. I just watch my miles to go on the gauge instead of how many I have left. That seems to be considerably more accurate. If I use that, I usually am able to put in at least 4 gallons.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 859
Likes: 14
From: Millsboro Delaware
My 08 SB did pretty much the same thing....It would read low fuel and I would stop and tank her up. It took 3.5+ gallons. I stopped worrying about the gauge and just used my trip odometer. I would ride about 150 miles before tanking her up. My 07 Low rider's gauge is spot on and I can do about 175 miles between fill ups and there is till .4 to .5 gallons left. I could probably hit 200 miles on a full tank but I do not want to chance it. I have heard that these fuel gauges are not very accurate and you should definitely use the trip odometer as we are FI and have no petcock to switch to reserve. If you are thinking about the flush mounted LED gauge check the forum for some posts on this. I recall people were not always thrilled about these and they did not work very well. I would try as others have suggested. Fill the tank and reset the trip odometer and carry some spare fuel. Run her dry to determine the cruising range of the bike. Now you will truly know for sure.....
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 14
From: Bentonville, AR
I would say your upgrades eat around 10-15% of millage depends on mapping but still it is not so much. I think the problem lies with fuel gauge. Try to calculate millage by gallons to miles driven. Its always accurate.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 21
From: Queens, NY
fwiw, chicken...
last summer i rode out to a little spot about 40 miles from my house.
when i started my bike to head back home, the fuel light was on and i was reading E.
the place is a little off the beaten path, about 15 miles just to get back to the highway, and then another 10 miles to the nearest gas station off the first exit (sounds confusing, but anyone who's been out there knows how it all plays out, pretty much the worst place in the world to run out of gas) and i made it to the station and filled up less than 4 gallons.
short version: that low fuel light comes on WAY early.
last summer i rode out to a little spot about 40 miles from my house.
when i started my bike to head back home, the fuel light was on and i was reading E.
the place is a little off the beaten path, about 15 miles just to get back to the highway, and then another 10 miles to the nearest gas station off the first exit (sounds confusing, but anyone who's been out there knows how it all plays out, pretty much the worst place in the world to run out of gas) and i made it to the station and filled up less than 4 gallons.
short version: that low fuel light comes on WAY early.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 4
From: Saginaw, MI
Much like toastman suggested:
Fill up with gas, reset trip o.d. ride 100 miles out, turn around and start back. You should reach the same gas station you filled up at or.... have someone bring you a gallon of gas. I get 32-36 around town, and 40 -45 highway, depending on the throttle use. I had low fuel come on and could only add 2.8 gallons.
Fill up with gas, reset trip o.d. ride 100 miles out, turn around and start back. You should reach the same gas station you filled up at or.... have someone bring you a gallon of gas. I get 32-36 around town, and 40 -45 highway, depending on the throttle use. I had low fuel come on and could only add 2.8 gallons.
Last edited by hddan502; Feb 10, 2011 at 06:00 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 12
Clean your air filter, also winter gas along with the colder air will drop you mileage considerably this time of year.
Also the light comes on with .9 to 1.1 gallons left in the tank without the use of a tank lift (Stock location).
This means that you when you fill up at the light or when the reserve tells you. You are not near empty. Since you do not have a reserve this is your reserve. I can go 40 miles when the reserve meter shows "LO".
Clean your air filter, wait until winter is over, and then judge, and see if your gas mileage comes back. You can also check your plugs to see if they are fouling. If they are not then you should just do as I said. Clean/replace air filter, ride til winter is over, and see if your mileage comes back.
Also the light comes on with .9 to 1.1 gallons left in the tank without the use of a tank lift (Stock location).
This means that you when you fill up at the light or when the reserve tells you. You are not near empty. Since you do not have a reserve this is your reserve. I can go 40 miles when the reserve meter shows "LO".
Clean your air filter, wait until winter is over, and then judge, and see if your gas mileage comes back. You can also check your plugs to see if they are fouling. If they are not then you should just do as I said. Clean/replace air filter, ride til winter is over, and see if your mileage comes back.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 0
From: Grayson, GA
Harley gas gauges are almost never accurate, more than likely you you still have a gallon left when it says "Empty".
The way to have any accuracy is to measure actual gas used over a certain mileage. Usually you cannot get an accurate reading on just one tank of gas as conditions very due to weather, roads, traffic. I would recommend filling up the tank, ride 100 miles then fill the tank again, log the exact amount of gas needed to fill to the same level, then ride another 100 miles, fill the tank again. Add up how much fuel in total was used and divide the 200 miles by that number. That will give you your avg. MPG, multiply that by the size of your tank and there is your range. Use the trip meter as your gas gauge, the actual gauge is just a rough estimate.
The way to have any accuracy is to measure actual gas used over a certain mileage. Usually you cannot get an accurate reading on just one tank of gas as conditions very due to weather, roads, traffic. I would recommend filling up the tank, ride 100 miles then fill the tank again, log the exact amount of gas needed to fill to the same level, then ride another 100 miles, fill the tank again. Add up how much fuel in total was used and divide the 200 miles by that number. That will give you your avg. MPG, multiply that by the size of your tank and there is your range. Use the trip meter as your gas gauge, the actual gauge is just a rough estimate.