How much gas is left when on empty?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
I haven't heard of anyone doing damage. I ran mine dry enough to have it stumble when I came to a stop and it's still working. I got 195 miles out of that tank. Put in 5.1 gallons in a 5 gallon tank.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,429
Likes: 6,369
From: Honah Lee
The fuel goes right up thru the motor as a coolant but it's not going to hurt it running it dry for short bursts. And it's going to be short.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
With having over 27 H-D's since 06 and several hundred thousand miles on them if have never found one of them with an inaccurate fuel gauge.
I ride with the DTE screen on all the time. Since it constantly updates the distance to empty according to the current mpg average in the computer, when it gets down to 20 or so miles find a gas station. Having said that it seems to go to 0 with about one half gallon left. That is what I have found with all the families of H-D's.
When you fill up and it goes to 318 miles on the DTE then you were averaging 53 mpg on a 6 gallon tank. The M8 shows 306 to the 330's a lot. The 16 LRS 110 goes to 280 and over on a 4.7 gallon tank.
I ride with the DTE screen on all the time. Since it constantly updates the distance to empty according to the current mpg average in the computer, when it gets down to 20 or so miles find a gas station. Having said that it seems to go to 0 with about one half gallon left. That is what I have found with all the families of H-D's.
When you fill up and it goes to 318 miles on the DTE then you were averaging 53 mpg on a 6 gallon tank. The M8 shows 306 to the 330's a lot. The 16 LRS 110 goes to 280 and over on a 4.7 gallon tank.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 15,363
Likes: 24,228
From: NC, USA
I like my carbed Softail, once it sputters, slide the lever to reserve and your usually within distance of gas at least in the east coast. My FI Street Glide was on vapors one year coming back from Myrtle Beach. I coasted into a gas station and it took just over 5 gallons, probably the meter on the pump was off but I carry a Reda can in the saddle bag from then on.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 283
Likes: 22
From: Grand Prairie, TX
Gas gauges on most motorized vehicles, motorcycles or otherwise, are notoriously inaccurate. How many times have you run your cage with the needle laying at the bottom of the "E" telling yourself "I know I can make to the next station".
Once you have an idea of your average mileage the trip meter really is the best gauge of miles to empty.
Once you have an idea of your average mileage the trip meter really is the best gauge of miles to empty.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,044
Likes: 336
That & I also go by the PowerVision as well which is dead on showing fuel use...
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