How much gas is left when on empty?
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: Duluth MN
My Softail Custom counts down to about 10 miles, and then says "Lo" on the digital readout and the low fuel light comes on.
If I stop within a few miles of that, it will take about 3.75 gallons on a 5 gallon tank.
The actual needle gauge is way off. If will show me at virtually empty when there is still 75 or 80 miles left on the digital gauge.
Once we got caught between gas stations and I was sweating bullets. When we finally filled up it took about 4.85 gallons. I'm not letting that happen again. There is NO fun in riding a bike when you're waiting for it to die at any moment...lol.
If I stop within a few miles of that, it will take about 3.75 gallons on a 5 gallon tank.
The actual needle gauge is way off. If will show me at virtually empty when there is still 75 or 80 miles left on the digital gauge.
Once we got caught between gas stations and I was sweating bullets. When we finally filled up it took about 4.85 gallons. I'm not letting that happen again. There is NO fun in riding a bike when you're waiting for it to die at any moment...lol.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,877
Likes: 659
From: Yuba City, Ca.
If I trusted the gas gauge on my '07 EG, I'd be filling up every time I had half a tank. The idiot light(low fuel) comes on when the gauge reads half a tank left. I'm still trying to find out when I should actually be worried about filling up. I rode for 225 miles and figured, it's time to fill up. I put 5 gallons in(tank holds 6). I may have had another 40-45 miles left on the tank? Not sure...
I'll figure it out one of these days.
I'll figure it out one of these days.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,336
Likes: 67
From: SW Minnesota
I discovered years ago on my '06 Ultra's gas gauge....When it's full, the needle goes way past the F mark. When it's empty, it goes way below the E mark by an equal distance. I once put in 4.95 gallons into an "empty" five gallon tank.
Yes, I was sweating the last few miles....
Yes, I was sweating the last few miles....
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 89
From: Reno, NV
I ride a '15 wide glide. My fuel gauge was on the E, and the speedo dial showed low fuel. I was worried I would run out of gas, but luckily made it to the gas station.
I filled the tank up, but only 3.2 gallons (which took me 105 miles) was filled up. The manual say it holds 4.7 gallons
I had 1.5 gallons left in the tank?
Is the fuel Guage that far off?
I filled the tank up, but only 3.2 gallons (which took me 105 miles) was filled up. The manual say it holds 4.7 gallons
I had 1.5 gallons left in the tank?
Is the fuel Guage that far off?
On a side note, I've always wondered how close the advertised capacity is to actual. Do they take into account the huge fuel pump assembly inside the tank?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 3,466
Likes: 425
From: Illinois
There's so much variation on the Harley gauges,no-one can tell you how much gas is left when YOUR gauge says empty. I know it's a complicated procedure,but you will have to see how much you can put in the tank when it shows 'empty',and subtract that from the advertised capacity of your tank. Sheesh.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 1,325
From: DeLand, Florida
There's so much variation on the Harley gauges,no-one can tell you how much gas is left when YOUR gauge says empty. I know it's a complicated procedure,but you will have to see how much you can put in the tank when it shows 'empty',and subtract that from the advertised capacity of your tank. Sheesh.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
Some years ago I bought a '05 Deluxe. It was a carbuerated model with fuel reserve. I decided to see how far it would go on a tank before run-out, figuring that when it died I would just switch over to reserve and ride to the nearest gas station. When the low-fuel light came on I made sure to stay within close proximity to a station. Sure enough, the engine suddenly quit. I reached down and flipped the petcock to reserve. Nothing happened! It turned out that the previous owner had apparently never used the reserve, and there was some blockage in the petcock. After replacing the petcock, I made sure to periodically set it on reserve and run a few miles!
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 964
Likes: 9
From: Savannah, TN
No gauge or warning light. When the scoot sputters, I just set it on reserve and (when in town) hit the next non-ethanol gas station... Normally takes about 2.8 to 3 gals. 5 gal tank and its supposed to be about 4 gals before reserve, but it is what it is. At least I can comfortably stretch it when I on the road.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
From what most say in here (I must have gotten a weird one).. By that I mean my Gas Gauge has worked PERFECTLY since I got it new in 07 and now with 53K...
Every time my Reserve Light comes on and I stop at the next station, it ALWAYS take between .9 and 1.1 gals to fill up..
Every time my Reserve Light comes on and I stop at the next station, it ALWAYS take between .9 and 1.1 gals to fill up..
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 964
Likes: 9
From: Savannah, TN
From what most say in here (I must have gotten a weird one).. By that I mean my Gas Gauge has worked PERFECTLY since I got it new in 07 and now with 53K...
Every time my Reserve Light comes on and I stop at the next station, it ALWAYS take between .9 and 1.1 gals to fill up..
Every time my Reserve Light comes on and I stop at the next station, it ALWAYS take between .9 and 1.1 gals to fill up..