Just returned from a 2,000 mile trip around Utah, and back to Sacramento. Along the way I went on a fair amount of desolate roads with no gas stations for miles. I am always checking my "range" on my fuel warning gauge. What I have found out is that often times the lo range will come up, telling me I have @ 40, or 30, or less miles running time left. While I try to avoid this, I find myself stopping way too often for gas, to ensure I don't run out. But i have never put in more than 3 1/2 gallons of fuel (5 gallon tank). So....those of you with this feature: Do you just reset the trip meter and judge by that; do you wait until lo-range goes to zero and figure there is at least 1 gallon of gas; or does anyone carry extra gas (only on these types of trips)? I've seen 1/2 gallon gas cans. Thanks for your input.

 

My fuel guage is FUBAR. Only time I ever ran it lo enough to make the light go on, I went for exactly 1 mile before I ran out. I ran it down to "E" the other day, put in 2 gallons, and it was on full.
I really don't trust the damn thing. Wonder why they don't put petcocks with EFI, at least then you'd have a reserve.

 

When the low fuel countdown hits zero on mine I usually have between half and seven tenths of a gallon left.

I'm usually filling up before the warning light comes on though. Either filling up in conjunction with a rest stop, eating, overnight stop, etc etc etc...

 

Even though I have a fuel gauge I calculate a conservative 36 mpg and fill up when appropriate. For long distance rides across several states I also carry a 1/2 gal spare bungeed to the luggage rack stack.

 

Personally, I watch my fuel gauge along with my trip meter and go by that. My bike is fairly consistent when it comes to mpg and this method has never let me down. I also don't like letting my tank get that low so I usually have a set mileage in my head where I start looking for the next station and I'd rather stop a few extra times than take the chance on waiting till the low light comes on and hope that I can find a station before I run out of gas. Just call me old fashioned.

 

just 1 time you have to run it out of fuel to know exactly. then take 80% of the miles ridden as a general rule.

i have 3 Harley roadglides, an 04 with a 107, a 10 with a stage 2 96 and a 12, with a 120R.

the fuel gauges all give a different reading.

my 04, @165 miles a gas station better be in sight or you are walking

on the 04, i fill up every 125 miles

my 10, @240 miles is the absolute max mileage

on the 10 i fill up at 200.

my 12. @210 is the max mileage for speeds below 75. @180 if you have been running above 80.

the 12 i fill up at 150.

my best advice, fill it up, pack an extra half gallon of fuel, ride till you run out, note mileage. put 1/2 gallon of gas in tank, go fill up. only way you can be 100% sure. even then, gas grades vary so much you could be wrong

 

have an app on my cell phone called Fuel Buddy. I record every fill up with miles, gallons, and cost. I reset the odometer at each fill. I do this religiously... so I know when I hit 200 on around town, short trips, it's time to look for fuel. when I travel at steady speeds and cruise control...220-240 and I look for fuel. the app has a recap so I can see what my mileage is... between 35-45 depending. it drives me nuts when someone does not know their range, or how much fuel they have. And those that rely solely on their fuel gage.... never trust mine... reference only!
fuelbuddy-app.com I have both my van and bike in this app.... love it!

 

I only ran out once years ago on my Honda 305, turned the petcock on reserve, forgot, and sputtered to a stop-at the top of a hill, with a gas station on the bottom! Coasted in, filled up, lesson learned-cheap. Now as soon as the gauge gets near the redline, I fill up.

 

Years of habit has me looking for a gas station by 125mi. Don't see any reason to change it now.

 

In my 48+ years of riding a motorcycle I can only remember running out of gas once and that was long before I owned a bike with a fuel gauge.

I know that 200 miles on my bike is a "safe range" for fuel so I re-set my trip meter at every fill-up. This is also a good way of keeping track of MPG's and to determine if my bike is running normally.

I've rode in some desolate areas and I've made it a point to get fuel anytime it's available (even if it isn't premium).
Another thing I carry in my tool pouch is a 5ft piece of siphon hose and an empty pop/soda bottle.
Most anyone will sell you a gallon of fuel for $5 and that should be enough to get you to the nearest service station.

IF, you ride a Sportster with a "peanut" tank and go riding on the backroads of Nevada, not much good anyone can do you, sorry!