Always reset my trip meter to 0 when fueling up. Normally my reserve comes on around 180 miles and I gas up, takes anywhere from 4.2 to 4.5 gallons, yesterday I was riding home from work and it came on around 160 miles and actually showed only about 10 miles until empty in the display.

Never saw that before, but gassed up anyway and it only took 4 gallons (3.8 to be exact). I haven't been riding any more aggressive than usual and always fuel up at reputable stations. Just curious if anyone has seen or experienced this before.

 

Ethanol ratio change?
"Summer blend?"
Tire pressure low
Brake(s) dragging?
Clogged air cleaner?
Fuel mapping corrupted?
Drive belt too tight?

 

Thanks for the post, it may have been low tire pressure, my front was really low. I added air this morning, will see if that makes a difference.

 

First, I NEVER use my trip meter for a gas gauge. The wind effects the gas mileage too much for me to depend on it. It's bad enough for the gauge saying I have 35 miles left, then fill up and only put in 3.5 gallons in a 5 gallon tank. At least it's better than running out because of a headwind.

 

From what you said, it doesn't sound like you had a mileage reduction - it sounds like the reading changed for some reason. The .5 gallons of gas you didn't take would have put you at your normal range if I read your post correctly.

 

Agree, sounds like tank float was reading lower than normal at a given fill level.

For whatever reason, mine seems to be doing this as of late when under half a tank.

My calculated fuel mileage is more consistent than my gauge, so I continue to use my trip meter.

The only less accurate fuel gauges I've seen than on my Harleys were on Cessnas. Dip tanks, know fuel burn rate per hour, and you get a pretty good idea when you will stop turning gas into noise. Always better to land before the stopwatch hits that number!

 

My 02 carb has a reserve setting on the petcock, my 05 EFI is measured by mileage, now my 2013 EFI has a reserve amount built in? Learn something everyday on this site.

 

I just always fill up around the 1/2 tank mark on the gas gauge, and I set my trip meter to 000 at every fill up. I have no idea why I do this, I just do, and I do it in my street Jeep as well.

 

Never let mine go below 1/2, never know when you may not see a gas station for quite a few miles.

 

My guage shows full all the time. Trip meter takes me to 150 miles and I fill up, or whenever I feel like it.
Average about 43 MPG. Works for me.