Gaslight
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 356
Likes: 95
From: U.S.
Gaslight
I was going for a cruise over to my buddies house told him I probably have to stop and get gas if my gas light came on. It never came on and the bike started running kind of tough in first and second gear cutting out but I probably was able to go three or 4 miles I turned around and came back to the house
got in the driveway to go up the hill into the garage and the bike wouldnt start was flat out of gas but my light never came on that I sawLast time I got gas I put in less than 93 it must have been 90 or 89 Im not sure I put in the highest test they had I think that made the bike run rough as well
Ran up and got some 93 and put it in and the bike runs like a top again its a 2020 sportsterIn the morning Im gonna go up to the Harley dealership and ask him if my gas light malfunctioning cant believe it would be not working already.Any thoughts?PS normally I only let it get down to a half a tank way before my gas light ever does come on and then I fill up
got in the driveway to go up the hill into the garage and the bike wouldnt start was flat out of gas but my light never came on that I sawLast time I got gas I put in less than 93 it must have been 90 or 89 Im not sure I put in the highest test they had I think that made the bike run rough as well
Ran up and got some 93 and put it in and the bike runs like a top again its a 2020 sportsterIn the morning Im gonna go up to the Harley dealership and ask him if my gas light malfunctioning cant believe it would be not working already.Any thoughts?PS normally I only let it get down to a half a tank way before my gas light ever does come on and then I fill up
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1,281
From: Ky
Light is a cheap inaccurate reminder. Go by the odometer, you will find it much more accurate. Octane doesn't change things much in my experience. If it happens more than once you might consider taking it to the dealer, but at this point they will say "could not duplicate problem "
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,179
Likes: 2,222
From: College Station, TX
The gauge and low fuel warning light on my 2018 RG is surprisingly accurate, at least in terms of not running out of gas earlier than expected. But yes, I still watch the odometer so I know in my head when ans where I will need t refuel.
Paul
Paul
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,722
Likes: 17,559
From: Driftless Area
If all else fails, you can always open the tank and look in there.
That's how we did it in the olden days.
Mind where you put the cap.
That's how we did it in the olden days.
Mind where you put the cap.
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,542
Likes: 5,870
From: Syracuse NY
The old adage I live by, whether riding dirt, sleds or cycles, is never pass up a chance to get gas when you are less than 1/4-of a tank.
Or else you be a walking. Or in the case of 21st century bikers with cell phones, waiting on Earl from your local roadside assistance service.
Or else you be a walking. Or in the case of 21st century bikers with cell phones, waiting on Earl from your local roadside assistance service.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 10,186
Likes: 17,837
From: In a van down by the river
Step one fill to top with the recommended octane. I mean, could use cheaper octane, but at 4-5 gallons worth? Higher octane to prevent knocking, pinging or engine issues is worth the peace of mind IMHO
Step two, find out how big of a gas tank you have.
Step three, run your bike on your usual route until the fuel gauge get's low
Step four, fill the tank and note how many gallons it takes to fill it up. 5 gallon tank, 4.5 gallons to fill? Now you know you did (insert miles) here and had half a gallon left in the tank. (numbers are just there for ease of math not indicative of real usage, I use easy numbers because I'm bad at math lol)
Step five, do this a few times and you'll get a general idea of how many miles you can run. Personally I don't like to run my bike down to the gas light, rather fill up before that, so I know I'm good until about 120 miles on my bike. I can push it further, remaining mileage indicator is actually relatively accurate on my bike but I still don't trust it. Regardless of what it tells me I know, 120 miles on my odometer, start looking for a gas station. In my mind it's always better to be thinking that "I should start looking for a gas station" as opposed to "I need a gas station NOW". Especially on a back road you're not familiar with and no idea where the next fill up might be.
But that's just my two cents. Far as testing the gas light? Well, easiest way to do that would be to putt around town, do some errands where you know you'll have gas stations in close proximity to wherever you are. Then it's a game of chicken with your bike, who'll flinch first, will I get too paranoid that the light isn't working, break and fill the tank before I run out of gas totally? Will the light work? Who knows?
Step two, find out how big of a gas tank you have.
Step three, run your bike on your usual route until the fuel gauge get's low
Step four, fill the tank and note how many gallons it takes to fill it up. 5 gallon tank, 4.5 gallons to fill? Now you know you did (insert miles) here and had half a gallon left in the tank. (numbers are just there for ease of math not indicative of real usage, I use easy numbers because I'm bad at math lol)
Step five, do this a few times and you'll get a general idea of how many miles you can run. Personally I don't like to run my bike down to the gas light, rather fill up before that, so I know I'm good until about 120 miles on my bike. I can push it further, remaining mileage indicator is actually relatively accurate on my bike but I still don't trust it. Regardless of what it tells me I know, 120 miles on my odometer, start looking for a gas station. In my mind it's always better to be thinking that "I should start looking for a gas station" as opposed to "I need a gas station NOW". Especially on a back road you're not familiar with and no idea where the next fill up might be.
But that's just my two cents. Far as testing the gas light? Well, easiest way to do that would be to putt around town, do some errands where you know you'll have gas stations in close proximity to wherever you are. Then it's a game of chicken with your bike, who'll flinch first, will I get too paranoid that the light isn't working, break and fill the tank before I run out of gas totally? Will the light work? Who knows?
