Fuel poll
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 348
Likes: 701
From: OC
Fuel poll
Do you ever carry extra fuel and if so, how much and in which container. I never really thought about until this morning when the bike died six times in 3 miles. Well whattaya know...no reserve switch on your newly purchased Harley Bruce. Doh! Fortunately I was able to coast downhill for a mile and it drank the final drop as I turned into the gas station. Coasted to the pump. I just ordered two 30oz MSR fuel bottles to put in the saddlebags as back-up for longer interstate trips, Murphy's Law and/or a senior moment. Anyone else do this?
Last edited by BC1000; Aug 7, 2021 at 01:52 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 2,506
From: Lake Orion, MI
Never carried extra fuel on the bike.
Bike does have a reserve and, the lights tell me when I hit reserve. Still my practice has been - each time I get fuel, I reset my trip. Can usually get about 200 + miles out of the tank. On trips, I stop every 125 miles or so for gas. Around town, at 150, I tend to get gas
Thought about getting something like this when we rode through the Badlands. Instead, I stayed with my practice and, all was ok
Bike does have a reserve and, the lights tell me when I hit reserve. Still my practice has been - each time I get fuel, I reset my trip. Can usually get about 200 + miles out of the tank. On trips, I stop every 125 miles or so for gas. Around town, at 150, I tend to get gas
Thought about getting something like this when we rode through the Badlands. Instead, I stayed with my practice and, all was ok
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 9,913
From: Florida's gorgeous East coast
No...never carried any extra fuel. My bike doesn't have a fuel gauge, but it does have a reserve.
You noted in your post:
"Well whattaya know...no reserve switch on your newly purchased Harley Bruce."
Do you not have a fuel gauge, OR reserve..??
You noted in your post:
"Well whattaya know...no reserve switch on your newly purchased Harley Bruce."
Do you not have a fuel gauge, OR reserve..??
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 1,077
From: SE SC
Never carried extra fuel on the bike.
Bike does have a reserve and, the lights tell me when I hit reserve. Still my practice has been - each time I get fuel, I reset my trip. Can usually get about 200 + miles out of the tank. On trips, I stop every 125 miles or so for gas. Around town, at 150, I tend to get gas
Thought about getting something like this when we rode through the Badlands. Instead, I stayed with my practice and, all was ok
Bike does have a reserve and, the lights tell me when I hit reserve. Still my practice has been - each time I get fuel, I reset my trip. Can usually get about 200 + miles out of the tank. On trips, I stop every 125 miles or so for gas. Around town, at 150, I tend to get gas
Thought about getting something like this when we rode through the Badlands. Instead, I stayed with my practice and, all was ok
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1,281
From: Ky
Automatic reserve, light comes on for you. I carry that same can in the trailer on long trips, but my m8 gets 45 mpg with 6 gallon tank. I rarely let the light shine, don't want that bulb to wear out. When im near home I'll risk wear and tear on the bulb.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 2,261
From: Ft. Wayne IN
Nope on an extra fuel container. I've learned to trust my 2018 Heritage gage and early warning "reserve" alert. Five gallon tank, 40-50 mpg. Hell, I'm ready to stop for a break well before the tank gets near empty and often combine rest stops with a re-fuel when on a trip. My rest breaks (average 10-20 minutes) usually are every 1-2 hours anyway at age 69. A normal fill-up is 3-3.5 gallons so I rarely even see the "reserve" alert.
If I were going to remote areas out West on non-interstate roads, I might reconsider.
If I were going to remote areas out West on non-interstate roads, I might reconsider.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 69,901
Likes: 18,589
From: South Florida
Nopie. And I have done a LOT of LDR's. Like cycle7447 said above.
1. If I am going on a time LDR, then when I fuel up and the tank is at max., I shake the bike (always a bagger) and a bubble will pop up allowing me to put MORE gas in. I do that several times. OR you can have the bike UPRIGHT and then fill it up. No bubbles then.
2. I reset the Trip#2 to zero.
When I ride, (depending upon in what state/province I am in and what time of day it is) I generally start looking for fuel at 170 miles or when the needle is down to 1/4 tank.
When I was doing the IBA (timed rides) you can put on a fuel cell and go up to I think 11.5 gal's but I would not do that. to me, avery 1 1/2 or 2 hrs u really need to get off your bike, walk, pee, re-hydrate. Maybe grab a snack or sandwich.Or a beer. 
1. If I am going on a time LDR, then when I fuel up and the tank is at max., I shake the bike (always a bagger) and a bubble will pop up allowing me to put MORE gas in. I do that several times. OR you can have the bike UPRIGHT and then fill it up. No bubbles then.
2. I reset the Trip#2 to zero.
When I ride, (depending upon in what state/province I am in and what time of day it is) I generally start looking for fuel at 170 miles or when the needle is down to 1/4 tank.
When I was doing the IBA (timed rides) you can put on a fuel cell and go up to I think 11.5 gal's but I would not do that. to me, avery 1 1/2 or 2 hrs u really need to get off your bike, walk, pee, re-hydrate. Maybe grab a snack or sandwich.
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Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,545
Likes: 8,380
From: Inland NW
I don't see the poll.
I don't carry extra gas, but that can is pretty slick! There have been times in MT, ID, and northern BC and AB that I have been pretty damned nervous, though!
We have always tried to avoid the super slabs on long trips, and I coasted into a ratty gas station on the last drop of fuel, in Cairo Missouri...I learned to watch for gas stations and pay attention to my mileage that day. I will never forget it LOL
I don't carry extra gas, but that can is pretty slick! There have been times in MT, ID, and northern BC and AB that I have been pretty damned nervous, though!
We have always tried to avoid the super slabs on long trips, and I coasted into a ratty gas station on the last drop of fuel, in Cairo Missouri...I learned to watch for gas stations and pay attention to my mileage that day. I will never forget it LOL
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Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 69,901
Likes: 18,589
From: South Florida
On this matter of fuel my friends, keep in mind that when you are remote and running low late in the day; then you see a sign that there is fuel at the next exit, when you get off at that exit you may have to go another 3 miles or 5 miles to get to the gas station.
And when you get there, that gas station may be closed. Especially (if I may reiterate) when you are remote and it is late in the day.
This means you may need to ride another 3 miles or 5 miles just to get back on the highway. <-- Those six or 10 miles of valuable fuel that you just burned up.
Plan accordingly. Imp stuff. As rightly stated by NorthWestern above, you can get "...pretty damned nervous..." when you are too low. (Which means poor planning for fuel management.)
And when you get there, that gas station may be closed. Especially (if I may reiterate) when you are remote and it is late in the day.
This means you may need to ride another 3 miles or 5 miles just to get back on the highway. <-- Those six or 10 miles of valuable fuel that you just burned up.
Plan accordingly. Imp stuff. As rightly stated by NorthWestern above, you can get "...pretty damned nervous..." when you are too low. (Which means poor planning for fuel management.)
