Hi Folks,

I just checked the internet. Does this thing really hold over 5 gallons of gas? Is it all usable? The gauge indicates deep into the red at about 3.5 gallons, but I'm happy to press my luck if you guys say I have more usable fuel. When does the low fuel light come on?

As a note, looks like I'm getting about 38-39 mpg. Does that seem about right? I ride like a bit of a jackass, so it may be a little low.

 

I bought my Heritage new in May 2003. Per the Original 2003 Owner's manual, page 35, Table #3 "Capacities":

Fuel Tank Total- FLSTC/F, FXST/B, FLSTS, FXSTS- 5 US gals / 18.90 liters
FXSTD- 4.9 US gals/ 18.5 liters

Fuel Tank Reserve- Carb only- All models- 0.5 US gals / 1.9 liters

I did not see any mention about when the low fuel light comes on, but I was just looked at Table #3, I didn't read through the manual..


Hope that helps...

 

Don't go by the gauge. The one on my 03 is sketchy at best. The one on my 00 wasn't much better.
It is for sure a 5 gallon tank. When it's on the last line and the low fuel light comes on, it will take
3.5 gallons (aprox) . Use your trip-meter. Figure 35 mpg, so 160? miles.
Dunno about you, but @ 150 miles, I'm ready to get off that thing for a minute.

 

^^this^^. I start looking around 120 and by 150
getter done. My red light comes on about 100-110.

 

My gauge hasn't worked since I bought her. I do the tripmeter method, but I've said it before, I push mine to her limits, 175 and up on road trips, but my riding style isn't like most guys. I'm a
low n slow kinda guy, I enjoy the ride and in no hurry to get where I'm going. The destination will be there, I'll get there sooner or later. most likely later. Get your hand out of that throttle, your
mileage will increase.

 

Thanks guys. That's good to know. I'm going to start extending my time between fill-ups a little bit. Looks like 150+ miles should be no problem at all. Awesome!

 

I usually stop at under 150 miles cause my butt needs a break, but if there is no fuel station close my low fuel light (and both gauges agree) comes on at ~190 miles. I ran to 210 miles and put in 4.2 gallons.

 

03 Fatboy here with what I understand is the same "5 gal" tank. I have never been able to put more than 4-4.1 gal in, red light comes on and I can only get about 3.8 gal in........sooo I decided to push it a few times and did run out of gas twice.....I was able to rock the bike side to side which I believe brought more fuel over from left to right (via cross over line) and was able to go another few miles to a gas station. I have always wondered why if it is a 5 gal tank do I run so low and only allows me to fill it to the brim with at most to date 4.1 gal..... still a mystery to me but owners manual and everyone I ask say it is a 5 gallon tank. I just use odometer and plan to refill at 150 miles now as no sense in running it out any more. No big deal but interested in learning any more about it if anyone has any more insight on it but it appears no one out here has been able to much more than 4 gallons in? Keep your knees in the breeze

 

I put 4.5 gallons in yesterday at about 155 miles. The low fuel light had just come on. I don't know if that helps, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

Makes total sense to me Jim, that sounds about right....wonder why mine never takes that much, thanks!