Hate Having No Fuel Reserve On Breakout
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 4,752
Likes: 3,272
From: West Central Florida
I was so used to turning the petcock off after riding that when I got my Harley I found myself looking to turn gas on and off when I ride it. Myself I gas up every hundred miles out of habit from my other scoots. I always found that when I hit reserve I would suck all the trash out of the tank and a carb tear down was mandatory. Oh well thats what comes with riding old bikes.
On my Heritage I went down to 21 miles remaining once without a sputter, but I sure was nervous.
On my Heritage I went down to 21 miles remaining once without a sputter, but I sure was nervous.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 875
Likes: 2
From: Where I lay my head is home.
Motorcycle fuel gauges are worthless... always go by mileage.
One thing I won't miss about the reserve... riding though the middle of the desert, bike starts to sputter, reach down to switch it to reserve... then have the unpleasant realization that it's ALREADY on reserve. Oooooops.
One thing I won't miss about the reserve... riding though the middle of the desert, bike starts to sputter, reach down to switch it to reserve... then have the unpleasant realization that it's ALREADY on reserve. Oooooops.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 19,746
Likes: 1,184
From: Jamestown, CA
[quote=Suntower;12157465]Motorcycle fuel gauges are worthless... always go by mileage.
One thing I won't miss about the reserve... riding though the middle of the desert, bike starts to sputter, reach down to switch it to reserve... then have the unpleasant realization that it's ALREADY on reserve. Oooooops.[/quote]
.......... I always look at my gauge when I leave , I know its not right , but it gives me a general idea . 
One thing I won't miss about the reserve... riding though the middle of the desert, bike starts to sputter, reach down to switch it to reserve... then have the unpleasant realization that it's ALREADY on reserve. Oooooops.[/quote]
.......... I always look at my gauge when I leave , I know its not right , but it gives me a general idea .
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,762
Likes: 12
From: north jersey
Back in the day I didn't like fooling around with the petcock while riding if I ran low on fuel, and I don't trust the fuel gauge on the newer bikes, so I've gotten used to using one of the trip meters. Just got in the habit of setting the "A" one to zero every time I fill up. I know I'm good for around 225 miles max out of a tank, so somewhere around 175 miles I start looking for a gas station. The "B" trip meter I use to measure trips. Works for me!
If Im low on fuel I always fuel up before I put the bike away for the day. This way if I choose to run out on one of those spurt of the moment rides I don't have to worry about stopping at the gas station.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 912
From: Omaha
I'll have to disagree with you on this one, at least as for "all" fuel gauges are worthless.
When my speedo/tach reads "0 miles until empty" I pretty much can be assured that I've got between 18-22 miles until I'm walking.
I've run it down there quite a few times and at "0 miles until empty" I generally have about 1/2 gallon left in the tank.
Now as for my LED gauge on the tank, that's a POS and I think I can judge how much gas I have better by tapping on the side of the tank than going by what that gauge is telling me
When my speedo/tach reads "0 miles until empty" I pretty much can be assured that I've got between 18-22 miles until I'm walking.
I've run it down there quite a few times and at "0 miles until empty" I generally have about 1/2 gallon left in the tank.
Now as for my LED gauge on the tank, that's a POS and I think I can judge how much gas I have better by tapping on the side of the tank than going by what that gauge is telling me
Last edited by Bluraven; Jan 4, 2014 at 05:49 AM.
I'm not sure what the difference is between manually turning to reserve or eyeballing that you need gas. You need gas.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 4,889
From: Missouri City,TX
Back in the day I didn't like fooling around with the petcock while riding if I ran low on fuel, and I don't trust the fuel gauge on the newer bikes, so I've gotten used to using one of the trip meters. Just got in the habit of setting the "A" one to zero every time I fill up. I know I'm good for around 225 miles max out of a tank, so somewhere around 175 miles I start looking for a gas station. The "B" trip meter I use to measure trips. Works for me!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 310
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
Yeah I've sweated bullets once on a ride. Fuel light came on and I pushed it another 25 miles at 80mph. When I filled up I had .6 of a gallon left. I think I was right at 200 miles on my NT. At least now I know I can do 200 miles on a tank