just ran out of fuel! :(
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 722
Likes: 9
From: Williamsport, MD
I don't think you filled it up properly, on a motorcycle you fill it to the top of the cap, don't stick the 8" nozzles all the way down into the tank and let it stop automatically like a car.
Your bike should get around 45 mpg, I used to always fill up between 140-150 miles.
those thing you mention sound normal.. there will be a strong smell of fuel because there is no catalytic converter. the bike should run a bit rich & black soot & a little smoke at start up is completely normal.
Your bike should get around 45 mpg, I used to always fill up between 140-150 miles.
those thing you mention sound normal.. there will be a strong smell of fuel because there is no catalytic converter. the bike should run a bit rich & black soot & a little smoke at start up is completely normal.
Last edited by LunaticFringe; Apr 17, 2015 at 06:38 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 20
From: Kafar Hanusi
My 2008 1200XLC goes for around 125 miles before the low-fuel light comes on and I will go to around 135-140 miles then fill-up (stations are plentiful in Israel).
The furthest I've ridden was 160 miles but did not run out of gas (God knows why it did not, I don't).
Israel has only 95 octane and I would not use anything lower than that.
I would suggest getting a fuel-light of some type so this don't happen again.
Good luck,
.
The furthest I've ridden was 160 miles but did not run out of gas (God knows why it did not, I don't).
Israel has only 95 octane and I would not use anything lower than that.
I would suggest getting a fuel-light of some type so this don't happen again.
Good luck,
.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 67
From: Phoenix
Farthest I went on my '06 1200C was about 210 miles on one tank. I have no idea how I did that. On average, I'd comfortably get 150-160 highway versus 120-125 city.
Just to eliminate this as a problem, OP: Are you switching the petcock to reserve when you run out of fuel, or do you always have it in the "On" position?
Just to eliminate this as a problem, OP: Are you switching the petcock to reserve when you run out of fuel, or do you always have it in the "On" position?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 67
From: Phoenix
And as far as the bike trying to keep running briefly after it shuts off, it sounds like mild dieseling. The engine will keep cranking briefly after you shut off the ignition. If you've got some sort of hot spot in the cylinder, like carbon build-up, that could potentially ignite the air-fuel mixture being drawn in by the still-revolving crankshaft and keep it going a little longer than normal.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 253
Likes: 2
From: Hawaii
do you know if you actually have better gas than the US? or is the difference in the measuring methods and labeling of the different countries?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
You said the insides of your pipes are covered in black soot, it smells like fuel. How long long has it been since you noticed the soot? Do you lug the bike a lot on your short trips?
Heres my thoughts:
Did you get some bad petro?
Did you leave the choke on?
Whens the last time you checked your spark plugs? Chances are they probably look worse than the inside of your pipes.
Heres a few simple things I would try first
Ensure there is fresh clean fuel in the tank & treat it with a healthy dose of Sea Foam.
Replace spark plugs with proper gap.
Warm it up then run the **** out it with choke off
I would also check your oil for signs of condesation (water) build due from all your short trips.
Heres my thoughts:
Did you get some bad petro?
Did you leave the choke on?
Whens the last time you checked your spark plugs? Chances are they probably look worse than the inside of your pipes.
Heres a few simple things I would try first
Ensure there is fresh clean fuel in the tank & treat it with a healthy dose of Sea Foam.
Replace spark plugs with proper gap.
Warm it up then run the **** out it with choke off
I would also check your oil for signs of condesation (water) build due from all your short trips.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Below is an approximate comparison chart.
RON MON (R+M)/2
90 - 83 - 86.6
92 - 85 - 88.5
95 - 87 - 91
96 - 88 - 92
98 - 90 - 94
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
You said you need to use your choke "a lot". If you are using your choke more than just for start up and a minute or so at half choke for warm up, then that's a strong indicator of a setup problem or mistuned bike.