Fuel light
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Fuel light
I miss the old sputter sputter, hit reserve. At least I knew when I ran out vs all of sudden noticing the damn ligtht on and wondering how long it's been on.(Of course I even owned a 59 VW with a reserve handle if that tells you anything) Personally I wish there was an LED in the middle of the SG fairing for low fuel and 6th gear. Both indicators brightness leave a lot to be desired!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 1
From: Indy area
RE: Fuel light
Thanks for reminding me. I had another fuel receipt to put into the spreadsheet.
Mine's all over the place. Looks like on average it's around 15 miles to go, typically in the 190's.
I'm wondering if this is an adjustment that requires getting into the tank or can it be done with the dealer's "digital assistant"?
Mine's all over the place. Looks like on average it's around 15 miles to go, typically in the 190's.
I'm wondering if this is an adjustment that requires getting into the tank or can it be done with the dealer's "digital assistant"?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: NY
RE: Fuel light
When mine comes on I start looking for a gas station right away. Running out of fuel isn't fun. I'll usually take on 4 gallons so to be fair I probably have at least 45 miles before I'm dry on the highway or 40 around town. I just don't like to chance it.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
RE: Fuel light
I guess I have the record. Light came on, 62 miles to nearest station, made it and filled it with 5.4 gallons.
Driving over in the Netherlands, I had planned to get gas at certain spots, came to the exit and noticed ALL the stations closed, it was Sunday DOH!! It was farther back to previous spot than forward so off I go. I get the light at about 1 plus gallon remaining and notice I need to go 62 miles. I slow down to 35 MPH, not very smart on the autobahn. I drive for 30 minutes and can't take it anymore, needle has been pegged on empty for 10 minutes so I pull over at an emergency roadside phone and pick it up, the guy can't understand me, he only speaks French, it's Sunday!!!
Then a French dude with his 10 year old son pulls up on a BMW bike and from what i gather, he offers to leave his son and take me to the next station, I decline but we finally manage to figure I need to go about 30 or so miles to the next autobaun station. So I get on and he follows me all the way there, i make it, but I don't know how... I stop for every stopped biker now. filled with 5.4 gallons, slowing down must have helped.
You think I would learn.
Last week on the way to Sturgis, I had planned to get gas at a small town my AAA map said had gas. I got there to find it was a ghost town!!! Farther back than forward (again), tried calling AAA for ideas and cell wouldn't work (just like France), we were 80 miles North of Moab. All of a sudden another dude on a Raodglide pulls up and we chat (but he speaks english!!), he says next gas is only 40 miles, I know I can make that and did. I look for fuel after 100 miles or 60 miutes, whichever occurs first.
Driving over in the Netherlands, I had planned to get gas at certain spots, came to the exit and noticed ALL the stations closed, it was Sunday DOH!! It was farther back to previous spot than forward so off I go. I get the light at about 1 plus gallon remaining and notice I need to go 62 miles. I slow down to 35 MPH, not very smart on the autobahn. I drive for 30 minutes and can't take it anymore, needle has been pegged on empty for 10 minutes so I pull over at an emergency roadside phone and pick it up, the guy can't understand me, he only speaks French, it's Sunday!!!
Then a French dude with his 10 year old son pulls up on a BMW bike and from what i gather, he offers to leave his son and take me to the next station, I decline but we finally manage to figure I need to go about 30 or so miles to the next autobaun station. So I get on and he follows me all the way there, i make it, but I don't know how... I stop for every stopped biker now. filled with 5.4 gallons, slowing down must have helped.
You think I would learn.
Last week on the way to Sturgis, I had planned to get gas at a small town my AAA map said had gas. I got there to find it was a ghost town!!! Farther back than forward (again), tried calling AAA for ideas and cell wouldn't work (just like France), we were 80 miles North of Moab. All of a sudden another dude on a Raodglide pulls up and we chat (but he speaks english!!), he says next gas is only 40 miles, I know I can make that and did. I look for fuel after 100 miles or 60 miutes, whichever occurs first.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,602
Likes: 5
From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area
RE: Fuel light
My light comes on between 180 - 200 miles... Depending on how & where I'm riding... Empty??? Never ran out YET
NEVER liked or trusted HD's fuel gauage... Did like the Ol' Reserve Lever... Switch it over and find a pump!!! [8D]
NEVER liked or trusted HD's fuel gauage... Did like the Ol' Reserve Lever... Switch it over and find a pump!!! [8D]
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Fuel light
Nick@Nite:
I can tell you from recent experience...not nearly far enough. I estimated 20-miles when I finally noticed my low-fuel lamp on, of course I had been distracted (another story) up until then by a carload of girls lifting their shirts and flashing me, so I didn't actually notice the fuel light until they turned off their "headlights" (I crack myself up sometimes). Bottom line, I made it about 15-miles and then ran out of gas.
JMHO, YMMV.
I can tell you from recent experience...not nearly far enough. I estimated 20-miles when I finally noticed my low-fuel lamp on, of course I had been distracted (another story) up until then by a carload of girls lifting their shirts and flashing me, so I didn't actually notice the fuel light until they turned off their "headlights" (I crack myself up sometimes). Bottom line, I made it about 15-miles and then ran out of gas.
JMHO, YMMV.