Fuel light
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,378
Likes: 1
From: Boise, Idaho
RE: Fuel light
The fuel light was made by the same guy who designed the fuel guage and the air temp guage. None are accurate and the readings vary from bike to bike. I could tell you how much i had left, but the next guy would tell you something different. You gotta just figure out on your bike how many gallons/miles you have left.
I think HD got them on special from some guy who builds ric-shaws.
I think HD got them on special from some guy who builds ric-shaws.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 310
Likes: 52
From: North Texas
RE: Fuel light
My light comes on around 142 miles if I fuel it then it will only take about3.6gallons. I have run it as far as 194 miles. But it will depend on air temp, speed, weight of bike and rider, tire size and pressure. In other words there are lots of variables. Maybe some other people will weigh in. This on an 06 UC
RE: Fuel light
My light had always come on right at 150-152 miles and took 4 gallons. This past weekend it went to 170 and I put in 3.8 gallons. I thought the light wasn't working at first. I knew when I hit 150 miles I still had another 40 miles left so I was safe. Dunno if adding the Fuelpak improved my mileage that much or not. But I went from 39mpg to 45mpg on that tank.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 832
Likes: 6
From: Vermont
RE: Fuel light
It only takes me 2.9 to 3.1 gallons to fill up shortly after the light comes on. Based on a five gallon tank, I figure I got 80 to 90 miles left in her. Light comes on way too so I depend on the trip odometer.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
RE: Fuel light
The manuals say that when the light comes on you should have approximately 1 gallon of fuel left. I believe it varies with the bike. My '05 Road King Classic (first F/I bike for me) was only good for about 12 miles. I know this because the first time I rode it far enough on a tank for the light came on, I ran out. Luckily only had to push for about a couple hundred yards. My '07 Street Glide has about 1.3 to 1.4 gallons left when the light comes on. BIG disparity.....1.3 versus3 tenths !
My advice would be to go on a ride when you were getting low on fuel that would not leave you too far from a gas station. Note your mileage when your fuel light illuminates. Fill up, noting how many miles since the light came on, and how much fuel it took to fill up. Using the average fuel mileage you have been getting (assuming you have beenkeeping track up until this point) you should be able to figure how many miles you can safely travel after the light comes on. Remember to ALWAYS err on the low side. Trust me, its a lot better than pushing an 800 lb. bike in 90 degree heat. LOL
My advice would be to go on a ride when you were getting low on fuel that would not leave you too far from a gas station. Note your mileage when your fuel light illuminates. Fill up, noting how many miles since the light came on, and how much fuel it took to fill up. Using the average fuel mileage you have been getting (assuming you have beenkeeping track up until this point) you should be able to figure how many miles you can safely travel after the light comes on. Remember to ALWAYS err on the low side. Trust me, its a lot better than pushing an 800 lb. bike in 90 degree heat. LOL
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: FLORIDA, Ft Walton Beach
RE: Fuel light
If your bike is likemy 07Road King, your milage will vary drastically city driving and country cruising. In the city (to and from work) I only get about 140 to 150 (about 3.5 gallons usually) before I'm down to low (1/4 tank or less). I do some long rides and have went over 220 (4 gallons) once and 200many other times and never hadthe low fuel light come on.