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I don't even pay attention to it. I strictly use the miles/trip-odometer. I know from experience that my bike has 1.2 gallons left when the fuel light comes on. I know from many calculations that it gets from 40 to 42 mpg. So I know when i've gotten to about 195 miles or so that the fuel light is due to come on at any moment. I've got about 50 miles worth of fuel left...
When that light comes on I'm headed for the nearest filling station immediately.
On road trips I'm more conservative about this and fill up earlier if not sure when i'll see the next filling station. When in familiar areas i just wait til the fuel light comes on.
They're all different. Just get to know yours and all will be fine.
This is probably the best advice you will get on this subject. All of mine have been different for each bike. You will get an idea pretty quick once light is on and you are in stop and go traffic.
Needle will move up, significantly when low. W When the needles motion is almost unoticeable....get gas quick or have a can with you.
This is what I did on my UC. I can go approx 35 miles when the light comes on.
Good luck. If you do run out of gas...she will fire right back up.
Be safe
Those cap mounted gauges are neat flashy trinkets but not really a gauge like I'd want to pay attention to. For some reason the counter on the odometer seems to be fairly accurate though.
"At on half tank on the gauge, I can only replace 2.2 gallons out of the six".
Maybe you only have a 4.4 gal tank? j/k
Seriously, those gas gauges are notorious for false readings.
Whenever I fill up, I reset my odometer.
I also reset the gas gauge on my Zumo.
Between the two of them, I haven't run out yet.
My comfort level for fill-ups is 150, so when I get close, I find a gas station.
Works for me.
Mine on the Ultra is fairly accurate on the highway. Less so when in traffic and around town. When my light comes on, I have about 1 gallon left cause I can always put in between 4.7 and 5.1 gallons. Around town though, I am more careful and fill up more often.
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