Gas guage accuracy,or not?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 217
From: Puyallup Wa.
My gauge was on empty for a long time on a last summer trip I use the remaining miles on odometer. I pushed that to under 10 miles I was pretty much on empty when I filled up. I find it hard to worry about to much with a 6 gallon tank. I had a bike once that had a peanut tank on it and if lucky would go 60 miles. I have never missed counting the miles the looking in tank to see how much gas was left. Now days its easy you have three ways mileage on trip odometer A or B your choice. Remaining miles calculated by the bike and last but not least a fuel gauge no matter how it acts on your bike you learn it and can use it some what.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 23
From: Orange County Texas
I also never look at the tank gas gauge. I always leave my tripmeter on range to empty. I usually refill between 10 and 0 and it always takes right at 5 gallons to top her off. It's a six gallon tank so I have a gallon reserve at zero miles.
I was out last summer on a day trip and the "low fuel" light came on, then it started a count down from 39 miles, 38 miles, 37 miles .... I was between a couple of towns and was pretty confident that I had enough to make it to the next stop. By the time I got there, the count down was at 20 miles. I filled up and the tank only took about 4.5 gallons to fill. But, since I usually get 40 mpg, I should have only had about 1/2 gallon left with the countdown showing 20 miles to empty. So, even the count down feature is off a bit. But, like others have said, if you're using your tripmeter and watching your miles, you should be OK.
Should be 50 degrees here in Kansas City this afternoon. The problem is there is still about a foot of snow everywhere that needs to melt. If I can get my driveway cleared, I'm gone! And after this discussion, I probably top of my gas tank before I get to far.
Mike
Should be 50 degrees here in Kansas City this afternoon. The problem is there is still about a foot of snow everywhere that needs to melt. If I can get my driveway cleared, I'm gone! And after this discussion, I probably top of my gas tank before I get to far.
Mike
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 600
Likes: 0
From: La Vernia (San Antonio), Texas
I have (had?) the same question about my Ultra Glide as well so I did a test with it last fall.
Ran it down to E on the guage but the "miles to empty" was showing 66 miles remaining. The "low fuel" light never went on. Took me just over 4.5 gallons to fill it up.
Since the bike was averaging about 38 miles per gallon at that time (should have been 57 "miles to empty" based upon that number), I think that the "miles to empty" is probably the more accurate information versus the guage indication. In my case, I just need to fill up earlier as opposed to later.
Ran it down to E on the guage but the "miles to empty" was showing 66 miles remaining. The "low fuel" light never went on. Took me just over 4.5 gallons to fill it up.
Since the bike was averaging about 38 miles per gallon at that time (should have been 57 "miles to empty" based upon that number), I think that the "miles to empty" is probably the more accurate information versus the guage indication. In my case, I just need to fill up earlier as opposed to later.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
I do not trust the gas gauge at all. You have to consider the riding conditions such as head winds, mountains, and what speed you are going. I try and refuel every 200 miles or sooner when traveling in remote areas. I'm usually ready to stretch at 200 miles anyway.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,173
Likes: 177
From: East Coast
With my 2010 FatBoy, empty looking gauge means putting 4 gallons in a 5 gallon tank. However, when the indicator starts counting down the remaining miles to empty numerically, it is fairly close.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 620
Likes: 61
From: Castle Rock, CO
Just pointing out.
The new fuel injected bikes don't have a reserve. We need an accurate gas gauge or mileage countdown because if we run out of gas, that's it.