Fuel reserve
Fuel reserve
My fuel gauge is pretty well on empty (2011 Ultra Classic).
On the digital display, the fuel reads: r 70. Does this mean I have 70 miles before the reserve kicks in, or do I have 70 miles left on reserve. Would hate to find out the hard way.
Thanks
On the digital display, the fuel reads: r 70. Does this mean I have 70 miles before the reserve kicks in, or do I have 70 miles left on reserve. Would hate to find out the hard way.
Thanks
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 94
From: Massachusetts
There is no "reserve".
The r70 means you have approx. 70 miles left to empty.
Set the trip on your odometer when you fill up, the fuel gauges on these bikes are not that accurate.
I've ridden mine until the low fuel light came on, and still only put 5 gals. in. (6 gal. tank)
So I know I can go another 45 miles or so when the light comes on.
You will get a feel for how far your bike can go on a tank of gas, don't go so much by the gauge.
The r70 means you have approx. 70 miles left to empty.
Set the trip on your odometer when you fill up, the fuel gauges on these bikes are not that accurate.
I've ridden mine until the low fuel light came on, and still only put 5 gals. in. (6 gal. tank)
So I know I can go another 45 miles or so when the light comes on.
You will get a feel for how far your bike can go on a tank of gas, don't go so much by the gauge.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Fuel injected bikes don't have a petcock which would allow you to switch to reserve.
The fuel light usually comes on when you have approx 1 gallon of fuel left. If you know what you average per gallon, usually somewhere btwn 35-45mpg (could be more or even less for some riders), then you can reset your trip meter, when the light goes on, & know how far you can travel til the next station.
The fuel light usually comes on when you have approx 1 gallon of fuel left. If you know what you average per gallon, usually somewhere btwn 35-45mpg (could be more or even less for some riders), then you can reset your trip meter, when the light goes on, & know how far you can travel til the next station.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Your owners manual should explain that! There are plenty of threads in here on this subject. Nothing has changed since bikes had gas taps with a reserve position - we each have to learn the limitations of our own bike and how far we can safely ride when either that warning comes up, or we switch over the reserve tap.
If you refuel asap after the light comes on you will find how much gas you have used, hence how much is left in the tank. That in turn tells you roughly how far you can ride before you have to get off and start pushing.....
If you refuel asap after the light comes on you will find how much gas you have used, hence how much is left in the tank. That in turn tells you roughly how far you can ride before you have to get off and start pushing.....
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 98
From: Colorado Springs
While it's true that you don't have an actual reserve on an FI bike. I let my odometer count down all the way til it gets to RL (Reserve Low?) and then grab fuel. At that point I will always pump between 4.8 and 5.2 gallons of gas. Depending on whether I'm on the highway or in town, I'd have between 32 and 44 miles to empty at that point.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
Not on my bike.
While it's true that you don't have an actual reserve on an FI bike. I let my odometer count down all the way til it gets to RL (Reserve Low?) and then grab fuel. At that point I will always pump between 4.8 and 5.2 gallons of gas. Depending on whether I'm on the highway or in town, I'd have between 32 and 44 miles to empty at that point.
...
While it's true that you don't have an actual reserve on an FI bike. I let my odometer count down all the way til it gets to RL (Reserve Low?) and then grab fuel. At that point I will always pump between 4.8 and 5.2 gallons of gas. Depending on whether I'm on the highway or in town, I'd have between 32 and 44 miles to empty at that point.
...
Don't call me when you run out of gas......................lol
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
That should be a good assumption on the six gallon tank, both my Road King and my Street Glide have been ridden 35 miles or so past the "low" indicator and they have both comsumed 5.9+ gallons at the pump. Not a good thing to find out, but there is room for six gallons in them.