How far do you go with the fuel gauge flashing?

[Grape_salad]

I’ve got a 2010, still quite new to me so I’m still getting a feel for fuel range.

I’ve been getting about 270-300km (165-185mi) before the fuel gauge starts flashing. so far I’ve been filling up within 30km (18mi) or so, but I was wandering how far people usually go? I’ve found I’m usually only putting in 16-17 litres (3.5gal), which is maybe 3/4 of that tank capacity?

Makes me think I’m probably safely good for 50-70km (30-45mi) on the fuel light? But I haven’t really been able to test it so far.

how far do you typically go with the fuel light flashing?

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . how far do you typically go with the fuel light flashing?

I don't pay much attention to the fuel gauge. I use the trip odometer for more accuracy. I use 6gal x 40mpg = 240max. I generally get more than 40mpg but I also don't want to push the big girl. I fill at about 200-220mi and put 5 +/- .1gals in. The other day I had a lot of wind on this tank, and I had 225 on the trip. I ended up putting in 5.4gal. Hope that helps.

 

[Gerard]

I get between 85 - 95 km depending on the weight i carry

 

[whisperquiet]

I’ve owned five S10s and have been able to ride at least 40 miles more after the low fuel light begins flashing.

 

[~TABASCO~]

40-50 miles before I’m pushing……… depends if I’m at altitude.

 

[Fennellg]

There are a lot of variables. I actually ran out once. Winter gas pushing it 80 90 mph, 234 miles or so that’s all she wrote. That count Down thing is not accurate. At zero usually I have between 1/2 to a full gallon left.

Wish we had an accurate fuel gage.

If pushing things I check my mpg screen and do some math. This usually will yield an accurate result. The only problem, when I ran out I had not reset the mpg for several tanks. Opps!!!!!

 

[escapefjrtist]

Like Sierra1 I use trip mileage, except I fill around 180-200 miles. I don't like pushing and in many areas I ride, an open station and fuel is not guaranteed.

~G

 

[Tenman]

I've filled my gen1 up right after the low fuel came on. It holds 4.5 US gallons. Running 70-80mph into a hard head wind on the rolling Ms. roads. I've runout at 180 miles. At that speed reserve is about 40 miles till pushing.

 

[RIVA]

I was out on Sunday and filled up with the intention of completely emptying the tank. I went over to reserve at 341.4 km. Totally empty at 424.1 km. From Reserve 82.7 km.

The above is from my post of Aug. 2022




Dílis go deó.

 

[Boris]

I have a Gen1 bike and regularly get 40 miles after the gauge starts flashing. Have never pushed it until running out of fuel, but 40 miles is definitely doable.

 

[bimota]

same as boris gen 1 when fuel light comes on i can get 40 miles but not run it empty

rob

 

[lund]

The problem is the odometer is so far off. The milage these guys are giving you is inaccurate and only apply to what the bike shows you.
If you using a map or road sign to get somewhere on an empty tank and counting on the odometer vs road sign or map your likely going to run out first.
My rule of thumb, don't be that guy, start thinking of filling when gauge shows half or carry a gas can LOL.

 

[whisperquiet]

I think the timing of the low fuel light coming on is pretty consistent….all five of the S10s that I have owned have taken 4.4 to 4.5 gallons to fill when the light first begins to flash. This indicates to me that there is about 1.25 gallons left until empty having filled the tank a couple of times with 5.6 gallons on a refill.
I’ve never run out and have ridden 40 miles with the light on numerous times……I do slow down when the light begins to flash for better mileage.

 

[Cycledude]

Went over 50 miles with the fuel warning thing flashing, but I also slowed way down hoping to extend the range, when I finally got to the very small town where there was supposed to be gas the gas station was closed but fortunately there was another station about a mile down the road, I made it there and took 6 gallons to fill it full. I felt Very lucky !

 

[thughes317]

To the closest gas station......

 

[Drif10]

The danger in getting this intel from the various users is fuel source, riding location, and loads.

Fuel source: users in Europe are generally reporting 15% or better mileage because of fuel quality, and a lot less corn filler. I'm in Ontario, Canada. In the summer if I'm just fueling up here, I get 40 mpg. If it's on winter fuel, 36. If I ride south of central Virginia, 45-48. Non ethanol in the South, 51. Same rider, my style and speeds don't vary much.

Average speeds vary, take Texas for example. Their averages are reported at 15 mph more than I can do here without getting pinched.

My wife and I driving the same car, I get better mileage. And she's a solid driver, doesn't rabbit, does the same speeds as me at about 10 over. Most of it is my old truck driving habits of reading farther ahead on a road, and getting out of the throttle a bit earlier when approaching off ramps and lights. So your style can really skew mileage numbers.

Ball park for me, the feed me light hits at 300 kms, about 190 miles, and there's about 4 liters/1 US gallon minimum left.

 

[Fennellg]

Be aware of your environment. I always take note of how much gas I put in minus my capacity. I know know what fuel I had in my tank before fill up. Now take note of how many miles on your trip meter.

Example. I pumped 5.5 gallons in minis 6 gallon. I now know I had a .5 gallon margin or 20 miles left give or take. I went 220 miles. Note to self 240 is it. No more go.

 

[sheikyerbooty]

I figure 80kms reserve to be safe. Best range I ever got was 465kms from a tank, Trip-F came on at 335, so 130kms of reserve! But I've run out at 90kms reserve. So 80 it is for me.

 

[Avalanche123]

Kinda off topic but my fuel tank usually gets me about 250km before I need to take a leak and a quick break so I generally do that and fill up at same time. My HD fuel gauge was far more accurate than my 2018 ST. "Distance to Empty" is just fluff on this bike.

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . My HD fuel gauge was far more accurate than my 2018 ST. . . .

I just put it down to the Tenere's tank shape. The H-D's tank is more uniform.