Low Fuel light

[Steve do]

I rung it out today, wanted to see how far I could go on a full tank, at 242 mules the fuel light still hadn't come on, I cut the bike off going down the highway to make sure it worked. I knew I have been getting between 41 and 43 MPH, I knew the next gas stop was a few miles away, so I stopped, (I had a gallon of gas sitting in the garage my wife could bring me if it ran out, planned ahead). Is there anything special to do if it runs out?? When I filled up it took 5.8 gallons, if I remember correct it holds 6.1 gal. I guess something in the sending unit is messed up, any ideas??


Any help appreciated!!!!!

[debron]

Assuming the 6.1 (or is it 6.2?) capacity is correct, when my fuel light comes on I still have slightly more than one gallon left, maybe 1.1 or 1.2. Your issue could be the sending unit.

I ran out of gas on the XII once but had a one gallon can in the saddle bags. Just poured the gas in the tank. Took a bit of cranking but it started up and was fine.

[joerod777]

My fuel reserve light on my 2003 Voyager is not reliable and I once ran out of gas north of Atlanta and the light never came on so I go by the mileage. I get 41 mpg so I top off when I get between 200-225 miles on a tank. I've heard from others that their reserve lights are also unpredictable as well. I also make it a habit when on long trips to keep a liter of fuel in the saddlebag just in case. Once at the Grand Canyon I ran into a stiff headwind that cut my mileage down to about 25 mpg...pretty scary when no gas stations nearby.

[Steve do]

Thanks everyone, my 1988 the light would come on when I had about a gallon left in it also. When I travel on long trips I plan to carry a gallon also. I didn't know if you had to turn the ignition on and off a few time for about 10 seconds to get the pump to pick up like on some vehicles. I will look at the sending unit when I get a chance. If I find something I will let everyone know. Thanks

[SgtSlag]

Carrying a liter/gallon of gasoline in a saddlebag sounds a bit dangerous to me. We just fill up every 150 miles, or so. We average 43 MPG. We forgot about the gas gauge a couple of years ago, thought we were extremely low, so I slowed down to 45 MPH, which will give about the best mileage possible (35-45 MPH is supposed to be the sweet spot), and we rode until we found a gas pump. When I filled it, we had around 2 gallons left, in spite of the gauge reading below 1/8 tank. Like I said, we usually gas up every 150 miles, just to be safe. Gassing up also gives us a stretch break -- we need those far more often than we need gas, but it's all good.

If you want to carry gasoline onboard, I'd recommend a fuel cell. They're a specially made gas tank, designed to carry gasoline. They're more expensive than a plastic gas can, but they are much safer, as well. Cheers!

[jre258 in SoDak]

The store in which I work sells fuel for chainsaws in sealed quart and gallon cans. The shelf life is supposed to be five years, two years if you break the seal. I think that there is even a 4 cycle fuel available. I think that a quart of either would survive in a saddle bag without posing to much of a danger.
Jim

[voyager55]

Just go by your mileage and use the trip meter

[joerod777]

TruFuel in sealed cans for 4 cycle engines no ethanol:

http://www.trufuel50.com/product-info/? ... fgodKh8Anw

You can order online from Home Depot or other stores

[kjsett]

I rung it out today, wanted to see how far I could go on a full tank, at 242 mules the fuel light still hadn't come on, I cut the bike off going down the highway to make sure it worked. I knew I have been getting between 41 and 43 MPH, I knew the next gas stop was a few miles away, so I stopped, (I had a gallon of gas sitting in the garage my wife could bring me if it ran out, planned ahead). Is there anything special to do if it runs out?? When I filled up it took 5.8 gallons, if I remember correct it holds 6.1 gal. I guess something in the sending unit is messed up, any ideas??


Any help appreciated!!!!!

My bike ('03) holds 1.2g when the light comes on. When I bought it i wondered when it would but it never did. Went on a trip pulling a trailer and twice put in 5.9g (too close). Finished the trip with a 1g can strapped to the back of the trailer.
My gauge gets to the bottom of E and then still has about 40 miles before the light comes on.
Last year I gave up on guessing and bought a replacement sensor. No problem changing (right below the seat), just make sure you have 1/2 tank or less. Be very careful about sparks and ignition sources anywhere close. I seem to remember it was around $85 for the part online.
Cheaper than waiting for someone to bring gas and or being stuck somewhere in the middle of the night.
As to amount left, twice I rode until the light came on and went to the 1st gas station (both less than a mile) and thats how I came up with 1.2g.
Course gassing up on a trip in the west is more of a consideration because you can find areas with 30 to 60miles between fill ups. I also use Gas Buddy to travel as it has saved me up to 50cent/gal by stopping a little early.
Actually now when traveling with my sweetie, distance between fills is determined by her 97 vulcan 800. It gets 55mpg (sometimes 60mpg) on the average and she usually goes on reserve at about 155 miles (4.1 gallon tank). She still has .8 gallons, but prefers not to live in the unknown of how far this time. So I plan gas stops no more than 170 miles, but prefer under 160.
If your light hasn't come on by 220 miles, you can be pretty sure the sensor is shot. I sent my bad one off to someone (can't remember at the moment) to see if they can find a cheaper fix. Haven't heard if they had any success.
Enjoy

[gearheadfla]

I use the fuel gauge for a estimate only, even now on my Nomad, with my XII I went by mileage, 200 miles, get gas, that is about two hours on the highway and time for a little break anyway, my XII got 50mpg, now on my Nomad I get more "breaks" at 33MPG My car gets better mileage on the Highway.

[Mr Jensee]

I have yet to take any long trips on my XII but I would not pay attention to the light. If your trip meter works, figure out how many miles you ride when you have a half gallon left in the tank and don't worry about it. I grab gas when mine hits about 222 miles. It seems to be about 3/4 of a gallon left at that point. Remember that the light is a luxury that most motorcycles don't have. Most everyone goes by their odometer or their trip meters as a matter of routine. Good riding to you.

[debron]

So, does no one but me use the gas gauge? Isn't that what it's for?

The needle on my gauge goes past "E", then pegs against the bottom pin. Several miles later the low fuel light comes on and I have a little more than one gallon left. The light can come on at 200 miles, or 250. My gas mileage varies considerably according to how fast I ride, the terrain, and the wind - strong headwinds, cross winds, or tail wind all affect my mileage. Therefore, using mileage as a "gauge" doesn't really work for me, although I always get at least 200 miles out of a tank so I could use 200 miles as a gauge.

But I like using the gas gauge. The low fuel light is just a bonus and let's me know that yup! it's time to look for gas! If my low fuel light was not working I'd be looking for gas when the gauge hit "E" and before it hit the bottom pin, but wouldn't worry too much until 20-30 miles after it hit the pin. Actually, that's what I generally do.


But here's the real trick! Ride with other bikers who do not ride a XII - You always get better mileage and/or more miles to a tank than they will. (A 250 CC bike might get better mileage but will have a very small tank so can't go as far.) If you fill up when they do, you'll never be in danger of running out of gas!

[96desertXII]

My gauge is pegged past full (haven't really tried to find out why yet), but my low fuel light works with about a gallon left. I've only seen it come on once, but usually start looking for a fuel stop at 200 miles on the trip meter.

[Chris near Kansas City]

So, does no one but me use the gas gauge? Isn't that what it's for?

Just you and me, Ron.

[Lucasind]

....make that 3

[ekap1200]

I use my gauge, starts to move off full at 2.5 gal ; then empty at 5 gal ; light on right after that. I go 200 to 225 between fuel ups out on the highway. But I also watch my trip meter and reset it on fill ups. I could squeeze 250 out of the tank unless I'm a hummin it out on the super-slab 75 to 85 mph. ekap1200

[cushman eagle]

I use my gauge,and know I have a safe 50 miles after the gauge stops moving.The light comes on maybe 30 miles after the gauge stops and I have 1.1 gallons left.I average 49, odometer corrected, MPG and often get gas in the 250 mile range, if I know there is going to be gas when I want.

[Steve do]

Took the seat off to look at the sending unit, it was very clean, not like some of the ones I saw on E-bay. The blue wire goes to the Little round tube at the bottom. I bent the float rod just a little hoping it would show the correct reading, ( instead of showing empty when you still have 2 gal left). I guess the little unit at the bottom is messed up, I cut the wire, that didn't work, soldered it back, now that I'm typing this I guess I should have grounded it to see if that makes the light come on, will try that later, right now it is 70 outside, time to ride, burn some gas and see if the float rod modifications work better. Like everybody says, I have been getting gas between 200 and 220 miles. I did get 2 cans of the trugas for long trips. Will keep everyone posted, it is supposed to rain tomorrow, will try the grounding thing to see if that works.

Before anyone ask, I turned the key on, light burns, cranked it, light goes out, will ground it tomorrow, if light comes unit is BAD.

[kjsett]

Personally, I didn't like the look of the used ones on Ebay. For the price difference I figured new would last for years and a used one might last a week (if it worked at all). I felt for the peace of mind, the replacement cost was worth it and it took longer to take the seat off than the part replacement. But then I do travel the wild west where stations can be few and far between.
Just IMHO,
Ken

[richardb, austin]

Steven, When you ride with me at Junction later this month, we won't be taxing our fuel supply. LSV goes by the creed" "the only time you have too much gas is when you're on fire".

richardb, Austin aka SpeedBall