Running out of fuel

[Bryn]

Recently changed my tank, and the LCD display seems to be reading slightly low...?
The plan is to run the tank dry to see just how far I've got left in the tank once the amber light comes on.
I've tried siphoning out the contents and it only appears I have about a pint left when the light comes on. The LCD bars have completely disappeared before the fuel light illuminates.
If i run it dry, and carry a can of fuel, is it easy enough to add fuel and crank it over a few times, or will priming be a problem?

Thanks in advance... bryn

 

[Fanum]

Don't think the priming will be a prob Bryn......I believe it'd the fuel pump you'll knacker first from running it whilst dry.

 

[MikeO]

No problem running it to dry - priming's not an issue (it's not a diesel, though it sometimes sounds like one...).

It won't do the pump any good if you do it regularly, but I think running it dry once, so you know how far it'll get you in extremis, is a good idea. All bikes/gauges differ, so you need to know the numbers for your bike.

If you were low on fuel & looking for a petrol station, you'd run it dry looking, wouldn't you - what's the difference?

Mike

 

[judge]

Someone I know has run their 1150 tank dry and it 'pulsed' for a moment then died. Rather fortunately I, erm he was passing a petrol station when it happened - no damage done. Filled up, turned over a couple of times then

 

[MiGSel]

A friend of mine ran his 1150 dry once. Yes, the yellow one with the huge TT 41 liter tank!

I took 4 - 5 of these Fanta bottles of petrol to get it running again. I'm not sure whether it's different with a standard tank, but it seems like a good idea to take along enough fuel if you plan to run it dry.

Cheers,
Michel

 

[BiG DoM]

There should be no problem running it dry - just do not run the pump for a extended period dry - the pump depends on the petrol to lube and cool it (an it is an expensive replacement part). If your bike is a non- Adv it does not have a cross over pipe and so a good litre or more petrol can reside in the LHS tank lobe once the bike is 'empty'. This is a good thing to know as one can then tilt the bike on its side allowing that fuel to flow to the pump side and often make it to the petrol station. This has got me out a fix a few times.

 

[(RIP) maverick]

My 1100 went onto the reserve light on 219 miles this morning, now I have never run it dry but think there is at least another 40 miles in the tank left assuming the 94' model plastic tank is really 25 liters. Most I have put in there was around 24.3 which seems close enough.

And nearly forgot to add I have also helped a member out with a 35 liter tank PD ahemmm but we used a coke bottle as a funnel

 

[Geordie Foote]

Running Dry

Its not so much the fuel pump I'd be worried about but damaging the Cat would be a concern.

 

[BiG DoM]

Re: Running Dry

Its not so much the fuel pump I'd be worried about but damaging the Cat would be a concern.

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[Bryn]

Thanks to all- Not had a chance to try it yet but a trip is imminent! Cheers Bryn

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

If you do run it dry, once you have re-filled don't crank it over straight away.

Turn the ignition on and off a few times untill the bubbling sound from the pump stops and a 'normal' whine is heard... the pump will then be primed and ready for take off