The mysterious case of the re-appearing petrol

Doctorbiker

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I have just given my 1150gs its first serious long run. The fuel light came on, rather early I thought, but experience told me I had about 2 litres or so left. Was there a petrols station within 20 miles? No, but there was one at 25.

Thing is, as I was coming into the petrol station, thinking I was running on fumes, the yellow light went out and a bar appeared on the fuel gauge. I could only get 18 litres in.

The quesiton is then, not knowing the bike too well, when at high speeds, is the petrol gauge / yellow light a bit pesimistic? Does it actually tell you that you have less fuel than you actually do?

Puzzled,

Sean
 
I believe ANY fuel guage as much as i believe a politicians promise.
Manufacturing differences,changes brought about when changing the fuel filter etc may mean 2 litres left in one tank when orange light comes on and 4 litres in another.Best plan is to get familiar with what your own bike uses and its tank range and use the guage as just a reminder.You know,start looking for fuel when there's 2 bars left.
 
I have always found the fuel light to come on at about 165 miles. The only exception being if left on side stand at about 130-140 miles, then the light comes on, and then goes out 10 miles later and then comes back on at 165 as usual.
 
Petrol

You will find this happens, like going up hill it drops and then going down hill
you've got more petrol!, think it's possibly the tank shape dosent help.
If you get worried do a chweck with the milage trip fill up and set trip, then when it gets low check the milage then you'll have a good idea of range.
I've started carrying a spare can full of petrol no probs.
dave gs.
 
I suppose the only way to get to know it is to carry a can of petrol and run it until it does stop. I had a k75 for 6 years and knew exacltly how many miles I could do before it ran dry.

Thanks for your help.

Sean
 
Doctorbiker said:
I suppose the only way to get to know it is to carry a can of petrol and run it until it does stop. I had a k75 for 6 years and knew exacltly how many miles I could do before it ran dry.

Thanks for your help.

Sean
Click to expand...


Good idea but still not a sure fire way of finding out the limits of your range. Do you have panniers/top box fitted all the time? When you do the amount of stuff in them will weight the bike down and use up a bit more go-juice. Like-wise having a passenger will make a difference. Your riding style contributes as well - are you first away from the lights? riding against the wind? No point saying it will run out at xxx miles cos it will probably be dry at mmm or yyy miles. I start looking for fuel when the orange light comes on or after 180 miles or after 2 hours non-stop (need a comfort break :augie). Always seem to get 18-19 litres in - which is fine be me

don't be too worried about it - just enjoy it.
 
If it’s of any use I view my fuel “gauge” as a indicator rather than a gauge, then I not disappointed… There are too many variables for a gauge to be accurate.
As a rule of thumb I refill the tank around to 2 bar mark is on the RID as it’s a heavy bike to push to the garage!
 
try this...

well you think you have run out of petrol,lay the bike on the right side, and hey presto another 10 miles available, if you do a long motorway ride, it seems to use up all the fuel on the right side of the tank, leaving untouched fuel in the othe other side,it cannot transfer across very easily, well it doesnt on mine anyhow, i have the 22 lt tank without a balance pipe.
regards PAul
 
On a long steady cruise the fuel doesn't slop around much so you don't use what is in the left lobe of the tank. You can easily find that the light comes on at 165-180 miles.

When safe to do so drop a gear or two and brake firmly/accelerate smartly a couple of times and all the fuel slopping around will be spread over both lobes and the light will go out.

My 1150GS with cat and stubby pipe seems to be v.good on fuel. Gentle wet weather riding and running it to dry has previously given me 279 miles on a standard tank solo with big lid system panniers. I usually see the fuel light at about 200-220 miles in normal use and know that I'm good for 250.

At higher speeds on fast trips I'll fill up within 30 miles of the fuel light coming on.
 
I'll fill up within 30 miles of the fuel light coming on.


Blimey, you're brave. I wouldn't dream of going 30 miles with the fuel light on........:eek::clap
 
Doctorbiker said:
I have just given my 1150gs its first serious long run. The fuel light came on, rather early I thought, but experience told me I had about 2 litres or so left. Was there a petrols station within 20 miles? No, but there was one at 25.

Thing is, as I was coming into the petrol station, thinking I was running on fumes, the yellow light went out and a bar appeared on the fuel gauge. I could only get 18 litres in.

The quesiton is then, not knowing the bike too well, when at high speeds, is the petrol gauge / yellow light a bit pesimistic? Does it actually tell you that you have less fuel than you actually do?

Puzzled,

Sean
Click to expand...

Mine has done exactly the same on several occasions - light always come on between 170 and 190 miles and I usually fill up within 20 miles. On a couple of occasions have found the same as you - light goes out after 20 miles, one bar comes on and light then comes back on after 10-15 miles. Have found that even after 220 miles can still only get 20 litres in. Have not found changing angle of bike or accelerating/decelarating makes any difference. Have never run out of fuel but get a bit jittery after 200 miles!

Have noticed that when I do fill to the brim the fuel bars do not appear right to the top of the RID display, and do not know if they are supposed to? May explain problem and show that fuel sender is not quite right? :nenau
 
It's exactly as Packer says, there is always some fuel in the left lobe especially during a 'gentle' run so you need to give the fuel a reason to 'slosh' over to the other side....:thumb2

There was a kit that could be fitted to syphon the juice from one side to the other, not sure where the link is though...
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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