Fuel Reserve? (when our fuel gauge starts blinking)

[thork86]

Just curious exactly how much gas is left in the tank when our fuel gauge starts blinking at us in our 1800 Valkyrie? See below for query background...

I was out cruising and realized the big Valk was running out of gas (or so I thought) when my fuel gauge started blinking at me following the final bar on the digital gauge.

So I stopped, filled it up to the brim of the tank and the gas pump told me I only filled about 4.8 gallons.

As far as I know (Honda spec sheet) our tanks have a 6 gallon capacity.

I was sitting on the bike so it wasn't on the kickstand or anything. Could that be why it took less than 5 gallons to fill the tank?

I guess my big question here is.... how much gas is left in the tank once my fuel gauge starts blinking at me?

[Jess from VA]

I cannot speak to the 1800, but my Intestate is advertised as a 1.1 gal reserve.  The fuel gauge bars go out and start blinking at me a while before the bike stumbles to reserve.  And there are times when I go down to one bar, then back to two, and times when the blinking starts, and then back to one bar (gas sloshing around in tank).

I think the bars and blinking are not exact science.  But when you stumble to reserve, I am pretty close to 1.1 gal left..... I don't know what the 1800 reserve is supposed to be.  I get better than 30mpg, but when I go to reserve, I make believe I only have 25 miles to find a gas station. 

Next time you get the blinking, note the mileage and intentionally run it till it stumbles to reserve and note the miles again (and remember it or write it down).  This may vary a bit from bike to bike, so you need to do your own investigating.

Perhaps FI bikes don't have reserve, I can't remember.  I do remember it is not good to run them dry.

Bars - Blink - Reserve - Empty - Walk 

[thork86]

Hey thanks for that reply!

Yeah I don't see or think there is an ACTUAL reserve switch like I'm used to, but that's what I meant; how much more gas is in the tank once that light starts blinking. I'm not trying to stumble/run dry on this bike without a real reserve switch!  

And the 1.1gallon estimated remaining fuel in the tank sounds about right, since I filled around 4.8gal.

Thanks again for the reply!

[Jess from VA]

OK with no petcock reserve, you need to keep track of how much gas she takes after the light starts blinking (and how many miles you had to ride after the blinking started but before you got gas).  And subtract it from a full tank.  Also computing your avg miles per gallon.  In time, you should have a pretty good idea how much gas, and how many miles are left, after the light flashes.  (and compare it to what the manual says, it should say something)

If there are two trip meters, you can also zero one as soon as the light flashes.  Even with a gas gauge, I always reset my tripmeter(s) at every fill up, because I trust my miles more than I do my led bars.  My two interstates are pretty well consistent at 220 to reserve (barring 80mph and/or headwinds).

What you are looking for is consistency..... so you have a reliable idea of how much time you have before you will run dry.

But there is also one other important variable, and that is you must consistently fill your tank to the same level on top ups.  I have no idea about the new valk, but with the Interstate, once the pump shuts off, you can easily get another half gallon in the tank, if the pump will allow a slow feed (most do, but some will not).  And I always fill a center-fill tank like the old valk while sitting on the bike level, not on the side stand (some don't like to).  It is not that big a deal on daily riding, but I get every bit of gas in I can on trips (but with no backwash).  Most trips for me are more freeway and it is the only time I tend to ride tank to tank, so it is time to pay attention.

[hungryeye]

Yesterday I had 1 bar showing, not blinking. Took 4.4 gal at 190.7 miles = 43.34 mpg. I'm ok with the MPG's, bike only has 500+ miles on it. I'll run it to 220 miles for next fill up. I'll prolly say that I should stop for fuel at 200 miles just to keep it safe from run out. I am an average rider, not slow not fast, I'll blow the carbon out regularly to keep it running smooth.

[maddoggie501]

On my most recent 1200 mile trip I was pretty amazed with the fuel economy.  I did several fill ups.  50.5 was the highest and 43 was the lowest.  One tank was 47.  Not bad.  I filled up about every 200 miles.  I did not wait for the warning light to come on.. In the county side of New Mexico gas stations can be far apart.  I was using 91 octane on all fill ups.

[_Sheffjs_]

When I get my new 2014 Valk (soon) I will take a small gas can with me on some quiet roads and run until it stumbles and kill it the second it does and pour the can in and go get more gas.   Take odo reads then. Great to hear the good mileage you all are getting. 

[hubcapsc]

When I get my new 2014 Valk (soon) I will take a small gas can with me on some quiet roads and run until it stumbles and kill it the second it does and pour the can in and go get more gas.   Take odo reads then. Great to hear the good mileage you all are getting. 

I'm at one bar, or blinking even, by around 175...

Making sure I get gas at 175 is pretty cool, since us Tourer riders usually
start looking at around 100... some people's Tourer's go to reserve at
around 135, but mine, usually 115...

-Mike

[F6Dave]

I read that the biggest reason the reserve valve has disappeared from so many bikes is the catalytic converters.  The cats normally generate a lot of heat, and when they are run with a lean air/fuel mixture (like when running out of fuel/switching to reserve) they can get hot enough to damage the unit.  Doing this on a regular basis can destroy the cat.  I'd think running out of fuel can be hard on the injectors as well.

[_Sheffjs_]

I think the key is hit the kill switch the second one feels the first stumble.  Fill with gas and turn key and fuel pump on.

[hungryeye]

The only reason manual reserve valve isn't on modern bikes is fuel injection. The reserve valve works fine with carb bikes, fuel will not pressurize and circulate fast enough when run dry, not good riding down a fast moving freeway. It is why all EFI bikes have fuel guage or idiot light or both.

[_Sheffjs_]

So don't chance it!!  Ok.   

[thork86]

I should have phrased this thread differently: "How much gas is left in the tank after my fuel gauge starts blinking at me?" 

And the answer is "About a gallon."
 

[_Sheffjs_]

I asked a newer wing owner he said the same thing. About 1gal

[Bamaburt62]

Anyone noticed if you take the time and keep putting a little fuel at a time without overflowing the tank you can get an extra gallon in tank.  I assume with me doing this each time in filling tank to capacity.  Time consuming though.

[thork86]

Anyone noticed if you take the time and keep putting a little fuel at a time without overflowing the tank you can get an extra gallon in tank.  I assume with me doing this each time in filling tank to capacity.  Time consuming though.

Never noticed this, no.

You're saying fill it slowly, like 1 gallon, wait a little bit, another gallon, wait some more, etc?

Instead of only filling 4.5ish you can fill 5.5ish gallons?

Interesting...

[Jess from VA]

Sit on the bike centered up.  Fill fast till it shuts off the pump, then lean in and look down the hole and slowly fill the rest of the way as slow as the pump will allow, stopping a few times to let the bubbles clear (you have to hold the nozzle just inside the neck).  Some pumps will not let you go slow enough. 

Max fill-up is only for when you will continue riding.  If you put it in the garage on the side stand filled right to the top, heat may expand it and push it out the overflow/vent (maybe on hot pipes/engine).   

[thork86]

Sit on the bike centered up.  Fill fast till it shuts off the pump, then lean in and look down the hole and slowly fill the rest of the way as slow as the pump will allow, stopping a few times to let the bubbles clear (you have to hold the nozzle just inside the neck).  Some pumps will not let you go slow enough. 

Max fill-up is only for when you will continue riding.  If you put it in the garage on the side stand filled right to the top, heat may expand it and push it out the overflow/vent (maybe on hot pipes/engine).   

Thanks for this! 

[Bamaburt62]

Yes the overflow will kick in if you over fill the bike so like in above text don't do this if your not riding.  Got over a gallon extra a few minutes ago but it takes about 5 to 10 mins considering how slow pump will flow.  You have to put a little at a time but it can be done one click right after another with nozzle.  Gets me an extra 40 or so before light comes on.  I'm only getting about 33 mpg but I ride really aggressively.  Anyone else checked their mileage?

[thork86]

Yes the overflow will kick in if you over fill the bike so like in above text don't do this if your not riding.  Got over a gallon extra a few minutes ago but it takes about 5 to 10 mins considering how slow pump will flow.  You have to put a little at a time but it can be done one click right after another with nozzle.  Gets me an extra 40 or so before light comes on.  I'm only getting about 33 mpg but I ride really aggressively.  Anyone else checked their mileage?

Just dividing the miles travelled by the ammt filled according to the pump (filling to the same level as I always do), last tank I got 40. The tank before was 35.

Like you, I ride pretty spiritedly but not all the time. Plenty of steady throttle, too.

Usually there's at least one triple-digit speed run per tank  

[Bamaburt62]

The new girl likes triple digits.

[thork86]

The new girl likes triple digits.

Absolutely does 

Of course, this might mean I will never get a "best mpg tank" because the temptation to speed is always there!