We've all done it.

[mark81]

I just dropped my nephew off at school and was heading home. Got about halfway there and the bike started to sputter. I reached down to flip over to reserve and, you guessed it, already there.  Its been a few weeks since I last used reserve and must've forgotten to switch back when I filled up.   So here I am sitting on the side of the road with my morning cigarette and coffee and no bathroom waiting on my sister to bring me some gas. Someone had posted a poll a few days ago on facebook about whether or not our valks should have a fuel guage. I definitely miss that about my interstate right now. There were times I got 200 miles to a tank before reserve on it also. Miss that too. With my standard I get 120 tops usually 110 and I have to switch over. 

Oh well at least its a nice morning, I got Caleb to school on time, and Lori should be here within 45 minutes. Life can be inconvenient at times but I've learned that you have to make a decision to find the positive. It can be hard at times. In the past I would have been pissed, screaming and yelling. This would have ruined my day but I can't live like that anymore.  Anyway Just bored sitting here and figured I'd give you all something to chuckle about. This dumbass ran out of gas AGAIN. but like I said in the subject line, we've all done it.

[RDKLL]

Been there, done that, got the t shirt. The last time it happened on the Valk...I was on the freeway and got lucky, was right at an exit. Coasted thru the stop sign and rolled up to the pump.
I even managed to run out of gas on the Super Duke GT...and it has a gage, a blinking warning, and a "0 miles until empty" message. I got 249.7 miles out of that tank and only had to push it from the gate at the entry to our community to the house...about 1/8th mile

[hubcapsc]

we've all done it.

Not me.

Well... once on the 1500... and the 1800... and that time on the Sportster...

-Mike "do cars count?"

[The emperor has no clothes]

Thanks for reminding me I'm not alone in my dumbassness. I think you are wise to move on from the ranting and raving. I need to do a better job with that myself. 

[Willow]

Good choice on your change in disposition. You'll live longer for that.

That said if you're regularly hitting reserve at 100 - 120 your not getting nearly enough from a tank of fuel.  That could be either from really poor fuel mileage or just not putting enough in the tank.  If it's the latter you're almost a full gallon short.  That seems unlikely.

[Black Dog]

I don't remember who gave me this 'tip', but when I switch to reserve, I slide the cover for the gas cap key hole to the open position, as a visual reminder to gas up at the next chance.  That way, if I switch to reserve just before parking for the day, I get a reminder the next time I swing a leg over 

Black Dog

[Ice]

That said if you're regularly hitting reserve at 100 - 120 your not getting nearly enough from a tank of fuel.  That could be either from really poor fuel mileage or just not putting enough in the tank.  If it's the latter you're almost a full gallon short.  That seems unlikely.

I agree with Willow, I usually go about 160 on a tank before hitting reserve. On our way home from GOTF I actually got 187 miles on a tank and a bit of reserve (put in 4.9 GAL) and that was at interstate speeds 75-80 mph. You have no idea how many times I checked to make sure I was not already on reserve.
I have actually made it a habit to check my petcock while riding, not that someone decides to mess with it or I forgot to switch back.
You may want to check how much fuel your putting in and if your bike is tuned right. just my .02 cents

[da prez]

  Mark , I go to reserve at about 140 to 150. That is if the twisty thing behaves. I do 38 to 42 and have gotten higher on trips. I have also gone to reserve at 92 miles. I was doing 85 to 105 pulling ( I think the trailer was pushing) the trailer. I kept it down to around 80 after that. Check and sync the carbs. But , enjoy the bike. They are addictive.

                                              da prez

[Willow]

...
I have actually made it a habit to check my petcock while riding, not that someone decides to mess with it or I forgot to switch back.
You may want to check how much fuel your putting in and if your bike is tuned right. just my .02 cents

LOL!  We may have some things in common.  As I ride I periodically press the turn signal button lest I've left it on, press the choke to the home position and reach down to the petcock to verify its position. 

[Chrisj CMA]

I ran out of gas once because the petcock was malfunctioning and I was pushing it a bit as far as distance.  I remember thinking I should be going on reserve any second and Ill still have 25 miles or so and the last sign said 18 miles to the next town.  Well you know the rest of the story.  The knob was on "on" (or at least it looked like on) but it was feeding like it was already on reserve.

I never usually rely on reserve and that one time I did I got bit.  I mentally calculate my miles-to-empty based on the trip meter, speed and conditions and get gas appropriately before needing reserve.  It has served well for 15 years.  I think in 160,000 plus miles I have hit reserve two or three times.

[Gavin_Sons]

i can say i have never ran out of gas in anything except the lawnmower.

[Tailgate Tommy]

I bought one of these for the saddle bag just in case, but only carry it on trips.

REDA Innovations Fuel Can RGC1001
https://www.amazon.com/REDA-Innovations-Fuel-Can-RGC1001/dp/B003WHBVDI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492699939&sr=8-1&keywords=saddle+bag+gas+can

[Gryphon Rider]

I haven't run out on the Valk yet.  I have on my '81 CM400T, but that was a short push to the gas station, and that bike is only four or five hundred pounds.

I posted this in the To Reserve or Not to Reserve thread a year ago:

Once I was heading west between Moose Jaw and Swift Current on my '82 GS850L, and as I was passed by a Corvette, I could see the LEDs of a radar detector on his sun visor.  I did what any sensible young man in his early 20's would do, and matched his speed at a distance far enough back to not be caught with him, but still able to easily see his brake lights, should they light up.  What I didn't count on was the rate of fuel use at 50-60 km/h over the limit.  When I hit reserve far sooner than expected, I started to worry, and slowed down to the speed limit.  The bike sputtered just as I was cresting the final hill before Swift Current, and I blew through the stop sign at the bottom of the exit ramp, barely managing to coast up to the gas pumps.

[msb]

Riding 2 up on most of my longer rides the past 35+ years, I can't really remember running out of gas on the bike during this time...my naturally over-adventurous nature seems to be evenly compensated by my wife/co-pilot's naturally over-cautious nature  

I've certainly come close several times especially when riding solo such as last year enroute to Inzane in WV, and have done so in the truck on occasion though. I do like that little 1-gallon gas can ...looked for something in that configuration last year and couldn't find anything. No room for it on long 2 up rides, but it will be handy to have on future solo trips

[mark81]

 Mark , I go to reserve at about 140 to 150. That is if the twisty thing behaves. I do 38 to 42 and have gotten higher on trips. I have also gone to reserve at 92 miles. I was doing 85 to 105 pulling ( I think the trailer was pushing) the trailer. I kept it down to around 80 after that. Check and sync the carbs. But , enjoy the bike. They are addictive.

                                              da prez

Yea that twisty thing moves real easy on mine.   I still need to get the intake orings on it you gave me (Thanks again btw)  and fazer lives pretty close and said i could use his digisync.   When I fill up i get 4-4.5 gallons in it.   I've gotten as low as 17 mpg but that was bulling the boat reaching triple digits or staying near most of the trip.



 I found a leaking vacuum diaphragm in the petcock after that and got a honda rebuild kit. That was about 15000 miles ago last summer.  

[old2soon]

While I have hit reserve on my I/S up to this point in time I have not run out. I damn sure do NOT wanna push that monster and If you've seen me without knowing me and a gnarly as I look folks would be hard pressed to stop fer me! And I AM quite anal bout payin attention to miles to next fuel stop. On Long trips with an early start my first fuel run is generally/usually the longest. They-fuel runs-git shorter as the day progresses and warms up. I duz Like the idea of moving that key cover over after hittin reserve. Course I'll move it look at it and wonder-zackly Who in the hell moved the durned key cover?   And WHY is it NOT Where its sposed to be?   IF I Don't fuel around 25 miles from the house on the way home there is 3 gas stations here in town. I have 3 Murphys bout 22-25 miles from my Casa. You know what else happens fuel related? There IS always one or two dumbasses that fergitted to top up before a group ride/poker run!   I really luv those folks!   RIDE SAFE.

[RDAbull]

The last thing my Wife said was "Do you have enough Gas to get home?"

Sure...........aw crap.

15 years ago, but I will never have the chance to forget it.

[Jess from VA]

I've never run out, but I've sweated a long and careful reserve several times.

I regularly get 220 to reserve on my interstates (but I take time to carefully top to near overflow almost every time I fill up.... like at my one closest nonethanol pump 50 miles from home).

Once, worrying gas on the BRP, I made it just over 250 miles before hitting reserve.

Switch to reserve, go into conservation mode.  On my interstates, as soon as I hit reserve, I reset one of my two trip meters figuring I can get between 30 and 40 more miles.  Hit 15 miles past reserve (about half gone), start throttle-off coasting down all hills and just putting along in 5th or 4th.  Trying to coax it to go forward with only the slightest use of any throttle, rolling.  Son of a gun, a gas station.  6.7 gallons (of 6.9)

I don't like it.  You will not push a Valk far on the BRP.  You will roll to the bottom of the last hill, look up the next, and go screw that.   (the Hulk could probably do it)

[Ice]

...
I have actually made it a habit to check my petcock while riding, not that someone decides to mess with it or I forgot to switch back.
You may want to check how much fuel your putting in and if your bike is tuned right. just my .02 cents

LOL!  We may have some things in common.  As I ride I periodically press the turn signal button lest I've left it on, press the choke to the home position and reach down to the petcock to verify its position. 

Willow, we have more in common than we knew, I do all the same things, such as the choke and the turn signal. Whenever I check the choke though I always think, why did you not just look at it??? 

[Hooter]

I have never run out either. In the spring I intentionally run my bike on reserve for 80 miles or so. Then I fill up with fresh gas. I know my Valk will be out at 125 miles so I keep a good eye on it. I turn my petcock off if I'm not riding so I turn it on before I start the bike. I don't like being a roadside attraction.

[..]

Twice. Both on a Valkyrie

Once in MT somewhere and saved by a fisherman.

Once in Idaho and saved by an RV'er.

After that I started carrying a couple of fuel reserve bottles when on long trips.

No problems when on the ST1300. Fuel capacity of 7.7 gallons and 42mpg.

Now on a Valkyrie again I have a 1 gallon motorcycle can for the saddlebag.

https://www.amazon.com/REDA-Innovations-Fuel-Can-RGC1001/dp/B003WHBVDI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1492712408&sr=8-3&keywords=1-gallon+gas+can

[Wizzard]

I have done it twice in 11 years,, wife wont let me forget either one.
I never get more than 140  before switching as it sputters. As a matter of habit,,,I just fill up at 130.

[Oss]

A lot of my Valkyrie riding is long distances and with my knees I just
need to stretch out by the time I get to 150 miles which is about 2 hours

I can't ride a 10-12 hr day without stopping to use bathroom, drink water and gas up every 2 hrs.

Have Never ran out of gas but did sputter up to a gas pump once -  dont think I have been on reserve more than 3 times in 15 yrs. the last time chasing Psycho in Arizona while he really tore up the highway T-bird style in his compressor Mercedes on the way to BigBf's house   

[cookiedough]

 Mark , I go to reserve at about 140 to 150. That is if the twisty thing behaves. I do 38 to 42 and have gotten higher on trips. I have also gone to reserve at 92 miles. I was doing 85 to 105 pulling ( I think the trailer was pushing) the trailer. I kept it down to around 80 after that. Check and sync the carbs. But , enjoy the bike. They are addictive.

                                              da prez

Yea that twisty thing moves real easy on mine.   I still need to get the intake orings on it you gave me (Thanks again btw)  and fazer lives pretty close and said i could use his digisync.   When I fill up i get 4-4.5 gallons in it.   I've gotten as low as 17 mpg but that was bulling the boat reaching triple digits or staying near most of the trip.



 I found a leaking vacuum diaphragm in the petcock after that and got a honda rebuild kit. That was about 15000 miles ago last summer.  

NO wonder you get such poor gas mileage pulling a small fishing boat all over.  How does it handle?  I have been meaning to pull my ATV88 triton trailer weighing 370lbs. is all with my Valk I/S, but it bounces around pretty bad on the hwy. with NO ATV or heavier object on top, doubt that would be good for handling on a cycle.

ONLY time I REALLY ran out of gas was I was too cheap to put in 1-2 gallons trading in my chevy pickup truck once and thought I believe in 2007 I could get to the dealership on fumes.  I thought wrong was a mere 1-2 miles away from the dealer I was trading in my chevy truck to and it sputtered out luckily NOT on a main road.  Had to call up mother in law in same town to get me 1 gallon of gas to get it the 2 more miles needed before getting rid of it.  Yah, I am a cheap _astard!!

[Hook#3287]

Did it once, about 15 years ago.  I learned that lesson.  Luckily, a nice lady was home at the house I stopped moving at and she gave me a gallon out of her lawn mower gas pump.  She actually had a small gas pump that looked like the old fashion ones with the bubble thingy bouncing around, it was cool.

Since then, I do the same as Willow and Ice and trained myself to check the choke, petcock and turn signals as I head down the road from my house.

[mark81]

I don't always have the boat behind me.  It tows horrible. Anything under 80mph and the wind catches it and throws it side to side. Over 85 it smooths out a bit. Thats why i was near 100 or better the whole trip from Cincinnati to Indianapolis and back

[saddlesore]

I've never run out of gas but I switch over to the reserve on the run a lot.
Several times I stopped for a biker on the side of the road who "ran out of gas" but he never used the reserve.  They get very embarrassed when you ask if they tried the reserve and then it starts. J

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've never run out of gas but I switch over to the reserve on the run a lot.
Several times I stopped for a biker on the side of the road who "ran out of gas" but he never used the reserve.  They get very embarrassed when you ask if they tried the reserve and then it starts. J

Man, that would be embarrassing . 

[$ Ball]

Ever run out of gas?

 Thats why they don't let me fly airplanes.

[Hook#3287]

I've never run out of gas but I switch over to the reserve on the run a lot.
Several times I stopped for a biker on the side of the road who "ran out of gas" but he never used the reserve.  They get very embarrassed when you ask if they tried the reserve and then it starts. J

Ha, that reminds me of a story.

My sister was a vice president in a local bank.  Her boss, the president, Tim, is a very smart and successful guy.  Heck, he started the bank in the early 90's.

He decided he wanted a bike and bought a Road Glide.  One day, he's cruising down the road and he runs out of gas.  He can't believe his stupidity and takes his $300 full face helmet and starts off on foot.

He walking down the road and a burly bald guy with very petite cutie friend/wife/girlfriend, driving a big new Mercedes Benz stops and asks "Is that your Harley back there".

Tim answers yes and the guys says get in.  Says he'll help Tim get it off the road cause you can't leave a bike like that on the side of the road.  Tim has no idea how this dude is going to help, but he's happy to not be walking down the road any longer.

They're going down the road and the guys says to Tim in the mirror "What happened, did it break down or what."

Tim says rather sheepishly "No, I ran out of gas"

The guy says "You put it on reserve?"

Tim says "Reserve?"

The guys stops the car, turns it around, goes back to Tim's bike, hit's reserve and starts the bike.

Tim's standing there trying to understand it all and the guy claps him on the back, says "there you go partner" gets back in his Benz and drives away.

First of all, I can't believe this happened to Tim, he's really a brilliant guy, but second of all, I can't believe he told anyone, especially me and my brother, who have reminded him of it for years.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I've never run out of gas but I switch over to the reserve on the run a lot.
Several times I stopped for a biker on the side of the road who "ran out of gas" but he never used the reserve.  They get very embarrassed when you ask if they tried the reserve and then it starts. J

Ha, that reminds me of a story.

My sister was a vice president in a local bank.  Her boss, the president, Tim, is a very smart and successful guy.  Heck, he started the bank in the early 90's.

He decided he wanted a bike and bought a Road Glide.  One day, he's cruising down the road and he runs out of gas.  He can't believe his stupidity and takes his $300 full face helmet and starts off on foot.

He walking down the road and a burly bald guy with very petite cutie friend/wife/girlfriend, driving a big new Mercedes Benz stops and asks "Is that your Harley back there".

Tim answers yes and the guys says get in.  Says he'll help Tim get it off the road cause you can't leave a bike like that on the side of the road.  Tim has no idea how this dude is going to help, but he's happy to not be walking down the road any longer.

They're going down the road and the guys says to Tim in the mirror "What happened, did it break down or what."

Tim says rather sheepishly "No, I ran out of gas"

The guy says "You put it on reserve?"

Tim says "Reserve?"

The guys stops the car, turns it around, goes back to Tim's bike, hit's reserve and starts the bike.

Tim's standing there trying to understand it all and the guy claps him on the back, says "there you go partner" gets back in his Benz and drives away.

First of all, I can't believe this happened to Tim, he's really a brilliant guy, but second of all, I can't believe he told anyone, especially me and my brother, who have reminded him of it for years.

No crap ! That story would die with me. 

[Jess from VA]

Course, a large percentage of modern bikes now have fuel injection, and none have a reserve.

Who hasn't embarrassed himself by flipping the kill switch by accident, then screwing around for some time before finding it killed?  (esp if like me you NEVER use the kill switch at all)

I've had the seat off and the battery cover pulled looking at the cables.  Crap, this all looks good.

It is good, you DUMMY!!

The only thing worse than that is throwing your bike over onto a I-thought-it-was-but-it-wasn't deployed kickstand.  This attracts a bit more attention than accidentally hitting your kill switch.  And if people are watching, then you get the extra fun of showing them how easy the fat bastard is to stand up by yourself.  (hopefully without any incontinence)

[baird4444]

I gottta say that I go to reserve almost zackly at 125 miles every tank. I fill to  the bottom edge of that anti splash thingie in the tank, 32 or 33 mpg every time for the last 30,000 miles. Cept the 120 mile run on the interstate runnin 90 against the wind, that was 25 mpg....
   an old farmer once told me when I was tuning my 1 cyl Royal Enfield,bigger carb and opened the silencer....     " it takes gas to make power, period"
                                                                             - Mike

[Bighead]

That said if you're regularly hitting reserve at 100 - 120 your not getting nearly enough from a tank of fuel.  That could be either from really poor fuel mileage or just not putting enough in the tank.  If it's the latter you're almost a full gallon short.  That seems unlikely.

I agree with Willow, I usually go about 160 on a tank before hitting reserve. On our way home from GOTF I actually got 187 miles on a tank and a bit of reserve (put in 4.9 GAL) and that was at interstate speeds 75-80 mph. You have no idea how many times I checked to make sure I was not already on reserve.
I have actually made it a habit to check my petcock while riding, not that someone decides to mess with it or I forgot to switch back.
You may want to check how much fuel your putting in and if your bike is tuned right. just my .02 cents

97 bee and have NEVER SEEN over 160 even adding in the reserve. 120 and She is needing gas 150-160 she ain't moving. No matter my speed or throttle control. And has been that way since new. Most times I am filling up around 125. If running Hiway speeds at 70-85 I will be looking for fuel at 100 miles. But I didn't buy her to save fuel.

[PhoenixRizing]

When I bought the bike the reserve was broken to the on position. So I did what anybody would do and that's buy a new/used one. I put it on and it leaked like a dive. Bought another one same thing. Bought a rebuild kit, same thing. So I concluded that she doesn't want a petcock so I didn't argue with her anymore bout it, replaced the original broken one and haven't had a problem since. I watch my trip meter and when I get to 130 I fill up again. 

[..]

The only thing worse than that is throwing your bike over onto a I-thought-it-was-but-it-wasn't deployed kickstand.  

Motel parking lot Boone, NC

Parking lot Key West.

 

[pais]

    I am proud to say, I have never run out of gas on the Valk! Forget that I have only owned it 3 seasons and 1 season more or less missed to repairs. By the way we are only referencing Valks, right?
    I will sum up running out of motion potion this way. In the days before cell phones. I think it was for my 30th birthday. A number of my siblings, one parent and soon to be wife. Gift wrapped a red, 1gal gas jug and numerous quarters individually wrapped in those boxes that a nice ring would come in.
    4yrs ago my son(12yrs) and I coasted into a station, we had to push ourselves up to the pumps though. Fortunately it was just a little 2000 Honda CRV!

[hubcapsc]

Forget that I have only owned it 3 seasons

You're probably past the D'OH! stage, and have a good
gas management routine by now... 

-Mike

[MarkT]

Not the fuel.  I got my fill of pushing my first bike back in the day, late 60's, Yamaha 60.  I manage the fuel OK.  Regularly use the reserve.  At least on Deerslayer.  Never on George who has a Pingel - harder to use.  So does Jade who also has a belly tank - I have so much fuel I've set it up to be an "oiler" to help refuel others who don't manage fuel so well.

But other indicators of being retarded? Yep.  Dropped Deerslayer several times in parking lots, forgot to put the sidestand down.  Looking everywhere for the key before finding it in the seat lock.  Can't start the damn thing, crank the battery down.  Then have to push start it after switching the kill switch.

[3fan4life]

In the mid 80's I had a 1982 Honda 750 Super Sport.

I never had to push it but, I it coasted up to a pump a lot.


I haven't ran out of gas on the Valk, yet.

The closest that I've came was skipping a gas station figuring that I would fill up in the next town.

When I got there NONE of the stations (all 2 of them) had pay at the pump and I had ZERO cash on me.

I decided that since I wasn't on reserve  that I could make it to the next town about 35 miles away.

Almost as soon as I got out of town she sputtered and I had to go on reserve.

With no place to get gas until the next town I became concerned.

As I became more concerned I went into what I call "ULTRA" Conservation mode.

Since I was on a back road that runs through mostly national forest I lowered my speed to about 35-40 mph and I began pulling in the clutch, hitting the kill switch and coasting down hills.

I made it to the gas station and put a little over 6.8 gallons into the Interstate's tank.      




After seeing this I did purchase one (found one for $29.95 with free shipping).

I hope not to need it, But I decided that if I do make it out to Butte in June it might come in handy.

I bought one of these for the saddle bag just in case, but only carry it on trips.

REDA Innovations Fuel Can RGC1001
https://www.amazon.com/REDA-Innovations-Fuel-Can-RGC1001/dp/B003WHBVDI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492699939&sr=8-1&keywords=saddle+bag+gas+can