How much is left in when the fuel light comes on?

[hornetrider]

I did a bit of a search and it looks like someone thinks 5 litres are left when the light comes on - can anyone confirm? How many miles have you been with the fuel light on?

Reason I ask is I'm heading to Le Mans this weekend with a guy on a Firestorm who'll be filling up every 80 miles or so. Last year I went on the Hornet and was filling up with him, I want to know if I will be able to stretch to filling the Falco up every other stop!!

Cheers!

[scorpio24v]

I wouldent risk the mental anguish of wondering when the tank runs dry after the light comes on. If your mate has to fill at 80mls, why not fill up as well. presumabley you will be waiting for him anyway, so its a good excuse to stretch the legs. for the record, there is variation in mpg figures so the only sure fire way is to strap a can to the back and run her out, noting the mileage of course if you know what you bike does mpg wise, loaded up, you could use that figure as you know its a 19litre tank. Simple maths will give you your thoretical range.

[Firestarter]

I've had about 160 miles total from a tank - motorway, in top, cruising 80-90mph. think I got about 20 miles from the light coming on before I got scared and pulled in!

[hornetrider]

I wouldent risk the mental anguish of wondering when the tank runs dry after the light comes on. If your mate has to fill at 80mls, why not fill up as well

I hear you. Thing is, one of the blokes rides a Starship Pan-terprise and only fills up once every three stops, the smug bastard! I want some of that smug action!

It was major hassle filling up on the Hornet cos I had a tank bag - I'm not bringing that this year though as I've changed my luggage options so it will be less bother.

[FlyingKiwi]

I'm with firestarter.
I can get about 160 out of a tank before filling up.
But then I used to get 130 out of my Firestorm.

[Fausto]

I reckon on getting between 40 and 50 miles from seeing the light. It will of course depend on your style but you should be able to better 45mpg on steady M/Way cruising.

Of course - none of the above applies if you have been tinkering with airbox mods and Powder Coaters!!

[bigun]

F*ck all!! Nah, I've had 50 miles out of mine before but that was forced upon me on a Wednesday night in Northumberland where the nearest petrol station from the border of Scotland is Newcastle! Slipstreaming lorries at 60mph is fun (not). As soon as the petrol light comes on I fill mine up as soon as I can but as a rule of thumb I fill up every 100miles ish. I'd just fill up with yr mate, saves any gamble.

[joecrx]

from the light comming on and filling up about 14 ltr aprox till it comes on again i get about 100 mile/ roughly about 33 mpg,
driving o motorway and or commuting

[Aladinsaneuk]

normally, my light comes on after 120 miles or so

worst was 83 miles after some serious hooning....

I have got 160 out of a tank while being well behaved on the motorways.....

[The Reverend]

A couple of years ago I managed to get about 50 miles after the light came on. When she eventually ran out of petrol I was still 15 miles short of the nearest filling station. That's the last time I go to the far north west of Scotland on the Sunday before a bank holiday!

[hornetrider]

so the consensus seems to be around 40 or 50 miles with sensible riding then, quality. "Reserve" on the Hornet is basically 22 or 23 miles so 40 or 50 is quite a cushion.

[D-Rider]

I wouldn't trust it to 40 or 50 miles .... worst I had (normal commuting) was warning light on @ 83 miles, completely out of fuel in the middle of a roundabout in the rush hour @ 100 miles.

Last tank i got to 140 miles before the light came on .....

it seems to vary .....

[HowardQ]

I wouldn't trust it to 40 or 50 miles .... worst I had (normal commuting) was warning light on @ 83 miles, completely out of fuel in the middle of a roundabout in the rush hour @ 100 miles.

Last tank i got to 140 miles before the light came on .....

it seems to vary .....

You have a regulation device for this Andy..... your right hand

I believe it is 4.5 litres in reserve, so I wouldn't expect more than 35 to 40 miles, but obviously in a dire situation, at low revs with little traffic, you might reach 50 or more.

[D-Rider]

I wouldn't trust it to 40 or 50 miles .... worst I had (normal commuting) was warning light on @ 83 miles, completely out of fuel in the middle of a roundabout in the rush hour @ 100 miles.

Last tank i got to 140 miles before the light came on .....

it seems to vary .....

You have a regulation device for this Andy..... your right hand

I believe it is 4.5 litres in reserve, so I wouldn't expect more than 35 to 40 miles, but obviously in a dire situation, at low revs with little traffic, you might reach 50 or more.

The short distance WAS with low revs etc etc - they seem more economical when pushing on a bit

[Kenif]

Normally go into full scale panic when the light comes on (I had a Firestorm before the Falco!) but have often had to go 20-25 miles on reserve without problems.

Except once

Two-up on the motorway heading into really strong winds. Came off the motorway at 15 miles to go to a service station and the bloody thing died on the roundabout!
I've since had to send the other half into training 'cos her pushing wasn't fast enough to stop the general feeling of terror