How far can I go with the fuel light on?

[techno]

I decided to find out the answer to this question today after panicking and finding the nearest servo everytime the light came on.

My fuel light came on at about 200km as it usually does. Sometimes it comes on earlier but rarely more than this. If I fill up at this point it usually takes about 10 litres and the tank is supposed to hold 13.

I put a 5 litre fuel container in my backpack and headed to the servo to fill it. I then drove around some local backroads at my usual pace making sure I could pull off the road once I ran out. As I had fuel with me I knew I'd be able to make it to a servo.

In the end I did 240km before I ran out. After putting the fuel in it fired up straight away.

Now at least I know I can go around 40km once the light comes on if I need to but I don't think I'll run it that fine. BTW I have a S2R800.

Has anyone else done this?

[Dockstrada]

Well i sort a did  ???

But with no intentions and no 5 liters in the back pack  :-[

Hoofed it after 180km light came on @ 150km did 30km from light the rest, thumb streching [thumbsup]

Dam you orange light you evil thing  >

[dragonworld]

I wouldnt trust that Ph#%r##n little Amber light!!!! :
It used to come on at around 190k ish and since I put the K&N in (No air box mod) I can get to 206 and the light still hasnt come on (commute). :
But when I fill her up the quantity has varied by up to 1 to 2 litres. Sooooo I dunno 'bout putting a mileage on the k's left when the light comes on. You'd want that "Thumb" suitably greased , serviced and in good working order. ;D [laugh]

[stopintime]

Guys: sorry I have to do this in liters and km :P

Techno - the numbers don't add up ??? I'm trying to figure this out for myself and I thank you for providing the input data [thumbsup]
(BTW tank is 14 liters of which SHOULD be 3 liters "reserve" as the light comes on)

Your bike uses 0.55 liters per 10 km if light comes on at 3 liters left, as it is supposed to. (11 liters on 200 km)
Then you should be able to go on for another 55 km after light comes on. If you only did 40 km on 3 liters reserve the bike used 0.75 liters for every 10 km - after going on to "reserve", and that can't be right.

Based on the total km on a full tank your bike uses 0.58 liters per 10 km. The 40 km you managed to go on "reserve" shows that the light came on at 2.3 liters left. At least that is what happened in your case.

I think we have to accept, and be prepared for, that the light comes on at different/wrong moments, maybe depending on riding style, uphill/downhill, curves, braking/accelerating a s o. Also the light might be based on an insensitive/inaccurate sensor.

I will check my own numbers soon and get back to you with my readings.



GUYS: again I'm very sorry, I'm triggered by numbers, but even I was bored by the end of my post :

[Rickoz]

Only ran out once around GoldCoast region while looking for a servo on my way to get its 1000km service so the engine was very new
My S2R800 got 30km max.

Worst distance about 155km not running out of fuel.
Best distance about 250km not running out of fuel.
Noting to do with needing a service, and all to do with the weather >

Rickoz

[s4grrr]

Originally Posted by stopintime

Guys: sorry I have to do this in liters and km :P

Techno - the numbers don't add up ??? I'm trying to figure this out for myself and I thank you for providing the input data [thumbsup]
(BTW tank is 14 liters of which SHOULD be 3 liters "reserve" as the light comes on)

Your bike uses 0.55 liters per 10 km if light comes on at 3 liters left, as it is supposed to. (11 liters on 200 km)
Then you should be able to go on for another 55 km after light comes on. If you only did 40 km on 3 liters reserve the bike used 0.75 liters for every 10 km - after going on to "reserve", and that can't be right.

Based on the total km on a full tank your bike uses 0.58 liters per 10 km. The 40 km you managed to go on "reserve" shows that the light came on at 2.3 liters left. At least that is what happened in your case.

I think we have to accept, and be prepared for, that the light comes on at different/wrong moments, maybe depending on riding style, uphill/downhill, curves, braking/accelerating a s o. Also the light might be based on an insensitive/inaccurate sensor.

I will check my own numbers soon and get back to you with my readings.



GUYS: again I'm very sorry, I'm triggered by numbers, but even I was bored by the end of my post :

his numbers are probably correct, the problem is threefold though. firstly, the tank, being the acerbis plastic type is 13.5 litres, at least it's _supposed_ to be! secondly, you can't get the full amount (whatever it truly may be) out of the tank by way of the fuel pump, there will always be some fuel left inside. the reason is when the ecu picks up variances in fuel pressure, caused from the pump trying to pick up sloshing low levels of fuel, and pulls the pin on the fun. and thirdly, the light comes on due to resistance in the sender, and this varies due to how wet the sender is from the fuel, as it dries and the resistance increases the light will come on but if you change direction and the fuel splashes onto the sender the light will go out, then as it dries will come on etc.etc until the level is low enough that when tipping the bike there isn't enough fuel to wet the now dry sender.
at the end of the day it's really only a reminder so i wouldn't trust it for definite mileage capabilities.
oh, dragonworld, fitting a K&N should increase your range as it's a better quality filter than std and flows more air, leaning out your injection, use less fuel to go the same distance, so there's more left to go further. [thumbsup]


paul.

[Dockstrada]

Originally Posted by stopintime

Guys: sorry I have to do this in liters and km :P

Techno - the numbers don't add up ??? I'm trying to figure this out for myself and I thank you for providing the input data [thumbsup]
(BTW tank is 14 liters of which SHOULD be 3 liters "reserve" as the light comes on)

Your bike uses 0.55 liters per 10 km if light comes on at 3 liters left, as it is supposed to. (11 liters on 200 km)
Then you should be able to go on for another 55 km after light comes on. If you only did 40 km on 3 liters reserve the bike used 0.75 liters for every 10 km - after going on to "reserve", and that can't be right.

Based on the total km on a full tank your bike uses 0.58 liters per 10 km. The 40 km you managed to go on "reserve" shows that the light came on at 2.3 liters left. At least that is what happened in your case.

I think we have to accept, and be prepared for, that the light comes on at different/wrong moments, maybe depending on riding style, uphill/downhill, curves, braking/accelerating a s o. Also the light might be based on an insensitive/inaccurate sensor.

I will check my own numbers soon and get back to you with my readings.



GUYS: again I'm very sorry, I'm triggered by numbers, but even I was bored by the end of my post :

Can some one wake me when class is over "ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ" [cheeky]

[stopintime]

I guess I should have warned you on top of my post :P :-[
Once I started I couldn't stop, but I should have. Won't happen again [thumbsup]

[dragonworld]

Originally Posted by stopintime

I guess I should have warned you on top of my post :P :-[
Once I started I couldn't stop, but I should have. Won't happen again [thumbsup]

Hey, no dramas with what you've done mate. [thumbsup]
The home fettler learns from this sort of info and some enlightened shop mechanics who WILL be forthcoming with data that they have picked up on working on machinery day in day out. Others of course wont tell you squat 'cos they want you to bring your machine to them and not do it yourself.
But there is a lot to be learned from the anecdotal info from the owner.tinkerer. [thumbsup]
Onya for taking the time. [clap]

[mattyvas]

Dock, wake up now!!

So I guess the end point is once everyone's worst enemy the little "orange light" appears find a servo.
You'll go between 20-40 k's until you're rooted.
On average I make 200 plus until I'm looking to fill but after the ride last weekend.
The last fill made 240 until fuel light.

That is unless you are lucky enough to be on an S4R(S) in which case 200 k's is a dream.

Dock you may now node off again.....