 Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2009
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I live in the sun downunder
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OP
I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
HOW FAR CAN YOU GET ON RESERVE? I know it’s a tough ask , but who has turned on their reserve and then run out of petrol?  What I am trying to find out is how far will reserve take you?  I always fill up my tank at about 180 to 200 Klms. I have never yet turned on the reserve. Come on guys and gals somebody must be brave enough to own up to doing it. The reason I ask is, I ride every week with guys who own Harleys, Boulevards and various sports bikes and they all seem to be able to get further than I can without looking for a petrol station. (Gas station for those across the Pacific) For those South of the Canadian border I am willing to accept an answer in miles.  I ride a 2004 Speedmaster.
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 575
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 575 |
About 30Ks on reserve you should get , i get about 230 before hitting reserve , i used to get 250 before hitting reserve but now with the 110/90/18 tyre my speedo reads correct I have run about 20Ks on reserve when i had to but would not like to go any further I had a Russian Dnepr that was supposed to have 30Ks reserve but the only time i had to try it ran out at 10Ks Thank Christ for RACQ 
What goes round comes round
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172 |
Reserve is 3.5 liters or .925 gallon US. What's your gas mileage?
Figure it out - then don't trust it....
It will all depend on conditions at the time.
More flags
More fun!
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,225 Likes: 62 |
in US miles I have gone a little over 30 miles a couple times on reserve but never ran it out.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,518 Likes: 32 |
I ran out in Spain (outside Alicante) just 1 km from the gas station I was hoping for.
I had done around 45-48 km on reserve (2-up, fully-loaded, 865cc engine).
Oh Yes, I was running conservatively (around 90 kph) after I hit reserve.
Last edited by Bedouin; 01/18/2010 7:20 AM.
Bedouin.
Blessed are those eyes that have seen more roads than any man! (Homer).
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228
I live in the sun downunder
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OP
I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
Thanks for the replies guys.
I filled up today after 205 Klms. and got 11 litres in the tank.
So I figure I can do about 240 Klms. before I hit the reserve.
On that kind of distance I should be able to get another 40 to 50 Klms. to empty. If my sums are correct.
The reason I asked is I have a trip planned for April down South on the inland road. There are quite a few big gaps between service stations and I will be 2 up and fully loaded.
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
you're in luck. and the answer is 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362 |
Only time I emptied the tank was the day I bought it and didn't realise the dealer already had it on reserve with about a cup of gas in the tank (generous huh?) Unfortunately I was too busy rolling into the gas station I ran out next to to take note of the mileage (fortunate huh?).
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
in US miles I have gone a little over 30 miles a couple times on reserve but never ran it out.
me too
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
you're in luck.
and the answer is
Whew, that's a lot farther than I'd be comfortable rolling on reserve...
good to know. 
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Got me to thinking about Jackson Browne's song, 'Running on Empty.' Can't get it outta my head...
Running on empty
Running blind
Running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Just in case you missed it Frank. Good info about reserve.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Mar 2008
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Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1 |
Is that 44 miles or kilometers?
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
Quote:
in US miles I have gone a little over 30 miles a couple times on reserve but never ran it out.
I've had the same experience. On two occasions I've hit reserve planing to fill up at the next town just to find the gas station closed. Last time I put almost 40 miles on after switching to reserve and put 4 1/2 gallons in the tank when I reached an open station.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
I always run until I run out and switch to reserve. At that point I make a mental note and buy gas before I've gone another 20 miles. I have been over 30 traveling but only once. I'd rather not push it. So far I've not been stranded and out of gas - I want to keep it that way.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
If I start to get close to 140 miles, I switch to reserve before I run out, which usually happens around 145.
It's probably a good thing to switch over once in a while just to keep contaminants from building up in the bottom of the tank.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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 Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1 |
Hey Frank, if you're worried about running out of petrol why not take some extra along with you in a jerrycan. Have a great trip.
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228
I live in the sun downunder
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OP
I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
Quote:
Hey Frank, if you're worried about running out of petrol why not take some extra along with you in a jerrycan. Have a great trip.
Hi Sean, Its not so much running out I was thinking about.
I want to go as far as I can on a tank full before I have to fill up.
Is there a difference.
I suppose our service stations are like yours, pull up at the pump, take of gloves, take off full face helmet, fill tank, go in and pay, then put everything back on again. PITA. I can't remember how many times I have been abused about going in with a full face helmet on. My local service station knows me so I can get away with leaving my helmet on. If they don't know you 
Last edited by FrankW; 01/19/2010 4:16 AM.
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,126 Likes: 13 |
Quote:
I always run until I run out and switch to reserve. At that point I make a mental note and buy gas before I've gone another 20 miles. I have been over 30 traveling but only once. I'd rather not push it. So far I've not been stranded and out of gas - I want to keep it that way.
+1 cept I look at the trip odometer and add 30. I recall when I averaged 77mph over 850 miles. I was running 170-180 miles per tank, yep, on reserve. That was when Cinnamon Girl was averaging 50 mpg and was sorta before the epaassholes mandated ethanol in gas, which imho equates to a loss of 10 to 15% mpg. majorasshatstheyare. what with eating up my brass and drying out my float needles. grrr And driving up the price of my groceries.
AND marty, that 44 is miles not kilometers. 
Blowing gravel off rural roads
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
If I start to get close to 140 miles, I switch to reserve before I run out, which usually happens around 145.
Same with me. I had the bike for 7 years. I know how far it would go on a tank of gas.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 593 |
The simple solution is to test your bike.
Fill up a small jerry can and run you bike until reserve, switch to reserve and note mileage then run it dry. Use what is in the jerry can to get to a gas station.
As an aside, what is the metric term for mileage?
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228
I live in the sun downunder
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OP
I live in the sun downunder
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,228 |
Quote:
The simple solution is to test your bike.
Fill up a small jerry can and run you bike until reserve, switch to reserve and note mileage then run it dry. Use what is in the jerry can to get to a gas station.
As an aside, what is the metric term for mileage?
All new motor cars here are rated by litres used per 100 Kilometres.
I haven't seen a sticker on a bike though.
FrankW
Ex Speedmaster rider, went to the Dark Side now riding an America.
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,580 |
Quote:
As an aside, what is the metric term for mileage?
Kilometreage? Imagine trying to say that after a tipple or 6 
Too old to die young, too ugly to leave a good looking corpse
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Re: Is This an Embarrasing Question?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
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