 Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 290
Adjunct
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OP
Adjunct
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 290 |
I've been off for the last few days resting my leg from a torn calf muscle. Even though it's still very sore (and will be for a couple more weeks I'm told) I went back to work today. When I started the bike up this morning, I remember looking at the odometer and seeing that I was close to hitting the reserve tap on gas. I ended up working a little over my shift at work and headed out to the bike in something of a hurry to go home. Forgot to remember(?) the need for gas and got halfway home when I stopped at a redlight in rush hour traffic. Didn't hear it sputtering till I cranked the throttle to take off (I was first at the signal). It died, I looked like a rookie, and I almost got my a@# run over by the crowd in back of me all trying to get home faster than the next guy! I had to quick switch to reserve and get the thing started before they just flat out rolled over me. It was very embarassing to say the least!! 
Randy:
'05 TBA Green/silver AI out
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 Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223
Big Bore
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Big Bore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 9,223 |
All you can do is grin and say oops!
I did something similar last year. Rolling through a 6 lane 4-way intersection turning left across oncoming traffic, she started sputtering. Not enough momentum but a quick twist of the petcock and throttle got me out of harms way. Too friggin close though!
Nowadays, I stop for fuel when I get to about 130 around town and 120 on the highway. I haven't 'seen' reserve in months....
"Never underestimate the power of human stupidity" - Robert Heinlein
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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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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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
Why do these things always happen in crowds? I'm getting used to a new 19 toof sprocket, and stalled for the first time while surrounded by 8 or 10 riders during a poker run last Sunday.
I'm sure they were suitably underwhelmed by my madd launch skillz. 
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172
Saddle Sore
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Saddle Sore
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,172 |
My personal favorite is putting the bike in gear with the kickstand down..... When everyone turns around to look I say "OK, that switch still works!"... 
More flags
More fun!
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438 |
Yep, had the same happen to me this morning. Not first in line but needed reserve right as I started to accelerate. Pulled the clutch in and had to reach over with the right hand to switch to reserve. Not the most comfortable way of doing it. On top of that I feel so bad that I delayed those make-up putting on, cell phone calling, reading the paper, eating my egg mcmuffin and driving a car folks all in a hurry to get to work. I feel really really bad.  Seriously though, I have a bad habit of riding until I hit reserve when I am in and around town. Don't normally do that when on the road. I have had it need to go to reserve once or twice in precarious situations. I promised myself I would stop running it to reserve. Bad habits are hard to break I guess.
Ride On!
Airguy
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You gotta' be smart to be lazy(and get a job done)
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 948
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 948 |
I forgot to switch the petcock back to ON. Usually you get a little sputter and time to switch over. I was going up hill with some throttle on and it was like turning off the ignition-no grace period at all. My choice was get run over or off the street so I pulled in the clutch and managed to get to the curb and get stopped but stepped in dog **** by the sidewalk with my right boot. While I'm trying to get that off my boot, the bike fell over to the right with my foot between the bike and curb. Only my hard bag prevented a bad ankle injury.
I am really, really careful to turn the petcock to ON now. And I fill up when the odometer hits 100 miles.
Redbike7
2006 America
No amount of skill can overcome gross stupidity. Ask me how I know...never mind, I forgot...
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 119
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 119 |
Quote:
I am really, really careful to turn the petcock to ON now. And I fill up when the odometer hits 100 miles.
That's good advice. I've been checking mileage so running till I need reserve, but nine times out of ten reserve is needed just as you are going round a bend/roundabout/hairy cross-lane manoeuvre/left/right/accelerating/stopping/parking.. never when you are going in a straight line at a steady speed. I get about 100 miles for 12 litres, sometimes more, sometimes less, I should stop worrying about it.
The westernmost Triumph in Europe
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
My personal favorite is putting the bike in gear with the kickstand down..... When everyone turns around to look I say "OK, that switch still works!"...
I gotta remember that one! lol
This summer we rode with a friend that has something like 40 years riding experience. We were stopped at one light and he stalled the bike by accident. I leaned over to him and said, "Don't worry, another 30 or 40 years and you'll have this motorcycle thing down pat." 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Quote:
My choice was get run over or off the street so I pulled in the clutch and managed to get to the curb and get stopped but stepped in dog **** by the sidewalk with my right boot. While I'm trying to get that off my boot, the bike fell over to the right with my foot between the bike and curb.
You wouldn't by chance have a video of this .??
I try to take off with the petcock closed at least once a month
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,623 Likes: 2 |
Quote:
Quote:
My personal favorite is putting the bike in gear with the kickstand down..... When everyone turns around to look I say "OK, that switch still works!"...
I gotta remember that one! lol
Believe it or not after this post I did this again today.
TWICE! 
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
Why do these things always happen in crowds?
I'm sure they were suitably underwhelmed by my madd launch skillz.
It's related to the Murphy law that says the chances of a successful demo is inversely proportional to the importance of the observers. If you want to see things really go bad, have someone you know watching. That's why so many last words are, "Hey bubba, watch this!"
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 177
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 177 |
I've had a similar incident, I failed to change from closed position. There is a very busy intersection near my house, and Its on a steep hill. That embarrassment and pushing the TBA to the side of the road, hopefully will always remind me.
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,012
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,012 |
i hit reserve while Adey and i were on the road last week. don't remember where we were, but we were on an interstate at SPEED, so to speak. the petcock was so stiff i couldn't turn it to reserve on the fly.
wound up having to make a quick move through pretty haeavy traffic, onto the shoulder, to rectify the situation.
i think we try to push the limit a lot(human nature i suppose.) i average around 134 before hitting reserve, but have gotten as much as 154 and as little as 120.
it's one thing to push the limit when you know your surroundings, but in unfamiliar locales i'd say between 100-120 miles on a tank is a safe bet.
allhailthefrenchpress
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690 |
I was showing 111 miles on my odo, tank took 2.2 gallons, what do these tanks hold? I'm thinkin 4.2 or something like that....if that's true, I should be able to get at leat 200 miles ?
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,179
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,179 |
Quote:
...I'm thinkin 4.2 or something like that....
Close enough for government work: 16.6 liters or 4.38 US gallons
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,555
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,555 |
Quote:
My personal favorite is putting the bike in gear with the kickstand down..... When everyone turns around to look I say "OK, that switch still works!"...
mine is forgetting to turn fuel on, start her up ,warm her up, go about 200 feet sputter sputter oh crap reach for the valve dummy,done this so many times now,that when the wife rides with me first thing she says is "did you turn the gas on"?
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: Forgot to check the odometer in the PM!
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 362
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 362 |
200 miles would be about right for my scoot but it would be desert bone dry.
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