Miles To Empty?

Been there done that with my street triple. Too much drama for me, will it really make it till next petrol station. Many times for for me it's a 40 mile Gamble. Roll the dice

 

I did try that theory on my last superduke, it didn't work
Luckily for me it was only about 500 yards and downhill to the petrol station

 

I wouldn't risk taking a chance knowing the weight of a Rocket. It would be a long hard push...

 

I'm always curious how much farther I can actually make it once my low fuel light comes on. However, I've not been curious enough to test it out and chance running out of gas. I guess I could just keep riding circles around the gas station so I'd be sure to be near the pump when I did finally run out.

 

No gizmo's on our old bikes, when it runs out of fuel i just flick the reserve tap on

 

Just always remember to switch the valve back to ‘normal’ position after filling. I am not saying I didn’t once (many moons ago) do that (I did) only to find the reserve was missing that day.

 

Strap a can of fuel on the pillion seat, run until empty, then you'll know, and you won't be stuck without fuel.

 

Strange territory yesterday, fuel light on 20 miles ago down to one bar, filling station up ahead. Derelict!! Did make it to the next one which was 10 miles further on.

 

I loved the instructions in the owners manual for my first BMW twin which had a single fuel tap. My later ones had twin taps.

In summary:-

Tap to "on" for normal running.

When that runs out turn to "res".

When that runs out, rest the bike on the left cylinder head to allow fuel in the lower right part of the tank to move to the left side of the tank

 

Lol, the same can be done even with the twin taps on a Triumph as you have an inch or so of fuel left in the right hand side of the tank when or if reserve runs out. Edit But you can't rest it on the cylinder head

 

You can cause damage to the fuel pump running it dry, the fuel acts as a lubricant to the internal workings so be careful if you do this.

 

Wouldn't want to chance 15 miles to empty - too much of a squeaky bum moment!

 

I wouldn't want to push a Rocket far.

 

Mr. Sandi's motto on motorcycle trips: "When you see food, eat it. When there's gas, get it. When a bathroom's nearby, use it."

 

Especially the bathroom

 

I thought that applied to diesel. Is it the same for petrol?

I have no idea. I am unashamedly exposing my stupidity - again.

 

I did the run out of fuel test ! Was May 2019 , soon be two years ago. We were on our Safari to Darwin !! 2008 Triumph Bonneville America towing our Mobile Home We filled up at Auski fuel station , it's on the highway between Newman and Port Headland. 254 km to our destination. We had 15 Lt of fuel in a small Jerry can. Well 262 km later we ran out as we approached the fuel station that was about 3km shy of our planned over night camp site The Black Rock Caravan Park.
About A km shy of the fuel station the bike began to hesitate and stumble (90kph zone) so I shut the throttle and down two gears ignition off ... Rolled about 2/3 hundred metres switched back on and fired up made the five hundred metres or so and ran out as We were rolling off the highway up Hill to the Bowser ! 262 km on the trip meter and put 19.2 Lt in to a 19 Lt tank !?!?
Used helmet intercom to tell SWMBO TO BAIL OFF as bike stalled going the last ten metres and wasn't going to make it to all the way up the slightest of inclines.

Running a fuel injection bike out of fuel won't necessarily damage the fuel pump ! Unless of course you leave the ignition on (fuel pump running) for a few minutes. Running out and stopping straight away there's little likely hood of damage.

The Lady operating the till was pretty amused !! She asked how far we had come and was amazed how far we made it on our tank.
The previous day We had done 270/280 km on 17.8 Lt so we were averaging about 19/20 km/Lt on a good day and 17km/Lt on this day ?!.
Only reason turn off the ignition and selecting a lower gear worked in keeping us going was the 240kg camper trailer pushing us along , but this became a huge anchor ⚓ as we went up the incline to the pumps.

 

And if riding in a group, …ALL …fill up together . How many times have I heard the immortal words “ I don’t need fuel” ….until 20 miles down the road and we all have to stop again. The same goes for bathrooms Sandi but it is a bit easier for us men folk. Can’t always predict when a pee stop is required though… For these reasons I seldom ride in a group of more than 3.