Kindness of strangers...

[Cris]

Went for a ride this evening. It was supposed to be a short one because I didn't have much gas in the tank so I didn't bother to take my cell, cash, or credit card(s). (Just my pepper spray) Well, I haven't ridden in weeks so I got a little carried away and rode further than I shoulda. Bike starts sputtering. I pull over and put her on reserve. She acts right...for a few blocks...then starts sputtering again. Grrr!  :x  I end up pulling over in front of someone's driveway to try to start her. No deal. I let her sit for a while. Didn't wanna pull my helmet off right away...too embarrassed. (I also didn't want anyone to drive by and recognize me)... Some guy slows down in his car while I'm sitting on the bike with my helmet on/head down and makes a comment. I quickly, but nicely get rid of him after deciding I didn't want to ask him for help. Tried to start her again. Sat for a minute. Tried again. Sat for a minute. Rinse, repeat...She wasn't havvin it. Finally, I decide to ask the people whose house I was stopped in front of for help since I was right in front of their driveway. I put her in neutral and get her on the sidewalk. I knock on the door. Teenage boy answers...smiling. He and his dad had seen me out of their front window.   He invites me in and I ask to use their phone but Dad one ups me and offers me a ride...then one ups me again by saying he thinks he has a gas can. He does, and it happens to already have gas in it! (Wasn't his...a friend had left it there) The wife comes out around this time and I tell her the story. She empathizes. Dad says he knows how it is to have a bike run outta gas on him...but he's actually had to push! The dad and son hang out to make sure she starts after the gas is in and tell me to have a safe trip! Great family...I made sure I remembered their address and plan to send them something nice in the mail this week. Don't know what yet, but definitely more than just a thank you note.  
Oh yeah, after I let the bike sit for a few minutes while I was in their house but before he put in the gas, she actually started back up...not sure why she was so temperamental about starting in reserve in the first place...I hadn't gone that far... nevertheless, the extra gas he gave me got me home safe...

[Linh]

I'm glad you ran out of gas in front of that nice family's home!

[Cris]

Um...me too...  

[miket]

I think the bowls were empty and they require the engine to run for some time before they fill up because, on reserve, the valve is open only when there is vacuum. Next time leave it on prime for 20-30 secs, then turn it to reserve. It should start right up.

Glad you found some nice people.

[snapper]

Yeah- use prime for a few - it makes all the difference if you actually run out before switching to reserve.  Excellent choice of houses to get stranded at though!   :mrgreen:

You also may want to practice changing from reg to reserve while riding.  Though the 1st time I had to go to reserve was a surprise (had to do the prime thing) the times after I was more proactive (haha).  Last Thursday I actually was able to go to reserve while riding down Rt 24 in MA.  It was very easy and I didn't wig out (probably why it was easy    )!

:mrgreen:

[Blueknyt]

running out of gas will happen to everyone at least once.  its happen to me more then once. onlything is, i WONT leave my bike behind, Period. i have pushed my XJ650 3 miles to station at 2 am. and i always keep atleast 3 1$ bills under the seat in a ziplock baggie for emergency fuel.

A friend of mine ran outa fuel on his RZ350 one time and he left it parked on the highway and hitched a ride to get gas. 10 mins later he returned to find the bike missing.  the Frame was recoverd 4 months later out of a cannal, and it was mangled so NOPE, my bike pushes my ass around, so pushing my bike once in a blue moon AINT too much to ask  Vs losing it.

[octane]

I've been there too. I did leave the bike behind, but I rolled it out of general view (was on a country road in western Va.) I ended up walking about 3 miles in 95 degree heat in my new, yet to be broken in Joe Rocket boots. First gas station I got to was closed, second one was closed, but there was a guy in there closing out his drawer. Turns out he rides. He had just shut down the pumps and had no gas can, but he helped me scrounge what fuel was left in the pump hoses into a 2 liter soda bottle and then gave me a ride back to my bike, helped me get it going and wished me well. He would accept no mone y. There are still some good peeps out there.

[scratch]

Glad you're O.K. What nice people!

[Pkaaso]

Cris,

Lets blow these people away.  NO, I don't mean that  way.  Lets all send them a thank you card.  It will flip them out to get a post card from a bunch of people from all over, thanking them for helping you.  

Tell um it's from freinds of the GSTwin message board.

Only thing, maybe pass the address around via PM not to post in public.

What cha think.  I'll do it, be worth the postage just to know they'll flip out.

[JohnNS]

hehe..that's a great idea! I'd be up for sending one  

[The Antibody]

Actually, I refuse to run out of fuel. My bike will go around 220 miles on a tank. I always fill when I've hit 200. I reset my guage every fill up.

 -Anti

[Cris]

Cris,

Lets blow these people away.  NO, I don't mean that  way.  Lets all send them a thank you card.  It will flip them out to get a post card from a bunch of people from all over, thanking them for helping you.  

Tell um it's from freinds of the GSTwin message board.

Only thing, maybe pass the address around via PM not to post in public.

What cha think.  I'll do it, be worth the postage just to know they'll flip out.

Excellent idea!  

Anyone else who would like a PM with their address please attach your name to the list:
1. Pkaaso
2. JohnNS
3. LADYBRID
4. PANTABLO

Thanx!

[ladybrid]

I'll pitch in on that!  Add me to the list.  Good deeds should be encouraged.

[Cris]

...and i always keep atleast 3 1$ bills under the seat in a ziplock baggie for emergency fuel.

Funny...that's the first thing I thought of after arriving back home last night...

[bob]

About 13 or 14 years ago I ran outa gas in my RD350 in front of a house in the rain.  The people wouldn't open the door for me, but at least they called my wife to come pick me up.  While I waited for my wife I had to sit out in the rain (at least I had my rain gear on).

We now live just off the corner of a fairly busy street & people seem to run outa gas in front of our house fairly frequently (cars mostly, but a coupla bikes, too).  We always give them a gallon or two outa the lawnmower gas & just tell them, "Have a nice day & do the same for someone else when you get the chance."  We refuse any money, although a lady brought my wife flowers once.

So, I'm with Pkaaso.  Sign me up for a card.  

Bob

[Cris]

So, I'm with Pkaaso.  Sign me up for a card.   Bob

Thanx Bob...ur on!  
Everyone, I'm going to give it a day before sending out the address. Wanna see how many names we can get...  
 
1. Pkaaso
2. JohnNS
3. LADYBRID
4. PANTABLO
5. Bob
6. Cris

[96gs]

yep. i lnow the feeling. i ran otta gas last night and forgot where the reserve was. thankfully i was  only about a mile from the nearest gas station and i was going downhill. so all turned out well. see usually i wouldnt even make it to the last gallon. my dad always runs outta gas before i do. i got 190 miles on the tank and that was with hot doggin it at every  red light so i guess thats good.

[The Buddha]

Out of gas...never...Dead battery yes many many times...as recent as 3 months ago...Once everything is over to a sealed battery it got better. But People have jumped me and helped out a lot. I once fried the terminal on my eli 1000 right in front of a walmart in Manteca. Put in a new one and ride back. Alternator issues with my vulcan meant many jumps from people at work back then. The GS has been the best in this regard...just push start it...easy. Them cruisers dont put strat very well.
Cool.
Srinath.

[javio1]

Add me too!   :mrgreen:

Everyone, I'm going to give it a day before sending out the address. Wanna see how many names we can get...

1. Pkaaso
2. JohnNS
3. LADYBRID
4. PANTABLO
5. Bob
6. Cris
7. Javio1

[dmp221]

Count me in on the postcard thank-you idea...can you imagine the mailman???..Oh, and I also keep a few bucks under the seat as well as a few coins for a phone...ya never know when the cell may crap out.