Ran out of gas again!

[mimikeni]

Well I thought that a half tank would take me more than 50 miles but I was riding into a pretty strong headwind.  I don't think I'm getting near the mileage I should.  Also, when the bike died, I switched the petcock to RES but the bike wouldn't restart.  I also tried the PRIME position but no luck.  When I poured in a couple gallons of gas, it fired right up. Besides filling up more often, any other ideas? Thanks.

[ke7syv]

AFAIK, the only reason reserve wouldn't help is if the lines were switched and your were already running in reserve. 

[zirconx]

... I don't think I'm getting near the mileage I should.  ...

So... what kind of mileage are you getting?

If the bike ran completely out of gas it can be hard to get it restarted. It could be that by the time you refilled it, it had been cranked enough that it was ready to start.

[mister]

- Go to your gas station and fill it right up
- After filling, reset your trip meter to ZERO
- Ride until you hit reserve (or as you have switched fuel lines, until it runs out).
- Look at your trip meter. REMEMBER the distance. This is the MAXIMUM you can go.
- Make sure you fill up BEFORE you get to that Maximum number again.

PS: If you do not wish to Run Out, fill up around 300km or 190 miles. And reset the trip meter each time so you know. Do NOT look in the tank as an idea, the tank is deceptive, Use The Trip Meter.

Michael

[cd]

you guys should try riding bikes without lights, reserve, odometers, or speedometers. you have to just know.

[Big Rich]

What, like a bicycle? Not a fan.......

Seriously though, do you ride a bike like that?

[Twisted]

. Do NOT look in the tank as an idea, the tank is deceptive, Use The Trip Meter.

Michael

+1. The trip meter is our master

[mimikeni]

Thanks all. I will fill up, reset trip meter and run it dry one more time.

[tt_four]

I always refill every 100 miles. It was a habit I picked up on my first bike that had a broken trip odometer so I just always found a gas station when the normal odometer hit an even 100. The habit has just stuck ever since. Even with trip odometers I just start looking for a gas station.

As far as knowing how far you'll get, there's a much easier way than waiting until you run out of gas. Fill up the tank, ride 100 miles or so, go back to the gas station, fill up again, then pull out the calculator on your phone(or write down on paper if you don't have a phone so you can do the math later) exactly how many miles you went and exactly how much gas you put in the tank. Take the miles you rode, divide it by how many gallons you put in the bike, and that number will tell you exactly how many miles your bike will go on a gallon. Then assuming you start with a full talk(what is the gs tank? 4.7 gallons?) you can go 4.7 times that number before you run out.

As far as an example, I always fill up at 100 miles, it usually takes right around 2 gallons, so 100mi / 2ga = 50 miles per gallon. With a 4.7 gallon tank.... 4.7ga X 50mph = 235 miles.

The other benefit to the 100 mile fill up is that it's much nicer to fill up your tank with $6-7 dollars instead of $12-14, even if you do it twice as much, the numbers are still easier to swallow.

[4strings]

I did the other day too.  I think I have my lines switched as well but I also replaced them and gave them some extra length.  Maybe they are too long now though because they hang down and it was terrible to get it restarted again.  The extra long lines may have trapped an air bubble so I'm going to switch them and trim them down some to see if that will help.  I'm going to take another ride to run it out of gas again to see if I got the lines right this time.  I'm planning on putting gas in a half gallon milk jug to take in a backpack so I don't have to call for help.

[KlaXon]

The other benefit to the 100 mile fill up is that it's much nicer to fill up your tank with $6-7 dollars instead of $12-14, even if you do it twice as much, the numbers are still easier to swallow.

Sory for stupid off topic but i want to say OMFG for that prices what you guys have..  In my country to fill GS tank need about 35 dollars 

[kml.krk]

I ride mostly in the city and usually get 30 to 35 MPG (calculated by fuelly.com).
I refuel every 100 miles just to be safe.

I have 2004 which has larger tank than older models so you may need to adjust the method to best suit your bike and tank size.

[tt_four]

Maybe they are too long now though because they hang down and it was terrible to get it restarted again. 

My lines are extra long. I got tired of having to struggle with it when I'm removing the tank. Mine hang down and are only about 2 inches away from the top of the engine. Lets me lift the tank up a good bit before I have to disconnect the hoses. It should let gas through fine though since the carbs are still lower than the tank. I've never run out of gas with it like that though.

Klaxon, that sounds awful! Gas here is about $3.25 or so a gallon. I actually don't pay attention because I rarely ever buy gas, and when I do it's just a few dollars, but I definitely hear people complaining all the time haha.

[cd]

i ride whatever, and the crappier the bike, the more i like it.

i have a few beaters that have nothing but engine and go.

i have some sportbikes like that too. no lights, nothing, just engine wheels, seat, gas tank, controls, bikes look nicer when they have nothing on them i think

[Pictory]

Just to be clear though, you've now switched your fuel lines around properly right? Maybe I missed that. It is a really quick and easy job and will save you that grief.