Is it ok to switch the petcock to reserve while still riding on the bike?

Yeah, it is... When you're riding, you want to feel a sort of surging, or the bike gaining and losing power as it the fuel flow gets down.  I'd switch to PRI for a moment, so you're sure to get gas right away, then to RES.  If you catch it early enough, you won't run out of gas before fuel flow resumes!  Just practice sitting on your bike and reaching for the petcock, since is located inconveniently beneath your leg!  

One time I was on a long roll up to a light in a high gear, the bike ran out of gas and I didn't even know until I stopped!  I felt like a monkey until I realized there was no fuel, switched to PRI, and off I went  RES probably wouldn't have worked at first because the carb bowls were completely empty.

I look at my odometer.  If I'm in a situation where switching might be a little hairy, I switch ahead of time.  Otherwise I just wait until it misses a beat becuse it's sucking air and I switch at that time.

Yup,  at around 120miles I just flip it and get to a gas station within a day.

Also you might want to practice switching while you are riding just to get the feel of it.  (that way you don't have Mr. @$$hole behind you honking his horn while your trying to find the switch)

Quote from: mp183I look at my odometer.  If I'm in a situation where switching might be a little hairy, I switch ahead of time.  Otherwise I just wait until it misses a beat becuse it's sucking air and I switch at that time.

I second this opinion.  

Also, you should practice switching it once a month or so.  To me, the petcock is farther back than I'd normally expect and it takes a little practice to find it while keeping your eyes on the road.  Remember, that big Buick on your tail might not realize that you're slowing until ......

OS

Quote from: mp183I look at my odometer.  If I'm in a situation where switching might be a little hairy, I switch ahead of time.  Otherwise I just wait until it misses a beat becuse it's sucking air and I switch at that time.

me three. In fact I learned the hard way. I knew I needed to switch it over but didn't. Parked it and ate lunch. Came back, leaving the parking lot it stuttered while I was starting out and leaned over...that would be drop # 2.

I worried about switching it over while riding but once you do it a few times you dont have to look down and it'll feel natural.

I will aslo say yes it is OK. The only thing I have to add, is that if you are the least bit unsure or uncomfortable doing it on the fly, pulling over takes less than a minute.  

I'm still learning my bike. I bought it second hand, and the previous owner told me he got about 210 kms out of a tank before going into reserve. He explained all the settings to me but I hope I never run into a situation where I need to go into reserve. I think I'd stop on the side of the road to do the switch before continuing. I'm not sure I'd be able to do it while riding.

-Kel

Quote from: KeloranI'm still learning my bike. I bought it second hand, and the previous owner told me he got about 210 kms out of a tank before going into reserve. He explained all the settings to me but I hope I never run into a situation where I need to go into reserve. I think I'd stop on the side of the road to do the switch before continuing. I'm not sure I'd be able to do it while riding.

-Kel

It's not that hard, practice it a few times on slow speeds and traffic. It's easier to reach the switch if you reach for it BEHIND your left leg. This way you won't need to move your leg to an awkward position.

When I switch to reserve it's closer to 200 miles.  I have a 2002.  When I was taking it easy I could go about 205 miles on level ground before I had to switch to reserve.  I had Suzuki put in a jet kit and the milage still seems to be there with better low end and warmup that takes 30 seconds.  I'll run it with the choke for 30 seconds and shut off the choke and the thing still idles without dying.  Try that on your stock 2002.