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Very Active Member
Cam Am admits the fuel gauge is crap
Since this is a concern for all of us, I thought I would make this post more prominent.
Go to page 21 of the owners manual, it states...
"NOTE: Use this information as a reference only. Due to the fuel tank configuration, the fuel level indicator will indicate a full tank during a long period before showing a lower level of the indicators. The "Distance To Empty"information is more accurate to determine if you have enough gasoline to reach your destination."
So they know it and won't fix it. I guess it's cheaper to just put a notice deep inside the owners manual than to pay attention to details and put out a quality product. Honda would never let this slide, at least not on purpose.
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Very Active Member
The Ryker, being their "low ball" machine, is going to suffer on some of the amenities. Guess gas tank/gas gauge is one of those. Get around it by keeping close watch on the actual mileage for a few tanks. Ride with a tripmeter set to zero each time you fill. You should be good to go for X miles once you make some preliminary calculations.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)
MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles
IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by akspyderman
The Ryker, being their "low ball" machine, is going to suffer on some of the amenities. Guess gas tank/gas gauge is one of those. Get around it by keeping close watch on the actual mileage for a few tanks. Ride with a tripmeter set to zero each time you fill. You should be good to go for X miles once you make some preliminary calculations.
Totally agree. The fuel gages in my CanAm Commander and Outlander 4X4 were pretty non-functional. In fact, the dash of the Ryker looks suspicially just like the one I had on my Outlander. (can you say "recycled parts and technology"?) But it is what it is and there have been overwhelming good comments from those who have taken the Ryker plunge..... Jim
2005 Windveil Blue Premium Mustang Convertible
2008 Honda GL1800/California Sidecar Trike, SOLD
2014 Platinum Silver Satin Spyder RTL, SOLD
Semper Fi
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by akspyderman
The Ryker, being their "low ball" machine, is going to suffer on some of the amenities. Guess gas tank/gas gauge is one of those. Get around it by keeping close watch on the actual mileage for a few tanks. Ride with a tripmeter set to zero each time you fill. You should be good to go for X miles once you make some preliminary calculations.
I had a $6500 Ninja with a perfect fuel gauge. I will take their advice and use the distance meter as well as trip meter.
I filled up two days ago, it read full, rode 40 miles and now it reads low fuel.
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Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie
2013 RT Ltd Pearl White
Ryde More, Worry Less!
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I just finished a ride just moments ago on my 2017 RT-S and turned on the computer and saw this thread. I have not had any similar problem with my gas gauge. It seems to drop steadily and is very accurate for this type of vehicle. For example, just before I came home, my gauge had just gotten down to the red at 170 miles, the low fuel light just flickered on at 176 miles as I pulled into the gas station, and my gas station receipt says it took precisely 5.6 gallons before I couldn't get any more gas into the tank (i.e., I could see the gas in the tank). The specifications say the tank holds 6.9 gallons. This would mean the low fuel light came on with 1.3 gallons left in the tank. I consider my gauge performance and the low fuel light performance to be pretty darned good. Better than several automobiles I have owned.
Also, since I was out on the interstate for some miles today, I decided to check my factory alignment by taking my hands off the handlebars at 75 mph with the cruise control on. My Spyder tracks straight and true. This is just the way my Spyder came from the dealer/factory. I seem to have been lucky enough to get a Spyder that the factory really cared about getting right and I really, really hate to mess with success. It ain't broke, so I don't fix it.
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Originally Posted by Rogue Hawk
Honda would never let this slide, at least not on purpose.
Your opinion.....which is just a wild guess.
On all the Hondas I've owned, their solution was: Don't provide a gas gauge.
The one on my Spyder seems at least as good as many cars I've had.
I think you need to find something that makes you happy. If it's not a Spyder, then something else.
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If you are concerned about the fuel gauge reading, simply recognize that the fuel gauge measures fuel usage in the bottom half of the gas tank. Full, all bars, means you have greater than half a tank of gas. Once it starts to drop, you know you're in your last half of the tank. You see I can rationalize anything
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Active Member
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I agree with RykerUSA. I know that i have about 75 miles when the gas gauge starts dropping and it drops pretty quickly. After my second fill-up i started using the trip mileage to check if i need gas. I reset #1 trip mileage every fill-up. So far i usually go about 150 miles per fill-up and the low light comes on. Around town i just wait until the low light comes on and it usually takes 4.3 to 4.5 gallons to fill. I also fill to the first gas pump click and stop there. I did notice that when i tried to top it off a couple of times gas squirted out under the right side just behind the tire(overfill bleed line?)
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Originally Posted by Rogue Hawk
I filled up two days ago, it read full, rode 40 miles and now it reads low fuel.
40 miles to "low fuel"??????? How much is left in the tank??? Isn't it a 5 gal capacity???? I'd hate to see 8-10 mpg.
As stock units, the Rally is the way to go; but they are not my "cup of tea" since we ride 2-up 95% of the time.
Good Luck
Mike
2021 Marsala Red Metallic RT Limited
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Rogue Hawk
I had a $6500 Ninja with a perfect fuel gauge. I will take their advice and use the distance meter as well as trip meter.
I filled up two days ago, it read full, rode 40 miles and now it reads low fuel.
Fuel gauges have been an issue on the RT's also. As you know, a $30K machine should have a decent gauge. After two on my 2010 I gave up and disconnected the fuel and temp gauges. Same on the 2011. The 2014 has rock solid fuel gauge. I put up with it on the pre 14's...but am not happy either.
Currently Owned: 2019 F3 Limited, 2020 F3 Limited: SOLD BOTH LIMITEDS in October of 2023.
Previously : 2008 GS-SM5 (silver), 2009 RS-SE5 (red), 2010 RT-S Premier Editon #474 (black) 2011 RT A&C SE5 (magnesium) 2014 RTS-SE6 (yellow)
MY FINAL TALLY: 7 Spyders, 15 years, 205,500 miles
IT HAS BEEN A LONG, WONDERFUL, AND FUN RIDE.
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Very Active Member
Yes. In the words of Gunny Highway, "Improvise, Adapt and Overcome". I only had one bike without a fuel badge. I guess 1993 is calling back.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Rogue Hawk
Since this is a concern for all of us, I thought I would make this post more prominent.
Go to page 21 of the owners manual, it states...
"NOTE: Use this information as a reference only. Due to the fuel tank configuration, the fuel level indicator will indicate a full tank during a long period before showing a lower level of the indicators. The "Distance To Empty"information is more accurate to determine if you have enough gasoline to reach your destination."
So they know it and won't fix it. I guess it's cheaper to just put a notice deep inside the owners manual than to pay attention to details and put out a quality product. Honda would never let this slide, at least not on purpose.
seems like the before & after captions for an infomercial or ad for diet pills
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What i have seen from my fuel gauge.... It shows nearly full for about 75 miles, then starts to gradually go down with the fuel load to about 110 miles. Afterward, to about 150-160 miles it rapidly declines (which likely matches the lower fuel tank shape). At between 150-160 miles it shows empty, and I have between 0.2 - 0.5 left in the tank. I can safely ride to 170 miles if I am not riding at high speeds (75-90 mph). It does this every time, so it is accurate to my experience.
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Very Active Member
Originally Posted by Rogue Hawk
I had a $6500 Ninja with a perfect fuel gauge. I will take their advice and use the distance meter as well as trip meter.
I filled up two days ago, it read full, rode 40 miles and now it reads low fuel.
I believe Bob Denman made this statement earlier, "you get what you pay for".
Jack
All my life I wanted to be somebody, now I realize I should have been more specific.
2019 Specialized E-Bike COMO 2.0
2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
2018 Tiffin Phaeton 37BH Motorhome
2015 BMW R1200R LC
2014 RTL SE6 Pearl White
2012 RT-622 trailer viper red
2014 Look 7x12 motorcycle trailer silver and black
2011 Polaris Ranger green
2013 GMC Yukon Denali XL silver oak
2016 Can Am Maverick
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