Fuel gauge question...

[bone crusher]

I noticed the gas light went on the other day and quickly got myself to a gas station to fill up...I put in 3.7 gallons and the tank was full...hmmmm...being the tank holds about 7 gallons, isn't this a little premature for the gas light to be going on? Anyone else notice that the light goes on early?

BTW, I'm averaging about 30 mpg right now with my Spyder...

 

[NancysToy]

I noticed the gas light went on the other day and quickly got myself to a gas station to fill up...I put in 3.7 gallons and the tank was full...hmmmm...being the tank holds about 7 gallons, isn't this a little premature for the gas light to be going on? Anyone else notice that the light goes on early?

BTW, I'm averaging about 30 mpg right now with my Spyder...

The originally published specification of 7+ gallons was an error. It was revised to 6.6 gallons, but 6.3 is probably closer to the mark in real life. The top portion of the tank is unable to be used, like most tanks these days. The light is supposed to come on when there is a bit over a gallon left in the tank. I have run it down far enough a few times to have no remaining bars, and put 5.8-5.9 gallons in the tank (right to the bottom of the nozzle ring). My advice is not to linger long after the light comes on.
-Scotty

 

[bjt]

The originally published specification of 7+ gallons was an error. It was revised to 6.6 gallons, but 6.3 is probably closer to the mark in real life. The top portion of the tank is unable to be used, like most tanks these days. The light is supposed to come on when there is a bit over a gallon left in the tank. I have run it down far enough a few times to have no remaining bars, and put 5.8-5.9 gallons in the tank (right to the bottom of the nozzle ring). My advice is not to linger long after the light comes on.
-Scotty

:agree:

On a number of occasions, I have ran my Spyder about 10 - 20 miles after the low fuel light came on and I put right around 5 gallons in the tank, usually just over 5. The couple of times I've ridden until the last bar on the gas gauge was gone, its taken about 5.8 gallons.

When refueling, I stick the gas nozzle about 1 inch into the tank and fill until the nozzle clicks off. Thats it. I don't try to top off the tank and my gauge reads completely full (even that little tiny bar at the top) when I'm done. I could probably squeeze a few tenths more into the tank but I figure it won't get me any more than an extra mile or two so why bother.

 

[ld271]

Iwas told that the tank has foam in it thats why it take time to really fill full

 

[NancysToy]

Iwas told that the tank has foam in it thats why it take time to really fill full

If there is any, it is well hidden. Looks quite empty to me. Problem with most tanks is venting out the small openings while filling. Fuel tends to splash out and the tank airlocks on and off as it nears the top.
-Scotty

 

[bone crusher]

fuel gauge...

I found it odd to have the light on and put just 3.7 gallons until it was full...now, I did have the gas hose all the way into the tank, so it might have been clicked off a little early, however, the meter reads that it is full.

Then again, as in the case with a car, the meter is usually full for a long time, then it drops off quickly...perhaps this is how it is with the Spyder and just didn't fill it all the way even though it looked like I did...

Anyone think there could be an error with the fuel gauge? I'd figure that's hard to come by these days, but who knows...perhaps I should not put the gas hose all the way in...rather, pull it out a bit when refueling...I was just afraid it'd pour out if I did that...I'm not overly familiar with the tank configuration yet...

 

[BRPjunkie]

Most of us have learned the slow fill method needed to actually top off the tank. It will easily shut off at least a gallon short if you stick the nozel all the way in and let the auto shot off indicate full. I have never left my key on when filling so I can't say how the fuel bars register during fill up. Keep pulling the nozel out after it clicks off and slowly fill until it starts to spit out the breather slots and then you know you have topped it off.

 

[bone crusher]

cool...

I'll give your idea a try...sounds good!

 

[LittleJohn]

I agree with the slow fill method!!!
I fill mine up with the nozzle all the way in til it shuts off, then barely put the end of the nozzle in and slow fill the last gallon or so til I get a spit out of the vent holes. There still seems to be room at that point, but Ive never topped it off more than that.

 

[SpyderDog65]

gas

actually the gas tank holds 5.9 gallons not the 7.13 they claim others say its 6.6gls but ive read recently that it is really only 5.9gls

 

[BeRight]

I think it is normal to have well over a gallon (closer to 2) left when fuel light comes on.

All of my motorcycles where like this, since none of my motorcycles had a reserve fuel manual switch. Also, I could never come close to the rated tank capacity on fill up even after 40 miles beyond fuel light.

Nice to have a built in reserve.

 

[Star Cruiser]

the most I have put in has been 20.282 litres, about 50 km after the light went on. (5.37 gal). There were no bars left for a fair bit of the ride lookinbg for a petrol station

 

[Dudley]

The light is an indication that you are getting low on fuel. Does it really matter when it comes on, as long as it does soon enough for you to get some gas, before you have to push. I would rather be alerted 50 miles before the gas tank runs dry than 10 miles before it runs dry. In any case, the gas gauge is not an exact science, just an alert. Be thankful you have one. I remember when the alert was when you had to manually open the reserve portion of your gas tank (that was before you had a trip meter). And if you were in the middle of nowhere you were SOL if you ran out!

 

[bjt]

The light is an indication that you are getting low on fuel. Does it really matter when it comes on, as long as it does soon enough for you to get some gas, before you have to push. I would rather be alerted 50 miles before the gas tank runs dry than 10 miles before it runs dry. In any case, the gas gauge is not an exact science, just an alert. Be thankful you have one. I remember when the alert was when you had to manually open the reserve portion of your gas tank (that was before you had a trip meter). And if you were in the middle of nowhere you were SOL if you ran out!

Depending on your MPG, that warning light is telling you that you have between 25 and 40 miles before you're pushing or walking for gas. :sour:

One nice feature of the ZUMO GPS, at least the ZUMO 450 and 550, is that you can put in a miles per tank number for your bike and then the GPS will bring up a low fuel icon when you get within 30 miles of the number you input. Touching that low fuel icon brings up the closest gas stations to your position and touching one of the listed stations has the ZUMO start navigating you to that station. When you refill the gas tank, you reset the fuel odometer on the ZUMO and you're good to go. :thumbup:

 

[smokster]

actually the gas tank holds 5.9 gallons not the 7.13 they claim others say its 6.6gls but ive read recently that it is really only 5.9gls

I have put in 6.0, so that is not accurate

 

[sleepman]

I have put in 6.0, so that is not accurate

Unless the pump you were using wasn't accurate. Wouldn't be the first time I've heard of that happening, which is part of the reason the county goes around and inspects pumps.

I've run mine completely out, had to push it into the station, and it only took 5.8 gallons.

 

[M2Wild]

I've syphoned mine dry for winter storage in the basement. Will see how much it takes in the spring.

 

[bone crusher]

I've syphoned mine dry for winter storage in the basement. Will see how much it takes in the spring.

I've gotten a lot more consistent with filling it up ALL the way...literally, there is about a gallon extra to put in when the pump kicks off...just keep an eye and 'top off'...this is the only way to get that last 1/2 bar on the fuel gauge to show...apparently, the tank isn't as big as BRP said it was anyway...

I've also noticed a nice increase in mpg with the hindle and with the bike breaking in more...I was originally getting about 26 mpg...now I'm up and over 30...I guess getting better with gear shifts helps too...

As far as the winter goes, I keep my Spyder hooked up to a tender plus and I ride it every few weeks...if it's too cold, I just start it up and let it run for 10 minutes...spring is just around the corner...yahoooo!

 

[CyberSpyder]

I've gotten a lot more consistent with filling it up ALL the way...literally, there is about a gallon extra to put in when the pump kicks off...just keep an eye and 'top off'...this is the only way to get that last 1/2 bar on the fuel gauge to show...apparently, the tank isn't as big as BRP said it was anyway...

I've also noticed a nice increase in mpg with the hindle and with the bike breaking in more...I was originally getting about 26 mpg...now I'm up and over 30...I guess getting better with gear shifts helps too...

As far as the winter goes, I keep my Spyder hooked up to a tender plus and I ride it every few weeks...if it's too cold, I just start it up and let it run for 10 minutes...spring is just around the corner...yahoooo!

I am glad to hear this. I got my Spyder in October and have been disappointed in the MPG ~ 24mpg..a minimum of 30 is what I'm after.

I also ran my tank dry and put 6.7 gals in, so I would say 6.6 is pretty accurate.

 

[barb36jack31]

I had a fuel light that would come on just about any time it felt like it. Once it came on while I was returning home from the gas station, a distance of less than 2 miles. Diagnosis revealed that the sending unit was erratic and the entire cluster had to be replaced. This was done and the gauge now works fine. One downside- when the cluster is replaced the odometer is reset to 0, so you start all over again. I put a note in my journal that the real mileage on the machine is actually 3760 miles more than shows on the speedo. Strange machine!