How many miles before fill up

[Allensr]

My gas light goes on at about 115 mi. It usually takes 4.5 gal. We are getting about 26 mpg. Is it safe to run it to 140 before filling it up? I know the tank holds 6.6 gal but how much should I count on. I ordered two Reda cans because I hate having to stop every 120 mi. This puts the Spyder in Sportser class not a touring bike.
The Spyder is a 2011 RTS with automatic xmission. We are usually 2 up and do a lot of mixed riding ie. city and hw. We have just turned 3 k +mi. I am using reg gas in it.

 

[GeoffCee]

I have a Zumo 550 satnav with a miles-per-tank facility which I've set at 160 miles. This agrees closely with the range per fill-up as indicated by the Spyder's fuel gauge. It would be great to have more range but I don't think carrying extra fuel in containers in any of the luggage compartments of the Spyder is a safe thing to do.

The range of the Spyder is a lot less than my last touring bike but I've learned to live with it and so I stop for gas more often, I don't have a choice, it is what it is. :f_spider:

 

[Allensr]

I understand the Reda cans are designed and approved for carrying in the trip trunk or saddle bags. Have you looked at their web site? At 160 mi. how much fuel do you take on.

 

[GeoffCee]

I understand the Reda cans are designed and approved for carrying in the trip trunk or saddle bags. Have you looked at their web site? At 160 mi. how much fuel do you take on.

My Spyder usually takes about 17 or 18 litres (17.03 litres is 4.50 US gallons) at fill up. I have a 2011 RT-S SE5, and we always ride 2-up. I haven't looked at the Reda web site, just the thought of carrying petrol that way scares the cr*p out of me. I was in hospital once and the guy in the next bed was recovering from 60% burns on his legs and torso. He had been smoking while putting gas in his car from a can.

 

[exwinger]

mpt

2011 RTSM5......if my light comes on around 120 miles then I better be getting gas at around 150 , usually little less than 6 to fill.If the light comes on around 140 I'm good til about 180. Took a lot of fillups and miles before I felt confident in ushing the limits tween fillups.I've ridden a long ways with the light glaring at me but I go by miles now.

 

[boborgera]

My gas light goes on at about 115 mi. It usually takes 4.5 gal. We are getting about 26 mpg. Is it safe to run it to 140 before filling it up? I know the tank holds 6.6 gal but how much should I count on. I ordered two Reda cans because I hate having to stop every 120 mi. This puts the Spyder in Sportser class not a touring bike.
The Spyder is a 2011 RTS with automatic xmission. We are usually 2 up and do a lot of mixed riding ie. city and hw. We have just turned 3 k +mi. I am using reg gas in it.

6 Gal. is all you can get in the tank if your lucky and if you stuff every last drop in from empty [dry]
The .6 is for head space, I ran my tank dry twice, and most i could get in was 5.7 gal.

 

[NancysToy]

The Spyder has a 6.6 gallon tank, but that includes head space. Do not count on it holding more than 6.0 gallons, perhaps less, depending on how you fill. I wouldn't push too hard after the light comes on, especially with your mileage that is not exceptional. I'd estimate you could go another 25 easily enough, but not much more. I personally would not push it, but if you have confidence in the numbers you have cited, you should be OK. It only takes a few hills, a headwind, or some more spirited riding than normal to make that mileage figure drop. At 20 mph you would only have 20 more miles with any comfort, and 30 until you were sucking fumes...and that is only on level ground and on a straight road. If the gas runs away from the pickup, your goose would be cooked sooner.

 

[boborgera]

Another thought especially in hot weather' When you run the tank too low you'll lose the cooling property's
of the gas on the fuel pump then the Spyder will [might] run a little ragged until you fill the tank with cool gas again.

 

[Bob Denman]

I've never seen the low fuel light... pps: But I normally fill up at about the 140 mile mark...

 

[GeoffCee]

Another thought especially in hot weather' When you run the tank too low you'll lose the cooling property's of the gas on the fuel pump then the Spyder will [might] run a little ragged until you fill the tank with cool gas again.

Summer temps can be high, even here in the UK where we have a temperate climate. Also, the fuel tank is downwind of the engine's heat, which leads me to suppose that "cool gas" is a luxury the fuel pump will enjoy only during the colder months of the year.

Is the ragged running of the fuel pump caused by hot fuel a problem you've experienced with your Spyder? Can't say I've noticed it while riding my RT, at least not so far... :dontknow:

 

[smurfette]

Gas theory

I always follow my theory.... Never pass up the opportunity to fuel up.... or pee !:roflblack:

 

[Schnauzer]

I understand the Reda cans are designed and approved for carrying in the trip trunk or saddle bags. Have you looked at their web site? At 160 mi. how much fuel do you take on.

@ 160 we usually average 4.7 - 5.2. This is usually around the time the light comes on.. Keep in mind, we do not ride hard, we ride fast, just take the slow road getting there.

 

[NancysToy]

I always follow my theory.... Never pass up the opportunity to fuel up.... or pee !:roflblack:

:thumbup: Good philoshophy to live by! I wonder if we can get T-shirts with that on them.

 

[Lamonster]

You're getting about the same mileage as me when I tow (most all the time). If you can use all of the 6 gallons that's 156 miles. I feel better about going 140 miles max but I do carry an extra 2 gallons with me just in case.

 

[NancysToy]

You're getting about the same mileage as me when I tow (most all the time). If you can use all of the 6 gallons that's 156 miles. I feel better about going 140 miles max but I do carry an extra 2 gallons with me just in case.

There is nothing more comforting than having that extra couple of gallons tucked away! I used to hit the stations on a trip every 100 miles or so, but I will go 125-140 if I have the REDA gas cans along. nojoke

 

[Lamonster]

I have a Zumo 550 satnav with a miles-per-tank facility which I've set at 160 miles. This agrees closely with the range per fill-up as indicated by the Spyder's fuel gauge. It would be great to have more range but I don't think carrying extra fuel in containers in any of the luggage compartments of the Spyder is a safe thing to do.

The range of the Spyder is a lot less than my last touring bike but I've learned to live with it and so I stop for gas more often, I don't have a choice, it is what it is. :f_spider:

I have the 660 and it has the same fuel gauge feature but I never reset it so that the fuel icon is always on the display. I do this because lets say I'm at 100 miles and I'm not sure if there are stations ahead or not I'll punch the icon and see if maybe the next set of stations are at 120 miles or so, then I know I don't need to pull over now to get fuel because there is fuel ahead and within range. Being able to do this without punching more than one button is nice and I use that all the time so I don't have to stop as much. :doorag:

 

[rcantrell52]

Two weeks ago went 119 miles and the fuel light did not come on. Filled up with 4.7 gallons = 25.7 mpg. The fuel gauge needle was at the bottom of the red zone of the gas gauge. When does the low fuel light come on usually?
Thanks,
Reese

 

[Allensr]

Ours comes on as soon as the pointer hits the red. I read that there is a different front belt pulley ,will this make a major mileage improvement?

 

[GeoffCee]

Being able to do this without punching more than one button is nice and I use that all the time so I don't have to stop as much. :doorag:

The Zumo's search facility is great for fuel (and lots of other stuff) but it takes a heap of button pushing, which as you imply can only be carried out safely when the vehicle is stationary. In addition to fuel, I've used it to find food and a place to stay for the night, etc. That is where a satnav really scores over a paper road map.

I'll be sure to try your one button technique though, Lamont, it sounds promising. If you are following a route does it show you where the fill-ups are ahead on your route, or does it list all the gas stations relative to where you happen to be, starting with the closest? :hun: That's what a regular search does, it isn't route specific, which I would like it to be sometimes.

 

[SpongeBob]

I finally got to see the red low-fuel warning light this weekend. The gas gauge was at the bottom of the red zone.

I stopped about a mile after the light came on and pumped in 4.6 gallons.

It looks like slightly under 5 gallons is the magic fill-up point when running on empty.