02-08-2018, 06:24 PM
All this talk of fuel capacity might prompt me to do something I've considered for years, which is to strap a one-gallon plastic gas can on the back and run the bike out of gas to learn its true usable capacity. In my experience, most (but not all) vehicles are very conservative with their gauges and low fuel lights, for the obvious reason that manufacturers don't want unhappy owners running out of gas.
But I find it silly to feel the need to refuel a small (less than five gallons) tank when there may be two gallons left. I just sold a Moto Guzzi with a reputed tank capacity of nearly five gallons. The stupid thing only returned 37 or 38 miles per gallon (and yes, it was stock and perfectly tuned), and the low fuel light turned on consistently at about 133 miles. I could only stuff 3.2 or 3.3 gallons in it . . . so what was the usable capacity?
And I had a 2009 Harley Ultra (stock, like all my bikes) that allegedly had a six-gallon tank. It also had a gauge and a "miles remaining" calculation that was selectable on the dash. Once the low fuel lamp illuminated, the display switched and started the countdown. I was on I-77 in Ohio early one morning, approaching the New Philadelphia area; the countdown was in progress . . . 25, 20, 15 . . . then "LO". (Note: When it says "LO", believe it!) I knew where the gas station was (the BP) and could actually see the sign in the distance. Well, the near-900 pound SOB started chugging. Terrific, at 70 mph with traffic. I eased off the throttle and hoped. Made it to the exit, but there was a traffic light at the bottom. Please, please, be green . . . It was, and I rolled into the station on the fumes. I stood there and nursed every bit of gas into the tank that I could. It took 5.48 gallons. Not six. Irritated me to no end. If you claim six gallons, the damn thing better take six. POS.
On the other hand, I had a similar experience with my old Road King near home. It was late autumn, so time to put the King away for the winter. I knew it was low on gas, but the station was just one exit down I-70. Yep, started chugging on I-70. Pulled into the station and filled it. It took 4.97 gallons. That one was a true five-gallon tank, as advertised.
My BMW R1100RT was advertised as having a 6.6 gallon tank. But one day I ran it up over 300 miles on a tank and put 6.8 gallons in it . . .
But I find it silly to feel the need to refuel a small (less than five gallons) tank when there may be two gallons left. I just sold a Moto Guzzi with a reputed tank capacity of nearly five gallons. The stupid thing only returned 37 or 38 miles per gallon (and yes, it was stock and perfectly tuned), and the low fuel light turned on consistently at about 133 miles. I could only stuff 3.2 or 3.3 gallons in it . . . so what was the usable capacity?
And I had a 2009 Harley Ultra (stock, like all my bikes) that allegedly had a six-gallon tank. It also had a gauge and a "miles remaining" calculation that was selectable on the dash. Once the low fuel lamp illuminated, the display switched and started the countdown. I was on I-77 in Ohio early one morning, approaching the New Philadelphia area; the countdown was in progress . . . 25, 20, 15 . . . then "LO". (Note: When it says "LO", believe it!) I knew where the gas station was (the BP) and could actually see the sign in the distance. Well, the near-900 pound SOB started chugging. Terrific, at 70 mph with traffic. I eased off the throttle and hoped. Made it to the exit, but there was a traffic light at the bottom. Please, please, be green . . . It was, and I rolled into the station on the fumes. I stood there and nursed every bit of gas into the tank that I could. It took 5.48 gallons. Not six. Irritated me to no end. If you claim six gallons, the damn thing better take six. POS.
On the other hand, I had a similar experience with my old Road King near home. It was late autumn, so time to put the King away for the winter. I knew it was low on gas, but the station was just one exit down I-70. Yep, started chugging on I-70. Pulled into the station and filled it. It took 4.97 gallons. That one was a true five-gallon tank, as advertised.
My BMW R1100RT was advertised as having a 6.6 gallon tank. But one day I ran it up over 300 miles on a tank and put 6.8 gallons in it . . .