Ran out Gas, Scraped a Peg

[AzBob_imp]

So, last three tanks I got around 54mpg, which translates to 200+ miles per tank. Last week, I figured I could make it the 30 miles to the gas station near my house on what I had left, trip showed 162 miles travelled, so I was pretty certain I had a good margin.

Nope. Was about 8 miles from where I was hoping to get to, and I ran out of gas on the highway. The bike is really nice and lets you know you're getting close to by starting a slow sputter, following shortly by large sputtering, after which you're basically taking the place of the motor. Wife rescued me. Unfortunately, I had tried to recrank the bike a couple of times on an already weak battery, so when my wife brought me gas, the bike wouldn't crank and I had to pull the battery and charge it at home. I rode back to the bike, installed the battery, and got it home. Since the battery was near end of life anyway, I purchased a Shorai replacement since I've had a good experience with the Shorai I put in my CBR.

I think I got poor mileage out of that tank because I've been getting more and more comfortable with the bike and riding a little bit more aggressive on occasion. Which leads me to the second half of this story:

On the way to work the other day, getting on the highway, I turned inside another vehicle on a two-lane entrance ramp, and in my zeal, scraped a peg. That's only the second time I've done that (first on this bike, other time was on a K1600GTL test ride). Kinda scared myself a little at first, then I thought, wowzers, didn't even realize I had leaned over that far. My body position was crap because I wasn't actually preparing to turn that much, otherwise I would never have scraped, but oh well. Now my perfect peg feelers are scratched on one side.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

Dont worry Bob, those pegs aren't expensive. The bolt head costs around $2.75 here in OZ. Grind them down, still plenty of tyre left - particularly if your using RP3s or Angel GTs.

Cheers

[flynrider]

So, last three tanks I got around 54mpg, which translates to 200+ miles per tank. Last week, I figured I could make it the 30 miles to the gas station near my house on what I had left, trip showed 162 miles travelled, so I was pretty certain I had a good margin.

Nope. Was about 8 miles from where I was hoping to get to, and I ran out of gas on the highway. The bike is really nice and lets you know you're getting close to by starting a slow sputter, following shortly by large sputtering, after which you're basically taking the place of the motor. Wife rescued me. Unfortunately, I had tried to recrank the bike a couple of times on an already weak battery, so when my wife brought me gas, the bike wouldn't crank and I had to pull the battery and charge it at home. I rode back to the bike, installed the battery, and got it home. Since the battery was near end of life anyway, I purchased a Shorai replacement since I've had a good experience with the Shorai I put in my CBR.

I think I got poor mileage out of that tank because I've been getting more and more comfortable with the bike and riding a little bit more aggressive on occasion. Which leads me to the second half of this story:

On the way to work the other day, getting on the highway, I turned inside another vehicle on a two-lane entrance ramp, and in my zeal, scraped a peg. That's only the second time I've done that (first on this bike, other time was on a K1600GTL test ride). Kinda scared myself a little at first, then I thought, wowzers, didn't even realize I had leaned over that far. My body position was crap because I wasn't actually preparing to turn that much, otherwise I would never have scraped, but oh well. Now my perfect peg feelers are scratched on one side.

Riding style makes a big difference. I've turned in anywhere from 40 mpg to 58 mpg, depending on how I ride it.

[Pterodactyl_imp]

So, last three tanks I got around 54mpg, which translates to 200+ miles per tank. Last week, I figured I could make it the 30 miles to the gas station near my house on what I had left, trip showed 162 miles travelled, so I was pretty certain I had a good margin.

Nope. Was about 8 miles from where I was hoping to get to, and I ran out of gas on the highway. The bike is really nice and lets you know you're getting close to by starting a slow sputter, following shortly by large sputtering, after which you're basically taking the place of the motor. Wife rescued me. Unfortunately, I had tried to recrank the bike a couple of times on an already weak battery, so when my wife brought me gas, the bike wouldn't crank and I had to pull the battery and charge it at home. I rode back to the bike, installed the battery, and got it home. Since the battery was near end of life anyway, I purchased a Shorai replacement since I've had a good experience with the Shorai I put in my CBR.

I think I got poor mileage out of that tank because I've been getting more and more comfortable with the bike and riding a little bit more aggressive on occasion. Which leads me to the second half of this story:

On the way to work the other day, getting on the highway, I turned inside another vehicle on a two-lane entrance ramp, and in my zeal, scraped a peg. That's only the second time I've done that (first on this bike, other time was on a K1600GTL test ride). Kinda scared myself a little at first, then I thought, wowzers, didn't even realize I had leaned over that far. My body position was crap because I wasn't actually preparing to turn that much, otherwise I would never have scraped, but oh well. Now my perfect peg feelers are scratched on one side.

Riding style makes a big difference. I've turned in anywhere from 40 mpg to 58 mpg, depending on how I ride it.

Riding style makes a big difference. I've turned in anywhere from 40 mpg to 58 mpg, depending on how I ride it.
You're right Flyn. That's about my MPG.

Cheers

[activedirt_imp]

I filled up with high-test one day just before entering the Blue Ridge Parkway. I'm uncertain that the type of gas made any difference in the mpg. I do think the motor ran somewhat stronger. At the end of this trip I averaged 63.3 mpg. However my typical is much the same as others on this tread.

[LongRanger_imp]

I'm getting low-60's pretty routinely, but I rarely ride below 7000'. I guess it takes less gas up here to maintain the proper air/fuel mixture than at lower elevations.

[4 Paws_imp]

Running out of gas would not be anywhere on my list of things I want to do today. Hope you thanked your wife, publicly.

Riding buddy got me in the habit of filling up before heading back home, I force myself to do it. Station near here has non-ethanol gas so I frequently indulge in that.

Getting better and better fuel mileage as the miles rack up. Haven't tried an extended trip on the interstate so I'm curious how that would be.

Scraping the pegs? Might take me a while before I get there again, old CB it was a regular occurrence but that was sometime in the previous millennium. Probably about the same time the current crop of design engineers were born.

[metallyguitarded_imp]

I have yet to scrape a peg on my CB and can't say it's a goal of mine. Nor have I run out of gas although I've come pretty close. I scraped a peg on my VFR once, was not expecting it and it scared me to death. I suppose it would be nice to experience it on the CB just to get an idea of how much lean angle is available before touching down with other parts (body or bike).

[drodg33]

It looks like I am averaging about 54 mpg. My typical ride is 5th to 6th gear riding 45-50 mph. Congratulations on the cornering. I don't think I have done that on any bike but maybe once.

[Doug_imp]

I'm getting low-60's pretty routinely, but I rarely ride below 7000'. I guess it takes less gas up here to maintain the proper air/fuel mixture than at lower elevations.

That's great mpg there. I went over Boreas Pass a few weeks back and averaged 54 mpg. I would think mountain mileage would be worse since you have to keep in the throttle a bit more. My numbers may be a little skewed since Boreas is a gravel road and I didn't go over 25 mph. Even my few other mountain rides I got in low 50 mpg range. High speed riding such as interstate or in a stiff crosswind will only get me low 40's for mpg. Don't think I will ever see 60 mpg since I have been known to be a bit ham-handed on the throttle