My bike consistently runs out of gas

[xprof]

Hey CubDriver -- Next spring, when you fill the tank, let us know how many gallons you were able to fit in it. I have recorded 5.8 gallons on two occasions, but who can trust those damn pumps...

[redwing]

DAMN I like riding that bike.

Me too...she is a honey.

Robert

[dcameron]

Answer to your dilemma - refuel earlier - you haven't figured that out?

[Cubdriver]

xprof, I sure will. It was killing me to know the same answer youi ask, but I could not fill it at that time. I suspect it will hold well over 5.5 because my average mpg was 46. We'll see. Ride safe.

[flaps]

I've ridden an old air head for years, so I've learned to use my odometer to monitor my fuel range. Of course, the dual petcocks helped immensely. I've pleasantly discovered that the tank on my '08 R12R holds over 6 gallons of fuel. As a test, I've run out of gas, added a half gallon, and driven a few miles to a station and added 5.8 gallons, right to the top. I've replaced the fuel strip when it failed, but have learned not to trust the miles remaining on the computer. In fact, it's now off by over 80 miles. I always reset my trip A meter and my mpg when I fill up. I've found that the mpg is always accurate, so I can calculate how much fuel I will take at fill up. It's always correct, at least within a 1 mpg range. When I've run out of gas. I lay the bike over on its side and can usually squeeze another dozen miles out of it. As a rule, I multiply my displayed mpg by 5.5 gallons to determine my absolute maximum range, though in my mind I know it's not an absolute.
To prevent problems from over filling the tank, I have disconnected and capped the hose from the charcoal fuel cannister that goes to the solenoid that sucks the vapors into the left throttle body intake and plugged the outlet in the cannister. If I fill the tank to the top and don't get underway for a bit, I usually have gas leaking onto the ground under the bike, just like the old airhead.

[xprof]

Good trick, Flaps. Thanks! I've pushed mine over a mile and two hills. Next time I'll try laying it on its side. Left side, I presume?

[Ric]

Hey CubDriver -- Next spring, when you fill the tank, let us know how many gallons you were able to fit in it. I have recorded 5.8 gallons on two occasions, but who can trust those damn pumps...

I know a fellow in Alabama who's job is to randomly spot check fuel pump accuracy. He tells me the pumps are very accurate to within +/- 0.01 gal. His very fancy test equipment,which I've seen, is calibrated to traceable accepted standards.

Of course this is the great state of Alabama, there's no telling what the state of california pulls over on it's people.....

[flaps]

Left side so I could use the side stand. For all I know the other side might work better if you can hold the bike up. I've also done some abropt weaving and kept it going a little longer. Though once I gave up on the miles remaining on the computer, I haven't had to resort to either tactic, but it's nice to know there are some options.

[BoxerSteve]

Left side so I could use the side stand. For all I know the other side might work better if you can hold the bike up. I've also done some abropt weaving and kept it going a little longer. Though once I gave up on the miles remaining on the computer, I haven't had to resort to either tactic, but it's nice to know there are some options.

On the R1150R the fuel pickup is on the right side, is it the same on the R1200R? If so, leaning it over to the right would seem to be the correct option to wring the last few ounces of fuel out.

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

On the 1200 series, the fuel pump is in the left tank lobe. Leaning to the left gives some extra capacity. Don't know the number, but it's at least several miles. Saved my bacon once on the interstate. You need to lean as far left as you can to get the right side of the tank higher than the left so the fuel runs into that lower lobe where the pump can get it.

[BoxerSteve]

On the 1200 series, the fuel pump is in the left tank lobe. Leaning to the left gives some extra capacity. Don't know the number, but it's at least several miles. Saved my bacon once on the interstate. You need to lean as far left as you can to get the right side of the tank higher than the left so the fuel runs into that lower lobe where the pump can get it.

I usually don't go more than 200 miles before filling up, the fuller your tank is the cooler the fuel pump will be. It needs the "fuel to cool" and is happiest when immersed. Can't be good for your fuel pump to run the tank dry.

On a related note, my fuel strip crapped out on me a few weeks ago, now my fuel light is on constantly.

[Gerardo]

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