What kind of range do you get from a tank? The guy I bought my bike from was super conservative and always refilled around 75 miles. I also tend to be on the conservative side and tend to top off between 75-100 miles. I have run the tank down to the reserve twice, once after 102 miles, once at 123miles. I have also filled it at 96 miles and found it took barely 2 gallons. So I am just wondering what is typical mileage for a tank.
I have a 1500 so my mileage is different, but I ride with a guy regularly he rides a 2002 800 Vulcan classic.
He hits reserve at about 120 when riding solo, and 100 when toting the wife..
But he makes it a habit to stop at the 90ish mark in case it is a while to the next station..
45 Bravo
Mixed road (70% road and 30% urban) i enjoy 112 miles before jumping the reserve....unly open roads....at 140 miles....
Ok so far it seems like I am in the right ballpark. I am sure my 280lbs is hurting the mileage a little.
I have a stock 2002 800 and get between 46 to 56 mpg for an average of 50 mpg....that equates to filling up after about 140 to 160 miles of driving; or again at an average of 150 miles.
ok I loaded my bike with my ample buttocks and gear for a ride last summer and did not know the mileage either, so I filled a 2 liter soda bottle with gas and off I went.....
4 gal tank = 15 liter tank....I would ride about 180 kms or 111.84987 miles and would then gas up. I think I had it at 118 miles and I would have to gas up or hit reserve. But I am thinking my screen in the tnak might be partly clooged and am going to take it out and clean it soon.
That's about what i got - around 100-110 mi before it hits reserve. I'm planning to jet carb, open the air filter system, and re-gear this winter, trying to get closer to Gerhardberger's 140 marks.
Mine is even more different, I have a 1500, with an indian speedo marked in MPH but the odometer reads kilometers, and to cap it all off we buy our fuel in litres but still think in imperial gallons which are different to US gallons..
When we quote figures we say miles per gallon.
I have no idea..
John.
Liters, gallons, imperial, kilometers, miles.....
Sounds like mental gymnastics...
I just wait until the bingo fuel light comes on.....
I have an app for my iPhone, you enter the odometer reading, price per gallon, and how many gallons you pumped in.
It figures and tracks, mileage, cost per gallon, and other things, and tracks it in a graph.
Takes about 30 seconds to enter data and you are off.
It even takes into account of partial fill ups..
45 Bravo
Hey can that ap figure in the cost of riding gear and bike accessories for a total cost per mile? I sure hope not... probably don't want to know... ;D
You have to get that type of app from Harley...
Greenbarn, since you are on this forum, that means you aren't a Harley rider.
So your cost of accessories and apparel SHOULD be very reasonable, compared to Harley riders...
45 Bravo
Yea, we're probabaly only about 25% of HD, right?? However, this being my first bike, I honestly didn't realize the magnitude of the accessories budget.... (good thing my wife didn't set an actual budjet - I would have blown it already....) 8 :o
Quote from: 45 Bravo on March 02, 2013, 08:36:52 AM
I just wait until the bingo fuel light comes on.....
Lucky you...We `800 Riders, don't have that important feature...:)
I was going to say the same thing Gerhardberger, you beat me to it.
You're talking about the push me soon light?
yup that thing we 800 riders do not need because we ride within limits...or something like that .......or carry a 2 liter pop bottle full of gas just in case.....
You 800 riders have that all important RESERVE SWITCH.
Which is great IF you remembered to turn it back to ON when you filled up...
Our 1500's don't take kindly to running dry...
And I don't relish the prospect of pushing a 700 pound hippo down the road...
The good thing about fuel injected?
EVERYTHING, until you run it dry...
I can say, with my drifter, I don't even know if my choke works, I have never had to use it from 105deg heat to 12deg cold. It just fires right up...
45 Bravo
;) choke needed every time I fire the machine up first time of the day or after it has sat for awhile......coldest bike I have ever owned. Don't want to swap out tanks because I want to keep it original, however if the trip I am planning for this summer or next summer I will be thinking of an add on fuel cell, because in the Canadian north there are a few long stretches of highway and out in the Praries with little fuel stops.
And really how many people have forgotten to switch the lever back to on after hitting the reserve......I did it once, and now it is a natural reaction to reach down and just touch the lever to make sure it is in the down or on position every time I leave a gas station.
this spring I will be doing a ride with a backup of fuel to see how far I can go on a tank.
Being an old harley guy, it was hard to NOT get on the drifter and check the switch... it was second nature. I remember someone doing the fuel cell thing a few years ago. I will see if I can find any info on that.
That should be interesting where and how to place a fuel cell. What would it be, a half gallon?
here is what I thought was the best site and easiest to understand......
http://tourtank.com/
pretty decent prices and all....
Harley sells a 1 gal. gas can designed to wedge into the back corner of their hard bags. Sells for $30 bucks. The biggest thing is the can is sealed so no vapors get out.
Beyond that I've heard of guys fabbing fuel cells to fit in either their saddle bags or top box and then plumb the gas into the main tank with a small electric pump. The top box designs I've seen have either baffles or of filled with cell foam to keep the gas from sloshing back and forth as you ride.
Assuming you have bags of some nature. the cheapest, easiest and likely safest way to have extra fuel is to carry 3-4 fuel bottles. These are specifically intended for this purpose.
http://www.bing.com/shopping/search?q=fuel+bottles&qpvt=fuel+bottles&FORM=HURE#x0y0 (http://www.bing.com/shopping/search?q=fuel+bottles&qpvt=fuel+bottles&FORM=HURE#x0y0)
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fts4.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DCjqisdfijZUZ8Ag%26amp%3Bpid%3DCommerce&hash=1d0ec4df7c26942565ead3e573a6f529a4b39301)
http://www.uscav.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=22240&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=bingshopping&cm_mmc=BingShopping-_-Products-_-SF-_-V1 (http://www.uscav.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=22240&utm_medium=shoppingengine&utm_source=bingshopping&cm_mmc=BingShopping-_-Products-_-SF-_-V1)
;) are those in the store and do we make money off them?
I forgot about them.......was also thinking if I get 180 kms to a tank and then add a second tank of the same size (4 gal, or 15 liters) that would give me about 360 kms to the 2 tanks, once I stopped for gas it would be really ugly, as I tried to pry my stiff and sore body from the seat, my arthritis would have me glued to the seat......lol......
See, this is why I have been working on getting improved fuel mileage from my 1500. I can now ride, non stop 190 miles, and still only put in 4 gals. to fill up. The last trip I made on my FLT (it was to go see the Drifter in the barn), I rode 234 miles on the 5 gal. tank, and went on reserve about a mile from my house....I love traveling on a motorcycle, but not spending time in gas stations.......
We have a bunch in the Amazon store... search ACCESSORIES for fuel bottle and you get some things like this... expensive but cool. I also have added a section... FUEL BOTTLES... for the Optimus Bottles... Unfortunately the search on there will not search the Every category.
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fecx.images-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F51NAaSPyK2L.jpg&hash=08fe10966f3a83705a1864da66ea80be9e864ca3)
Yeah, stopping for fuel gives me a chance to stretch and helps keep me alert. Too long in the saddle and I tend to get... numb.
I'm doing a 600 mile round trip this month, so I'll fill up, set the odometer to zero, run the bike 100 miles and see how much I've used, as I have a 16 litre tank and the fuel is sold in litres I plan to leave a 4 litre reserve in the tank at fill up, allowing for erratic riding it will sometimes drop to about 3 litres but at least I won't run out.
All I have to work out is how many kilometers I get to 12 litres.
What a strange country I live in..fuel sold in litres, roads measured in miles, speeding tickets in MPH, speedometer in MPH and odometer in Kilometres.
One of the problems of opening our borders to Europeans..
John.
I'm with Chief. I get numb butt about the 120 mark. So it's either stop for gas or stop for a beer. Buying gas is safer.
are those in the store and do we make money off them?
That's a good question,Ratman.I've never thought about having a fuel issue before being there's gas stations everywhere,here in NY.Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to carry extra fuel for those long trips out of state just in case,though.
That's more of a concern out west. There's places in the deserts out west where there isn't anything for many miles.
Oh,I see PC....I've never been out west so had no idea.Makes since when you mentioned the desert,though.I'm thinking about just carrying a half gallon for those oh s!!? moments ;) Ther's been a number of times that I was riding and just enjoying life with not even thinking about my fuel consumption.Before I knew it I was reaching down for the reserve switch.
Yea, in places in the sw USA you see signs saying
Last gas for 157 miles.. Or some other number that a Harley rider with a Peanut tank really don't want to see...
45 Bravo
Just a word of waring for tourists coming north, some back roads and secondary highways have no fuel for about 200kms.......on those trips I am going to get a couple of small bottles for fuel just in case....not all of them are signed either.
On our western USA tour a few years ago, I learned quickly to fill up whenever I got the chance. Even on the interstates there are long stretches without fuel available. My GPS really helped in that respect... it allowed me to find those sometimes hidden fuel stops.
Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 05, 2013, 11:13:09 AM
here is what I thought was the best site and easiest to understand......
http://tourtank.com/
pretty decent prices and all....
Looks interesting. So do the fuel tubes. For the tanks, where do you think you would locate the on/off valve?
Not sure were I would hide a valve on a 1500 as they are such large machines and have so many gadjets and hehaws on them already.....on the 800 there is a few places that are easy to reach and to sort of hide the valve.
Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 07, 2013, 08:02:32 AM
Not sure were I would hide a valve on a 1500 as they are such large machines and have so many gadjets and hehaws on them already.....on the 800 there is a few places that are easy to reach and to sort of hide the valve.
Must be past your feeding time....you're rattling your cage bars again.... :D
49Reo
what the truth hurts there BC Boy......lol........
Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 07, 2013, 08:02:32 AM
....so many gadjets and hehaws on them already......
"Hehaws"... that's one of them other words you don't hear any more....
;D Greenbarn at least us 800 riders don't have them hehaws or do dads.......or thingamajigs............
That's absotively right - no hehaws on my 800.
Don't you guys have any good old fashioned gewgaws or gimcracks anymore..
John.
Now that's a good question. I'm not really sure that I've even seen a real gimcrack. Maybe you got any pics?
Quote from: greenbarn on March 08, 2013, 20:12:41 PM
Now that's a good question. I'm not really sure that I've even seen a real gimcrack. Maybe you got any pics?
I could probably draw you one but they don't seem to have many photo's on the internet and disney hold a copyright on publishing them.
John.
Greenbarn them there gimcracks are like them there haggis that they herd over there....
Nah..they both have different color fur..and as you both know the haggis has only three legs which gives it that distinctive wobble when it runs, making it very hard to shoot.
John.
So now I'm really confused. Is that where the first batch of haggisdas ice cream originated?
;D oh oh oh that is hurting me so bad.....need to stop laughing......
OK folks time to wake this thread.. just a general question more then anything.. So today i finally got around to filling up.. Wife and i went riding up to the gas station to grab some drinks (her first actual street ride on her new machine) so getting her out and used to it.. We hop back on the bikes after getting our goods... Turn the drifter on.. hit the starter.. nothing.. (Shes turning over.. Look at odo, she's at 95.6 miles on this tank) knew i was getting slightly close.. but meh nothing bad.. Flip to RES.... Nothing. Hmm... now the gears are turning.. Roll over to the pump.. filler up.. BAM she fires up.. From what i read about 100ish miles is the norm and i'm ok with that.. Just was wondering why RES didn't allow me to fire up again.. (Rode home with PETCOCK in RES just to see (About a mile from house nothing bad) Just trying to track where i should be at. Weird part was.. upon fill.. bit over 2 gallons.. That's what threw me off the most.
My daily commute is combo of city/hwy.. few stop lights.. few runs between 45-55. Anywho.. Thanks for reading.
P.S.... I LOVE THIS BIKE!
That is strange. You should have had enough fuel. When you are at home shift it over to Res again and see if it starts.
this bike has a vacuum operated petcock. Just switching to reserve won't turn on the fuel. You need to go to prime to fill the carb. From your description, I don't think it was a low fuel problem.
ok last time this got really confusing with the conversion back and forth, but I can give you a few snippets, on my own experience with the 800.
First off not sure why it would not have let you start on reserve. I can remember the first time I hit reserve and it was sooner then I expected and it was a shock, but once I flipped the lever it was bang and off we went.
So here is what I found, I used reg. gas first, and found that I would get like 150 km to a tank (15 liters) if I used mid grade fuel or high test I would get 170 km to a tank, So I tried a test for a few weeks and used mid range fuel, and I did a mixture of riding and I was getting 5.64 to 5.96 liters for 100 km. Yup it can get confusing.
So what I base it on is that about every 160 km or 2 hours and I am pulling over for a break, walk the kinks out of my knees and back and then back on for another kick at the cat.
This summer I am going to do a tune up and a few small adjustments and then do my testing over once more.
Hello Milky...I had this same thing happen shortly after I got my Drifter. Seemed to run out of gas, wouldn't start on reserve, but took less than usual to fill. After having tank open to fill started right up. When got home read on here somewhere about it happening to another...checked and cleaned out gas tank cap vent and nothing obivious out of order but it has worked perfectly since.
Quote from: CDNRatMan on March 09, 2014, 18:39:13 PM
ok last time this got really confusing with the conversion back and forth, but I can give you a few snippets, on my own experience with the 800.
First off not sure why it would not have let you start on reserve. I can remember the first time I hit reserve and it was sooner then I expected and it was a shock, but once I flipped the lever it was bang and off we went.
So here is what I found, I used reg. gas first, and found that I would get like 150 km to a tank (15 liters) if I used mid grade fuel or high test I would get 170 km to a tank, So I tried a test for a few weeks and used mid range fuel, and I did a mixture of riding and I was getting 5.64 to 5.96 liters for 100 km. Yup it can get confusing.
So what I base it on is that about every 160 km or 2 hours and I am pulling over for a break, walk the kinks out of my knees and back and then back on for another kick at the cat.
This summer I am going to do a tune up and a few small adjustments and then do my testing over once more.
Most recent fillup was on 91, (the 96 mile tank) i filled with Mid grade this last time.. It was a random issue, will do as was suggested as for checking vent.. See what it does.. I rode home with tank on RES after filling no issues what so ever. Took a whole 2 gallons to fill to the rim too.. I'll keep ya posted as things progress.. she'll get ridden tomorrow.. (Supposed to be 71 outside)
Like I said...opening the fuel tank cap will allow air in the tank and that will allow fuel to flow. I never had this happen to my Drifter, but it DID happen to my W-650
That's kinda what I was thinking.. possible vapor lock type situation.. Still learning her "quirks" but overall.. i can't complain about this bike... Def the top of the bikes i've owned thus far.
;) ok the bell has rung, someone else had this happen and all they did was open the tank it was ok till the vacuum went out again, it was a simple matter of cleaning the area .
Toting a trailer decreases gas mileage but I have not had enough road miles with this setup yet to get an accurate mileage calculation. When I was toting my trailer with the Goldwing, (6.2 gallon tank with gas guage) I always carried a two quart fuel container in the trailer just in case. I never had to use it myself, but I have shared it with other bikers on the road.
With this setup, I will probably buy a good quality one gallon fuel can and haul it in the trailer.
(https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1212.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fcc447%2Flarryinseattle%2Fdrifter%2520hitch%2520and%2520trailer%2520pictures%2Fbikeandtrailer_zps1aac9104.jpg&hash=218942e63fdf43817d7e804e03601137f0bc5dd0)
Definately one of the more conservative guys. I once ran out of fuel (previous EN500) and swore it would never happen again.
So now I fill'er up at 120km / 75 miles.
I think we have all ran out of gas at one point hahaha.. I was on a friends RVF 400 Honda.. We were on a ride didn't realize it was in RES already.. Suddenly he's pulling away.. and i glance down to see 0 RPM's... attempted start.. nada.. flipped petcock and was like WOOPS! lol.. So yeah.. I'll fill up around 100 Miles or so now. (every 2 days with my current commute)