Distance after fuel light

justscootin

Member
So I finally got around to checking how far you can go after fuel light comes on. This has been a discussion since this forum began 4 years ago but no one has answered. I got my fuel canister that had about half a litre in it and tossed under the seat. Off I went, I was already close to empty as I had already gone 54km since the light came on. I wasn't planning on going far (about 25km) I got 9km so it totaled out 63km (39m). I coasted to the side of the road poured the gas I had under the seat and then the search for gas.

I am going to do this again someday and compare results

Just take this as a guideline as everyone will have a different experience
 

SteveADV

Active member
Good stuff. Thanks for the info. It will be interesting to see how your next "fuel light check" compares.
 

TwoPort

Member
I've been going into the high 20's (miles) after the light and riding conservatively. Knowing 39 miles is probably a hard cut off is very helpful for perspective. Thank you.
 

bicyclenut

Member
That would be right on with my calculations based upon BMW's published data for reserve capacity and my average gas mileage to-date, I calculated 40.4 miles.

Based upon my worse and best gas mileage the reserve distance would be 36 miles - 42 miles, of course there could be some variance due to pump accuracy and how close I fill to same point each time. I try and fill tank so gas is just visible above nozzle opening.

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To not risk the chance that I do run out of gas without extra onboard, I have always used 30miles as my range when light comes on.

So I finally got around to checking how far you can go after fuel light comes on. This has been a discussion since this forum began 4 years ago but no one has answered. I got my fuel canister that had about half a litre in it and tossed under the seat. Off I went, I was already close to empty as I had already gone 54km since the light came on. I wasn't planning on going far (about 25km) I got 9km so it totaled out 63km (39m). I coasted to the side of the road poured the gas I had under the seat and then the search for gas.

I am going to do this again someday and compare results

Just take this as a guideline as everyone will have a different experience
 

exavid

Member
It's easy to check the mileage you get on a tank. Just ride until it gets real quiet. Then read the odometer.:)
 

JaimeC

New member
I prefer NOT knowing. I find that a GOOD incentive to find a gas station as quickly as possible instead of riding along with false confidence. :p
 

steve l

Member
I typically get 165 miles until the fuel warming lights comes on and when I tested it 30 miles after that.
 

bicyclenut

Member
Mine came on tonight with 160.7 miles since last fill up. My gas mileage this tank was 50.3MPG. My overall average in 10,500 miles of tracking has been 47.7MPG, so this tank was above my normal. I filled with 3.200 gallons.
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Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

spacepuppy

New member
Being new to this bike I wasn't sure when the low fuel light would come on. Turns out 2 bars on the gas gauge is the point where the light comes on. FWIW, I went 23 miles after the light came on on a bike with 300 miles on it and not yet to its first service.
 

tensixmom

New member
I was just thinking about this morning. I was down to the last two bars (so a quarter of a tank left, I guess?) and I got from home to work (about 12 miles) before the low fuel light came on. Thanks for all the info. I'll get gas on my way home just to be super safe.
 

Gerardo

New member
Bicyclenut, my RDC is showing in BAR, do you know how to change it to PSI?
Thanks!
Gerardo
 
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Kim F

New member
So, on a related matter, I am new to CVT gearboxes, what is the optimal speed for efficiency purposes when one wants to ride the most economically? Like, just after the fuel light comes on and you are in the middle of nowhere?
 

TwoPort

Member
So, on a related matter, I am new to CVT gearboxes, what is the optimal speed for efficiency purposes when one wants to ride the most economically? Like, just after the fuel light comes on and you are in the middle of nowhere?

If the fuel light comes on and you're truly in the middle of nowhere hopefully you have cel phone reception because you're gonna need it. Fuel capacity is about 4.2 gallons which at 50mpg should get you to 200 miles. But your fuel LCD will show zero long before that.

I've got nearly 37,000 miles so I've had many opportunities to see what happens. No I've never run it dry. Going 60mph with a small windshield down or a bigger one down, I get about 50+mpg. That said, once the light comes on I try to get it fueled within 25 miles and filling to the very top it takes about 3.6 to 3.7 gallons. The longest I think I've gone is 35 miles and it may have taken 3.9 gallons. So that leaves a little wiggle room.

I'd guess if you took it easy like 50mph on relatively flat area you might get another 50 miles after the light in an emergency but I'd sure hate to test it.
 

justscootin

Member
So I finally got around to checking how far you can go after fuel light comes on. This has been a discussion since this forum began 4 years ago but no one has answered. I got my fuel canister that had about half a litre in it and tossed under the seat. Off I went, I was already close to empty as I had already gone 54km since the light came on. I wasn't planning on going far (about 25km) I got 9km so it totaled out 63km (39m). I coasted to the side of the road poured the gas I had under the seat and then the search for gas.

I am going to do this again someday and compare results

Just take this as a guideline as everyone will have a different experience
So today I went for a ride and 2km into it my fuel light came on so I went home got my fuel canister with a bit of gas in it. I rode the bike dry (almost 5 years after my original post) I got 83km till empty back 5 years ago I got 63km. I also have 83000km
 
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Delray

Well-known member
"I finally got around to checking how far you can go after fuel light comes on ... it totaled out 63km (39m)."

That fits my math. I calculate 45 mpg on my 2013. When the light comes on, the bike takes 3.4 gallons (I happened to be rolling into a gas station as the light came on once, so that measurement is precise). With a 4.2 gallon tank minus 3.4 gallons, that leaves 0.8 gallons in reserve when the light comes on.

45 mpg x 80% = 36 miles. Honestly, I get nervous when I hit 20, but it's still nice to have a fairly accurate idea of your "range before walking."
 
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