Fuel Low indicator - how much fuel left??

[BretMorris]

Hi all,

Just wondering approximately how far you can ride once the low fuel light has come on?  I am riding a S4R - Testratretta with Termignoni full system and have been wondering how many kms I can ride before completely running dry? 

I know it varies greatly depending on how you ride etc. but I was just trying to get some idea.

Cheers

Bret

[dragonworld.]

On my M1000DS I pushed the envelope and got no more than 25k before the whole shooting match shut down!! (Freeway 100kph)

You wont get the whole reserve because as soon as the injector pump senses low pressure it shuts the engine down!! No coughing and spluttering just no more engine noise.

[stopintime]

 

I have discussed this with Ducati through my dealer Not only is the plastic tank not holding the advertised 14 liters (12.5 is closer), but the light comes on at 1.5 liters left, not the advertised 3 liters The response I got: "that's normal" - true Ducati style I guess? Because I wish to maintain a good relationship with my/the only dealer I have to settle for the piss poor solution of checking the trip counter to plan my rides. Normally I would have made them suffer until they came up with a solution, at least for when the reserve light comes on.

(Otherwise I feel fine )

[techno]

My info may not help much given the difference in our bikes. I have a S2R800. At the time the exhausts were standard.

My fuel light usually comes on at about 200km. I took a full jerry can (5ltr) with me and rode around some country roads at a conservative pace (ie. how I would ride if looking for a servo). I got 40km from the light to cut out. There was still fuel in there as I could hear it. Upon putting the extra fuel in the tank it started as usual (first go)which meant there was fuel in the lines and no need to crank it over to pump it through from the tank.

Try repeating this and you'll get a better estimate for your bike.

[Spider]

In Tasmania no one thinks any differently of a motorcyclist riding around with 5 litres of fuel strapped to his back???

In Melbourne we'd suspect you of terrorism! or in some neighbourhoods you'd get mugged for the petrol too.

I'm on a 992ds and can get 40k out of my 'yellow light', my light also comes on with around 3 litres in the tank, steel tank too. I've obviously got the quality model (made by the bloke after he'd finished with his mistress but BEFORE he went home for late lunch).

thinking about buying a large capacity kevlar tank next year - 4kg lighter with more capacity!

 

[Betty]

thinking about buying a large capacity kevlar tank next year - 4kg lighter with more capacity!

.... but if it holds 4kgs more fuel, then it isn't really any lighter (unless it's nearly empty) 

My consumption is too erratic to even consider a 'rule of thumb', if the light comes on I try and get some fuel .... it requires less brain power and causes less anxiety - top up when you can if it's a long distance between drinks.

[bazz20]

In Tasmania no one thinks any differently of a motorcyclist riding around with 5 litres of fuel strapped to his back???




 

but you can ride around tassie on a tank

[Richie]

My s4rs ran out and the noise stopped 2 months ago around 185 kms. Its poor milage but sh?t loads of power
Rich

[Spider]

.... but if it holds 4kgs more fuel, then it isn't really any lighter (unless it's nearly empty) 

spot on! the xtra 4 litres will be an extra 4 kg (that the tank saves) so...same weight (when full) an extra 70km of  [moto]

did I mention the tank has carbon panels 

[ellingly]

spot on! the xtra 4 litres will be an extra 4 kg (that the tank saves) so...same weight (when full) an extra 70km of  [moto]

did I mention the tank has carbon panels 

Actually... I hate to be a bit of a nerd, but... fuel has a density of ~703 g/L. This means 4 L has a mass of 2.8 kg. Water at 4°C and atmospheric pressure has a density of 1000g/L.

Oh, and yes, I am ignoring the thermal expansivity of fuel, but it isn't too much. I think I did some rough and ready calculations and the mass difference between 30°C fuel and 0°C fuel is in the order of 3.5% mass.

As for "how much fuel left" I get about 35 km out of my S2R1k when the light comes on. Can only get about 12.5L into the tank from empty before it'll rush out the overflow too...

[Spider]

Actually... I hate to be a bit of a nerd,

Don't lie, you frickin love it!

this also means that even with a full tank I'd be saving weight! Nice!

how close to the actual lip does fuel have to get before it 'overflows' (sounds like a Pearl Jam song)?

[Big T]

Brett I ride the same 2007 S4RT as you with the full open Zard system and the DP-ECU.....  [moto]

When the light comes on I have between 20-30km to go depending on the twist of the grip..... 

Now if I could get the "Saddle Box" people to include an extra fuel tank in the seat as well as the boot?   

[ellingly]

Don't lie, you frickin love it!

this also means that even with a full tank I'd be saving weight! Nice!

how close to the actual lip does fuel have to get before it 'overflows' (sounds like a Pearl Jam song)?

With the plastic tanks, there's a little breather hole. Exceed that and you may well know it. Can't remember how far below the lip that is, but not too far.

And yes, you're right, a nerd is my job and I'm resigned to that fact. I generally leave discussions on density at work though, but today, just couldn't resist.

[Dockstrada]

Brett I ride the same 2007 S4RT as you with the full open Zard system and the DP-ECU.....  [moto]

When the light comes on I have between 20-30km to go depending on the twist of the grip..... 

Now if I could get the "Saddle Box" people to include an extra fuel tank in the seat as well as the boot?   

+1 on the 20 to 30 km 

[loony888]

My s4rs ran out and the noise stopped 2 months ago around 185 kms. Its poor milage but sh?t loads of power
Rich

that really is piss poor consumption!!! even with the smaller plastic tank, jeez!
my 996 S4R has the steel tank, so another 2 litres, with the full arrow system, open airbox and filter and a d/p ecu and it ran out of puff at 265km. and it wasn't bone dry either, just picking up aerated fuel and shut down via the ecu. my light came on around the 190 kph mark IIRC.

paul.