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Fuel poll

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  #1  
Old 08-06-2021 | 11:53 PM
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Default Fuel poll

Do you ever carry extra fuel and if so, how much and in which container. I never really thought about until this morning when the bike died six times in 3 miles. Well whattaya know...no reserve switch on your newly purchased Harley Bruce. Doh! Fortunately I was able to coast downhill for a mile and it drank the final drop as I turned into the gas station. Coasted to the pump. I just ordered two 30oz MSR fuel bottles to put in the saddlebags as back-up for longer interstate trips, Murphy's Law and/or a senior moment. Anyone else do this?
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Last edited by BC1000; 08-07-2021 at 01:52 AM.
  #2  
Old 08-07-2021 | 03:57 AM
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Never carried extra fuel on the bike.

Bike does have a reserve and, the lights tell me when I hit reserve. Still my practice has been - each time I get fuel, I reset my trip. Can usually get about 200 + miles out of the tank. On trips, I stop every 125 miles or so for gas. Around town, at 150, I tend to get gas

Thought about getting something like this when we rode through the Badlands. Instead, I stayed with my practice and, all was ok
 
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  #3  
Old 08-07-2021 | 05:46 AM
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No...never carried any extra fuel. My bike doesn't have a fuel gauge, but it does have a reserve.
You noted in your post:
"Well whattaya know...no reserve switch on your newly purchased Harley Bruce."
Do you not have a fuel gauge, OR reserve..??
 
  #4  
Old 08-07-2021 | 06:10 AM
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Originally Posted by cycle7447
Never carried extra fuel on the bike.

Bike does have a reserve and, the lights tell me when I hit reserve. Still my practice has been - each time I get fuel, I reset my trip. Can usually get about 200 + miles out of the tank. On trips, I stop every 125 miles or so for gas. Around town, at 150, I tend to get gas

Thought about getting something like this when we rode through the Badlands. Instead, I stayed with my practice and, all was ok

 
  #5  
Old 08-07-2021 | 06:20 AM
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Automatic reserve, light comes on for you. I carry that same can in the trailer on long trips, but my m8 gets 45 mpg with 6 gallon tank. I rarely let the light shine, don't want that bulb to wear out. When im near home I'll risk wear and tear on the bulb.
 
  #6  
Old 08-07-2021 | 06:35 AM
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Nope on an extra fuel container. I've learned to trust my 2018 Heritage gage and early warning "reserve" alert. Five gallon tank, 40-50 mpg. Hell, I'm ready to stop for a break well before the tank gets near empty and often combine rest stops with a re-fuel when on a trip. My rest breaks (average 10-20 minutes) usually are every 1-2 hours anyway at age 69. A normal fill-up is 3-3.5 gallons so I rarely even see the "reserve" alert.

If I were going to remote areas out West on non-interstate roads, I might reconsider.
 
  #7  
Old 08-07-2021 | 08:57 AM
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Nopie. And I have done a LOT of LDR's. Like cycle7447 said above.

1. If I am going on a time LDR, then when I fuel up and the tank is at max., I shake the bike (always a bagger) and a bubble will pop up allowing me to put MORE gas in. I do that several times. OR you can have the bike UPRIGHT and then fill it up. No bubbles then.

2. I reset the Trip#2 to zero.

When I ride, (depending upon in what state/province I am in and what time of day it is) I generally start looking for fuel at 170 miles or when the needle is down to 1/4 tank.

When I was doing the IBA (timed rides) you can put on a fuel cell and go up to I think 11.5 gal's but I would not do that. to me, avery 1 1/2 or 2 hrs u really need to get off your bike, walk, pee, re-hydrate. Maybe grab a snack or sandwich. Or a beer.
 
  #8  
Old 08-07-2021 | 09:14 AM
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I don't see the poll.

I don't carry extra gas, but that can is pretty slick! There have been times in MT, ID, and northern BC and AB that I have been pretty damned nervous, though!

We have always tried to avoid the super slabs on long trips, and I coasted into a ratty gas station on the last drop of fuel, in Cairo Missouri...I learned to watch for gas stations and pay attention to my mileage that day. I will never forget it LOL
 
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  #9  
Old 08-07-2021 | 09:40 AM
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No to carrying extra fuel container.
 
  #10  
Old 08-07-2021 | 09:53 AM
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On this matter of fuel my friends, keep in mind that when you are remote and running low late in the day; then you see a sign that there is fuel at the next exit, when you get off at that exit you may have to go another 3 miles or 5 miles to get to the gas station.

And when you get there, that gas station may be closed. Especially (if I may reiterate) when you are remote and it is late in the day.

This means you may need to ride another 3 miles or 5 miles just to get back on the highway. <-- Those six or 10 miles of valuable fuel that you just burned up.

Plan accordingly. Imp stuff. As rightly stated by NorthWestern above, you can get "...pretty damned nervous..." when you are too low. (Which means poor planning for fuel management.)
 
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