I don't trust the gauge either, always start looking for a gas station when I hit 160. When the light comes on, it always takes 4.85 to 5 gallons. My mileage usually averages around 36 mpg to 38 mpg.
When my light comes on I have .2 gals left in the tank. I've been told that the gauge can be adjusted to come on when your down to one gallon.I t's an easy fix. I have not done mine because I'm laze and I go by mileage now.
fuel gauge is like the air temp guage on the UC. both a POS. Odometer is the way to go. I only use the fuel guage and warning light to give me a reminder that i'll need to fill up. Usually looking for fuel between 160-180 miles.
I dont know why the new bikes aren't as dependable as the old ones. my '93's gauge was right on the money. the '93's front brakes would stop you in a hurry. the '03's front brakes suck . never a heat issue with the old bike in traffic. do I have to say anything about the '03? never broke a fairing mount bracket on the '93, goin in for the second time with the '03. arrrrrrgggggg,,,,,
Mine is pretty accurate.
At a 1/4 it takes about 4.33 gallons. and the idiot light comes on about same time.
But nevertheless I still get gas between 150 and 170 miles.
Depends on where I been riding at the time.
I use mine as a "its time to look at the trip odometer" when it gets to a 1/4 of a tank on the gauage I know its gettin pretty low. I've gone till the light comes on, but you better be REAL close to a gas station, I mean within 20 miles, or your walking!
I've been fighting this sence I picked up my 03 RG in Aug. So far the dealer has put in 1 new guage and 2 sending units and it is in the shop now for the same reason. You would think that for the money in these machines that the fuel guage would be at least close to accurate.
I guess im lucky, Mine is spot on as much as I can tell. But I agree with you guys, as much as we pay for these bikes they could at least make a gage that works right.