Low Fuel Light

Pinoybear · Nov 12, 2013

I'm wondering what people experiences are when their low fuel light comes on. The manual says the light comes on with 1.05 gallons remaining but it seems the light comes on earlier than I'd expect.

Today, for example, after the light came on I drove 40 more miles and only put in 3.1 gallons. If I'm averaging 50 MPG, I should have put in closer to 4 gallons.

On previous occasions where the low fuel light has come on, I've only put in anywhere from 2.6 to 2.9 gallons when I filled up.

TIA,
Eric

jerdog53 · Nov 13, 2013

What your seeing is fairly consistent with what others have seen.

gatdammit · Nov 13, 2013

I've driven up to 30 miles on trip fuel. I've never put more than 3.3 gal in, and I spend a while burping all the air and filling to top of neck. I average about 150 miles per tank, getting about 43 mpg.

Everything tells me I can go farther but I chicken out as I ran my past bikes dry way too often.

ohayo · Nov 15, 2013

My fuel light lights up at 200km-215km at 12 litres. I am running average of 20km per litre.

so it seems 300km/187.5miles is doable. Leave 1 litre inside for emergency. lol

Pinoybear · Nov 19, 2013

I'm pretty sure I could easily get 200 miles on a tank, but because that light comes on so soon, the pucker factor kicks in.

Has anyone gotten 200 miles/322Km on a tank without putting in 4.1 gallons/15.5 L when they finally fueled up?

gatdammit · Nov 19, 2013

I think SuperTen or Jerdog got into the 190s and put under 4 gallons back in. However, I think both these guys easily get 50+mpg, whereas I'm a consistent 43-44.

What I need is an honest unusable fuel ratio. 90% of my riding is to/from work so I always ***** out at around 150 miles; about 3.3-3.4 gallons to fill.

zippy49 · Nov 20, 2013

It's about the fuel pump

Ducati is apparently very worried about fuel pump life. If you run it dry it will burn out eventually. I get the same range and consumption that the rest have posted. Also, If you brake hard or are going down a steep grade, the light seems to come on earlier as the fuel sloshes forward.

gatdammit · Nov 20, 2013

the natural lean angles and sloshing is what worries me about getting too low. seems like most present day fuel injection systems increasingly do not like being run dry.

zippy49 · Nov 21, 2013

It's because the fuel is needed to cool the pump. Has been that way on most cars and trucks since the 1990's. I burned out the pump on the rear tank of my '94 F150 running it to empty...not that easy to replace.

gatdammit · Nov 21, 2013

just another reason that I hate fuel pumps being located inside the tank. It's difficult to replace in your garage and an external suction pump could be cooled by other means. Military aircraft use suction pumps down the line from the tanks, mostly to facilitate switchable lines but helps contain fuel system problems and maintenance, as well.

We drive a diesel so I'm hardwired not to run empty anymore.

nikster · Jan 18, 2014

Not getting anywhere near this mileage. I am wondering if there's something wrong with my hyper.

I ran it dry by accident once and filled up 3.8 G (14.5 liters) approximately.

That means if you run to totally empty, it doesn't take 4.2 Gallons (16 liters) as stated in the specs.

The other thing is the mileage seems way off. At every fueling I top up and reset trip meter one. It'll show consumption of 6l/100km but if I do the calculation it's usually between 7 and 8. The Duc really isn't very good at math, and mostly flattering itself.

That's the reason I ran it dry by the way. I looked at the consumption and the supposed capacity and did the math - should have gotten over 300km (186 mi) [I have the exact figures written down somewhere but too lazy to look it up]. But the fun ended, rather abruptly, at 220km (136 mi).

Reason was fuel consumption was higher than displayed, and tank capacity lower than promised.

If I refill when the fuel light comes on, I put in 10 liters. Hmm... maybe that means 2l are somehow missing from my tank?

zippy49 · Jan 18, 2014

I always fill with the bike on the centerstand, and only to the bottom of the 'funnel.' My fuel consumption readout has been fairly accurate when compared to actual. But yes, it looks like there are only about 14-ish liters of fuel actually available. The rest must be sloshing around somewhere the pump can't get to it.

Pinoybear · Jan 18, 2014

I consistently get 50MPG. Had anyone gone 200+ miles on a tank and how much did you put in when you finally filed up?

jerdog53 · Jan 20, 2014

Pinoybear said:
I consistently get 50MPG. Had anyone gone 200+ miles on a tank?

I have a few times but you dont get to ride it like you stole it.

gatdammit · Jan 20, 2014

I think SuperTen did the most thorough fuel consumption test. He got very close to 200 miles and replaced nearly 4 gallons. However, he's also one of the members that gets close to 60 mpg routinely.

I've never filled more than 3.4 gallons but I still chicken out at 150 miles or 40 on trip fuel. I think my mid to low 40 mpg average is from half my commuting miles being at 80+ mph. The rev's aren't terribly high but the drag at that speed is heavy.

I can flog it around town on play days and the computer will show me in the low 50's, which is at least above 45 mpg.

nikster · Jan 21, 2014

jerdog53 said:
I have a few times but you dont get to ride it like you stole it.

Didn't realize there's any other way

HyperstradaHopeful · Jan 21, 2014

Fuel light came on tonight and I filled up 5 miles later. It would only take 2.6 gallons before it reached the bottom of the filler neck (had it on the center stand while filling). So that would mean it must of come on with at least 1.5 gallons still in the tank. So I'm guessing I'm good for at least 50-60 highway miles after the fuel light comes on as I averaged about 50mpg on the highway keeping her mostly steady at 75mph.

SuperTen · Jan 21, 2014

Yeah, I get mostly 48, but can reach 50, sometimes when I least expect it. Pretty dang good in my book for such a fun powerful bike.

The Adv gets consistant 44-45 with same rider

and I usually fill at over 200 miles taking 4.6 or so gallons. Should get over 250 a tank pretty easy.

jerdog53 · Jan 21, 2014

SuperTen said:
The Adv gets consistant 44-45 with same rider and I usually fill at over 200 miles taking 4.6 or so gallons. Should get over 250 a tank pretty easy.

When did you get the 1190?

How is that working for you?

SuperTen · Jan 21, 2014

jerdog53 said:
When did you get the 1190?

How is that working for you?

750 miles ago, guess 3 weeks. Amazing bike, you can feel the MSC change the braking in a hard turn while on the brakes. Not that big a deal with the 150 hp, sorta reminds me of the K1200GT and Super Tenere all rolled into one. Adv bunch lighter than both tho, probably about 100 lbs heavier than the HS with both running the panniers.

Best suspension I have ever been on bar none, even 2up, just perfect.

I have not pushed it hard in the gravel with the linked ABS, but it is pretty close to same feel as the Super Tenere, pretty amazing to hit the front brake in the gravel at speed and not go down or even hint of locking the front!

Low Fuel Light

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