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Well, Ohio is the "State of Small Towns" and there's never a problem finding a gas station within 50 miles. I ride until I see the light, then consider getting gas. I'm just not concerned at all with running out using this method.

You should swing up through Alberta sometime.

Im wondering if a sight glass on or near the bottom of a tank may be a good idea. Most of our heavy equipment at work have these on them, and I dont think having a hole drilled near the bottom og the low point of your tank would hurt. depending on whether they make them or not. Im not sure.

Wizzard wrote:Maybe because I have been doing it for so many years that I am unable to understand what is so tough for a group of "Bikers" to unscrew/unlock the gas cap and look inside when you first start your scoot and it's warming up , and see exactly how much gas is in there . Come on peeps , what's so hard about that?
Wizzard

Er, it's a biyatch do to that rolling down the highway I've got no problem with a trip meter but a consistent low level warning light would be nice. Touring on a VTR has it's challenges, but the small tank and thirst for fuel certainly makes it interesting. This "carbed bike" has no manual reserve, and an inconsistent light. For the weight of the low level sensor, they could easily put a gauge in there. However if it is only going to be as accurate as the light, I think I know why it's not there.....

TechBMW wrote:You could mount Jerry cans instead of saddle bags

Just read this....what a hoot! Now I would do this but it would ruin my stylin' ridin' for chicks.

Yeah , but it's a bigger biyatch to be pushing Ms. Lady down the road to the nearest filling station . Among other things that I did without on my scoots was a speedo with a trip meter . I am getting use to the one I have now and at 80 miles I go and fill up . There be a gas station a half mile down the street from where I live . That's about every other day and lately I am only riding around town . 40 miles to the gallon around the city really ain't too bad .
Regards, Wizzard

I know what Sev is saying when it comes to planning your gassing up. My bike does not get good gas mileage for a bike, averages about 30 in town and a little hard riding, and if I really am just cruising, I can hit a rare 40 mpg. My tank is small too, so I can't always just wait for the idiot light.

When I was out in South Dakota, I almost ran out of gas a few times, because the light would come on, and there wouldn't be a station for many miles. Twice I came within about 5 miles of running out. It really sucks when you get to the one you really need and it's closed. A lot of them that weren't on interstates out there were closed by 6 pm, and I still had a good 6 hours of riding left.

I actually started sputtering up to one that had closed two hours before on an Oglala Souix Reservation. I thought I was screwed. There just happened to be a lady there who was still cleaning up, and turned a pump on for me. If she hadn't still been there I would of been stuck there.

I've had the low-fuel light come on as I was rolling out of the garage, and managed to do the half-hour (2/3 freeway) ride to work and waited until lunch time to fill up. Kawasaki designed the light to come on when there's 1.5 gallons left...that's 1/3 of a tank! So I don't ride around with my tripmeter on trying to beat the light to the station.

Someone said they don't understand how anyone on a bike can run out of fuel. I used to think the same thing. Recently I've run into quite a few people pushing their motorcycle on the side of the road. Of course I stop to see if I can help, and every one of them ran out of fuel. I started to ponder how this could happen so often on bikes that have reserves. The only thing I think could happen, is if you accidentally forget to turn the fuel valve back to "On" instead of "Reserve" when you fill up. Then the next time the bike sputters, you get a nasty surprise when you reach for the fuel valve.

Anyway, I'm thinking of carrying a short length of tube (siphon) with me from now on so I can help my fellow riders.