Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I knew I was going to need gas so I really didn't mind running it until I hit reserve. Besides, just got a tune up and wanted to see how well I was doing mpg-wise. Anyway...I'm on the highway and I get to the point where I have to hit reserve. Fine. Shouldn't I be able to switch to res. as soon as the engine bogs, pop the clutch and keep going? I shouldn't have had to hit the starter as the bike was 'rolling' (70 and slowing hehe)

Unfortunately I slowed, rolled to a stop and had to hit the starter. That can't be right.

If you know that you are going to go into the reserve fuel the best thing to do is switch over before you run out of fuel. Don't forget to switch over back to ON after refueling, next time you may not have a reserve for back up.

The engine's bogging because the fuel level in the carb has gone down - By the time you realize this and hit reserve, the engine's gone thru at least a couple thousand revolutions, each one sucking just a little more fuel into the engine - thus making the level lower. the time it takes for you to change the lever and for the fuel to replenish the bike might be enough, depending on the bike, to stall it.

Ummm long story short, +1 Niterider.