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I have a 3 gal tank and get 55 miles per gallon. I usually fill up every 100 miles without ever goin on reserve. I am not exactly sure how the reserve process works. Would I have any problems if I switch it to reserve and just fill up every 130 miles or so?
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R3sp4wN wrote:I have a 3 gal tank and get 55 miles per gallon. I usually fill up every 100 miles without ever goin on reserve. I am not exactly sure how the reserve process works. Would I have any problems if I switch it to reserve and just fill up every 130 miles or so?

no BUT what happens if you have a problem with the fuel system? Meaning you had a small leak somewhere and at 100 miles you ran out of gas. You used up all your reserve how you going to get back home? Better safe to keep it to on rather than on RES. and its 2.9 gallons not 3 .

R3sp4wN wrote:I have a 3 gal tank and get 55 miles per gallon. I usually fill up every 100 miles without ever goin on reserve. I am not exactly sure how the reserve process works. Would I have any problems if I switch it to reserve and just fill up every 130 miles or so?

Reserve is just that. It is in "reserve" in case you have forgotten to fill up.
The "reserve" is part of the petcock assembly on the tank. It consists of 2 tubes, one longer than the other. When the 'reserve' is OFF, the gas flows down the long tube. When the gas gets blow this tube the engine dies. You reach down and put ON the reserve. This opens up the short tube which allows the remaining gas in the tank to flow to the engine.
(high tech isn't it? )
Remember, once the gas gets below the reserve, ie short tube, start walking.

Also always practice switching from on to reserve while on the run so when you do encounter a situation where the bike starts sputtering and there is a semi barreling down on you, you're not fumbling around for the petcock.

Thanks guys, I will continue using the tank how I have been. I would definately NOT want to walk anywhere because of something so stupid... One more question, if I were in need of gas, would my bike stall before I had a chance to switch the petcock? I would definately notice a loss in power and hopefully think about being low on fuel and be able to switch.
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R3sp4wN wrote:Thanks guys, I will continue using the tank how I have been. I would definately NOT want to walk anywhere because of something so stupid... One more question, if I were in need of gas, would my bike stall before I had a chance to switch the petcock? I would definately notice a loss in power and hopefully think about being low on fuel and be able to switch.

No. The bike will start to sputter slightly, and the throttle will fail to respond. That's your cue to move it over.

Practice with it, because when you're on the interstate doing 70 mph, you don't want to drop down to 60 while you're fumbling for it

jonnythan wrote:

R3sp4wN wrote:Thanks guys, I will continue using the tank how I have been. I would definately NOT want to walk anywhere because of something so stupid... One more question, if I were in need of gas, would my bike stall before I had a chance to switch the petcock? I would definately notice a loss in power and hopefully think about being low on fuel and be able to switch.

No. The bike will start to sputter slightly, and the throttle will fail to respond. That's your cue to move it over.

Practice with it, because when you're on the interstate doing 70 mph, you don't want to drop down to 60 while you're fumbling for it

wrong, partly anyways, I have this bike. If you are above 55mph it will IMMEDIATLY drop you down to 55 and it wont let you go any faster. Thats your cue at those speeds to switch it over cause you have about 1/2 mile ish before the bike will stop. I havent had this issue at slower speeds so I am sure the sputtering part will happen rather than the bike auto limiting your speed but as I have never ran the main tank out going slower than 60mph I dont know for sure.