When should the reserve kick in?

[Guest]

My tank has a 4.2 gal capacity but I had to switch over to the reserve with better than a gallon left. I've been researching but have been unable to find out if that's the norm or not. Anyone retro a fuel gauge onto their older bikes? Call me spoiled by my car but I miss that piece of info. (yes I know I can use the trip-o-meter)

[bwringer]

Yes, that's about the right time for reserve to kick in. Most bikes have about a gallon reserve, some more, some less.

What's wrong with popping the cap and peering into the tank while sloshing gently from side to side? It's an age-old motorcycling ritual

[MAJikMARCer]

What's wrong with popping the cap and peering into the tank while sloshing gently from side to side? It's an age-old motorcycling ritual

Yea I did that a couple times when it died (before I thought to switch to reserve) and thinking, what the !?

Hey I'm new. :P

[Dogma]

Hehe. Welcome to motorcycling. My GSs have fuel gages, and I don't pay a lot of attention to them. Well, I do some on the 850L, because it has no reserve and certain modes of riding can have a significant impact on mileage. I've always paid more attention to the trip meter though, once I've figured out the bike's range from tank size and mileage, or riding until I need reserve. Basically, the trip meter becomes the de facto fuel gage.

I've also acquired the habit of computing mileage in my head whenever I fill up (before I park it for more than a couple days, to protect the tank from rusting). Keeping an eye on mileage will signal that something is wrong, and will give you an idea of what estimated range adjustments to make based on how you've been riding.

[koolaid_kid]

I also practice flipping from ON to RES while riding. I was on I-65 headed south to work one morning when the GS ran out of fuel. I reached down to flip the lever and was unable to do so (very, very stiff). No fun trying to get into the right lane and then the shoulder when 16 wheelers are whizzing past at +70 mph.
That petcock was replaced, btw. Once bitten, twice shy.

[MAJikMARCer]

I reached down to flip the lever and was unable to do so (very, very stiff).

I can't respond without it going very bad very quick. LOL

[1_v8_merc]

Learning how to operate your Reserve while doing Triple-Digit speeds around 18-wheelers, is NO way to go through life son!

Especially when there's no room to pull over!

[wkmpt]

I wish I had 4.2 gallons at my disposal...My Marauder has a 3g main and just shy of a half gallon reserve. I feel like I'm stopping for gas constantly.

I have no gas gauge, I have to go by the odometer and/or the "slush test," and I don't have a problem with it at all.