Fuel capacity on 1600

[azpnshr]

I was out riding today when the motor kicked out, like it was out of fuel. It caught, went another .5 mile and did it again; this happened for the next 3 miles until I got to a gas station. Filled up the tank (just past the metal piece) and it registered at 4.8 gallons. Any ideas on why it's acting like it's outta fuel when there should be a half gallon left?

I'm not new to bikes, just this model...I had a VFR which I just traded in on a used 2007 1600 Nomad. I've been getting around 30 mpg :(" title="" border="0"/> regardless of using 91 octane, new plugs and air filter.

Any advice would be welcomed.

[cactusjack]

I've never run my 2007 out of fuel, although I have come pretty close. I seem to recall there is .5 gallons that you can't use, so I'd say you ran out of gas.

[ells]

Like CJ says there is some unusable fuel in there and most people report never putting in much more than about 4.7 gals. You might be able to "slosh" it to get a little more out. Running it out is bad for for the fuel pump which relies on fuel for proper cooling.

[Cajunrider]

Same thought here, you were running out of fuel. When I put 4.8 gallons in my tank I'm running on fumes, although I have put 5.1 gallons filling it up 3/4 of the way past the metal tube plate.

[Yellow Jacket]

Your yellow "low fuel" light should be coming on with about .5 gallons of usable fuel left. I have put in 4.9 gals. several times with one instance of 5.1 gallons (I was getting a little worried that time but found a station in time.)

I don't know if the advertised capacity of 5.2 gallons is the usable capacity or the total (including un-usable) capacity.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Ells

Like CJ says there is some unusable fuel in there and most people report never putting in much more than about 4.7 gals. You might be able to "slosh" it to get a little more out. Running it out is bad for for the fuel pump which relies on fuel for proper cooling.

Which is why I think a small amount of fuel remains in the tank - to cool the fuel pump.

[azpnshr]

Okay, well, note to self: fill er up before she gets there! Still trying to get a feel for her and range capacity by mileage but obviously it's not an exact science. Thanks for the info.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by azpnshr

Okay, well, note to self: fill er up before she gets there! Still trying to get a feel for her and range capacity by mileage but obviously it's not an exact science. Thanks for the info.

BTW, 30 MPG is low, even for a Nomad. I get 35-37 in town and 40+ on the highway. You should be doing better than 30, unless everywhere you ride is uphill both ways and you average 90 MPH.

[azpnshr]

CJ,
I too thought it to be extremely low, especially when used to getting much better avg on the other bike. I don't know what the p.o. got during his ownership; I bought it with 16000 mi, changed out the plugs and air filter, keep tires around 40 and ran a can of seafoam through the tank and run 91 octane constantly. I understand the connection of right wrist and poor mileage but I'm not riding it like I am at the track; aside from not having a tach, I'm listening to keep it from bogging down but not revving it too high either. Is there anything I missed for maintenance or any other suggestions?

[Cajunrider]

Pull the right side dog bowl and clean the throttle bodies with a toothbrush and seafoam or carb/injector cleaner. Did the previous owner install a fuel module such as the TFI, Cobra, or PC? If so on the first two, they may be set a little too rich on the first pot. If it has a Power Commander, the map that is programmed into it may be rich also.

[caper]

wow lots of great info I didn't know! But 30 miles to the gallon is WAY too low. I get from 40-45 depending on the temperature! Seems alot better when it is in hot weather!

[clayton]

AZPNSHR,
I too am new to the Nomad since I just got mine less than 2 weeks ago.
I have an 08 and I too am getting an average of 33 mpg.
However there are some variables that (in my opinion) affect mileage.
1: Your riding habits
2: Weather, (cold gets less.)
3: GAS
To me currently the bike is new, learning how my "beast" runs and reacts to my driving has to be one reason. Getting used to a Fuel Injected bike versus a Carbed bike (to me) is a night and day difference. The throttle response is weird but then again I have ridden Carbed bikes for some time now.
Here in Cinci it has been averaging around 30 degrees.
Even with my 08 Shadow I see a lesser gain on mileage in cold weather.
So I would have to believe cold affects this as well.
Heck my Dodge Ram gets "UGLY" mileage in the winter...several miles less than a nice 80 degree day.
Once warmer weather comes along I will pay far more attention to mileage at that point.
Now then if you live in a nice warm area (which I think you do) disregard my statements. :)
As per GAS, when I purchased my Nomad the dealership said and strongly suggested to use ONLY 87 or 89 octane. Not the recommended 90+.
I suppose that the above statement is about to get a lot of attention...hehe
But for the most part the 1600's should be getting at least (average) 40 mpg. Highway/City.
Cheerzzzz

[macmac]

I ran out and was stopped. To get going again I waggled the bike from side to side, and repeated that to get to the station. I took on exactly 4.8 gallons.

That really isn't important in the over all scheme of things... What is important is that once you see that foolish yellow light flicker once, that you get gas asap.

The fuel pump is cooled by fuel, and not having enough for cooling is gonna kill that fuel pump, and it cost around 600 bucks.

The why is the pick up is higher than the rear 'stretch' of the tank. To see that look under the left side of the tank where you can see how mich higher the pump is as compared to the bottom of the stretched curve.

As to over filling the tank, I wouldn't much.. That fuel will piss out the over flow, and will be lost.

To get that idea down hard, fill to the plate as the manual says. Leave the cap open and stand the bike up real slow. The real slow is because if you move too fast you will spill fuel out of the filler cap.

And never ever get in the habit of straddling the bike when you pump gas. Get off the bike and stand next to it.. I have no idea if you or anyone else sits on their bike, but I see it happen. That is just a real bad idea.

[blowndodge]

Did the guy before you put on an aftermarket fuel processor? if so it may be way too rich.. Just thinking out loud!

[ringadingh]

I can usually get over 180 miles to the tank most times, I have gotten 200 miles a couple times. Once the cold weather comes when its below 40f and low 30's Im lucky to get 130 miles to the tank. When this happened the first season I had the bike I thought there was something wrong with it. It still ran well, just sucked the fuel a lot harder.