Fuel Tank and Fuel Gauge

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Just wanted to let everyone know I did a little research today while filling my tank. I had ridden 124.9 miles and had two bars left showing on the fuel gauge. I decided to try an experiment and filled the tank in the vertical position. Filling to just above the metal plate in the filler neck it took 2.21 gallons to fill. At this point I put the Nomad over on the side stand and continued to fill the tank. I was able to put an additional .543 gallons in the tank for a total fill of 2.753 gallons. The way I figure is that by filling with the bike on the side stand that additional .543 gallons will give you approximately 22 more miles of travel. That is if you got 45 mpg as I did on that tank.

[ringadingh]

I usually fill mine right up to the brim if Im still riding it a few miles. This gives me a chance to at least use a quart or two before parking the bike to avoid dripping in the garage if it was going to. Thats why I fill it right up, to get the extra few miles in the tank. Youll never know when it comes in handy.

[cnc]

Makes sense, you can get a little more in when on the side stand.

Generally if I'm filling up and know I will be burning off fuel right away, like on a trip, I will fill up on the side stand and way past the metal plate, probably about 1-1.5 liters more. I can squeeze a little longer distance down the road that way without over flow from expansion. If I'm filling and just riding a short distance before parking, I stop around the plate.

[cnc]

Hey Ring , you and I had just about the same thought at the same time. Mine comes from traveling with a Goldwing that goes a longer distance than me on a tank.

[dkdixie]

I always fill with bike on kick stand and if on a long trip, will move bike back and forth to get a little more in the tank. When I fill up around 190 miles, its usually takes 4.5 to 4.6 gals.

[macmac]

A gauge is just that an instrument of guessing what is left.... Use the trip meter, and get gas before the yellow light comes on.

I would trade that gauge and the yellow light for another trip meter any day.. One trip meter for gas, the other for trip miles over all. No older bikes i know of had any gauge for fuel and damn few gauges for anything else. Most bikes got a tack and a speedo, maybe a oil psi gauge usually put there by the owner.

I'ld like a voltmeter or Amps as factory too, but I won't hold my breath.

[cactusjack]

When I'm on a long ride, I'll fill to halfway up the tube. I figure you never know when that extra 15-20 miles of fuel might come in handy. Around town, I just fill a little above the bottom of the tube.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Hey Mac, I don't use the gauge. I do use the trip meter myself. Usually fill before I get 200 miles. I feel the gauge is nice just to sort of give you an idea of where you stand, gas wise. My 2007 Honda VTX1300R didn't have a gauge but did have two trip meters. You could use one for distance traveled since fill ups and one for distance traveled total.