Quote:
Originally Posted by tooblekain
Now that I know the first sign of running out of fuel, I do have a question for you all: Can I flip the fuel switch from ON to RESERVE while I'm riding or do I have to pull over, turn off the bike, flip the switch and fire it up?
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Welcome to the old school.
In time you'll get completely used to reaching down with your left hand and flipping the petcock to reserve while riding. In fact, you'll be able to feel when the carb bowls are beginning to run dry and switch to reserve before the fuel even runs out completely.
Turning the petcock off when parking is a good idea, not only because this will ensure that you switch to on next time you ride instead of inadvertently leaving it on reserve, but also because you never know when a float valve in one of the carbs might stick open and result in fuel spilled all over the floor and into your airbox and intake manifold (not a common occurrence, but it can happen).
As for only getting 85 miles before switching to reserve, I've heard that a number of times on new bikes. Apparently fuel efficiency increases significantly as the engine breaks in. And a lot of it has to do with riding style and air/fuel mixture. By the way, you'll also find that your mileage will be far worse if you spend a tankful riding around in city/suburban traffic than it will be out on the open road. When my Bonneville was stock, I'd get about 35mpg in town and 50 riding around the countryside. After putting on free-flowing exhaust and intake, I get about 30 in town and 45 on the open road.
--mark
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Bennington Triumph Bash
Bennington, VT May 30-June 1, 2008
Thanks to all who attended!
Do you keep one bullet left for yourself, for when it's all over and done?
