Yeah, my UG is accurate - it's the low fuel light; it's doesn't come on until very little fuel is remaining. And lately "very little" has turned into about enough gas to less then 2 miles. It used give me enough warning that I could say "Oh, I'll need fuel on my way home/way to work."
UG is spot on for me as well. I haven't really paid attention to when the Reserve light comes on. But I've grown used to ignoring the reserve light as it used to come on with 6-7 liters still in the tank on my Tenere (that's 120-150km before running out).
-Is it ture?: If the fuel run out then the rear wheel is full block (no rotating) -Is it ture?: If the fuel run out then the fuel pump may be burn down from the 'fuel without working' (you have to change this part may be for this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/151229433392?_trksid=p2055120.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT) -What will happen when you refilling the tank and would like to start the engine? (It will be work or may be you have to remove the air from fuel system? somehow.. )
No on all counts. On any motorcycle, if the engine isn't running, and the motorcycle is in gear, then the wheel will have resistance. Unless you are in a low gear, you aren't likely to experience anything shocking. You just pull the clutch handle in and coast to the side of the road. I have run out of fuel, and it seemingly did no harm to my fuel pump. Starting the bike afterwards was no different than normal other than it took a second try to start.
I think the potential damage to the fuel pump is real. Submerged electric fuel pumps rely on immersion in fuel to keep cool. Running out of fuel occasionally shouldn't damage it, but frequent running on low fuel levels might.
Realistically, how often do any of you let yourself run out of fuel? I've don it intentionally for every bike I have owned so I know far I can push. But, I don't remember ever running out of fuel because I was too far from a fuel station. I certainly have pushed that envelope a few times in Utah. But I've never run out for lack of a fueling station or stupidity (though that latter could come into play easily). When adventure riding I always carry extra fuel anyway. But I certainly don't feel the need to buy a Safari tank for $866 to feel "comfortable" with my fuel range.
Agreed, running it dry continuously will definitely harm it. However, a pump on a bike doesn't constantly cycle at full capacity like, say, a well pump. Now, running it dry and spending an hour trying to start it with no fuel in it, that might do some harm.
Speaking of fuel, is the 1/3 of a gallon of regular in the hose at the pump of any concern when I'm filling up with premium? I only fill up when the fuel light goes on (that's twice since I got my Terra last October — it was a rough winter here in Michigan so I'm only now able to ride my new baby with any frequency) meaning I'm putting in about 3 US gallons, meaning I'm also putting in about a tenth of a gallon of the 87 octane rating gasoline instead of the 91 I'm paying for. Steve
Nope. I've filled a few times with a full tank of our 91 (which is equivalent to your 87) when that has been the only fuel available, and I haven't noticed any difference in performance, or any knocking.
About mileage now 18000km , my Terra is doing 193km 7,5 liters.. dirt 1-2 and 3 gear mixed with tarmac and all curves.. i am glad with the mileage.. I do not notice any oil consum so far.
Been to quite a few places here in the US and Mexico where there is only lowest grade fuel available. Absolutely no ill effect on my Terra. Same MpG, same performance.
Could you clarify what you mean with "lowest grade fuel available"? I'm not sure what that means across the pond I know from experience that mine runs just fine on 95RON whereas the manual states 98RON minimum. But having (long term) plans to take the Terra into Iran, Central Asia and on to Kazakhstan and Russia I am a bit concerned about the effects of lower grade fuel (91RON or even down to 80RON in places) on the high compression engine, as it doesn't have a ping sensor afaik.
Perhaps this entry about octane rating methods would help. The U.S. numbers will generally be lower as we use an average between your RON and MON method....called the AKI...which is probably a few points under what you see. As for those trips into other places in Central Asia....80 RON may induce pre-igntion (depending on elevation, temperature, and variety of other variables). If you grab a handful of throttle and it sounds like marbles in a can or a diesel Volkswagen....the grade is too low. Continued "knock" or "detonation" is bad for the engine as it's little sonic booms happening your cylinder. Rule of thumb: If you don't have detonation then the fuel grade is fine.
I think you would have two main concerns in Central Asia. Fuel octane, and fuel contamination. You can might be able to raise the octane by adding octane some booster to each tankful, but how much you would need and how much you could carry on your trip might be an issue. The contamination issue probably requires some thought too. Fuel out of drums, jars and bottles will need good filtration because vehicles with EFI have a much lower tolerance to particles in the system than an old russian clunker with a carburettor. Have you thought about how you will deal with that? Carrying spare fuel filters, adding a changable inline filter into the system , or some sort of additional filtration when filling the tank?
At most pumps here in North America we have regular Gas with 87 octane = 91 RON in Europe, mid grade with 89 octane = 93 RON in Europe and premium with 91 Octane = 95 RON in Europe. Numbers are taken from here : http://www.pencilgeek.org/2009/05/octane-rating-conversions.html Back country of SE Oregon, Nevada and NE California you will find the Country Store/Gas station that only has 87 octane, the lowest grade. Filled a couple of times out of cans, bottles , jugs in Baja and when I asked "grado de combustible" I mostly got a shrug of the shoulder. And sometimes I'm just to cheap to pay the price for mid grade or premium Have yet to experience detonation when running 87 octane = 91 Ron
What Nev is saying is very true.. i use to work for BP.. Clean, fillted, water free fuel is the best start. an octane booster is must, with very poor fuels. with seasonal changes so dose the fuel you are putting in your bike. winter, spring, summer and so on is the biggest thing to fuel change is the temp, a winter blend will make any motor run like shit summer, and any summer blend in winter,.... well have fun just getting your bike to fire once..
I'm aware of the differences in calculation, that's why I explicitly mentioned the RON calculation method Just wanted to know what the lowest grade was that people have run their TR on without problems. It appears to be 87 octane, so 91 RON. Not yet sure about lower grades, but I would indeed expect possible self-ignition on 80 RON fuel. Carrying enough octane booster for a 20k+ trip would be a bit unpractical. But I've read reports on ADVRider of people using locally available medical alcohol as octane booster. I would need to make sure not too overuse it as it affects the lubrication properties of the fuel. Yes, already took that into account. The TR Fuel pump already has a pre-filter from factory it appears, and I will be adding a filter sock in the filling opening of the tank. I probably won't be adding an additional fuel filter between the pump and the injection, I prefer to catch the dirt before it gets into the pump. Thanks Hansi, that's what I wanted to know.
Going to do some long miles in Utah next week and mounted my Rotopax to the crash bar. Water will be on the left side.
Hi Kenneth, it'd be great if you could post some up close piccies of the mounting arrangement on the crashbars. I have a set of AltRider crashbars on order, and would be very keen to explore this mounting arrangements for the Rotapax's. Thanks a lot!!
