What difference does a few ml of fuel make?

**Oakie** · 29th June 2005, 22:30

About 6 weeks back there was a thread about filling your tank ... should you do it with the bike on the sidestand or do it while you sit astride your mighty steed?
Much discussion was involved which caused me to change to the sidestand method for safety reasons. Anyway, somewhere in the thread someone asked how far you're going to get with the extra few ml you might squeeze into the tank by filling it while upright anyway.
Today I found the answer. The 400 extra ml I could have got in would get me about 6 km. Unfortunately I found this out when I ran out of gas 2 km short of the service station. When I got to the service station, out of curiousity I filled it up on the sidestand and then topped it up with the bike vertical. I was quite surprised that I squeezed in nearly another 1/2 litre.
Yeah of course I did have the reserve to use but the bike died before I could flick it over so then I had to sit at the side of the road cranking the bike over while people walked past. That's the bit that really pissed me off. Felt like taking my helmet off and explaining to them that my bike wasn't the broken down piece of shit they were thinking it was ... just that it had run out of gas.

**Jantar** · 29th June 2005, 22:38

I always fill my tank with the bike on the side stand, however I also spend a long time making sure that I do get those extra few mls of fuel in. I do not have a reserve, and have to rely on a fuel warning light and/or the odometer, and I'm almost paranoid that the warning light will, one day, let me down.

So even if the warning light doesn't come on I start looking for a fuel stop after about 300 km.

**zadok** · 29th June 2005, 22:43

Fortunately I have a centre stand, so I don't have any of those filling problems. Are centre stands becoming a thing of the past or something? Maybe they aren't 'cool' on a racey machine!?

**Da Bird** · 29th June 2005, 22:46

Got told off by a girl at the BP the other day for filling my cop bike up while sitting on it...

**Odin** · 29th June 2005, 22:50

I have run out twice now. Both times within site of a petrol station

It was on 2 different bikes so it wasen't like i didn't learn. But dam that sucks. What i really hate is the fact that cruisers have to have fimbel size tanks. The 2 i have at the momment dosen't go more then 180 - 220 on a tank, and that included reserve

I Think i might install a 50liter fuel tank in my garage so i can top up there. I have seen them at mitre 10 with pump thingie and everything (anybody tryed them out ??)

**crashe** · 29th June 2005, 22:51

Originally Posted by Bykey Cop

Got told off by a girl at the BP the other day for filling my cop bike up while sitting on it...

Oh you naughty lad....hehehehehehe

Especially when there are stickers/signs up at the pumps at BP now, to NOT sit on your bike when refueling...

**zadok** · 29th June 2005, 22:54

Originally Posted by Bykey Cop

Got told off by a girl at the BP the other day for filling my cop bike up while sitting on it...

BMW the new Cop bike? I see your pic has you sitting on an ST1100. They use the ST1100 here in W.A. Which do you prefer?

**Da Bird** · 29th June 2005, 22:54

Originally Posted by crashe

Oh you naughty lad....hehehehehehe

Especially when there are stickers/signs up at the pumps at BP now, to NOT sit on your bike when refueling...

Yeah, just like the stickers say no talking on cellphones... can't say it seems to have stopped anyone doing that!

**scumdog** · 29th June 2005, 22:57

If I fill my bike when sitting on it I get enough extra fuel in it to cover 12 or so miles (20km) compared with filling it on the side stand, hence I fill it sitting on it and not ONE person has protested/objected to me doing that.

**Da Bird** · 29th June 2005, 23:00

Originally Posted by zadok

BMW the new Cop bike? I see your pic has you sitting on an ST1100. They use the ST1100 here in W.A. Which do you prefer?

Yeah, the Beemer is the new one... had the ST1100 for about 3 years.

They both have their good points and bad points... the ST had good switchgear, good seat height and smooth motor...

The Beemer switchgear is crap (have to take hands off handlebars to activate lights and sirens) but has really comfy seat (although a bit high) and nice electric windscreen. The boxer isn't what I would call smooth sounding - sounds like a truck when I start it up in the morning! It's brand new though so I wont complain...

When they were looking at new bikes, it was between the STX1300 and the R1150RT - don't think there was much in it... at the end of the day, I guess price was a major factor. Would have been nice to test one of the STX's.

BC.

**FROSTY:Me** · 29th June 2005, 23:15

the xj has a real nasty neck on the filler which means getting the last litre or so in is a matter of patience -waiting for ot to burp.
Usually I dont bother. Toss in 20 bucks of 98 when it hits reserve.

Actually theres a good point --youze fullas that never run onto reserve cos ya just too smart.
One day ya might get a nasty shock if ya ever have to flick her over.
Once every few tankfulls I'd suggest running a tankfull through with the tap on reserve.

**thehollowmen** · 29th June 2005, 23:36

Originally Posted by FROSTY

the xj has a real nasty neck on the filler which means getting the last litre or so in is a matter of patience -waiting for ot to burp.
Usually I dont bother. Toss in 20 bucks of 98 when it hits reserve.

Actually theres a good point --youze fullas that never run onto reserve cos ya just too smart.
One day ya might get a nasty shock if ya ever have to flick her over.
Once every few tankfulls I'd suggest running a tankfull through with the tap on reserve.

Waiting for it to burp... I've sat there waiting at night for it to and they've turned off the pump on me.

I wasn't impressed and gave them a good scolding and showed the extra I could squeeze in given time and effort.

My DL650 doesn't have a center stand either.

**Bonez** · 30th June 2005, 07:47

Some bike us to have the fuel filller cap to one side of the tank to cater for side sand only bikes. Having about 3.5-4 ltrs in reserve is handy. Just got to remember to switch the fuel tap back to open/main.

**phantom** · 30th June 2005, 08:09

rode my GB round for several tankfuls ( or is it that tanksful ) of gas before I checked and saw it was on reserve. Must have been like that when I bought it

**Lou Girardin** · 30th June 2005, 08:18

Originally Posted by Bykey Cop

Yeah, the Beemer is the new one... had the ST1100 for about 3 years.

They both have their good points and bad points... the ST had good switchgear, good seat height and smooth motor...

The Beemer switchgear is crap (have to take hands off handlebars to activate lights and sirens) but has really comfy seat (although a bit high) and nice electric windscreen. The boxer isn't what I would call smooth sounding - sounds like a truck when I start it up in the morning! It's brand new though so I wont complain...

When they were looking at new bikes, it was between the STX1300 and the R1150RT - don't think there was much in it... at the end of the day, I guess price was a major factor. Would have been nice to test one of the STX's.

BC.

They did short change you. The STX would eat the Beemer for breakfast, lunch and dinner and still leave a snack. Shame they didn't get R1200's.