Fuel gauges

[Gubb]

Why is it that so few bikes have them? Surely it's a fairly simple piece of technology.

I know you just reset your odo each time you fill up, but it's a handy piece of technology. Surely the reason that they are few and far between isn't because of weight reduction, they can't be that heavy.

[James Deuce]

Most bikes made in the last 5 years have fuel gauges mate.

They all vary between slightly inaccurate and lying like Tom Cruise about his sexuality.

[slofox]

Why is it that so few bikes have them? Surely it's a fairly simple piece of technology.

I know you just reset your odo each time you fill up, but it's a handy piece of technology. Surely the reason that they are few and far between isn't because of weight reduction, they can't be that heavy.

Mine has a "warning light" which blinks when 4 litres are left and goes solid at 1.5 litres........every time I look at it, it's bloody on again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jrandom]

The digital 'strip' fuel gauge on my GSX1400 works really well. First vehicle I've owned with a meaningfully linear gauge. Who'd-a thunk it, eh?

Even with the prevalant drastically-non-linear gauges on most bikes, you do eventually get used to interpreting their positions accurately.

Mileage on the trip meter modulo the way you've been riding is still the best way of estimating remaining tank range, though.

[naphazoline]

blade has a light,but i go by mileage.

what i wanna know,is why more bikes don't have gear position indicators?

[ckai]

Bloody oath. In saying that I suppose if I rode my bike a lot more I would get used to which gear vs revs. Slowly working it out. Still would be handy. Especially when I go to the wife's non-v-twin ninja. I just about always stall at round-abouts cause I'm in 2nd or 3rd with no touque.

Don't really trust the gauge on mine and only really use it with red death star shows. Check the odo and if it's around 400 I'll look at filling it up.

[jonbuoy]

blade has a light,but i go by mileage.

what i wanna know,is why more bikes don't have gear position indicators?

I don't understand the point of gear position indicators - engine spinning too fast change up, engine spinning too slow change down.

[Rosie]

I don't understand the point of gear position indicators - engine spinning too fast change up, engine spinning too slow change down.

Indeed. I don't even have a tacho, and I can generally keep myself in the correct gear.

I'm about to fit a clear tank to my bike, add a few vivid lines to the side - instant redneck fuel gauge

[naphazoline]

I don't understand the point of gear position indicators - engine spinning too fast change up, engine spinning too slow change down.

ya can't tell me you redline everywhere unless you got a real gutless bike.

[jonbuoy]

ya can't tell me you redline everywhere unless you got a real gutless bike.

Err no - didn't say that, just never felt the need for a gear indicator. About the only time I've got confused is switching between a five and six speed bike or riding an unfamiliar bike.

[naphazoline]

Err no - didn't say that, just never felt the need for a gear indicator. About the only time I've got confused is switching between a five and six speed bike or riding an unfamiliar bike.

that's my point.if you swap bikes regularly,it can be a bit confusing

[slofox]

what i wanna know,is why more bikes don't have gear position indicators?

I use the "Braille" method....when I can't kick it up any further, I know I am in 6th........and when I can't kick it down any further I know I am in 1st...In between?.......when the engine sounds like its gonna blow, change up. When it sounds like the bearings are square, change down.........works for me.......

[Elysium]

Seems to me the larger bikes lack gear selection indicators while most 250s do.

[naphazoline]

I use the "Braille" method....when I can't kick it up any further, I know I am in 6th........and when I can't kick it down any further I know I am in 1st...In between?.......when the engine sounds like its gonna blow, change up. When it sounds like the bearings are square, change down.........works for me.......

yeah...that's where i'm at.i'm sick of looking for a seventh gear.
but after riding around today,i found that i can easily do 180+ in second,so i don't think i'll be able to utilise this method.

[AllanB]

A gear indicator would be nice - on today's close ratio boxes there is often not much between 5th & 6th.

My Hornet has a low fuel light - it is meant to come on when there is 4 l left - but likes to come on early (7 left).

I have read in magazines that some models of bikes have a litre or 2 that due to the shape of the tank and the pick-up point for the fuel line, cannot be used.