*%&# I ran out of fuel on the Harbour Bridge but had a good run in with the police

**spudchucka** · 21st March 2008, 06:10

Originally Posted by Ixion

No, the old AHBA one was less serious than careless use. It was under the AHBA's own bylaws. In modern day money, something like a $100 fine, maybe.

Careless use would be harsh for just running out of gas, I reckon.

It is a careless use charge.

**BiK3RChiK** · 21st March 2008, 06:18

It would still be a bit harsh I reckon... We've probably all run out of gas unexpectedly at some stage. If I see it get anywhere near low, I'm filling up nowadays.

**breakaway** · 21st March 2008, 17:03

I reckon what you did was pretty irresponsible, but I can understand that it has happened to all of us at some stage

**NZDaniel** · 25th March 2008, 17:49

I ran out more than once. My fuel tap just stays on reserve... it's broken. Had to push the bike about 3km once

It sucks when it happens but I havn't ran out in a long time since!!! (Thank god)

**quickbuck** · 28th March 2008, 18:35

Originally Posted by Badjelly

I find it amazing that motorbikes are still using reserve tanks (ok reserve settings on the fuel valve) in this day and age. I'm sure this was OK during WW1 (Biggles: "Climb out on the wing and switch the tanks, Ginger dear boy") but in the 21st century!!

My Scorpio is not the flashest bike on the road, but it has this new-fangled thing called a fuel gauge. When the little needle drops into the red zone (every 300 km or so) I call in at the petrol station and fill it up again. I leave the fuel valve on reserve.

Fuel gauges use electronics.

Electronics fail randomly. There is a chance of it failing when you need it.
The best thing is reset the odo, as some have pointed out. I even do this in the cage...
Trouble is even those are electronic on some bikes though...
Although, never herd of one failing.

**sweetp** · 31st March 2008, 21:14

I got a new bike and took it on my first big trip over to Nelson (I know not a big trip but only the 4th time I had ridden it). Anyway, 15 min late to the ferrry the yellow button starts to flash. I am 30km from picton and it is early sunday morning.

I knew there where no stations till i hit picton so kept going. As I get to picton the flashing light goes solid and I make the decision to get to the ferry as I am already bloody late.

Check in ok (thank goodness) and get off the bike to look for the reserve tap. Thinking I am going blind I snaggle a fellow biker (there were 30 waiting) and ask him to check for me. Turns out it is an auto system and when the light goes solid it is time to head for the servo.

Spent the whole trip hoping I had enough gas to get to a station in Welly. Turned out ok, but an anxious way to find out what your tank range is!

**quickbuck** · 31st March 2008, 22:12

Years ago I was two-up and was on reserve heading north to the ferry after a Brass Monkey.
I was running late, and didn't want to refuel in Picton.
Knew I would use naff all gas while on the ferry

So, carried on... not forgetting to fuel up in Wellington.

Well, 4 hours later we got the jump on the ferry traffic coming off, so we went for it.
As I was clear I thought I would carry on north.... Then 1km out of Paraparaumu the bike gave a little indicator.... a slight power loss.

No worries I thought... I just flick it to reserve....
Then said a four letter word that starts with F.

Yes, that's it. FUEL! I forgot the damn fuel.
Do you know how heavy a GSX600 is with a weeks worth of gear for two people?
Yep, too heavy to push a kilometre...

Lucky a top bloke came along and let me use his lawn mower fuel. Got bike running and missus was happy again, and fueled it for home.

Ever since I've always topped up in Picton, as you can ride the bike onto the ferry right up until it almost leaves.

So, yeah, I'm not perfect, but to be fair the poor 600 used a bit more gas with two POB.

**LilSel** · 31st March 2008, 22:22

I ran outta gas once with a pillion on my bike too... bike stalled... I went oh... pulled clutch in and rolled (wasnt in a 50zone)... reached down, turned the tap... started her up again... let the clutch out & kept going to the nearest gas station... I was rather chuffed with myself for not stopping lol...

**howdamnhard** · 31st March 2008, 22:36

Yip I do the same.

Originally Posted by Nade

Every time I fill up I reset the trip meter....I know how far I can go (220kms)before I run out so I know when to fill up....been close the night before payday a couple of times....but I know I can get from home to the nearest servo on reserve...about 30km's. And a fuel gauge on a bike??? WTF lol

**musicman** · 1st April 2008, 00:23

Originally Posted by Nade

Every time I fill up I reset the trip meter....

Originally Posted by howdamnhard

Yip I do the same.

Originally Posted by quickbuck

The best thing is reset the odo, as some have pointed out. I even do this in the cage...

I thought this was standard practise? I mean, the trip meter is there for a reason, it takes, what, 2 seconds to reset it? Why would you not use it...

**quickbuck** · 1st April 2008, 05:44

It seams standard practices have been forgotton over time. This may be due to the advances in technology that make us forget all about them.... Or, just confuse the issue so there is no one proper way of doing something.....

A bit like Microsoft?

**scumdog** · 1st April 2008, 06:58

Sheesh, surprised so many of you are crap at organising your re-fuel times - shit, you MUST have had an idea for a while it is time to top up yet you push on??

Just glad you're not pilots - you would'nt be for long, thats for sure.