I ran it extremely low once and was able to get 4.0x gallons back into it. I guess it all depnds on how crazy you get with topping it off.

 

Mellow Yellow and all - just figured I'd get gas sooner or later

 

I did the same thing 2 weeks ago. Stretched it out just a bit too long before getting to the gas station. I lucked out tho I was able to coast downhill most of the way. I only had to push it to the pump once inside the station. Felt like a dumb@ss all the same. Yikes 5 miles that ain't much fun. I think i wood have walked to the gas station bought a couple bottles of snapple or something and fueled them up after emptying them. Now as soon as the light comes on i head for the nearest gas station. Brand loyalty went right out the window.

 

betcha wish you had a gatorade bottle of fuel under the seat eh? pushing sucks.

 

I see no big deal on the tank size and distance.

I fill up at 100 miles, which is when my light comes on.

I never push past 20 miles on reserve.

 

+1 Never go farther than 20 miles on reserve.

 

See i figure it this way, i have had my VTR 8 years (wheww that is along time) so i have fine tuned her and have a good feeling how long she will go before i am walking.

I get 33 mpg nealry every time i check it (yes i know that is not 40 and i could care less) i have the carbs tuned right in the dyno sweet spot for air/fuel ratio from 2k to red line.

I hardly ever use 5th or 6th gear as the roads here are tight and twisty.

33 MPG means my light always comes on at 100 mile range + / - couple of miles.

Reserve is 3/4 gallon and simple math says i will be walking if i push her past 20 miles on reserve.

 

another data point: I was able to take on 3.35 gallons of fuel about two miles after my reserve light went on. That was with the bike upright (not leaned over) and the fuel right up to the top of the lip.

 

Thanks - I appreciate the info. Now I know - 15~20 or I'll be walking.
I usually get just under 40mpg. I know from experience that when the light comes on she takes about 3.1 gal (leaned over). And I know 0.7 gal is given as the reserve. I just had it in my head I could go all 4.2 gallons regardless of the stated reserve.
I'm a touch smarter now
Hey, at least I could sit under a tree and read this forum while I was waiting to hear from my wife!

 

I don't know if you guys get a slightly different tank build, but I found if you fill up past the bar below the lip, then it just goes out the tank vent hose, so now I don't bother trying to squeeze every last drop in by standing it up etc.

 

I just scratch my head reading all the problems that are posted with sub 100 mile range and not fueling to the top.

Five days a week I fill my tank to the brim, about 3.2-3.5 gallons depending on how empty it gets from the 120 mile round trip commute. I have never gotten the vapor lock or whatever others have complained about from filling up. Most of the time my RED LIGHT OF DEATH hasn't even come on yet by the time I get home after 120 miles.

My whole daily commute is all Bay Area freeways with out any traffic at the times I ride so the average speed is 80-85 just like the rest of the maniacs out here. (With the occasional triple digit roll on when no one is around)

Stock gearing. K&N filter, rejetted and Leo Vinci Slip ons. Just so weird how much everyones fuel range varies.

 

I got 100 miles on 2.5 gallons.

 

It vary so much because the super is very picky about its best spot for economy I get a range from 30 mpgs when riding light to light in town to 42 mpgs at 75 to 80 mph in 6th.

On my last trip my light came on and I didn't fill up at the first gas station I saw about 3 mi later, thinking I will find a major company gas station in a few miles. Well back on the hw ten or so miles later and I am looking at a sign saying the next town is 25 miles ahead. So I am thinking I am not going to make it. Maybe on a flat road but we are climbing up and down a mountain pass. Springbubba is behind me so I wave him by and I drafted him through the mountains all the way to the gas station so on .7 gallons I got 50+ mpg, via drafting two to three feet back. For comparison Springbubba's light came on ten miles after mine and he ended up putting in slightly more gas than I did. It was close though. We both filled 3.9 gallons. The one time I ran out of gas I put in 4.0 gallons.