Don't run out of fuel !

[xylo66]

Just incase this ever should happen to anybody ( or, of course, has already happened ).
If you allow the tank to run out, then , you have to bump-start the bike. Pour in a few litres if you are not near a petrol/gas station from a suitable container, then get a push or run down a incline with the bike switched on, in 1st holding the clutch in ( not second gear !! - I tried this 3x and doesn't work !! ), then let the clutch out and she will start. For some reason, due to all the electronics etc. just pouring in fuel and trying to start doesn't work no matter how long you try OR even holding the throttle wide open doesn't seem to work ( when I tried it ; that is ). I thought a air lock might have had something to do with it, but now doubt it after almost draining the battery trying to get it started.

Bottom line is :- DON'T allow it to run low past the warning light. If its 50 miles / 80 km's to go, fill up asap.

A hard lesson to learn, as trying to push start a 250kg beast by yourself dressed in twat-suit with sweat pouring off you looking like a real idiot is not fun.

 

[macca]

I've ran mine dry when I was checking possible range(faded out as the last accessible fuel burnt) poured a couple of litres in from the can I had with me and it fired up fine. Maybe you triggered the non-start issue, possible if you held the throttle open when trying to re-start..

 

[sportsguy]

OK, so...

I won't run out of fuel. Solid idea. I like this advice.

...and if I do, I'll keep a large elastic lasso on the bike to snag a tow-start from a passing truck.

(of course, I kid... )

 

[xylo66]

Macca...cheers - I only opened the throttle on the 3rd or 4th turn of the motor - short of draining the battery or burning the thing out ( ..uses a bendix? - I don't know and don't wish to find out

Good reply re. the bungee cord. With all the bad weather we are getting here in the UK, it would be even useful having a kitesurf sail and "hitch" a ride with all the wind we're getting hammered with !!

::021::

 

[limey]

I've ran out three times with no problem with re starting the bike.

 

[avc8130]

The one time I ran out...1/2 mile from a gas station...I filled the tank and then just did my normal starting routine of turning the key and arming the "run" switch. I always wait for the gauges to reset and the fuel pump to prime. No issues.

It sounds to me like you timed running out of fuel with one of the mysterious "hard starts".

ac

 

[sportsguy]

I've ran out three times with no problem with re starting the bike.

Canadians...we just never learn...

 

[xylo66]

Glad to hear of simple resolved issues. Good to know various riders have had different results - mostly positive !

I was just relating what happened to me and thought it would be of benefit to anybody else . Maybe it was just a "one off " as I've never had it since and never had this issue in the past 25 years of various other bikes. It just seemed unusual and posted it solely for reference purposes.

 

[num]

I ran out of fuel once and was able to coast into a gas station with out ever putting a foot down, then it restarted for me

 

[Maxified]

A hard lesson to learn, as trying to push start a 250kg beast by yourself dressed in twat-suit with sweat pouring off you looking like a real idiot is not fun.

What kind of suit? Just trying for form a mental picture of your unfortunate scenario. ???

Glad you got your ST to light off.

 

[Big Blu]

"Don't run out of fuel" is always good advise. Thanks! ::025::

Buy, alas, it has happened to me, added fuel, turned on key, hit starter button, then rode away...

Paul

 

[kmac]

Yeah I agree with the "better to just NOT run out" part...not always possible though.
I went for a nice ride on Christmas day and all of the remote stations were closed. I ran out just a couple of miles outside of Temecula. I kept shaking it left and right and it would refire as I was coasting down a slight grade. It ran out again, shake, run, out, about 3 times and it was finally fully out of fuel...positively OUT. Buddy behind me a few miles stopped and dumped a gallon or 2 in and it fired right up after turning on the key, waiting for gauges to run standard test, fuel pump primes and hit the magic button...rode right off.

I personally really think you had 2 issues simultaneously. Maybe it was a strange series of things that happened to create your situation, but if you run out again I think it will start up fine.

I REALLY want to build a bigger tank...I miss the bigger tank on the BMW...but that is about it.

 

[Kelvininin]

This thing has a fuel gauge... How do you run out of gas?

 

[OldRider]

This thing has a fuel gauge... How do you run out of gas?

You pull into Roy Sneklebacmeranklerolands 24hr Shell station where you always stop half through your 450 mile ride and find a sign sayin Roy died and the station is closed.Thtat's how you run out of gas.

 

[kmac]

OR,
you do a 250 mile ride round trip to Ocotillo Wells SRVA on Christmas day, much of it in triple digit speeds, only to find the only 3 gas stations between Temecula and the dez are all closed and you keep pushing it hoping to coast into Temecula.

If you never ride anywhere serious you will never run out of gas....if you do ride long hard and far....on a bike with only 6 gallons and 30ish miles to gallon when being punished and never over 40 you WILL run out.

PS: There is NO other fuel indicator other than the fuel gauge. I kept hoping that the low fuel blink was just the first stage of warning like my cars have....
My truck and Traverse say "low fuel level" and then when really low a little gas pump light starts flashing.....none of that on the Ten. Low means LOW.

 

[redneckK20]

Never hurts when you run out to prime the injectors 3-5 times, meaning turn the key on and let the pump do a full cycle, turn the key off and repeat a few times. Had to do this on my R1 when I ran out somewhere in New Mexico during my 24hr banzai run to Phoenix from Joplin, MO.

 

[Kelvininin]

I have crossed the country at triple digit speeds fighting 60 mph head winds on a bike that I was lucky to get 25 mpg on a 4 gallon tank and didn't run out of gas, hit the reserve yes. But I am a little anal about such things. Come real close before.

I can see if your typical local petrol station is closed however. I have been know to carry a 1L camp stove fuel bottle of gas before… Just in case. Never had to use it. I have had to run up the gas station to get a 5 gallon jerry can for a buddy thats run dry before. This is my second bike with a fuel gauge, sure makes life easier.

 

[SuperJimbo]

Never hurts when you run out to prime the injectors 3-5 times, meaning turn the key on and let the pump do a full cycle, turn the key off and repeat a few times.

This is by and large the go-to for any EFI system that I've run across since the stuff began cropping up back in the 80's.

 

[Curt]

I ran out of fuel once and was able to coast into a gas station with out ever putting a foot down, then it restarted for me

Same here, started right up. Coasted over 1/2 mile along a freeway, off a ramp, and up to a pump at a miracle gas station open at 1:15am!

 

[SuperJimbo]

Now thats just doin all the good, Curt.