Road Glide banner

Fuel gauge issues

5K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  ironmark 
#1 ·
I bought a 2016 with 900 miles on it. First fill up I put in approximately 4 gallons and the reserve read 240 miles. I filled up today when the gauge read under 1/4 tank and reserve read 39 miles. Sounded about right. I put in only 3.1 gallons and the tank was full. Visually and the gauge read full. The reserve read 209 miles. I had washed the bike earlier. Could water have affected the electronics? I've never owned a fairing bike before and am a little unsure about water and all the electronic stuff.
 
#2 ·
Sorry the gauges have never been really accurate (yeah I know some are probably dead on). I use the trip meter and gas up around 180-200 miles. For me I use the gauge as a quick look when heading out. Do I need gas now (gauge low) or can I gas up later or when I get home.

I did read about a guy who emptied his tank. 1.5 gallons in the tank and bent the float arm until the gauge until it read a 1/4. He said it now works perfectly. I "might" do something like that if I had to take the pump assembly out for something. Otherwise its close enough.
 
#3 ·
I just got this bike a few weeks ago and still tryin to figure out fuel gauge. The last time I filled it had 214 miles on it and it took almost 5 gallons but the gauge was showing empty but r said 39 miles left. I guess around the 200 mile area is a good spot to fill. Don't want to push my luck too far without having some extra fuel with me
 
#4 ·
Starsky,
I'm no math wiz but based on the figures you've listed you're getting about 55 MPG. That does sound pretty good considering that Harley claims 52 MPG. If your new bike is bone stock they do come out of the factory running a little lean, so you're close to the spec numbers. With that said, I don't think you have a problem and I don't think washing your bike would affect your gas gauge. Keep in mind every time you fill your tank you're not always filling it to the same level unless you're the guy that adds gas all the way to the top all the time. Most of us just wait for the nozzle to trip off. Every gas station and every pump is different and each of us may put the nozzle into the tank at different depths. Welcome to the Forum and get out and ride your Glide.
 
#6 ·
I think HD has the fuel gauge reading empty before the fuel tank is actually empty. Ever since HD eliminated the petcock which had the on/off and reserve position they had the fuel gauge read empty when you really had around 1 gallon in the fuel tank. They did this to bring your attention to the fuel level since you don't really have a reserve. When my bike reads empty I have around 1 gal left in my tank.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top