Gas tank or gas gauge?

[Jim1955]

Just bought my bike, a 2007 Vulcan 1600 Nomad, last weekend and rode it about 100 miles and was down to one bar on the gas gauge, filled it up and it only took 2.7 gallons. Today I let the tank go down until the fuel light came on,119.6 miles. Filled it up and it only took 3.2 gallons. Am I being stupid or missing something simple or does it sound like I may have a problem. Appreciate any and all advice.

[cactusjack]

What model of bike do you have? IIRC, 1500's had a smaller tank than the 1600's. The gas gauges on these bikes are notoriously inaccurate. You'll learn how many miles to a tank and then watch your mileage for fill ups.

[Jim1955]

Sorry, it's a 2007 Vulcan 1600 Nomad

[ringadingh]

Use the tripmeter for more accurate readings. You should get about 200 miles to the tank most times.

[recumbentbob]

My friend with a 2007 nomad starts.looking for a gas station at 150 miles

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[Framer]

My 2008 has a 5.3 gallon tank (same as yours).i average 36 mpg and I like to leave about 3/4 of a tank to make sure the fuel pump stays cool. So 4.5 x 36 = 162 until you know your bike is start look for gas station about 145 or so.

[Jim1955]

So I gather from these comments that my bike is normal, the gauge and the light can't be relied on, just ride roughly 145 miles and then fill up.

[Framer]

I'd do 120 a couple of times and check your mileage then you should know what your bike will do.

[Caveman]

I also have an 07 Nomad 1600 -- mileage varies greatly depending upon conditions... Head/tail wind, highway speeds 55, 65, 75, etc., load weight, 1up, 2up, etc... and how heavy you ride the throttle. Get to know your bike. Take an extra gallon with you and ride differently for a few tanks & see where your cut off point is. That'll tell you when to start paying attention on longer rides without having to worry about running dry. Enjoy the bike!

[VulcanJeff]

Originally Posted by Jim1955

Just bought my bike, a 2007 Vulcan 1600 Nomad, last weekend and rode it about 100 miles and was down to one bar on the gas gauge, filled it up and it only took 2.7 gallons. Today I let the tank go down until the fuel light came on,119.6 miles. Filled it up and it only took 3.2 gallons. Am I being stupid or missing something simple or does it sound like I may have a problem. Appreciate any and all advice.

Check your MPG every fill-up until you get a good sense for what the average is based upon all the variables mentioned elsewhere (speed, headwind, passenger, loaded down with gear etc). You will soon get a feel for how consistent the low fuel light is. My guess is it will come on each and every time when it reaches the same level. What will vary is how quickly it comes on. Riding under typical conditions probably yields around 40mpg. Hard with a strong head or cross wind will no doubt knock down your MPGs but you should be able to determine the approximate MPGs based upon if the light comes on at 120 or 100 or 130 maybe.

My 05 1500 Classic has the analog gauge. It doesn't budge off of the full mark until I've racked off 75-80 miles. One time I topped 100 before it moved. Just that one time though. Each and every other time it begins falling after I've hit the 80 mile mark. Though not balls-on accurate, it is consistent. The low fuel light comes on with pretty much the same amount remaining in the tank. The miles I've ridden when it comes on gives me an idea of the MPGs I'm getting. If it comes on and I'm less than 120 miles, I know I'm down in the 30s for MPGs. Based upon having approx 2 gallons remaining when it does come on, I deduce I have 30 to maybe 40 miles to find petrol. If the light comes on around 140-150 or so, I'm getting well into the 40s for MPGs and I have a little more cushion before needing to fill up.

I subscribe to the philosophy mentioned above. I prefer to not run too far into that last remaining gallon. We gots to keep that fuel pump immersed. Plus, I personally don't really know how much of that last gallon can be used. It would be interesting to hear from someone who has sputtered to a cold hard stop. I wonder how much is sloshing around in the tank when the pump can pump no more?

[Jim1955]

Thanks for the advice. From what I'm hearing everybody has a way to calculate and estimate mileage and fuel remaining, as I have and again I appreciate all the help and advice. But I haven't heard anyone say they had the gauge or light looked into as far as getting them fixed. Does this mean it's not worth the trouble or the money, or that it can't be fixed and just continue as we have been?