Help! Pessimistic fuel gauge on the eve of departure!

[robtarry]

Howdy all

After installing a bunch of farkles on my new-to-me-as-of-two-days-ago '09 bike (Centech fuse block -- feeding Satellite radio, GPS and heated clothing) all of a sudden the bike thinks there's no fuel and is blinking fuel warning lights at me like crazy. Even after filling the tank to the brim it's telling me I have 11 miles of range left.

The thing of it is, my wife and I leave tomorrow morning for a 12 day trip from Arizona to Canada. Nice timing huh?

Any guesses what may have happened? Anyone ever had this happen before? Any easy fixes? And if not, can anyone tell me what kinda range they get from their tank so I can guestimate when I need to fill up? (riding two-up, three vario cases worth of luggage)

any and all help welcome!

thanks,
rob

[rcliffor]

I can't help with your problem, but as far as fuel mileage, I would guess that you will average 35-40 miles per gallon. So you are looking at maybe 190-220 miles per tank full.
I generally average about 45 mpg riding solo on Interstate highways (with vario cases). On slower state highways, I can get close to 50 mpg.

[widebmw]

I have a 2009 R1200GS and we ride two-up and loaded all the time.
If you are going at high speeds into the wind you can get as low as 35mpg
On slower nice dyas it can be up to 50mpg.
I have had airheads for 25 years and I used to using the trip odometer as a gas gauge.
I look for gas around 150 miles but I am out west and there are long distances between towns.

[Chiba]

The suggestions to use the odometer/tripmeter are good ones.

Sounds like the dreaded "fuel gauge strip" issue. Good luck!

--chiba

[robtarry]

Thanks for the advice folks.

Looks like the tripmeter it shall be.

As long as we get through Death Valley I think it'll be all good

Time to saddle up and hit the trail.

Thanks again!

-rob

[marc]

Originally Posted by robtarry

As long as we get through Death Valley I think it'll be all good

There's gas at Furnace Creek. There's also gas at Stovepipe Wells, but probably regular only. But don't expect it to be cheap!